Christians And Prosperity Theology

Recently I was clicking through religious channels on the television and just happened to hear a preacher say, “All Christians need to be millionaires.” The justification for what he said was that it is so you can bless other people. This is an important topic of deception and not biblical. I felt compelled to write about it.

I will begin by saying that there is nothing wrong with a Christian making a lot of money, as long as the heart is right with God with the intent of being a good steward of that money, using it to help those in need, and it doesn’t replace the focus on God. In fact, the world needs wealthy Christians who have a heart of compassion, combined with the ability to meet pressing needs. Christians give lots of money to institutions, organizations, ministries, and charities, which provide much needed services for society in general. However, to say that all Christians should be millionaires is just plain not biblical. Colossians 3:2 says, “ Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.” 

First of all, one does not need $1 million to bless others. To use several examples- $50 for putting gas in someone’s car or buying a bag of groceries-for a single mom living from paycheck to paycheck with several kids-that would be a blessing that will go a long way.

Jesus never said that all people should be millionaires. He said quite the opposite as recorded in Matthew 16:24-26. ”If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me…for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul.” This can mean a life of hardship and sacrifice.

God blesses some people with the ability and wisdom to make a lot of money, and they use it to bless others who have needs. They are very generous in giving to others. Whether or not they have made it their goal to have $1 million, God knows their heart. One does not always need money to bless others. It can be done by doing simple deeds, taking a person places who can’t drive, writing an encouraging letter, and a host of other small things.

The Bible gives several words of warning regarding making a lot of money and being wealthy. Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 says, in the words of Solomon, one of the richest men who ever lived, “I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I’ve made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought myself female slaves and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women and many concubines, the delight of the sons of men.”

A few verses later in Ecclesiastes 2:11 he says, “then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

James 1:9-11 adds, “let the lowly brother boast in his exultation and the rich in his humiliation because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass, its flower falls and its beauty perishes. So also will a rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” 

1 Timothy 6:6-7 says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain, we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” Later in the passage in 1 Timothy 6:17 it says, “as for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” In the middle of this passage, it says to pursue godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

God is more concerned about us becoming godly people then He is about how much money is in the bank account. We can bless others in so many ways other than money. However, we need some wealthy Christians who have the compassion and the ability to bless others.

A person can have $1 million, but have no hope for living, as has been the case with many millionaires throughout history who have taken their own life. You may have a lot of money or very little money. Either way, there are ways that you can bless other people. If God blesses you with $1 million or more, thank him for it and be a generous giver to others.