Here are some thoughts for believers with some wealth who want to fully surrender to Jesus or for ministers who want to challenge the wealthy believers whom they serve. Scripture instructs the wealthy 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” (1 Tim. 6:18-19, NIV). The Apostle Paul emphasizes this by stating it three times in one sentence: do good deeds, be generous and share! Jesus said something similar to a rich man who was seeking eternal life: “Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matt. 19:21). Thus, for a Christian, having wealth includes learning to detach your heart from the wealth (not “put their hope in wealth” (1 Tim. 6:17, NIV)) and learning to fill the role of providing the finances needed for congregations to minister and help the needy. And you cannot escape this obligation by pretending you are not wealthy.
For example, is it okay for a faithful member of the congregation to struggle just to buy food and pay rent when another member has a thriving business or a million-dollar home or half a million in retirement savings? Should some children in the congregation lack decent clothing and housing while other church members dine at nice restaurants and spend tens of thousands of dollars on recreation? Should the wealthy have every opportunity to find quality pastoral care and spiritual counseling while the congregation cannot afford to pay for another pastor to visit and help the needy members? In sum, will you care for your brothers and sisters in Christ? How can you attach your heart to God if your heart is still attached to money?
Your money will be gone in a few years when the next age comes and then the question will be whether you still have any “treasure for [yourself]” for eternity (1 Tim. 6:19). Jesus said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15, ESV). For these reasons, some believers in the early church sold their possessions in order to provide for the needy believers. (Acts 2:44-45). The early church also provided assistance to believers who were widows (1 Tim. 5:6-19). Thus, the wealthy need to be careful that they manage their wealth in a way that pleases God. There is a point at which the pursuit of success becomes greed and Scripture warns us not even to associate with a Christian who is guilty of greed (1 Cor. 5:12).
