The fellow that has no money is poor. The fellow that has nothing but money is poorer still.
- Billy Sunday
While we have different definitions and expectations, we all want to be wealthy. Nearly as universal is the disappointment and frustration inherent in finding bills left at the end of our money. Needs and desires over the present and worries and fears for the future are a common complaint.
Our feelings of what's fair and reasonable can color our relationship with others and even God. This raises important questions. Can we depend on God for our daily needs? How does the Bible treat the subject of wealth in the Rich Young Ruler and Rich Man and Lazarus? How do we handle money and the anxiety associated with the lack of it?
It's utterly amazing how far First World Nations have advanced in only a few decades. Just prior to WWII it took the soldier who would become General Eisenhower sixty days to drive across America. As president, he initiated the interstate highway system that would trim that number of days down to four. Billions of cars, planes and trains, TV's, computers and cell phones later we find ourselves living the lavish lifestyles of kings when compared to our great grandparents and all the generations that came before.
Yet, more amazing still is the lack of satisfaction such unprecedented blessings seems to bring. Taking for granted so many gifts they defy naming, the original sin of entitlement is epidemic in modern life. From drug and alcohol abuse to addictions to pornography and immortality, wealth and ambition, modern society constantly craves and demands more. Rather than thanking, seeking and serving the Giver of such lavish gifts we take the money and run, even daring to deny God's very existence.
Sadly, even the modern Church is not immune to such alarming trends. With worldliness rampant, spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study and social action are in sharp decline with unbelief, apathy and immorality on the rise.
Tragically, rather than the Developed Nations using their tremendous technology and fabulous wealth to rescue the world's impoverished, we've squandered our resources on frivolous and riotous living. Over a billion people make less that $1 a day with eighty percent of the world living in substandard housing. Yet in Europe alone one hundred billion dollars is spent annually on alcohol and globally four hundred billion dollars is spent on illegal drugs. Much like the rich man in Christ's story of Lazarus our priorities are in desperate need of adjusting.
As the spoiled rich kids on the block, First World citizens would do well to reconsider Biblical passages regarding the use of wealth, of which economic prosperity is only a single factor. In a broader sense, measuring our affluence would also include the following:
1. Economic prosperity: Globally over a billion people make less that $1 a day. By comparison, "every man's a king" within First World Nations.
2. Nutrition and hydration: The choices of food and drink available in the modern world are unprecedented in human history. An average supermarket contains 45,000 various products. Meanwhile over a billion are without safe drinking water and every 16 seconds someone dies of hunger.
3. Housing and sanitation: Eighty percent of the world live in substandard housing. Two billion are currently without electricity. Less than one percent of those who have lived on Earth have known the enjoyment of modern housing.
4. Science and technology: Those of us living in the First World would be lost without our modern advances. Thousands of products and services provide instant access to everything from essentials to extravagances. Just to meticulously catalogue and describe all the modern conveniences we benefit from would literally fill volumes.
5. Health and dental care: Our quality and quantity of preventative and diagnostic health care would seem miraculous for ninety nine percent of humanity having walked the Earth. Far from perfect, modern medicine adds decades to our lifespan while vastly improving the quality of our lives.
6. Safety and security: Like health, the blessings of safety are often overlooked until they are endangered. From stable geo-political boarders and a standing military to dependable law enforcement and legal system, we currently enjoy unrivaled security and peace of mind.
7. Education and knowledge: It's almost impossible for modern society to appreciate the knowledge we've gained in the last few generations. How incredibly blessed we are, from our understanding the marvels of creation and insights into the human condition to public and advanced educational opportunities.
8. Communication: Half the planet's current population have never made or received a phone call. With T.V. and radio, cell phones and the internet our ability to communicate rivals that of mythological gods. We take for granted instant access to people and information the likes of which ninety nine percent of humanity never dare dreamed of.
9. Business and employment opportunities: First World citizens enjoy fantastic advances in the workplace. From shortened work days and weeks to paid vacation and sick leave, half the world and all our ancestors would marvel at our ease. Unemployment benefits and worker's compensation were undreamed of in earlier times. As is true of our nearly endless possibilities for employment and advancement.
10. Transportation and travel: Only 7% of the world owns an automobile. Most today, and nearly all in ages past, traveled less in a lifetime than we might in a weekend. Not to mention the style and amenities we enjoy whether speeding around in air conditioned cars, flying through the air in jumbo jets or sailing the sea in a luxury liners.
11. Entertainment: For millennia children, pets and rudimentary musical instruments provided daily entertainment. Today, tens of thousands of TV shows and movies, music videos and recording artists instantly come to life where ever we are whenever we want. Add to this access to everything from art and science exhibits to common and extreme sports and we've got entertainment that would make Julius Caesar envious.
12. Clothing and accessories: Ninety nine percent of those having been born on Earth have struggled to cloth themselves and their families. Today we're drowning in apparel, often paying for a single garment what for billions might be a years wages. It goes without saying that most of humanity would have given just about anything to be in our shoes.
God or Mammon
The short list above clearly demonstrates how much we have to be thankful for. Those of us blessed enough to live in Developed Nations are within the top one percent of the wealthiest people to ever walk the planet. Yet, fallen human nature is to compare our lot in life against the relatively few have more's, rather than the massive throngs of impoverished have not's. Even Christians, with scripture to guide them, often find their faith tested by financial stress. The Bible contains hundreds of verses directly and indirectly addressing the issue of wealth. Directed to seek the glory of God rather than worldly riches that fade away, with so many enticements and temptations daily on parade it's difficult not to join in. Here are but a few passages consistent with Scripture's handling of the subject:
- "Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!" Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
- "It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly." Psalm 37:16-17
- "The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible." Proverbs 10:21-23
- If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
- "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:20-21
- “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24
- "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Matthew 6:30-33 MSG
- “Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"' Matthew 16:24-26
- "Stay where you were when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying and believing. I don't mean you're stuck and can't leave. If you have a chance at freedom, go ahead and take it. I'm simply trying to point out that under your new Master you're going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you'll experience a delightful "enslavement to God" you would never have dreamed of." 1 Corinthians 7:20-22 MSG
- ”True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:6-10
- "...I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
- "And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment. All the workers you've exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you've done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it. Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time." James 5:1-8 MSG
Kingdom First
As these and hundreds of other scriptures attest, the Bible has both encouraging and harsh things to say about the use of wealth. Simply put, the New Testament mandate is to be consistently productive, thankful and obedient throughout every aspect of life. Directed to, "seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" Christians are expected to give their all in exchange for God's.
While the math sounds simple enough, for the average believer total dedication to God is far easier said than done. Given the unprecedented levels of temptation and deception embedded within modern life, First World Nations have entered a post Christian era. Developing and growing a truly Biblical world view is a uphill battle. In many ways, to "work the work of God" is a greater challenge than ever.
There are vast differences between the experiences and lifestyles of 1st and 21st century believers. In light of their incredible spiritual understanding and power, the commitment level that came naturally to Christ and His apostles seems beyond us. Lacking the extravagant outpourings of the gifts of the Spirit, such as healing the sick, we appear to be stuck living within a book of words rather than the Book of Acts.
While far from an excuse for modern levels of apathy and sin, the disconnect between what Christians read in scripture and experience in daily life is key to explaining our poor choices and behavior. Discouraged by the apparent silence and distance of God, hundreds of millions within Churchianity turn to whatever's handy to fill the void. Rather than taking the time and opportunity to ask and answer life's ultimate questions by seeking the Creator and Savior, most check out while reaching for a beer, an ipod or cable remote. Revival's what we need, yet fewer care enough to diligently seek a new Pentecost.
Most today don't feel rich, yet it's important to recognize that an integral part of wealth is time. Technology, the equivalent of having hundreds of personal servants, grants vast amounts of free time for us to squander or invest. The early church facing hardships on every side was marked by those passionate for God to invest hours like we invest minutes pursuing the presence, provision and protection of the Spirit. Because of such diligence Churchianity was founded on nothing sort of the glory of God. In such rarified atmosphere, charged with heavenly lightening, the miraculous the norm. It struck continually throughout the gospels to the point that the earth itself could hardly contain the volumes of every account. It was felt throughout the Book of Acts, from tongues of fire dancing on the heads of the disciples and hundreds of intercessors at Pentecost to Ananias and Saphira's deadly mistake. From Peter's shadow healing all it touched to Paul and Silas praising shackles from their wrists and prison doors off the hinges.
It's easy to see why earthly riches took a back seat to the power of the Kingdom in the 1st century. Today, not only has "the glory departed" but diversions and temptations of every conceivable kind have arrived to fill the void. Clamoring for attention, brilliantly marketed items and services dance 24/7 mesmerizingly before our eyes. Newer, bigger and better captures our attention, imagination and emptying our bank accounts.
True Wealth
As the church grows ever more worldly, the Spirit's further grieved, making it more difficult to break through to God. Nonetheless, the wise Christian must try. Some may find incorporating daily praying for the advance of the Kingdom as well as the needs of family and friends helpful (click here for an in depth example). Others may also wish to become adept at the art of intercession, crying out to God for personal and corporate revival. Such must both wait on and wrestle with the Lord, learning through fasting and desperate prayer not to take no for an answer.
Tragically, given today's epidemic of unanswered prayer, many if most Christians are actually functional agnostics. Believing God exists, inwardly they take issue with His failure to "rend the heavens and come down." Feeling they get little in return for their asking, seeking and knocking they give up rather than dig in. Here again, worldly wealth and amusements stand ready to take up the slack.
Against such times the scripture encourages that "men should always pray and not faint." In what is perhaps the Bible's greatest prayer, the apostle Paul repeatedly emphasizes the importance and invitation to be filled "with all the fullness of God." This is the greatest challenge of our day. For a generation so beset and devastated by entitlement, it's not greater riches but rather a greater wealth of understanding of our privileged position through Christ. With Hell to loose and Heaven to gain.
Those who've embraced Christ's full message and great commission have reason to hope in the blessings of a covenant relationship with God. Expectations of a soldiers joy are meant to help cope with and work through feelings of loneliness and depression, bitterness and loss. Seeking God's love, mercy and calling on His faithfulness can be difficult work for those in distress, yet as Peter once responded concerning a challenging situation, "Where else can we go? Who else has the words of life?"
Finally, let's remember the parting words of Jesus to each of Revelation's seven churches or "church ages." To Smyrna, the persecuted church Jesus declares, "I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!" To Laodicea, richest and most complacent of the seven He has this to say:
- "Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says: 'I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!"' Revelation 3:14-21 MSG
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