Should Christian Build Wealth?

Wealth is a controversial topic for believers. It is whether they ought to or ought not to be rich because the bible stated that they should build their treasure in heaven and not on earth.

 Does the bible support believers to embrace prosperity? Should believers be affluent?

People tend to ask these questions.

A lot of them tend to follow the personality of Jesus while they leave out his principles. Before you proceed to read this article, ask yourself if you’re in line with either the principle or personality of Jesus Christ.

If you can’t answer the question, then you need to know the difference between the word personality and principle.

Personality is the characteristics and qualities that distinguishes an individual from others, while principle is a set of values that serves as the system of belief or behavior.

Various churches and synagogues have always preached and taught about the personality of Christ. Be gentle, be humble, be kind, love your neighbor as yourself and other characteristics which can be attributed to Christ ways and teachings. All these are norms in the Christendom and every believer imbibes these teachings because they want to be like Jesus.

The personalities of Jesus can be seen in the scriptural passages below.

1.     OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY (Titus chapter 3 verses 1 – 4 NIV)

This passage admonishes the followers of Jesus to be obedient to authority and be at peace with all men.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, he saved us…

 Individuals who aspire to be like the Lord Jesus Christ must be obedient to authority and must do away with any contentious act.

2.     HUMILITY (John chapter 13 verses 4-7, Philippians chapter 2:3 – 5, 1peter 5: 5 – 11 NIV)

How would you feel if the managing director of your company kneels before you? It’s a weird scene to behold, and it can be literally impossible.

Jesus Christ demonstrated a sense of humility by washing one of his disciple’s feet, and this has called his followers to be humble.

So, he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Paul, as well as Peter also, wrote about imitating the humility of Christ and the importance of humility to believers.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5)

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1peter 5:5-6)

3.     FORGIVENESS (Colossians 3: 13, Ephesians 4: 32 NIV)

Synagogues and churches teach their followers to be kind and forgiving towards others as Jesus Christ did and said.

He forgave Peter despite denying him three times (Luke 22: 54-62)

He also showed mercy on the woman who washed his feet (Luke 37: 48)

This is what the bible says about forgiveness.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has grievances against someone. Forgive as the lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

4.     LOVE (Romans 13: 8)

The divine rule and the greatest of all in the Christendom is love. Jesus Christ taught his disciples to love one another, to love their neighbor and also love their enemies (Mathew 5: 44).

Owe no man anything, but to love one another hath fulfilled the law.

The personalities of Jesus as in the book of Galatians are the fruit of the spirit.

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance… (Galatians 5: 22 & 23)

The followers of Jesus endeavor to imbibe these qualities in their daily lives, but sometimes neglect the important principles that Christ laid down and exhibited in the bible. These qualities are those drives that are necessary for every human being’s survival. Most importantly, any individual who has these qualities will be successful and prosperous.

The principles of Jesus according to the scripture are below.

      i.         MISSION-FOCUSED

Luke chapter 22 verse 42 says, “Father, if you’re willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will not yours be done.” Jesus said this before he was arrested by the Pharisees. He had the power to escape it all, but he didn’t because he was focused on his mission. He came to the world to die for our sins; this was the mission.

This is an example to his disciples to be mission-focused in their personal life as well as in their career.

    ii.         DISCIPLINED

Jesus was well-disciplined and this enabled him to overcome the temptations that came his way (Luke chapter 4 verses 1-13). He was firm and incorruptible. He could not be easily shaken by anyone, and he intelligently handled various questions posed to him by the Pharisees.

   iii.         DILIGENT AND DEDICATED

Jesus showed Christians by example that they should be diligent and dedicated to service. Mark chapter 1 verse 35 says, “And in the morning rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and prayed.”

He was devoted to his work and nothing could discourage him from praying, even though he is the son of God. He woke up early every morning to pray.

Why should a Christian build wealth instead of forsaking material and earthly things? (Colossians 3 verses 1-2)

Jesus was the son of a carpenter, and we can infer that he helped Joseph in his workshop to contribute to the sustenance of the family. Let’s say this was for the family’s survival and not for wealth-building, he was disciplined and committed because on earth, money is necessary for survival.

This is not to imply that believers should chase after money, but rather understand that even Jesus Christ toiled for his survival.

Men like Abraham, Isaac, Zacchaeus and even Job (before and after his testing period) were blessed with riches from God. They never lived impoverished because God does not allow his children to suffer. Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11 says, “for I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV).

 Psalm 34 verse 10 also says, “the lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the lord lack no good thing (NIV).”

Note that those who are God’s people will never lack any good thing and this good thing includes, good shelter, good food, good clothing, good job and a good name.

God has plans for his people, and part of the plan is to prosper and enrich them. The book of Isaiah chapter 61 verse 6 says, “and you will be called priests of the lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast (NIV).”

Now, believers should not only uphold the personalities of Jesus by showing kindness to others, demonstrating humility and endurance in all things. They should use his principles to live a life that is worthier than that of the gentiles.

The second book of Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 10 clearly says, “if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” This is a rule of Jesus Christ which means that every believer should not only be gentle, meek, and peaceful but should also work so that they can eat.

Titus chapter 3 verse 14 says, “our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, to provide for urgent needs and not live an unproductive live (NIV).”

Any true believer must live a productive life. Disciples like Paul and Peter were hardworking and productive. Paul was a tentmaker, an apostle, and might have worked in a political office or taught religion at some time in his life. Being an apostle did not deter him from getting himself employment to support himself (Acts 18 verse 1-3).

God’s words and fulfillment of his promises can be manifested in the life of fruitful believers.

1Chronicles chapter 29 verse 12 says, “Wealth and honor come from you; you rule all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all (NIV).”

Wealth is a gift from God and believers should not view it as a sin, but rather as God’s blessing to his people that love him and do his will.