Can I Be Rich and Godly?
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 10:21-22 (NKJV)Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
To the Jews, financial prosperity is a sign of God’s blessings that they are walking obediently in the Mosaic covenant. The rich young ruler was of Jewish descent and had been well taught on the laws of God. He knew where his wealth and blessings originated. For us too, even though we may know that God is the source of our provision, money can still slowly creep into our lives and cause us to idolise it, especially when it comes with power too. This rich young ruler has tasted power and wealth, and it had become a stronghold and idol in his life. The problem with him is that he had developed an identity around his rich lifestyle and it was too much for him to give up.
Mark 10:23, 26-27 (NKJV) Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”… And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Many Christians ask if it is possible to be rich, successful, and godly? There is no conflict between loving God and being successful at the same time. In fact, our success can be used to glorify God. Some people believe that one has to separate themselves from the world by living in a monastery in order to be holy; they believe that by living a life without the attraction or possession of worldly goods will help them to be holy. However, we can be in this world, but are not of the world. Neither riches nor poverty should be a measurement of spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is measured by whether we are loving God and people, and whether we have chosen to live a consecrated life.
God is not against money, people being rich or well-provided for in life, but He is against money becoming god to us. There are many pitfalls that come if we only focus on financial prosperity and neglect the most important factor—God. However, if we don’t let money become our god or build our security around it, and if we ensure that God is first in our lives, we will be able to withstand the temptations to neglect God, and we will do well if we become a rich, influential and successful Christian.
Sermon Series: Seriously?
