Does God Want You to be Rich?
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Does God want you to be rich? Before reading any further, post a comment to this article answering that question. I’ll wait . . . . Ok. I imagine the answers to this question will range from “Yes, He does” to “No, She doesn’t” to “God? There is no God.” Some will take this question very seriously, while others will view it as downright silly. Yet this question is asked (and answered) in churches throughout the U.S.
T.V. evangelists discuss this topic and authors publish books about it. In a Sunday School class at my church a couple of months ago, the teacher asked the class this question. His answer: Yes (it’s silly to think that God doesn’t want us to be rich, right?). And furthermore, the Sunday School teacher added that one will prosper by tithing to the church and then giving even more (the even more is called an offering). Now, my church doesn’t teach this. This was the Sunday School teacher’s view. Fine. But here’s what really bothers me about this question–it’s so American. Only in the U.S. do we have the time and affluence to sit around asking such shallow questions.
Last Sunday, I wrote about mega-churches in the U.S., comparing one such church to a mega-church in Nigeria. And I wonder, does the congregation in this Nigerian church ask whether God wants them to be rich? Given the starvation and civil unrest in Nigeria, I’m guessing they’re more likely to ask, “Does God want us to survive, today?” And even if they did contemplate whether God wanted them to be rich, their idea of wealth would probably look far different than our idea of wealth here in America.
I recognize that some verses can be plucked from the Bible to support the prosperity doctrine, as it is called. But when it comes to money, isn’t the message of the Bible to avoid the trappings of wealth (note, the trappings, not wealth itself), and to be content with what we have?
Not a sermon, just a blog.
14 Comments, Comment or Ping
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
The prosperity gospel is also growing in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and parts of South America. I would even guess that most churches in Nigeria teach tithing. The preachers are getting fat and prosperous while their members stay poor. It is a scam and a scandal. I’m glad your church does not push it.
Jul 8th, 2007
JadeEJF
The prosperity gospel makes me really sad
I ran into it today in a seminar at work, believe it or not! I was a little stunned.
Jul 12th, 2007
DR
JadeEJF, you ran into the prosperity doctrine at a seminar at work? Where do you work, if you can say? What kind of seminar?
Jul 14th, 2007
living2serve
Ok, so I realize this is an old post…just came across the site via a link to this article at ChristianPF… I agree that this is a sadly shallow question…and probably one that is far too common here in the US. I think that a lot of Christians see wealthy non-Christians (or other Christians, for that matter) and think, “Well, if they’re so successful/wealthy/etc., then surely God has even greater things in store for me because I am his child/so faithful/etc.” While this is true, i.e. God does have even greater things in store for us, the “things” are not always what we think they should be. The true heart of the matter is that it is not WHAT God blesses us with, but HOW we manage and take care of what he has given us. It’s called Stewardship. I, like you, am tired of the “name it and claim it” gospel that teaches all you have to do is pray enough or be faithful enough, etc. and God will give you whatever you wish… My response is, “Who are you to ask God for more when you don’t even take care of what he has given you.” It makes me think of my 18 month old son…the other day it was dinner time and we’ve been letting him feed himself, even if he gets messy, so that he can learn how. Well, half way through his dinner, he starts throwing a fit. He had eaten all his peaches, but left most of the chicken on his plate. We’ve taught him a few sign language words, so he starts signing “more” and crying. MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE he cried. But he still had food on his plate (and he loves chicken). What I’m saying is that we as Americans sometimes are so focused on what we don’t have that we cry out to God, “MORE MORE MORE MORE”, and God is smiling and gently saying…”Look at your plate” (we didn’t give him more peaches by the way…and eventually he ate all his chicken and went to bed peacefully).
Sep 28th, 2007
DR
Living2serve, thanks for your thoughtful comment. It is interesting to me that we define success and wealth in very American terms. That is, we only feel successful or wealthy if we have just a little bit more of both than our neighbor does. So I think you are right that often times we ask for MORE, only to fail to appreciate what we have. The point is not to get what you want, but to want what you have.
Sep 28th, 2007
Buford Twain
God? There is no God.
And anyway:
“…I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
-Matthew 19:24
Dec 13th, 2007
DR
Mr. Twain, what is a rich man? Lower middle class Americans are unfathomably rich compared to many in the world. Are they rich? Solomon was wealthy. Did he make it through the eye of a needle? Matthew and Luke were both probably rich. Paul did ok for himself. Did they make it? I should add, these questions are not designed to challenge Matthew 19:24. They are aimed at challenge what we take from Matthew 19:24. I feel very rich, but I still work for a living and have far less than many that I know. Not a sermon, just a thought.
Dec 14th, 2007
Buford Twain
Well, the bible teaches that you should not pursue riches (that is my interpretation of the quote I posted previously). Admittedly, the bible is often self-inconsistent. But, if you agree with that particular teaching, it appears that Christians would have a better chance of getting into heaven by selling their assets and distributing the money to the poor. Also on that premise, Christians should not tolerate the hoarding of riches by the administrators of their religion (pope, etc.).
Dec 14th, 2007
Dan
The eye of the needle was a small opening in the wall of a city where merchants were required to get there camels on their knees and inch through the opening to the city. God wants all poor in spirit and pure of heart. The proverbs say”Lord made me neither rich nor poor.” If I become rich I may become arrogant and think I don’t need You. If I am poor I may forget Your concepts and steal.
Jan 15th, 2008
DR
Dan, that is well put.
Jan 15th, 2008
Wilson
Yes, I think God wants all of us to be rich. Yet I think God wants above all for us to live for Him. For many people wealth distracts them from loving Him and loving others. Thus I think God wants all of us to enjoy the blessings He has given us, financial blessings included, the question for me as a Christian is to ask if being rich will bump loving God and loving others down from the top spot in my priority list.
Jan 22nd, 2008
ata Hassan
yes, the blessing of maketh rich and add no sorrow. he want us to rich to show forth His Glory.
Jun 26th, 2008
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