The Case for Christian Wealth
If you are involved in the church, you are aware that discussions about wealth spark controversy and emotionalism.
Many Christians have the absurd notion that if you earn a large income, you must automatically be worldly or less focused on spiritual matters than the poor.
However, there’s a compelling argument for why Christians should aspire to be wealthy, not from a prosperity gospel standpoint, but from a moral and practical perspective.
Wealth in Christian Context
When we say Christians should be wealthy, it’s crucial to understand that this doesn’t imply an automatic bestowal of riches or a divine promise of financial prosperity.
Instead, it suggests that Christians, guided by moral principles, are well-positioned to be responsible stewards of wealth.
While Joel Osteen might suggest that money will rain on your head if you do what he says, that isn’t what the Bible teaches nor does it follow the basic principles of the world – such as supply and demand.
We earn income based on how valuable our service is. Many Christians do not provide valuable service. they provide average service so they earn average income. There’s nothing wrong with that. But there isn’t anything right about it either.
The Moral Imperative of Christian Wealth
Christians, guided by principles of compassion and stewardship, have the potential to use wealth as a powerful tool for good. This stands in stark contrast to how wealth is often misused by those without a strong moral compass.
The Problem with Wealth in Immoral Hands
Consider the actions of morally bankrupt individuals or organizations when they possess significant wealth.
The U.S. Government is frequently criticized for mismanaging funds and making decisions that don’t always benefit the general population. And they certainly don’t make decisions that promote morality.
Similarly, we’ve seen countless examples of wealthy individuals using their resources for self-serving or harmful purposes.
Christians as Responsible Stewards
Think of a world where more wealth was in the hands of those committed to moral principles.
Christians with morality intact could potentially use wealth to:
- Fund charitable initiatives
- Support ethical businesses
- Invest in community development
- Provide for those in need
- Advance the cause of Christ [most importantly]
Changing Perspectives on Money
To understand this concept, we need to shift our understanding of money.
It’s critical to recognize that money itself is amoral – neither good nor evil.
It’s simply a tool, and its impact depends entirely on how it’s used.
The Character Test
Having wealth or lacking it doesn’t inherently reflect on a person’s character.
What matters is how individuals manage their resources, regardless of the amount.
A person of strong moral character will strive to use their wealth, whether much or little, in alignment with their Christian principles.
The Responsibility of Wealth
With this perspective, we can see that Christians shouldn’t shy away from wealth, but rather view it as a responsibility.
The goal isn’t to accumulate as much wealth as possible only for personal gain, but to be in a position to effect positive change on a larger scale.
And by doing so they will reap the benefits of wealth along the way.
Conclusion
The idea that Christians should be wealthy isn’t about piling up riches for ourselves, but about positioning moral individuals to be influential stewards of resources.
By changing our perspective on wealth and recognizing it as a tool for good, we can work towards a world where financial resources are more often in the hands of those guided by strong moral principles.
