byI don’t know the mindset of people from other cultures, but in mine, there is a “get rich quick” mentality. Growing up, I saw and heard stories of young people allegedly involved in money rituals and cyber fraud. Others became rich through corruption in the workplace, such as adding extra zeros to figures at the expense of their employers. Even those who took the right path often did so with the sole aim of amassing riches. However, none of these people truly understood the risks involved in being rich. As a Christian, it is crucial to understand these risks, and this article aims to highlight some of them in the subsequent paragraphs.
Being rich risks making you proud
The Oxford Dictionary defines being rich as having a great deal of money or assets; wealthy. To the carnal man, being rich means having the means to acquire every material thing and gratify the flesh. For instance, buying fast cars and a house, paying for premium services, and even investing further to acquire more wealth. To the Christian, however, being rich is a stage in life where God trusts you with true wealth because you have been faithful with worldly riches (Luke 16:11).
The Christian should not see being rich as something to be grasped at all costs but seeks first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, trusting that all other things, including riches, will be added (see Matthew 6:33). The Christian must view wealth as a blessing from God meant to help others. Despite these perspectives, wealth can lead to pride. For unbelievers, wealth often makes them believe they are superior to others, leading to condescending behaviour or demand for adoration. For the Christians, the risk lies in being treated like a saviour by those they help, which can lead them to start believing they are one and demanding to be treated as such.
The love of money
To become rich, one may need to be hardworking, smart, and diligent in managing finances. That often leads to an acute awareness of one’s worth and comparisons with others in the same field. Such awareness can breed an unhealthy obsession with money and the process of making it. 1 Timothy 6:10 says,
“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.”
While money itself is not evil, the love of it can lead to destructive behaviours. Both the rich and poor are susceptible to this love, but wealth increases exposure to its risks because of the power and opportunities it brings.
Difficulty in entering the kingdom of God
Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be (see Matthew 6:21). Those who love money are overly concerned with anything related to it. If God instructs such individuals to give away their wealth to the needy, they find it challenging because they are deeply attached to their possessions. I once planned to give my friend any new phone I purchased as a replacement for theirs. However, after buying the phone and realising how much money I had spent, I found it difficult to follow through with my plan. Why? Because my heart had become attached to the phone.
By maintaining a heart rooted in humility, generosity, and unwavering devotion to God, you, as a Christian, can navigate the challenges of wealth while staying true to your faith and purpose.
Being rich, especially for an extended period, can make one accustomed to wealth to the point that losing it, even for a good cause, becomes unthinkable. That is why Jesus said it is difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God (see Matthew 19:24). The Kingdom requires complete devotion and obedience to God’s will. As the Bible says, “You cannot serve God and mammon” (see Matthew 6:24). Many rich people choose their wealth over God, and even those who claim to choose God often struggle to do so wholeheartedly.
In essence, being rich in itself is not wrong, but it comes with significant risks that Christians must be aware of. Wealth has the tendency to breed pride, foster an unhealthy love for money, and create barriers to entering the Kingdom of God. While God may bless His children with riches, it is crucial to view wealth as a tool to serve others and advance His Kingdom rather than a means of self-gratification. By maintaining a heart rooted in humility, generosity, and unwavering devotion to God, you, as a Christian, can navigate the challenges of wealth while staying true to your faith and purpose.
