Aren't Christians Supposed to be Poor?

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 - What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (NIV)

1 Timothy 6:3-11 - If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (NIV)

The subject of finances has probably heard the worst and most ridiculous accusations of hypocrisy against the Church. This has got to be the biggest cop out and lame excuse people give for not attending church or giving monetary offerings. They say, “Those preachers are all hypocrites trying to con you out of your money!”

Although it is true that there are some greedy preachers, these are not nearly so common as the accusations would lead one to believe. The truth is that many churches can’t even afford to pay their staff a decent salary, and the real hypocrites are the people who use the accusation of “hypocrisy” to justify their own stinginess. Preachers should not have to ask their congregations to give any offerings; instead the money should be given without needing to be asked. The church is supposed to work like ACT 4:34-35, but the fact that it doesn’t is not the fault of the ministers who are now forced to beg the people to give even a small portion of what rightly belongs to God in the first place. Jesus taught that the worker deserves his wages (MT 10:10,LUK 10:7).

People often misquote 1TI 6:10 by saying “money is the root of all evil”. But money is not evil. A person can be as wealthy as Bill Gates and also be the most Godly person there is. It is an improper attitude towards money that is wrong: “the love of money”. Being a Christian was never intended to be an exercise in poverty. Jesus did not say “blessed are the poor” as though to suggest that we should strive to be poor, He said “blessed are the poor in spirit” (MT 5:3). We do not need to be poor to have God’s blessing and approval. God’s way is to bless those who please Him, and among other things, blessing includes wealth. When Solomon asked God for wisdom instead of wealth (1KI 3:9), God’s response made Solomon so wealthy that during his reign, silver was considered as common and worthless as gravel (1KI 3:11-13,10:21,27,2CH 1:15,9:27). If God gives this much wealth to kings, how dare we condemn Christians because they are wealthy!

Here then, is God’s way regarding money. Everything we have, every penny we earn belongs to God (PS 24:1). This is a loan from God, that He may recall in part or in full, at any time, and when He does, God expects us to pay Him back, with interest (MT 25:27). Our obedience in this matter will result in financial blessing, and we will have more than we need (MT 25:29), with the recognition that the more we receive the more we are able to give. Our disobedience in this matter will result in our finances being cursed, and we will not have enough to make ends meet no matter how frugal we try to be with our money (MT 25:29). The Old Testament law commanded a tithe of 1 tenth to be offered to God (LEV 27:30), but this was not just a directive to the nation of Israel, it was exemplified long before the law was given (GEN 14:20,28:22). ACT 4:34-35 also exemplifies giving to God, as well as the teachings of Jesus (MT 23:23,MAR 12:42-44,LUK 11:42,21:4). Paul recognized that, if the priest Melchizedek was worthy to receive Abraham’s tithe before there was any law, Jesus Christ who carries on that priestly order is far more worthy to receive offerings from us (HEB 7:1-10).

Many people believe differently as to how much they should give to God. Some only give what they feel they can afford. Some give 10% of their net earnings. Some give 10% of their gross earnings. Some give in overwhelming abundance. How much you choose to give is really between you and God, and as long as you honor what He tells you to do you will do fine, however if you decide to give less than what He desires you to give you will only stifle His blessing.

Personally, I give 10% of the pre-tax amount of every paycheck rounded up to the next $5 increment, plus 10% of my tax return, plus the entire tax return amount associated with my previous year’s tithe, plus $100 per month for mission work by my church, plus numerous other contributions God tells me to make throughout the year. I don’t say this to boast, or to condemn anyone who doesn’t give as much as I do. I only say this to bear witness of my own first hand experience, that giving to God does result in His blessing one’s finances, because I most certainly am living in financial blessing.

Jesus taught that we should be content with our wages (LUK 3:14) and that we should not lay up earthly treasures for ourselves (MT 6:20-21), but he also taught that we should not be foolish with our provisions (MT 7:6,25:8-9,LUK 14:28-30). God expects us to be faithful with what we are given (LUK 16:11). Investing money in an attempt to gain more, is not a sin, in fact this is a character wisdom. Jesus commanded that we be good stewards, which applies as much to money as it does to other matters (MT 25:21,LUK 12:42,16:10). Therefor it is right for Christians to invest what we have been given by God to the extent of our talents, and to make wise decisions regarding our finances, so that we do not become a burden to others, and so that we are better equipped to help others in need. To do otherwise is just as much a sin as “the love of money” is. But the key to what is right is our point of focus. If we seek financial gain merely to benefit ourselves, we are doing wrong. If we seek financial gain (by honest and moral means of course) to benefit others, we are doing right.


James