BGEA: Does God want all of His children to be financially wealthy?

Does God want all of His children to be financially wealthy?

We can find no evidence in the Bible to indicate that God's will is for everyone to be wealthy, or that there is something wrong with Christians who do not have many material possessions.

In fact, James clearly warns that we must not treat those who are rich differently than we do those who are poor (James 2:1-9). The Bible does acknowledge that some believers are rich (1 Timothy 6:17). However, those who are rich are admonished to not put their hope in their wealth, but in God, and they are to be generous and willing to share (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

Paul warned against believing "that godliness is a means to financial gain" (1 Timothy 6:5) and went on to say that we should be content with what we have (1 Timothy 6:8). He even warned, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

On the other hand, some have made the opposite mistake of thinking that there is some special merit in being poverty stricken and have taken pride in that. As long as we are seeking our value in what we have or do not have on this earth, we do not understand God's purposes.

God can choose to prosper with material wealth, or He can choose not to. Our focus needs to be on Him and His purposes for us—whether we are rich or poor. Since we are His, all that we have is also His, to be used for His purposes.

Jesus tells all of us, "Do not 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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

12 Comments

A child of god says 4.22.2013, 06:03 a.m.

I have made many bad choices past and present . I know my savior but I was chasing things that were not meant for me . I need prayer in need help . I need my faith back . I want to be back with the only one who can save my soul and give me peace

SAMSON says 4.13.2013, 4:09 p.m.

If we can obey GOD!the key of all doors is in our hand including whealth,all things..(Matthew 6:33)when will follow dis scriptural comand..no complain...is been workin for me so far!u can apply the same..no more struglin.

John says 4.13.2013, 07:45 a.m.

We all are under grace and GOD's perfect plan for us is to be in likeness of his son and he Himself is with us. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29). It's good to be wealthy but it's nothing worth to the promise we have.

oladoyin says 4.13.2013, 03:12 a.m.

i love Jesus

Oyeche says 4.13.2013, 00:00 a.m.

The poor 'll aways be in our mist, the word of our lord. But has a christian we are all rich but in fiddsent ways, that is God given talent in us we must not all be financily rich.

Lynn says 4.12.2013, 12:10 a.m.

I too, for a moment was caught up into thinking I was not blessed because I lacked. I was weary of the "financial prosperity" message. I fell for it. I wanted it so badly...not for me, but to give. God knows my heart. It'll happen, but not like this.

Terri says 4.22.2012, 3:11 p.m.

God wants his children to be the head and not the tail , he wants to bless us so we can bless others, Do not make wealth your idol , keep your focus on the Lord. God's children should step out with the authority he gives us with his holy spirit.

Joanie says 6.12.2011, 1:24 p.m.

I am in some major shame! I need help in praying for myself! I've done some bad things, and I am so sorry for them. I went the wrong direction and need to get back to God! I need this so badly. I am 46 and married and have 3 children grown.

Bill W says 2.20.2011, 05:52 a.m.

This is our worlds problem with wealth. We admire wealthy people. Seeking wealth is perfectly acceptable and those who are wealthy are put on a pedestal as someone to be admired and definitely more important. There can be a fine line between seeking wealth and seeking provision for yourself and your family or seeking to use our God given talents. The problem comes when the goal is the wealth in itself as opposed to being another way to bring Glory to God. Preachers are just as perplexed by this problem as the rest of us and sometimes allow the wealth to become a way to subtly rank personal worth. By doing so preachers and the rest of us can start the slide down the slope to the belief that God owes us. Which if true would also mean that we are ultimately worshiping the creation instead of the creator. Keeping wealth from becoming our object of worship is a burden which we must recognize and raise up in our prayers. Our prayers and thoughts should recognize the tremendous burden placed on those with greater financial assets. Instead of placing great value on wealth for its own value we should think of wealth as we would other burdens like a physical handicap, or a family member with an infirmity or our responsibility to care for those in need. This could help us to see it from God's perspective. We are here to bring Glory to God not ourselves.

Ursula says 12.25.2010, 5:30 p.m.

I have seen pastors on T.V. preaching about buying favor or special seeds for God to bless you supernaturally. Sometimes I get confused about this because God says He already surrounds us with favor. But I know Oral Roberts states to sow ur seed in good ground and God will bring up an harvest. Its so confusing for a new found believer. What is really going on?

Internet@bgea says 10.17.2010, 09:09 a.m.

We understand your concern about teaching that suggests that all Christians are to be wealthy. We find no evidence in the Bible that God's will is for everyone to be wealthy, or that there is something wrong with Christians who do not have many material possessions. In fact, James clearly warns that we must not treat those who are rich differently than we treat those who are poor (James 2:1-9). One of the Bible's most direct statements against being motivated by wealth is in 1 Timothy 6:6-10. Verses 9 to 10 warn: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."On the other hand, some have made the opposite mistake of thinking that there is some special merit in being poverty stricken and have taken pride in that. As long as we are seeking our value in what we have or do not have on this earth, we do not understand God's purposes. God can choose to prosper with material wealth, or He can choose not to. Our focus needs to be on Him and His purposes for us--whether we are rich or poor. Since we are His, all that we have is also His, to be used for His purposes. One more thought. It may encourage you to realize that not all preachers preach a false message of prosperity. In fact, it is fair to say that most who commit themselves to preaching in pulpits around the world each week do not preach this message. To ensure that this remains the case, we can each do our part by continuing to prayerfully support the pastors we know who are working in this way.

Rev. Joseph Mojoko Koroma says 10.13.2010, 11:50 p.m.

Focusing on God makes all the difference. However, I am stunned why most preachers emphasized financial prosperity to the point that many Christians think god owes them for worshiping him. What do you think?