How Does God Want Christians to Use Wealth?
Your trust must be in God, not in your money.
Some Christians in the first century were wealthy.
Today some Christians are also wealthy.
How does God want wealthy Christians to use wealth?
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Don’t allow your wealth to make you arrogant.
Wealth can cause us to become prideful. We can look around at what we have acquired and think, “Look at what I have done.”
Nebuchadnezzar did this exact thing, and God humbled the prideful ruler (Daniel 4).
We must not allow wealth to puff us up with pride. Our Master is humble - so we too must be humble (Philippians 2:5-8).
Trust in God, not your riches.
Riches are “uncertain.” Wealth cannot be trusted. The stock market can soar one day and crash hard the next.
God is the one “who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” God can be trusted completely.
Trust the trustworthy one - not the uncertain temporary riches of this world (Matthew 6:19-21). Set your mind on the things above, not the things of this world (Colossians 3:1-4). Christ - not wealth - is your life.
“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)
Use your wealth for good.
Paul urged Timothy to remind the rich to use their wealth for good.
To be rich in good works.
To be ready to give and willing to share.
In other words, use the wealth you have to do something truly good and meaningful for others. Use your wealth to help take the Gospel to the lost. Use your wealth to help a brother or sister in need.
Honor God through the tool of wealth.
If you use your wealth in the way God desires, you will have made preparation and laid a good foundation “for the time to come.” You will have understood what is essential - eternal life.
Be thankful for what you have, and use what God has blessed you with to do good.
Don’t allow the riches of this world to distract you from what truly matters.