Should Christians desire to be rich?

Answer 1

That's a good question there!

There is a problem with money. People who have lots of money always want more. This is a generalization of course. So as Endora pointed out the Bible says its not easy for a rich man to go to heaven. This is about priorities. Rich people usually have to set their priorities towards money to obtain wealth. So money becomes their master.

Now lets say someone gets a lot of money through luck or hard work but remains loyal to God. If that person is willing to lose all that money to keep loyal to God there is no problem. He has his priorities straight.

Answer 2

Here are some Scriptures that give God's counsel about that....

Matthew 6:24:“No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. YOU cannot slave for God and for Riches."

James 4:4: " Adulteresses, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God."

1 John 2:15-17: "Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."

1 Timothy 6:9 & 10: "However, those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.

Answer 3

Some churches preach poverty, others preach prosperity.

The Bible says you should not "worship idols" you could make money an idol.

If the desire to be rich is for selfish gain , then NO a Christian shouldnt desire to be rich
If the desire to be rich was to share with others (poor, orphans, widows) then Yes

Answer 4

Good question!! If there weren't poor people, there would be no such thing as rich! The rich get richer by taking advantage of those with less means. (Example: Enjoying high profits and paying low wages. There has to be a class of people with less means to accept the low wages.) I studied this in a college course and found it VERY interesting. In my opinion as long as poor people exist, christians should be desiring to give and share, not take advantage to get richer!

Answer 5

Christians, regardless of their beliefs, are human. Humans are constantly looking for ways to somehow prove superiority over their fellow man, whether it be through money, appearances, etc. The desire to have more than another is part of the societal norm that this "wonderful" country is based on. Why do you think this society prizes beauty over wit? Money and power over kindness and understanding? Desire to be rich would not make one "un-Christian", but to place that desire above all else is not only against your beliefs, it may also lead to other negatives in life, i.e., envy of someone else for having more than you may have, suspicion of others around you, suspecting them of only associating with you for your money, etc. Wanting more is not bad; OBSESSING about it is.

Answer 6

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
Proverbs 23:4

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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."
I Timothy 6:9-10

Answer 7

Rich in the love of Jesus not money

God Bless You

Answer 8

To be Rich - no - that is greed
To be Comfortable and Successful - Nothing wrong with ambition.
If one is that fortunate they should try to look to Oprah as an influence

Answer 9

I seem to recall a bible verse about a camel going through the eye of a needle being easier than a rich man getting into heaven

Answer 10

Sure! Why not? I certainly desire to be rich. Bill and Melinda could not be a better example. Mr Gates actual fulltime job these days is giving his money away to charities. Welcome to our dream!