We live in a society where we are taught from a young age that our occupation defines us as a person.  If we are earning a substantial salary, own a luxury car, live in a costly house and wear designer clothes, then we are considered successful.  The church reinforces this philosophy even further with a teaching that states that if you don't have the 'best' the world has to offer, then you are somehow missing God's will for your life.  Let's take an in depth look at what the Word of God has to say about great wealth.

These Things

Matthew 6:31-33  So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?  Your heavenly Father knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Why then, if we are not suppose to seek after 'things these ', are we encouraged to do exactly that from many pulpits?  This type of error in teaching serves only to create disillusionment in the hearts of the people of God.  Instead of being happy with what God has blessed us with 'from day to day', we sit in discontentment blaming God for not fulfilling His so called promises (these teaching state that it is God's will for us to all to drive a Lexus or something comparable and to wear the best of clothes, et al....) or we feel like failures for not having 'enough faith' to even be able to buy the same kind of suit that the 'Man of God' is wearing -- though he has thousands of people throwing money in his bucket at every service and we hold a nine to five job.   

Let's look at the what the apostle Paul taught Timothy. Timothy had the responsibility of rearing the young church in Ephesus and was instructed to teach these things as 'foundations for a godly life' because false teachers had come into the young church who saw religion as a way to get rich (vs.  2b-5) .....

1 Timothy 6:6-11  Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth.  After all, we didn't  bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die.  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.  But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil.  And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.  But you, Timothy, belong to God; so run from all these evil things and follow what is right and good.  Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

So what are we to pursue?  According to this scripture... a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  According to Matthew 6....the kingdom of God.  It is clear that we are taught by both the apostle Paul and by our Lord Jesus to be content.  

Who is Your Master?

The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12 ....for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything, I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

What is it that the apostle Paul learned?  That God is sovereign.  That God would supply all our needs from his glorious riches (Phil. 4:19 & Matt 6:33).  He learned that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).  We may not always understand and we may not always agree with the direction God has for us....but He is a good Father and we can always trust Him because He loves us.  Faith is simply trusting our heavenly Father, even through the storms...and resting in Him.  Being content no matter the circumstances. 

Jesus was giving us the best advice ever when he taught us to not seek after 'these things'.  He was aware of the temptation to seek after money instead of God.   In Luke 12:15 Jesus taught us by saying, 'Beware! Don't  be greedy for what you don't have.  Real life is not measured by how much we own.'  Jesus knew that we couldn't serve two masters (Luke 16:13).  We can't seek after money, riches and all that the world has to offer and still seek to be pleasing to Him.  When the rich young man who had fulfilled the letter of the law asked what else he must do to have eternal life,  Jesus' response was for him to sell every thing he had then give it to the poor and follow Jesus.  The young man left sadly because he had many possessions.  Jesus knew that this man's possessions were more important to him than God.  This is the reason Jesus said it is so hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:16-24)  Jesus also knew that seeking after money would leave us empty....the only thing that can satisfy our hearts is the Creator of our hearts.  

Being Content

Being thankful for what God has blessed us with, however much that may be, will keep us in the position to be content.  Being happy with what we have instead of running after what we don't have will produce the element missing in many hearts -- peace.  We need to realize that chasing after 'these things' is like chasing after the wind.  There is so much peace in resting and being thankful  in the blessings that we have instead of constantly striving for what is out of our reach. 

I know Christians who, instead of being grateful for what they have, are taking these teachings full of error and waiting for that big expensive house.....not happy with the one that God has given them.  These same people live in a fantasy world waiting for that supernatural jack pot because of the fairy tales being taught to them.   Instead of persevering through tough financial times, trusting that God will always meet their needs, these people who adhere to this wrong teaching get frustrated because they are not seeing what they have been taught are the promises of God.  If you need a bigger house because you have four kids and only two bedrooms, then that is a definite need and God is faithful to meet your needs.  According to the scriptures we have just read, God promises to meet our needs -- and He does.  However, there are  Christians who sit and wait for some great pie in the sky, in which case they are waiting for disappointment instead.

When we learn to be happy whether we have, be that little or much, we move from the present earthly desires that are temporal and set our minds on things above which are eternal.  Our culture is a very selfish culture.  We are constantly thinking about ourselves and our own wants and desires before others.  But the call of God put on the lives of believers is to be the servants of all and to put others first.  Some people say, 'if I only had a million dollars -- it would help to finance the gospel to the ends of the earth'.  But these same people won't step across the street to share the gospel with their neighbors.  It doesn't take millions to spread the great message of salvation (although that is what is being said from pulpits), it only takes a willing and obedient heart to go and minister to those around us.  To love others cost absolutely nothing (save our pride when we open our mouths to talk about the saving love of God). 

Lukewarm Water?

Let's look at one more powerful scripture which gives a perfect picture of the Church today.  Jesus is talking to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-19, "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!  you say, 'I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don't need a thing!'  And you don't realized that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  I advise you to buy gold from me -- gold that has been purified by the fire.  Then you will be rich.  And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness.  And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.  I am the one who corrects  and disciplines everyone I love.  Be diligent and turn from your indifference."

Putting selfishness and visions of grandeur aside and acknowledging the goodness and faithfulness of God will bring contentment and peace.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and remember that true religion with contentment is great wealth!  

Founder and Editor of Charismatic Reform Journal © 2000, Charismatic Reform Journal