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“No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Is being rich a sin?
This is a debate that has been waged for thousands of years.
In the Old Testament times there were patriarchs that followed God and were extremely wealthy. People like Abraham, David, Joseph, Job, Solomon, and more.
In the New Testament Jesus was homeless and often spoke out against the rich. He taught such things as:
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24)
“When Jesus heard this, he told him, ‘You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” (Luke 18:22)
Are there conflicting teachings on wealth and money? Is it wrong for a Christian to have money?
Is being rich a sin?
The answer is simple. It is not a sin to be rich but the failure to use your money to serve God is sinful.
In Luke 16 Jesus taught the disciples that no one can serve two masters fully. If you are trying to serve two separate masters one will inevitably win your time, energy, and devotion. The one you are devoted to will become the one you love. If you devote your life to serving money then you are unable to devote your life to God.
Using this logic, Jesus says that a person “You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). Why? Because you will be intoxicated by serving money it will cause you to forsake serving God.
Being rich isn’t a sin but it does bring other temptations for us to be less devoted to God.
Being “rich” could cause you to depend on yourself instead of God to provide for you. It can cause you to become prideful and arrogant. It can cause you to look at others as less worthy than yourself. It is sinful to put anything other than God as your primary pursuit in life. Many people pursue financial gain more than honoring God.
This isn’t true of every person who is rich. Money is an item and items can’t force you to sin. They are just there. One person will use a baseball bat for recreation. Another could use a baseball bat to hit another human. The deep seated desires to sin cause us to use objects and items in ungodly ways. It is our desire for control, provision, and power that tempts us to use money for selfish purposes.
Money is a powerful item. It can be used to serve God or serve yourself. Generosity can give life and hope. On the other hand, greed can bring pain and destruction.
Investing, saving, giving to the poor, and frugal spending all are biblical ways to spend your money. The money you have has been given to you by God. Use it for his glory.
Apply:
- Would you consider yourself to be “rich”?
- Keep in mind the world’s average annual salary is $18,000. (https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17512040)
- Do you think about money more than you think about God?
- Do you spend more time trying to get more money or get closer to God?
- Are you using the money that God has given you to serve God and others?
Respond:
Pray for God to reveal any unhealthy motives to gain wealth and to build your personal kingdom instead of the kingdom of God. Thank God for the money you have and pray for wisdom to spend it as God desires.
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The F260 NT Bible reading plan and HEAR Journal method is from Replicate Ministries.
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
