Does God want us to be rich?

Question

I hear a lot of so called preachers saying this, but I don't think the Bible supports it.

Answer 1

The bible says that money is the root of all evil. It also says it the answer to all things. My preacher says that god wants us to work hard to earn money but it shouldn't be the most important thing in your life. God will make you rich if it's his will for you to be rich. If it isn't gods will to be rich, we'll all be rich in heaven.

Answer 2

There are many preachers who hide behind the bible. Did god have money in those days? Heck, people would leave everything behind including their families to follow him. You can't believe everything a preacher says. Unfortunately, people think all preachers are the same and they are not.

Answer 3

As I recall, Jesus said something like, "It is easier for a cord [mistranslated as 'camel' in the St James version] to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven'

That seems pretty specific to me. But I've had arguments with religious people who say that he didn't *really* mean that, he meant this. And it ends up as saying that if you are rich you will get in.

I've even heard the fallacious argument that 'The Needle' was a gate in the city walls of Jerusalem which was narrower than the others. So camels would have to divest themselves of a few of their burdens to get in. In other words the quote was saying if you put a few quid in the collection box you will be ok.

But that's not what he's saying. It should be a sobering quote for Christians, because in a sense, all of us who live in the developed nations are rich, and therefore will miss the pleasures of heaven.

But of course, he didn't *really* mean that.

Answer 4

I don't know if I would say rich but he does want us to prosper. How can we go out and help people, like feed the hungry, and help buy medicine for the sick and clothes and food for the homeless, if we are on food stamps and welfare and getting a check from the government. God doesn't want us to limit ourselves. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords we should live as royalty, He is the creator of all things. Its not meant for his people to live in poverty and people living this carnal life to have it all. When you get to a certain place in God He will give you favor with men and women. It says in the Bible the the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just.

Answer 5

No, nowhere in the bible does it say anything about monetary gain being a "reward" for following God. Just look at the story of the rich young ruler that was told to sell everything.

Answer 6

No He doesn't. In fact Jesus says quite the opposite. That the rich have already received their consolation. And another rich man asked Jesus what he should do to be more like him, and Jesus said to follow the commandments, be loving to everyone and love God. He says I do those things. Jesus replies back loving him, "one thing thou lackest, go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come take up the cross and follow me. And he was sad at that saying,& went away grieved for he had great possessions.Then Jesus looked round about and saith to his disciples,How hardly they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:21-23
But if you are generous with what ever amount of money you have, that is good charity. The poor have the kingdom of God.

Answer 7

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). In fact, 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).

Answer 8

Money is not the root of all evil.
The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.
Even in the days of Moses, and even John, God provided wealth to those who God chose to have serve.
The idea of being rich falls prey to pride, and social stature.
God wants us to seek righteousness, and love.
All other things God will add as the purpose is needed.
No one can keep what God gives to them, to themselves.
Unless you give it away, you can never reap the rewards.
God wants us to be happy, and at peace.
If being rich is what does that, then you have no need for God.

Answer 9

God wants us to lead a purposeful, meaningful and happy life...its not bout being rich Its bout becoming rich the right way and using those resources to help other people as much a u can...in short spend it in the way of God and God will bless you with more....

Answer 10

I'm no Bible-thumper but at least I know that the "eye of a needle" in the Bible was the narrow passage between two steep mountains. Difficult, not impossible.