Question: Is it wrong for Christians to be rich?

Answer: Nowhere in the Bible do we read that it is wrong for a Christian to be rich. However, there are several things that we do read in the Bible about Christians and riches.

1. Christians are not to desire to be rich. 1 Timothy 6:8-10 gives us needful instruction about the desire to be rich. "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare… For the love of money is the root of all evil." Notice that it is the love of money that is the root of all sorts of evil. Some of the temptations for Christians today are gambling casinos and get-rich-quick schemes. Perhaps the greatest need today is for contentment. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1)."Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).

2. Christians are not to set their hearts on riches. "If riches increase, set not your heart upon them" (Psalm 62:10). Financial prosperity can be a subtle trap for the Christian. Riches tend to occupy the Christian with material possessions, and as a result, can easily take up all of his time. The Christian is told to "set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).

3. Christians are to share their riches freely. "Charge them that are rich in this world … that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate" (1 Timothy 6:17,18). Communicate means to have fellowship with others by sharing what God has given to us.

Perhaps many of us in prosperous countries do not consider ourselves to be rich, but when compared with the rest of the world, how richly we have been blessed! What a responsibility, then, is ours to use what the Lord has given to us to further His work and to help those who are in need!

God's plan for all Christians regardless of riches.

Although the children of Israel were commanded to give a tithe of all that the Lord had given to them, we do not find that instruction given to Christians in the New Testament. However, we do find that all Christians:

—Are to give to the Lord and His work according as the Lord has "prospered" them (1 Corinthians 16:2). A tithe or tenth may be a good measure of what we should give, but grace exceeds the law and would not limit the heart's response to God's goodness.

—Are to be consistent in their giving. "Upon the first day of the week."

—Are to put aside the money that they are going to give to the Lord. "Lay by him in store." The Lord should have the first place in the Christian's life and finances. What is given to Him should be "firstfruits" and not "leftovers."

—Are not to give because they feel they must give (2 Corinthians 9:7).

—Are not to give grudgingly.

—Are to give with a cheerful heart.

—Are to labor with their hands so that they may be able to give to him that is in need (Ephesians 4:28).

Always remember that all that we have really belongs to the Lord. David expressed this when he said, "Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee" (1 Chronicles 29:14).

—John D. McNeil