I have been reading a column by the Evangelist, Billy Graham lately, a man of great wisdom. A question was posed of him about is it wrong to want to be rich and successful.
I found his answer interesting and I believe this is true. In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11 (Jeremiah 29:11), God says this: "For I know the plans I have you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." What an awesome promise of God. And we know that God does not lie, so if He promises it, He will have to deliver it!
Mr. Graham's response to the question asked of him, was this: "No, God is not necessarily opposed to wealth or financial success; some of the most outstanding and godly people in the bible were also people of great wealth, men like Abraham or Job in the Old Testament. But the Bible does warn us about the dangers of wealth.
First, I want to point out that God does want for us to prosper in life, but the word of God does not tell you that it is material wealth, He promises that He has plans for us to prosper. The problem with desiring wealth can take the place of God in our lives. Instead of loving the one who provides for us and putting Him first in our life, we lust for money and all that it stands for --- usually greed, and more greed, envy, selfishness, only thinking about making more money until we live a life that is void of compassion for others.
In Matthew 6:24, the word of God makes it clear that "No one can serve two masters...You cannot serve both God and Money."
The second problem is we try to make money our goal instead of serving God.
When this happens, we lose sight of the desires of God and the needs of others.
Money then becomes our master instead of our servant, and we begin using people for our own selfish ends. This is how slavery started. Men believed that their money entitled them to enslave other people. They were only concerned with their power and the privileges they derived from that power. Money, in America, does give some people standing and it makes them feel more superior to others. It also makes than think they are superior to God.
God is the author of money and all wealth comes from God! 1 Timothy 6:10 warns that "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." I have already mentioned what kind of evil that is. Don't allow this to happen to you, but instead keep your focus on God, making Christ the center and foundation of your life.
From God comes peace and security, things that money cannot buy. If God gives you wealth, commit it to Him to help others because He has blessed you and expects you to bless others.
Thought for Today: Use your life to be a blessing to other! Remember that keeps his promise of prospering you.
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