Does God want me to be rich?

Judges 12; Jeremiah 25; Mark 11; Acts 16

I’ve been wondering if God is using this pandemic to get religious people to rethink or clarify their ideas about what is commonly called the “prosperity gospel.” One of my friends has been challenged. She said, “If God wants everyone to be rich, what about the Christians who live in poor countries?”

I found a magazine that reviews this theology and gives some insight into the conflicting ideas. It says there is a difference between ‘prosperity theology’ and the biblical teaching on prosperity. The first teaches that God always blesses his people materially when they have strong faith and are obedient. The focus is that God rewards faith with pleasing consequences in daily life. This includes physical healing and any other difficulties related to well-being. The second teaching emphasizes the responsibilities of successful or prosperous Christians to use their wealth in ways that glorify God and alleviate any suffering of others.

The Old Testament obviously uses physical situations to teach His people the importance of obedience. If they did His will, they would prosper. If not, they would suffer in some way. The passages on blessings and curses are clear that this is like parents using consequences to teach their children. Yet it is more than that. The Fall into sin made obedience impossible. The heart of man is, as the Bible says, bent on doing its own thing. Sin separates us from God and the OT is the grim history of His people wanting at times to obey but even God’s good rewards were never enough to keep them in that frame of mind. Sin ruined everything.

However in the NT, the teacher is the Holy Spirit, not in a general sense but through a personal relationship that gives believers a new heart. The people of God, through faith and a new birth, are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ who not only motivates but enables obedience that a punish/reward system could not. In other words, the blessing produces faith and obedience, not the other way around.

It seems that the prosperity theology says we must earn God’s goodness rather than respond to it. However, the Bible teaches that God’s blessing is freely given to those who realize and admit that they cannot earn them or do anything to change their hearts or their condition. Like the publican who claimed no merit, God justifies us in mercy and by grace through faith; we cannot boast.

As for obedience resulting in ‘the good life’ consider Christ. If this theology is true then Jesus should have had a big home, wealth and great popularity. His obedience would have given Him well-being not hatred or misunderstanding, and certainly not death on a cross. He said, “Not my will, but Your will be done” and the will of God was that He should suffer and die. He told his followers to expect some of the same treatment.

A few verses come to mind. Solomon wrote, “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” (Proverbs 15:16). The NT affirms how prosperity can be a trap: “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10)

Rather than seeking riches, the Bible convinces me that I need a different focus. As Paul said:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

APPLY: Keep my eyes on Jesus. He had nothing, even became poor for my sake, yet lived a sinless life and now reigns in glory. My hope is not in this brief life nor the pleasures God may give me here but on Jesus and the joy set before me as I strive against sin and selfishness.