Being rich in the new testament; good or bad?

James 5:1-6
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

If I was born as a rich man during NT times I would not consider it a bad thing. (This assumes that I know all the various NT type scriptures on the subject). I would just consider giving, hospitality as my spiritual gifts. And those things are greatly helped by having some wealth.

And if I had the same basic personality etc. that I do know, I would actually add teaching to that list as well, because those scripture scrolls were very costly back then, so buying them for myself to teach, or for my local congregation would just be another avenue of ministry....


But anyway, I see those anti wealth type scriptures as being more warnings of the potential Existential struggle that some might have from wealth rather than decrees about certain doom. But this sort of thing should not be new, or at least not from what I have heard about general teachings about callings and vocations (In Catholicism and the rest of Christianity). God creates everybody to have a unique roll in the Body of Christ and that includes the wealthy. So it is best to invest all your talents like the good servants in the parable of the talents and that is not just "spiritual gifts", skills etc. but also other things like time, money, and our other resources as well.

i think Scripture means that striving after wealth, or striving after God, are two very different things. And that striving after wealth will lead to death and corruption, while striving after Him will bring life eternal.

Everything under the heavens belongs to God. Including money. He grants wealth to some. It's His right to do so.

~bella

And who is rich? It's all relative... If you're born in the United States then you're instantly one of the richest people in the world.

Rich is good if used for good and bad if used for bad. If you remember several figures in the NT could be equated as rich.
1)Luke was a doctor, it is possible he was rich
2)Saul/Paul had Roman citizenship which likely had to be purchased plus he was a tent maker
3)The Roman Centurion had servants
4)Jesus wore a robe so valuable that the guards gambled to see who would get it.
5)Judas was the treasurer for the Jesus and the 12 apostles
6)Lydia was a seller or Purple.... likely was rich
and so on....

Sophrosyne said:

2)Saul/Paul had Roman citizenship which likely had to be purchased plus he was a tent maker

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According to Acts 22:25-28, Paul was born a Roman citizen.

David Hunter said:

According to Acts 22:25-28, Paul was born a Roman citizen.

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Regardless, I believe it says another paid a high price to become a Roman citizen. If he was one from birth likely his father was possibly rich.

"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." The love of money, not money.

Luke 6:38. Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Prov, 19:17. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

How do you give when you have none?
Matt, 6:1. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Joined2krist said:

After reading James 1:9 -11 , I'm thinking it's not good, what's your opinion?

"Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but withereth the grass, and the close thereof falleth and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

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I think it's contextual as, the majority of rich people do evil things to amass their wealth and their end is destruction while, it may also allude to that wealth corrupt's because it is a vice that is only good for one thing, material possessions.

Hello @Joined2krist, and everyone.


Thank you for your question, hope you all have a good day.

Most rich people don't commit evil acts to amass wealth. It would suggest biblical prosperity was ill gotten.

There are natural and spiritual properties to wealth acquisition.

• It's divinely bestowed. God grants wealth and so does Satan.
• Knowledge is a component. Not merely its possession but application. You must have an ability to see opportunities. Which requires vision and creativity.
  
• Discipline is a must. No one acquires wealth without diligence. Whether their methods are good or bad.
  
• Connections are the linchpin. Every biography includes a chance meeting, introduction, or relationship that altered their circumstances.

The biggest differences between the rich and everyone else is time, output, and assignment. Most people look forward to down time and apply their resources to comforts. But the rich don't.

They use their leisure strategically and spend their resources on personal enhancement. They'll learn a new skill, take a class, or join an organization. Instead of a new iPhone they get season tickets to a cultural event. Now they're meeting people who share their interests, learning something new, and expanding their network.

That's how they get ahead. It isn't that others can't do the same. They have different priorities. We all have 168 hours to work with. How you spend it is your choice. But it's also your destiny.

You can hangout online and discuss the bible. Or take a writing class and put your thoughts on paper and sell a book. Both examples emphasize God. What you do with the emphasis is the difference.

~bella

Wealth is relative. Most people on this forum, when compared to each other are not wealthy at least not wealthy like millionaires etc but when compared to people in the third world we are rich.

Is being rich wrong/sinful?

That depends on how we use our wealth. Just how generous are we to deserving causes?
How generous are we of our time? How many causes do you pray intelligently for and spend time finding out what they need, writing letters, emails etc in there support.

How do we treat the visible poor in our communities, in our work or at church?

We are all made in the image of God, whether black, brown, yellow or what is called white, or whether rich or poor, male or femail, young or old, fit or infirm, intelligent or as thick as a brick!

How do we treat those who are different?

Joined2krist said:

You have a good point but i think the scripture i quoted is not emphasising a rich person's journey to acquiring wealth but actually his/her destiny when he/she achieves it, don't you think so?

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I was addressing a different comment. I responded to yours earlier.

Joined2krist said:

After reading James 1:9 -11 , I'm thinking it's not good, what's your opinion?

"Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but withereth the grass, and the close thereof falleth and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

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Yes, as it's harder for a 'rich' (much richer than others seemingly) person to enter heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle our Lord tells us.

Another helpful instance: In the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, specifically the rich man could have given something to help the poor beggar Lazarus who was literally in front of his house, but did not.

The rich young ruler that would rather stay in his luxuries than to follow Christ, literally in person there in front of him, is a helpful illustration of the crux of the matter it seems.

In the end, what is most important to us?
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

So, while it's not money itself that is the evil, but the valuing of the wealth above thing things of God....but still, it's hard for a rich man to enter heaven... I think it's a matter of temptation. The wealth creates a lot of temptation to place other things above God.

Ergo, one thing a rich person might hasten to do to pray the Lord's prayer Christ gave for all of us to pray, each day, and then pay attention to any pangs of conscience or urges to help others and

"go and do" --

Luke 10:37 "The one who showed him mercy," replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Halbhh said:

I think it's a matter of temptation. The wealth creates a lot of temptation to place other things above God.

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It isn't temptation in the sense of 'let's do something wrong' but the omission of difficulties that creates challenges. You'll push against infringements on comfort and you're divorced from the realities many face. Wealth separates and you have to be intentionally inclusive. We naturally gravitate to others like ourselves.

But in this case the cluster can be detrimental to those in need. You can be generous without getting your hands dirty. Proximity is important. Information should flow bilaterally. When one group is out of the fold they're left behind.

Society rewards prosperity. You don't experience the same slights, discrimination, or hardships. Life is easier. You can develop a mindset that's the way it is. But it isn't. It's easier for you because of your circumstances. It's not the norm for everyone else.

Integration enables the moneyed to become cognizant of 'real life' in a manner they never can on their own. In turn, they can share their wisdom and experiences which may benefit those in need. A true give and take.

The tipping point is awareness. If you want to escape the ugly you can and live in your own world. But God calls us to togetherness. That's where the rich man erred with Lazarus. He didn't want to be bothered.

~bella