Why are some people rich? Is it bad?
Here's the answer:
Sometimes wealth is a blessing from God. Other times, wealth keeps people from God.
Why are there so many poor people while others seem to have more money than they could possibly spend in a lifetime?
Sometimes we think the rich people have been blessed by God with their money. In the Old Testament, we learn that Abraham and Lot were very wealthy. They were people of great faith who honored God. In this case, their wealth was a blessing from God.
The Bible also tells us of wealthy people who loved money and didn’t love God. Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus? He was a tax collector and was dishonest. After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus returned all of the money that he had stolen from others. His wealth had kept him apart from God.
The story of the rich young ruler is another example. In Mark 10, we read about wealthy young man who refused to follow Jesus because he loved his money more than he loved God. He turned his back on Jesus because he could not bear to give up his riches.
We know, then, by the stories of Zacchaeus and the rich young man that money is not always a blessing. Money can be a curse that separates us from God.
Some people devote their lives to making more money and becoming rich. Jesus warned against this by saying, "No one can serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one of them and love the other. Or you will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can’t serve God and money at the same time" (Matthew 6:24). Paul warned, "Love for money causes all kinds of evil. Some people want to get rich. They have wandered away from the faith. They have wounded themselves with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10). Remember, Paul did not say that money is bad—money is neither good nor bad in itself. It is our attitude toward money that is either good or bad.
Money cannot purchase lasting peace and joy. But those who know Jesus are truly rich. He satisfies in ways that money cannot. Knowing Him is the greatest treasure of all.
Bible Truth
"...Watch out! Be on your guard against wanting to have more and more things. Life is not made up of how much a person has" (Luke 12:15).
"Do not gather for yourselves riches on earth. Moths and rats can destroy them. Thieves can break in and steal them" (Matthew 6:19).
