The issue of Christians and money gets a lot of people’s pantaloons all in a bunch. We think of negative stereotypes: Television evangelists trying to swindle widows, prosperity preachers selling you a shinier, prettier Gospel, rich Christians who spend generously… on themselves, that is.
On the flip side, some people think believers are called to a humble, pious, and decidedly broke life. While others see no harm in rollin’ in dough, including driving a fancy car or owning a shamelessly large house. They say you can, of course, still love Jesus and be wealthy.
Alright, so Christians can be rich. I know a few (I covet their shiny SUVs and their expensive looking handbags). But should Christians be rich? Are you already forming your response? People have visceral reactions regarding the topic of money, including anger, guilt, or shame. Here’s what I think about Christians and money…
I think God grants wealth to whom He chooses–it just happens to suck if that person ain’t you. Jesus warns us about the love of money, the entrapment of money, and the temptation of money. He never says, however, “Run away from money!” Or, “If you see money, don’t touch it!” Not to mention that one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible, which happens to be from Christ, is “the love of money is the root of evil,” not money itself. Christians get this one wrong all the time, not to mention everyone else.
There are many verses in scripture that point to God actually dispensing money as provision (go figure, huh? ‘Cause that’s what I think of money as… provision). Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth.” I don’t know about you, but I think this verse is sweet. It is the Lord who gives us power to make money.
Right there, people who want to call money or wealth evil should be silenced. Also, anyone who thinks Christians should be poor must reconcile that idea with the Deuteronomy verse. God allows certain people the power to make money.
So, what should the rich do with their money and what about the rest of us who may not be blessed with superhero dollar-producing skills?
Remember that other verse, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” from Luke 12:34? This verse applies to every single believer, rich or not. God tells us quite simply that what we love will be reflected in our heart. And what we love in our heart will be reflected by our outward treasure.
In his book, Neither Poverty nor Riches, New Testament Scholar Craig L. Blomberg says this:
“In the most affluent or suburban Western communities, it is impossible to detect any outward differences between the expenditures of professing Christians and the religiously unaffiliated who surround them in their neighborhoods.”
Are we spending millions on Starbucks, but ignoring the basic needs of those around us? Do we give generously because we have been given to generously?
The world sees how Christians spend (or don’t spend) money. They pay attention, even when we think they don’t. God desires Christians to use money to advance His Kingdom, feed the hungry, take care of the orphan and the widow. I’m not just talking about the local church’s money either. I’m talking about our money… my money… your money.
Did you know too that the Bible actually says “money answers everything”? I had no idea, but it’s in there, right in Ecclesiastes 10:19. Money answers everything. Americans do believe this, but the question is, what are we trying to answer with money? Are we trying to buy fulfillment, contentment, or happiness (material possessions, things, and stuff)? Or are we buying freedom, health, provision (giving to the poor, needy, hungry, and hurting)?
I am convicted even as I sit and write this post. If I were to take an inventory of my expenditures over the last 6 months, or even 3 weeks, I don’t think I would be too happy about what I would find. I do not give generously. I give marginally.
I believe the Lord allows and even desires for some Christians to be rich. Besides that fact, He also desires that everyone of us use money to further His Kingdom, whatever amount of money He leads us to give.
The Resurgence puts it this way: “If our hearts belong to Jesus and our lives are devoted to his mission, we need not avoid, demonize, or fear money. We can love God, love people, and use money to enjoy life and do ministry.” We do not need to attach emotions or stigma to money. We simply need to attach Jesus to every dollar we spend. Sounds simple enough? I’m still working on it.
Do you think Christians should be rich? Do you think the Church as a whole handles the issue of money well, or not so well? How do you view money and giving in your own life?
Joey said...
You said “pantaloons”
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Joey...
Yep-er-do…I did, and I just said “yep-er-do”.
Jill said...
Good post, I agree with all that you said. you found some good scriptures.
If every Christian were dirt poor, what Christians would be around to speak into the lives of people who are wealthy or in powerful positions? Paul says to be in the world but not of the world. God loves the wealthy and wants them to come to salvation too, so who’s to say he doesn’t make people wealthy to mingle with other wealthy people. Also, there are many big ministries that are funded by wealthy Christians, missionaries that are given cars, churches that are given buses, etc. As long as each individual is living in obedience to the Lord and as the verse says, REMEMBERING where the power to make money came from, and honoring the Lord with that money, then I think wealth can be good and ordained by the Lord.
Then again, there is something refreshing in my spirit when I hear that people like James Dobson, who has access to much wealth, chooses to live in a normal sized house in a normal neighborhood, etc. Since he is in the public eye he doesn’t want to live extravagantly. I guess it’s refreshing because it’s hard to do and there are many negative examples of Christians doing the opposite in a wrong way and for wrong motives.
We each answer to the Lord, and as long as we are being obedient with what he gives us than we are okay. I think there are some people who actually could have more money if they were obedient in some areas! Money seems to be a tough subject at times for Christians, but I like what you said!
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Jill...
Jill, I love the points you make about God allowing rich people to witness to other rich people. I think that is so true and insightful. Who’s to say that God doesn’t allow some people to become financially successful so the can reach others for Christ in their given sphere of influence.
I agree too that I love the idea of people who have money and serve God, like Dobson, who choose to put material things aside. However, I also know folks who love Christ and really enjoy the fruits of their labor—vacation, homes, etc. They give generously! No question, but they also enjoy what God has given them. I think both can be done. again it all depends on the heart.
Anne said...
Its so refreshing reading posts like this … I totally agree with your comment on this and also with Jill’s follow up …
For me I feel like its a day to day struggle because we can so easily get caught up in wanting wealth for all the wrong reasons …. and that in it self leads to finding our worth in money and forgetting the whole purpose of glorifying our Lord who gives it with so much pleasure in the first place ..
thanks for another challenging post.
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Anne...
Anne, you hit the nail on the head..many people do find their “worth in money” and that is dangerous. If we can have money and continue to find out self-worth, significance, and identity in Christ…how much of an impact could we make? You don’t need millions either to further God’s Kingdom, just obedience and His leading.
Great comment. Thanks.
Bradley Pinn said...
To be honest, this has been a hard issue for me.
Strictly speaking, of course, Jesus did say to at least one person to “run away from money”, the person He asked to sell all his goods and follow Him. This lead into the famous “camel through the eye of a needle” saying. Now, this has been often debated whether this was simply a command for this particular man, or if this is something that Jesus asks, to some degree or another, of all Christians. I’m probably inclined to say the former.
But, there’s a sinful trend I’ve noticed lately:
the Prosperty Gospel (the notion that the more wealthy one is, the more one is favored by God). It turns the real Gospel into an exclusive social
So… it’s possible for Christians to be wealthy, but with that wealth comes the need to:
1. be humble about it. This should go without saying, but in these times, it needs to be said a lot.
2.use one’s resources for good and not for evil.
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Bradley Pinn...
Bradley, I agree with you that in the case of the rich young man, Christ did tell him to leave his possessions and follow Him–so yes, I guess in that case Jesus did say “run away from money” in a way.
I think also that the camel through the eye of a needle verse more specifically applies to that particular man. Although, Christ was, I believe attesting to the fact that it is difficult for those with wealth to enter the Kingdom because money can be such a hindrance to our faith and focus on Christ. Prosperity gospels are quite dangerous, I agree. They also perpetuate the lie that you must be doing something wrong, or not have enough faith, or be sinning, if you aren’t “rich.”
I think your two guidelines are great and cover many of the issues that can potentially arise regarding Christians and wealth. Thank you Bradley for your thoughtful comment on this issue.
Ashleigh Allen said in reply to Nicole Cottrell...
Nicole, I think I have to disagree with you about part of the camel through the eye of the needle passage. Jesus makes a blanket statement that it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. However, right after that, He says that what is impossible for man is possible for God.
I don’t think that Jesus was telling this man to run from money. I think that Jesus was showing him that all of his good works that the man talks about are not enough. The money represented a surrender issue for the man, so He needed to obey Jesus and give it all up in order to get to the kingdom of God. It’s really easy to see this as a works based thing, but I think Jesus was actually trying to show the man that his works weren’t enough.
In the end it’s true for us too, for us it is totally impossible to get into the kingdom of God, but praise God that for Him, everything is possible!
Andrew said...
“I think God grants wealth to whom He chooses–it just happens to suck if that person ain’t you.”
My very much better half was telling me a story of a dwelling of Christians she visited yesterday, an opulent palace scattered with the latest and greatest of everything.
And she found herself getting jealous until she remembered it was playing host to a bitter divorce and a shattered family. Our abode may be much more humble and bare, but it is a “home”.
I’m generally not greatly envious of the uber-wealthy. Ecclesiasties 5:12
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Andrew...
The sentence you quoted of mine was meant to be tongue in cheek. I certainly don’t walk around grumbling because I’m not rich or because others are. I wouldn’t expect other believers to behave any differently, although I doubt all Christians are content in their financial situation.
I love the illustration and reminder from your friend though. So often what we envy or dare I say, covet, are things that come with heartache, loss, and pain. I was raised by a single mom who worked three jobs. There were times when we did not eat. I am thankful for my childhood, in all its humility and even poverty at times, because it has allowed me to appreciate little things–a simple home, food on my table, clothes for my children, the ability to give.
Jeff Goins said...
Interesting.
Obviously, the answer is that God wants you to neither be rich, nor poor. He wants you to be HIS.
Great post.
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Jeff Goins...
Jeff, as I was reading your comment I was hoping you were going to say “Obviously God wants you to be rich. Period.” wink, wink.
No, but I like your answer. “His.” That’s it. So simple. Why do we always take such simple messages and twist them?
Thanks for commenting!
Carrington said...
I think that we should want money, because it gives us the capability of helping others.
We should live LESS and give MORE, and we should seek to use what God has given us to achieve wealth so that we can bless others with it.
So many nights I wish that I could have done more for a friend, or for a cause….praying that God would convict the heart of one that could- so that they might give.
While all I have to offer is prayers, the wealthy have the actual means (and still the prayers ;)
So, in my opinion seeking poverty, or intentionally trying to NOT make very much money, is selfish.
(Wow, that was a bold statement! Sorry!)
Let me clarify as well- if you are poor, or don’t have money, I don’t think you are selfish. But, is it okay for Christians to be rich and seek wealth? Absolutely!
Greg said...
I don’t want to read all the comments, so excuse me if this has been brought up already, but the bible has a “more relevant” (By that I mean part of the New Testament as opposed to the Old Testament) passage on money than Ecclesiastes 10:19. That passage is Matthew 19:24 which says “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” So I disagree with your assessment that Christians can and should strive to be rich, and that God makes some people rich, as that is in direct opposition to one of Jesus’ teachings. That said being rich is different than being able to meet all your needs, in today’s society we basically need a car, but we don’t need a BMW, because my old Toyota gets me from A to B just as well as a shinny new BMW M3.
Micael Grenholm (@helapingsten) said...
Hi Nicole! I think you ould be interested in this text I’ve written about God vs Wealth: http://poweractivism.wordpress.com/god-vs-wealth/ Christians shouldn’t be rich but instead share what they have with the poor like in the early church.
God bless you!
Micael