Worldliness and the Wealth Gospel

QUESTION: Worldliness – The Wealth Gospel

ANSWER:

I have debated whether I should address the issue of the "Wealth Gospel" that is being so widely preached in our society today. I can think of nothing more contrary to the true Gospel of Christ than the idea that God wants every believer to be rich. I acknowledge that there is nothing wrong in having material possessions just as there is nothing inherently wrong in having wealth.

In fact, God does bless some believers with wealth so they can use it for His glory. But the idea of seeking God that I might be blessed with temporal wealth is directly opposed to that which Paul proclaims. We are to seek God that "we might know the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." We are to seek God that "we might be filled with all spiritual blessings in Christ." We are to seek God that "we might become the righteousness of God in Christ."

Worldliness – Material Riches
Does it not seem strange that God would want to give all of us material riches when Jesus stated that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? Is it not strange that what the Bible calls "filthy lucre" and "a root of all evil" is that with which God desires to reward our faith? I can assure you with all certainty that God is much more concerned with making us holy than with making us rich! I believe this false gospel is but another distraction that Satan uses to take our eyes off of Jesus and to keep our hearts tied to worldly things. I encourage you to seek the Giver, not the gift.

Rendered with permission from the booklet, Free to Serve God: 7 Principles Every Believer Should Know, by James O. Jones, Jr. (Light of Life Ministry, revised printing 2009). Compliments of James O. Jones, Jr., and Light of Life Ministry. All rights reserved in the original.