“Better is a
little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. (Proverbs
15:16 NKJ)
little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. (Proverbs
15:16 NKJ)
People who desire to
teach against riches and wealth claim Jesus taught about money more than any
other subject. After doing a personal but precursory biblical search of money
and related terminology (money, riches, wealth, possessions, mammon and so forth),
I am not convinced of the accuracy of such claims. As a caveat, I submit that a
comprehensive study would be in order, but I am not aware of any current
scholarly study in this subject.
teach against riches and wealth claim Jesus taught about money more than any
other subject. After doing a personal but precursory biblical search of money
and related terminology (money, riches, wealth, possessions, mammon and so forth),
I am not convinced of the accuracy of such claims. As a caveat, I submit that a
comprehensive study would be in order, but I am not aware of any current
scholarly study in this subject.
After almost 40
years as a pastor, I can say, it is almost anathema for any minister of the
Gospel to mention material things in a negative way in his/her sermon. Yet,
there is a negative note that must be sounded. Material wealth (money) cannot
be trusted. It is difficult to amass and easy to lose. It cannot buy you
eternal life, neither your tithe at church nor the amount you donate to
charities.
years as a pastor, I can say, it is almost anathema for any minister of the
Gospel to mention material things in a negative way in his/her sermon. Yet,
there is a negative note that must be sounded. Material wealth (money) cannot
be trusted. It is difficult to amass and easy to lose. It cannot buy you
eternal life, neither your tithe at church nor the amount you donate to
charities.
Perhaps we all can
relate cases in which material wealth caused grief to an individual, to a
family, or to a church. To the individual there is temptations to chase after
more, and the temptations to be greedy and miserly. In families, wealth has
caused disputes, relational destruction, hatred, bitterness, as well as murder
just to name some “grief” issues. In the church, wealth has caused
some to discontinue their faithful stewardship. Wealth has caused some churches
to become greedy and miserly, storing up financially but refusing to fund
ministries.
relate cases in which material wealth caused grief to an individual, to a
family, or to a church. To the individual there is temptations to chase after
more, and the temptations to be greedy and miserly. In families, wealth has
caused disputes, relational destruction, hatred, bitterness, as well as murder
just to name some “grief” issues. In the church, wealth has caused
some to discontinue their faithful stewardship. Wealth has caused some churches
to become greedy and miserly, storing up financially but refusing to fund
ministries.
Now, another caveat.
I too need money. I too would like a bank account that held large amounts. I
too want to be financially independent of this world’s system. Yet, I am not
willing to give up my fear of God for material wealth. I am not willing to accept
the trouble that comes with great treasures. I am not willing to lay aside the
will of God in order to follow the will of man.
I too need money. I too would like a bank account that held large amounts. I
too want to be financially independent of this world’s system. Yet, I am not
willing to give up my fear of God for material wealth. I am not willing to accept
the trouble that comes with great treasures. I am not willing to lay aside the
will of God in order to follow the will of man.
And please
understand this. I am neither criticizing nor accusing my wealthy friends, in
any way. Also, I am not teaching against riches or wealth. It is important to
consider that material wealth is a blessing from God and from faithfulness to
God. In addition, wealthy people can be just as faithful in their stewardship
as poor people. And poor people can be just as greedy and miserly as those who
hoard great treasures.
understand this. I am neither criticizing nor accusing my wealthy friends, in
any way. Also, I am not teaching against riches or wealth. It is important to
consider that material wealth is a blessing from God and from faithfulness to
God. In addition, wealthy people can be just as faithful in their stewardship
as poor people. And poor people can be just as greedy and miserly as those who
hoard great treasures.
This is not a
question of “to be or not to be.” Rather, it is an issue of trust. It
is an issue of providing for one’s family. It is an issue of stewardship. It is
an issue of faithfulness to God. And, the Wise Teacher gives us a general
principle to help guide us. It is better to have the fear of God in poverty
than to possess great wealth and the trouble that comes with it. NO! IT IS NOT
BETTER TO BE POVERTY-STRICKEN!
question of “to be or not to be.” Rather, it is an issue of trust. It
is an issue of providing for one’s family. It is an issue of stewardship. It is
an issue of faithfulness to God. And, the Wise Teacher gives us a general
principle to help guide us. It is better to have the fear of God in poverty
than to possess great wealth and the trouble that comes with it. NO! IT IS NOT
BETTER TO BE POVERTY-STRICKEN!
Rich, poor or in
between, it is better to possess the fear of the Lord! The fear of the Lord is
best! Whatever our financial status, the fear of the Lord should direct our
lives!
between, it is better to possess the fear of the Lord! The fear of the Lord is
best! Whatever our financial status, the fear of the Lord should direct our
lives!
Dear Father, thank
you for the material blessings you bestow on us. Empower us to maintain our
reverence of you and our faithful stewardship to you. I pray this in the name
of Jesus. AMEN
you for the material blessings you bestow on us. Empower us to maintain our
reverence of you and our faithful stewardship to you. I pray this in the name
of Jesus. AMEN
Let your reverence
of God direct you today,
of God direct you today,