LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH (James 5:1-6)

2014-06-01

Does the Bible say that it is wrong to be rich?Contrary to popular belief, the Bible actually does not condemn money. A great many people have the viewpoint that there is something dirty about money, and those who make it. They call it “filthy lucre.” This is not what the Scripture says, even though you can find those words in the Bible. What the Scripture does say is that “… the love of money is the root of all evil …” (1 Tim. 6:10). The key portion of that statement is the love of money.

Does the Bible say that it is wrong to be rich?

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible actually does not condemn money. A great many people have the viewpoint that there is something dirty about money, and those who make it. They call it “filthy lucre.” This is not what the Scripture says, even though you can find those words in the Bible.

What the Scripture does say is that “… the love of money is the root of all evil …” (1 Tim. 6:10). The key portion of that statement is the love of money. Not the money itself, but the love of money.

The problem is not in the coin itself, or the dollar bill that you hold in your hand. The problem is in the hearts of men and women. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil.

To know that this is true, think of all of the very wealthy Biblical characters. Abraham was a man of great wealth. Joseph was wealthy. David was wealthy. Solomon was wealthy beyond imagination. If it was the money that was the problem, then God would not have blessed these men with these riches.

Listen to this podcast to hear how the book of James does not condemn people just because they are rich but because of their wrong relationship to their riches. James is concerned with how they get their money and what they were doing with it after they get it. These questions are applicable to all of us.

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