So you don’t think that God wants you to be wealthy? Nor does money have anything to do with living a godly life? Well, the Bible clearly encourages us to live abundantly in every area of life, including health, wealth, and joy. It’s important to understand that abundance, as God defines it, isn’t limited to finances, but certainly includes it.

John 10:10 says, The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” It’s difficult to live abundantly if we’re constantly lacking, whether in health, finances, or joy. God wants His children to thrive and experience His blessings in every way. The same way we want our children to prosper, because we love them.

However, while we are called to experience abundance, we must remember that nothing compares to eternal life. God’s ultimate promise of salvation far surpasses anything this world can offer. Still, that doesn’t mean we should embrace poverty as a virtue. The Bible never advocates for being poor; in fact, it lays out principles for living prosperous in this life.

Biblical Wealth: A Spiritual and Practical Reality

In Deuteronomy 8:18, it is written, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” God is fully aware that ministry, like life, costs. A pastor once said, “Ministry costs,” and indeed, it’s no surprise that large ministries often require significant financial resources. God is not against His people having wealth; He is against wealth having His people.

Big ministries often have big money because God is providing the resources needed to fulfill His work. But it’s crucial to remember that our wealth comes from God’s provision, not from our own hands. The moment we start to believe that we’ve created our own wealth is the moment we disconnect from the true source of blessing. Like WiFi, our connection to God’s power is what enables us to live in true wealth—when we lose that connection, we lose the ability to experience real abundance.

The Warning: Materialism and Greed

While the Bible encourages abundance, it also warns us of the dangers of materialism and greed. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Notice, it’s not money itself, but the love of money that leads to destruction. When we prioritize wealth over our relationship with God, we open ourselves up to hidden traps and spiritual ruin.

Jesus spoke of the rich young ruler who was unwilling to give up his wealth for the kingdom of God. It wasn’t that Jesus wanted him to live in poverty, but He knew that this young man’s wealth had become his god. Our relationship with God must always come first, even above the wealth He blesses us with.

Staying Connected to God’s True Wealth

Wealth is not wrong, but our hearts must be in the right place. As long as we remain surrendered to God, we can experience His blessings without falling into the traps of materialism. Proverbs 10:22 tells us, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” God’s wealth is not achieved through stress and strain, but through faith, wisdom, and obedience to His principles.

Take the example of Job. Though he lost everything, he remained faithful to God. In the end, God restored all that Job had lost—and then some! Whatever we lose for the sake of Christ will be restored in ways far beyond what we can imagine. Job’s story is a reminder that when we stay connected to God, no amount of money can compare to the restoration and blessings He will bring into our lives.

As you pursue financial abundance, always remember: God is the source. Stay connected to Him, and you will experience true wealth, both in this life and the next. Wealth, health, and joy are all part of God’s plan for His people, but the greatest treasure remains eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Don’t lose sight of that, no matter how many millions of dollars are at stake! John 15:4 says: 

"Abide in me, and I will abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me."