Wealth - A Bible Study
God
teaches us how to acquire wealth with integrity. There are scriptural guidelines
for gaining wealth. They include diligence, wisdom, righteousness and fear
of the Lord. God's style of wealth comes with INTEGRITY - first and foremost.
Lets see if we can work out a way of viewing money and the marketplace that
is consistent with the Scriptures.
The ability to make wealth is from God
(Deuteronomy 8:18 NRSV) But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today
What does the phrase "power to get wealth" mean to you? Who is the source of it?
How can we put that
power to work in our daily living?
God is the source of wealth
(1 Samuel 2:7 NRSV) The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts
(1 Chronicles 29:12
NRSV) Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your
hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to
give strength to all.
Who "makes poor and
makes rich"?
Why would God make
someone rich? (e.g. Abraham, Job, Solomon)
Humility and fear
of the Lord lead to wealth
(Psalms 112:1-3 NKJV) Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. {2} His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. {3} Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever
(Proverbs 22:4 NKJV)
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
Have you ever read
an investment manual that tells you that wealth comes from humility and
fear of the Lord? Where does the world see wealth coming from?
In your daily practice
of life do you act as if the world is a "jungle red in tooth and claw"
or a place that is run by a caring, omnipotent God who gives food to all
creatures in their time (Matthew 6:19-34). How do these two views of the
world and the marketplace differ when it comes to acquiring wealth?
Wisdom generates wealth that lasts
(Proverbs 3:16 NKJV) Length of days is in her (wisdom's) right hand
In her left hand riches and honor.
(Proverbs 8:18-21 NKJV) Riches and honor are with me (Wisdom), Enduring riches and righteousness. {19} My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. {20} I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, {21} That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
(Proverbs 14:24 NKJV)
The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is
folly.
How does wisdom generate
wealth?
What is the difference
between "wisdom" and "knowledge" in generating wealth? Do you think wisdom
needs to be applied if it is to bring wealth?
Diligence on our part is a big help
(Proverbs 10:4 NKJV) He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich
What is the difference
between diligence and "workaholism"? What are the positive attributes
of the diligent person?
Righteousness
(Proverbs 15:6 NKJV) In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble
How does righteousness
bless our family and economic life?
How do "ill-gotten
gains" lead to trouble?
God's blessing
(Proverbs 10:22 NKJV) The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it
Is it necessarily
true that rich people are unhappy?
What then is the
difference between wealth that flows from God and wealth that flows from
the Devil? (See also Luke 4:5-7)
Perspective restorer
(1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows
(Matthew 6:24 NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
(Matthew 6:33-34
NKJV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you. {34} "Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for
the day is its own trouble.
There are two errors
in perspective. One is that it is more spiritual to be poor. The bible
never says this at all. The other error is that wealth is a major yardstick
of God's blessing on your life. This is not true either (see Hebrews 11).
Wealth is a good secondary thing. It is not to be our major pursuit in
life. It is supplied by God as we pursue wisdom, righteousness and truth
and live lives of integrity.
Where do you need
your perspective on wealth to be corrected?
What should the Christian
church teach about money?
This article may be freely reproduced for non-profit ministry purposes but may not be sold in any way. For permission to use articles in your ministry, e-mail the editor, John Edmiston at johned@aibi.ph.