Can You Be A Christian and Be Wealthy?

Welcome, brothers and sisters! Praise the Lord as we gather to discuss a compelling topic today: Can you be a Christian and be wealthy? To Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and Joel Osteen, my dear brothers in faith, this is for you!

Defining Wealth

So, here we are, trying to unravel whether it's possible to be both a Christian and wealthy. Personally, I think most of us today, compared to those in biblical times, could be considered wealthy. We have phones, technology, and many other things they could have never dreamed of. Wealth, therefore, is a matter of perspective.

Consider someone like Jeff Bezos. At what point does wealth become incompatible with Christianity? Is it a million dollars or a billion? Biblically, it's not so clear-cut.

Wealth and Needs

Ultimately, it seems to depend on your needs and how you use your wealth. For instance, someone with a large family needs more than someone who is single. But it's also crucial to reflect on what you do with your wealth—how you view it in your heart and how you've acquired it matters.

Heart and Wealth

The heart's perspective on wealth is important. Look at Dave Ramsey, a rich Christian worth tens of millions. He talks about money from a biblical standpoint, emphasizing how he once went bankrupt but then amassed wealth again. He claims, "This isn't my money; it's God's money, and we are just caretakers of it." While I like Dave Ramsey's approach and many pieces of advice, this idea can be misused.

The Responsibility of Wealth

The phrase "This is God's money" is often misrepresented, especially by those in mega-churches. Yet, believing that any money one possesses is actually God's blessing is a perspective worth considering. The key is to ensure that one's actions align with this belief.

Money and Conduct

Many might echo JG Wentworth's sentiments, saying, "It's my money, and I need it now," which is at least honest. But Jesus did say you can't serve both God and mammon (money). He also mentioned that it's easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle. These reflections are crucial as we navigate our understanding of wealth and faith.

Hence, being wealthy is not inherently incompatible with being a Christian. What's important is how you view, acquire, and use your wealth, always keeping in mind that it is, ultimately, a blessing to be managed wisely.

The Relationship Between Wealth and Christianity

Misconceptions and Warnings

Many people struggle with the biblical teachings about wealth, interpreting them to mean that being wealthy is incompatible with being a true Christian. One common example is the saying that it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. However, these warnings should not be taken literally.

Serving God, Not Money

The idea that you cannot serve both God and money emphasizes the need for focus on God and the growth of His kingdom. It doesn't mean you can't possess wealth. Your dedication should always be towards God.

The Rich Young Ruler's Lesson

When Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and follow Him, it was a lesson aimed at showing priorities. It wasn't a blanket command for everyone. Jesus understood that for this particular individual, giving up his wealth was essential to truly follow Him. This personalized approach can be different for others.

Jesus and Wealth

Many wonder why Jesus Himself was not wealthy. As described in Isaiah 53, He exemplified humble living to connect deeply with the suffering of humanity. However, this doesn't mean that we are called to live in poverty. This was a part of His mission, not a lifestyle mandate for His followers.

Distinguishing Christians from Pastors

A critical distinction often overlooked is the difference between a Christian being wealthy and a pastor being wealthy. Pastors earn their living from their congregations, so the question of wealth can become more complex and sensitive. The wealth accrued from spreading God's word should be approached with caution.

Earning from One's Vocation

In contrast, Christians who earn their wealth through secular businesses have a different dynamic. This distinction is essential when discussing wealth in the Christian context. The teaching is not about renouncing wealth but ensuring it's acquired and used in alignment with Christian values. Notably, financial advisors like Dave Ramsey, who earn by teaching financial stewardship, operate under different circumstances than pastors.

In conclusion, wealth in itself is not inherently wrong within Christianity; it depends on how it's obtained and used. There are different metrics and values for those who are called to serve in ministry compared to those operating within the secular realm.

The Influence of Money and Power

John as a Pastor

Wait, John is a pastor? Yeah, he is. I think he's worth it, and again, it's what you do with it that matters. These guys, I don't tend to like what they do with it and how they live their lives, but that's just my opinion.

The Warnings Against Money

Why are there warnings against money, then? I think it's because you end up looking like those doofuses. Money corrupts people. If you are given an amount of money that you do not know how to handle, you will therefore be irresponsible with it. People are more responsible in some areas than others. So, I think the warnings against money are due to the fact that money almost always corrupts people when you get too much of it. The same thing applies to power; whenever someone is handed a certain amount of power, they will most likely abuse it. It's like playing with fire.

The Challenges of Wealth and Faith

As my own opinion, if you're a believer and you're amassing millions, it's pretty difficult to really walk the walk. I agree with it, yeah. But, you know, no judgment—if God blesses you with it, He blesses you with it. However, it's tough not to be choked by the cares and riches of the world. This is one of the warnings that Jesus gives. If that's the warning—to be choked by the riches of the world—then it sounds like it happens when you've got a lot of money. Often, the reason is the pursuit of acquiring more and more money, filling your happiness void with wealth instead of the spirit and the love of God.

Now, if you're an ultra-poor person and you end up winning the lottery, that's different because you weren't spending your whole life trying to get all this money. You didn't have much, but you just happened to win the lottery. I agree with you there; it makes the walk a lot harder. It's how you live your life and get to where you are.

A Reflection from a Pool Party

I was at a pool party a couple of days ago. We got into discussing the distinction between pool parties and pool table parties. Anyway, we were in this gated community, a multi-million dollar home. I looked around as we entered the movie theater. You can't wear your shoes in the house, and I found myself in a room where Rudy Gobert filmed a commercial. It was all nice, but when I left and was talking with my friends about it, they were saying how they wished they had all that. They dreamt of working hard to earn it. I thought about it, and I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I realized I really don't want all that. Not because it wouldn't be nice, but because I think it could take away from what God is trying to teach us.

The Balance of Wealth and Humility

Having such luxuries can detract from the inherent suffering we as Christians endure and make us more prideful in our capabilities in this world. Consider this: it keeps coming back to what you do with your wealth. Not everyone with a ton of money needs a giant house with a movie theater. It's about what you use your money for. Personally, I don't care for big houses myself.

The Intersection of Wealth and Spirituality

Is it possible for a Christian to be super wealthy and still possess a heart for God, kindness, and generosity, more so than a poor person who is stingy? The answer is a resounding yes. It all depends on how one perceives their wealth. Those who have earned it, especially if they grew up poor, may appreciate it more. They understand what it’s like not to have wealth and hence might say, "Thank you, God, for blessing me with this." However, it's important to tread carefully, as focusing solely on money might lead to a life centered around it.

Appreciating Wealth

When someone sees how far they've come, they tend to appreciate their achievements and possessions significantly more. However, there are extremes on both sides of the wealth spectrum. Often, individuals with high wealth remain focused on money because that's what helped them achieve it in the first place. On the other hand, those with no money are also focused on it because they lack it. It's generally when you're middle-grounded, not too rich nor too poor, that money likely becomes the least distracting. Ideally, you would have enough resources so as not to worry, but not so much that it consumes all your attention.

The Parable of the Sower

The parable of the sower echoes this idea as it illustrates what can choke out one's seed: the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. These can either be worrying about making ends meet or being consumed by the false promises of wealth.

The Financial Grind

From the perspective of a former stockbroker, once you reach a certain point where wealth serves as your life’s focus, it becomes a daily grind. Deciding where to invest, such as what to do with maturing certificates of deposit or a million dollars, becomes your daily routine. It becomes a full-time endeavor, serving that financial empire.

The Dogecoin Experience

In a lighter take, the foray into trending investments like Dogecoin can also serve as a distraction. Engaging in activities like these can take over one’s life, never offering stability, but always demanding attention.

Our Conclusion

Ultimately, while it seems we’ve thoroughly explored this topic, it's essential to recognize each person's unique position and choices in their financial journey and spiritual life. Everyone is on a different path, but finding that personal sweet spot amid wealth and gratitude might be the ideal approach to leading a balanced life.