There is no record of scriptures where God states his desire for believers to be just rich.
Yes! you heard me right. There is no gospel as such. Why is that? It is simple. God only values the eternal.
Every scripture where God states His desire for our earthly prosperity never stands alone. It is always accompanied by an eternal condition for an eternal purpose.
"42. For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham his servant. 43. And he brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness: 44. And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; 45. That they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 105:42-45)
God wants us to be Wealthy, not Rich. Wealth does not depreciate, riches do.
"4. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:4)
Throughout the scriptures, believers are discouraged from pursuing riches because the desire for riches only breeds lust and thus sin, but the desire for eternal wealth not only draws us closer to God but also attracts the glory of riches.
This is what Jesus meant when He spoke of the rich in Mark chapter 10 verse 25 - "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
We were never called to pursue riches because our Father has them in abundance. Only in seeking the giver of wealth can we also attain the riches He possesses.
What, then, is Wealth?
Wealth is the fulfillment of God's glory. Wealth is the by-product of Wisdom and Value.
It cuts across the glory of the physical realm and does not depreciate as our physical substance does. "19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:19, 20)
Wealth has only one master and one purpose. Wealth is by God and for the glory of God.
"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Wealth comes from Wisdom. Wisdom is obedience to God's instruction and only those who fear God will obey His instruction.
Wisdom creates Value. Value is anything that pleases God. Your money, degree, job and title have no value if they do not please God.
Value births true riches. When God is pleased by the works of our hands, riches become inevitable.
Now let's mash it up together in one verse: (Matthew 6:33) - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Through wisdom, King Solomon became the highest man of value in the world and amassed great riches.
Through wisdom, Joseph became the highest authority of value in Egypt and beyond and amassed great riches.
Through wisdom, Daniel became the highest man of value in Babylon and amassed great riches.
Through wisdom, Queen Esther became the highest woman of value in Persia and amassed great riches.
"By this, we understand that true riches can only be possessed when God is glorified. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness." (Proverbs 8:18)
If true riches are the by-product of wealth, what kind of Riches are we to abstain from?
These Riches are any form of worldly appraisal or increase that does not carry the glory of God.
You cannot pursue riches and expect to please God. You cannot serve two masters.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
Anyone who labours to be rich will surely fall into sin. It begins with lust burning from covetousness, greed and desperation.
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)
Now, you might want to say, "I don't love money; I just want to feed my family."
This is what we call desperation from fear and anxiety of the future. God kicks against worry and anxiety because the things of the flesh can be easily manipulated by the enemy. Once you chose faith over fear, the devil can easily prey on your emotions and pressure you into going against God's will hence the impatience of manumy believers.
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)
From what seemed like a simple concern, coveteousness creeps in, then the desire to show off, then greed, then pride and all sorts of abominations to stay rich. It never ends. Money is a ruthless slave master who never sets his captives free without a fight.
Pursuing riches will never solve poverty. There is only one escape route and we have the blue print:(Matthew 6:33) - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
So next time you find yourself desiring a job, admission, promotion, contract or even relationship without the sole purpose or intent to glorify God, know that you have gone out of line.
Come back before it is too late.
If your riches are not backed by true wealth, then you have no riches.
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