Everyone, it seems, wants to be rich. Can a Christian be rich and still be a real Christian? After all, Jesus was poor. The Apostles were poor. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Not unreasonably, many people in Cyprus believe that a person cannot be both Christian and rich. So, while nearly all Greeks think of themselves as Christian, they are also afraid of being real Christians, because no one wants to be poor.
The Bible deals a lot with riches. The ideal in Proverbs is a middle amount of wealth. “Give me neither poverty nor riches – Feed me with the food you prescribe for me; lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God (Proverbs 30:8-9).” The Apostle Paul wrote that he had learned how to be content with both poverty and abundance. “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity. I have learned the secret both of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:12-13).” Jesus had rich friends who helped support Him (see Luke 8:3). He did not tell them to give all their money away and be poor.
Wealth, according to the Bible, is like fire, good but dangerous. Everyone sees the good, so the Bible warns us about the danger. Danger one: the desire to get rich (I Timothy 6:10). Danger two: worry about money (Matthew 6:25-34). Danger three: trusting in wealth rather than God (Luke 12:16-21). Danger four: loving money as your god, when no man can actually serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Danger five: using your money to oppress other people (James 2:6, Isaiah 3:15, Amos 2:6-7). Wise men fear the temptations that wealth brings.
The ideal rich man in the Bible is Job. He never loved his wealth more than God. He used it freely to help others (Job 31). But when he lost it all in one day, he still revered God. And after Job had proven his love for God, God made him rich again. So a man can be rich and love God. One can be a real Christian and be rich. But it is not easy, the Bible says, and experience confirms it. Jesus knew that the rich young ruler would not obey the most important thing he told him – “and come, follow me” – if he kept his wealth.
The goal of getting rich is a foolish goal. You can’t take it with you (I Timothy 6:7). No one needs to have millions of euros. A wise man prays for his daily bread. “And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content (I Timothy 6:8).” A man can be rich and be one of God’s people. Abraham was a rich man. But a man cannot have a life goal of getting rich and be a Christian. The greatest goal the Creator gives to man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. It is not to get rich. One can indeed be rich and be a Christian, but one cannot worship God and Mammon (money). Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and do not worry what else gets added to you in this life, whether much or little. The reward that Christians seek is eternal life, the infinite and certain reward for all who believe in Jesus and obey Him as King.
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FAQs
No wonder Jesus explicitly warns us that we cannot love and serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). But there is nothing wrong with being rich. The rich are no less holy than others. One can be rich and still love God more than he loves or trusts money.
What does Christianity say about being rich? ›
Finally, 1 Timothy 6:17-18 offers divine instructions for the wealthy among us. The passage reads: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Does God allow you to be rich? ›
Physical abundance and material wealth is one of God's blessings. And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth… On the other hand, it's not a sin to be poor. Poverty doesn't automatically make you less righteous, or more righteous.
Can I be rich and go to heaven? ›
Just as it's impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it's impossible with people—but not with God—for a rich man to enter Heaven. Jesus can and ultimately did provide a way for rich people—and all who believe in Him—to enter God's Kingdom.
How to become rich in Christianity? ›
6 Keys to Biblical Wealth and Prosperity in Every Part of Your Life
- Diligence.
- Seek God in Everything.
- Seek Righteousness.
- Keep His Commandments (Walk in His Ways)
- Honor God With Your Wealth.
- Develop Your Faith (Trust) in God.
The Bible issues several warnings against the love of money and the snare of wealth (1 Timothy 3:3; 6:10), but in Proverbs 30:8–9, Agur, the gather of wise sayings, asks that he would have neither poverty nor wealth.
What Jesus said about rich people? ›
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven."
Does Jesus want people to be rich? ›
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” The Bible never condemns wealth and neither should we. The Bible never upholds poverty as the pathway to righteousness, nor should we.
Does the Bible say rich people can't go to heaven? ›
Jesus says: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24). This means it is impossible for a rich man to go to heaven by the same token that it is impossible for a camel to enter the eye of a needle.
What does the Bible say about being too rich? ›
First Timothy 6:9-10 says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money (emphasis added) is a root of all kinds of evils.
No wonder Jesus explicitly warns us that we cannot love and serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). But there is nothing wrong with being rich. The rich are no less holy than others. One can be rich and still love God more than he loves or trusts money.
What excludes you from heaven? ›
You see, sin is sin, and sin will exclude us from the glorious presence of Jesus and the Father for eternity. (See also 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21).
Why is it hard for a rich person to go to heaven? ›
Someone with a biblical view of wealth must be generous. The Kingdom of Heaven is a place where greed and any self-centered gain do not exist. Therefore, if someone chooses to be selfish with their possessions, they are choosing to crowd their space with earthly treasure rather than heavenly treasure.
How many Christians are millionaires? ›
A study done by the nonpartisan wealth research firm New World Wealth found that 56.2% of the 13.1 million millionaires in the world were Christians, while 6.5% were Muslims, 3.9% were Hindu, and 1.7% were Jewish; 31.7% were identified as adherents of "other" religions or "not religious".
How does God view money? ›
Money is a tool God uses to help us live and love like Jesus. Regardless of how much—or how little—money you have, God is at work in your life through your circ*mstances. He is leading you to a deeper trust in him.
What is God's view on wealth? ›
Contrary to popular belief, God does not condemn wealth and prosperity. In fact, throughout the Bible, we see instances where God blesses His people with abundance and prosperity. However, it is essential to recognize that God's intentions for wealth go beyond mere accumulation and personal gain.
What does God say about becoming rich? ›
Proverbs 10:22: The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 2 Corinthians 9:8: And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
What did Bible say about rich people? ›
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:9-10). “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
