Does God prefer us to be rich or poor? - National Christian Foundation (2024)

FAQs

Does God want you to be rich or poor? ›

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.

Proverbs 30:8 instructs us not to seek poverty or riches. “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.

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.

“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.” “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.

“The biblical perspective is for us to live in wholeness, which includes a generous sufficiency of things. Poverty is a bad thing; God wants us to have all we need for a joyous life. God wants no one to be poor.”

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.

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.

Kahan cites Jesus' injunction against amassing material wealth as an example that the "good [Christian] life was one of poverty and charity, storing up treasures in heaven instead of earth." Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

The bible says many things about money, but the heart of the matter is this: money can become something that rules our lives—an idol of sorts. God's desire is for us to have life to the full andHe knows that worshiping money will keep us from that.

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 God wants us to use our money? ›

According to God's Word, there are four fundamental purposes for money: to provide for basic needs, to confirm direction, to give to those in need, and to illustrate God's power and care in provision. Understanding these purposes allows you to see how money relates to God's work in your life and community.

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.

“Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God…. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:20, 24).

As noted above injustice, for example is a sin and evil of not treating all people fairly. This state of affairs breaches the aforementioned relationships and is one of the causes of poverty in the African society.

ESV The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. NIV The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. NASB The Lord makes poor and rich; He humbles, He also exalts.

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.

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

God is a champion for the oppressed and an enemy of the oppressor. God's anger is not directed at the rich as a whole but specifically at the rich who oppress the poor.