Question

Material wealth questions

Read Genesis 1: 27 – 31, Genesis 2: 1 – 17, Deuteronomy 8: 6: 18, Proverbs 30: 7 – 9, Ecclesiastes 5: 8 – 20, Matthew 6: 19 – 34 and I Timothy 6: 6 – 19, then answer these questions citing chapter and verse where appropriate:

a. What are advantages and disadvantages of pursuing financial or material success?

b. In what way is “the love of money a root of all kinds of evil”? (I Timothy 6:10).

c. What is the proper attitude to have towards material wealth according to the Bible?

d. What responsibilities do people have in using their wealth according to the Bible?

Answer 1

a. Jesus saw wealth as a gift from God to be used in His service, Those who have been blessed with wealth must share generously with the poor and avoid the sins of arrogance  (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. ( Timothy 6:17-19)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

b. The apostle Paul, in his first letter to his young disciple, Timothy, had this to say: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10). Now this verse is often misquoted as saying, “Money is the root of all evil.” Notice how “money” is substituted for “love of money” and “the root of all evil” is substituted for “a root of all kinds of evil.” These changes, while subtle, have an enormous impact on the meaning of the verse. Paul wants to steer Timothy away from that trap. In doing so, he tells him the real source of “great gain;” namely, godliness with true contentment (verse 6). Contentment, in a biblical sense, is the recognition that we come into the world with nothing and that everything we have is a gift from God’s hands (verses 7–8). Yet those who desire to be rich (i.e., those who have the “love of money”) are the ones who are led into temptation and fall into a snare (verse 9). Paul concludes the passage by telling Timothy that the love of money leads to all sorts of sin and evil. Simple reflection on this principle will confirm that it is true. Greed causes people to do all sorts of things they wouldn’t normally do.

C. There is no promise in the Bible that being a Christian will lead to a good job, wealth, freedom from debt, etc. One verse is sometimes cited: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mathew 6:19-21)

D. "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. ¹¹ Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.Deuteronomy( 8:10-11,18)