HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS THINK ABOUT WEALTH AND LUXURY?

Should Christians pursue wealth? This among many is a question that Christians are often forced to consider. Given that we live in a society where success is measured materialistically, oftentimes the believer may find himself buffeted and bullied into this materialistic ideology. 

At ChristKulture however, we believe the Christian worldview and narrative is the most ideal on every issue it touches on. This includes how we should think about wealth and luxury. The believer cannot afford to follow the trends and ideologies of this world without engaging with them critically. The truths of scriptures form the reference point from which we engage with society and culture.

The believer cannot afford to follow the trends and ideologies of this world without engaging with them critically. The truths of scriptures form the reference point from which we engage with society and culture. Click To Tweet

In this article, I would like you to consider with me some of the radical concepts the bible advocates as touching this issue.

The life of a man consists not in the abundance of the things he possesses

Jesus did not insinuate that material possessions are worthless, such that men should despise them. Rather, what he posits strongly is that our measure of life should never be materialistic. While the Christian view allows for the possession of wealth; it frowns on taking the definition of one’s life from it. So, it isn’t about how much I possess, rather it is if I have begun to measure my life with this mundane ‘canon’. God would have it that all men find the true definition of life from his word. The Christian ideal is that true living is in living for the kingdom and the cause of Christ. 2Cor5:15

God’s word defines for the Christian what his life ought to consist of, the world system cannot be the reference point for living for him. When the Christian gets a hold of this truth, he can soar above the plane of materialism that society deems as ideal.

While the Christian view allows for the possession of wealth; it frowns on taking the definition of one’s life from it. So, it isn’t about how much I possess, but whether I measure my life with this mundane ‘canon' Click To Tweet

Ye cannot serve God and mammon 

Another heart slant that the believer ought to possess is that he cannot afford to serve wealth which in this context is referred to as mammon. Jesus shows here that the unbridled pursuit of wealth is capable of enslaving a man – this is what he meant by serving mammon.

In essence, Jesus speaks against being enthralled by the desire to acquire wealth. It is not surprising that the other option Jesus contrasts with serving mammon is serving the Lord, which is the ideal responsibility of the believer.

Nothing is permitted to dominate the heart of the believer save his undivided devotion to the Lord. If mammon were not capable of robbing us of our devotion to the Lord, Jesus would not have made this contrast. It is, therefore, important that we guard our devotion and fervor jealously. The believer must always ensure that wealth remains a means to an end and not an end to live for in itself.

It is important that we guard our devotion and fervor jealously. The believer must always ensure that wealth remains a means to an end and not an end to live for in itself. Click To Tweet

We are God’s stewards

Having mentioned that the life of a believer is not gauged by his wealth and he is not to be enslaved to the pursuit of it, the believer must also come to know that he is, first of all, a steward of all that he has. In the real sense, we own nothing, but we are only in charge of things. For there is nothing that a man has that he has not received. The Lord would have us be men who he can commit things to and yet would not hold tightly to them but realize their place as stewards.

On this basis, therefore, we can say that there is no amount that it is too much for the believer to possess so far he keeps his heart right and maintains the attitude of stewardship.

There is no amount that it is too much for the believer to possess so far he keeps his heart right and maintains the attitude of stewardship. Click To Tweet

He delights in the prosperity of his servant

The Christian must also come to realize that God takes no pleasure in him living in lack and poverty. Scriptures tell us that the giving of Jesus to us is proof that he will freely give us all things. God delights in his people living prosperously just like every loving father does.

The Christian must also come to realize that God takes no pleasure in him living in lack and poverty. God delights in his people living prosperously just like every loving father does. Click To Tweet

It is wrong for us as believers to think that God wants us to live in consistent lack and poverty to the end that we become more like him. God’s chief instrument for changing us into his likeness is his word. We can therefore believe that God’s will for us is that we dwell in comfort and bliss. 

The man in Christ must be conscious of the fact that it is the will of God for him to live in bliss and comfort. However, he must ensure that he is not conformed to the thought pattern of the world system as touching wealth and luxury. The peculiar ideals of the Christian worldview must be upheld by us.

SHALOM!