Dear friend, the question of whether it's wrong for Christians to desire wealth is one that has caused confusion, division, and controversy throughout church history. On one side, some teach a "prosperity gospel" that claims God wants every Christian to be wealthy and that faith can be used as a formula for financial gain. On the other side, some promote an extreme asceticism that views all wealth as evil and poverty as inherently virtuous. Neither extreme represents biblical truth. So what does Scripture actually teach about wealth, prosperity, and the Christian's relationship to money? Is it wrong to want financial security? Is it sinful to desire abundance? Does God bless His children with material prosperity, or should Christians embrace poverty? These questions require careful, nuanced answers grounded in the full counsel of God's Word.

The answer isn't simple "yes" or "no" because the Bible addresses both the dangers of wealth and God's blessing through prosperity. Scripture warns repeatedly about the spiritual dangers of riches while also presenting wealth as God's blessing when handled correctly. The key issue isn't whether you have money or desire it, but rather what holds your heart, what motivates your desires, and how you steward whatever God entrusts to you. Jesus taught, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21, KJV). Your heart follows your treasure. If riches are your treasure, your heart will be corrupted. But if God is your treasure and you hold wealth loosely as His steward, financial blessing can be enjoyed without spiritual danger. Let's explore what Scripture teaches about wealth, examine the heart attitudes God requires, and discover how to honor Christ whether in prosperity or poverty.

The Biblical View of Wealth

First, we must understand that Scripture does not present wealth as inherently evil. Money itself is morally neutral—it's a tool that can be used for good or evil depending on the heart and actions of the one who possesses it. The famous verse often misquoted says, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10, KJV). Notice—it's not money but the *love* of money that's the root of all evil. Money becomes evil when it's loved, coveted, and prioritized above God. When money controls your heart, it destroys you spiritually. But money itself, properly stewarded under God's lordship, can be a blessing and a tool for Kingdom purposes.

However, the Old Testament also contains strong warnings about wealth's dangers. Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest king, wrote extensively in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes about money's limitations. "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch" (Proverbs 11:28, KJV). Trusting in riches—making them your security—leads to spiritual destruction. "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:4-5, KJV). Riches are fleeting, unreliable, and unworthy of your life's labor and devotion. "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity" (Ecclesiastes 5:10, KJV). Wealth never satisfies the soul because the soul was made for God, not money.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught extensively about money and possessions, warning repeatedly about wealth's spiritual dangers. He told the parable of the rich fool who stored up treasure for himself but was not rich toward God (Luke 12:16-21). He warned, "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15, KJV). Your life's value and meaning don't come from possessions. He taught that serving God and money are mutually exclusive: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24, KJV). You must choose your master. If money is your master, God is not.

Jesus also spoke famously about the difficulty of rich people entering God's kingdom: "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24, KJV). This came after the rich young ruler rejected Jesus because he loved his wealth more than Christ (Matthew 19:16-22). Does this mean wealthy people cannot be saved? No—with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). But it means wealth presents serious spiritual danger because it tempts people to trust in riches rather than God, to love comfort more than Christ, and to cling to earthly treasures instead of heavenly ones. Wealth makes salvation humanly impossible because rich people naturally trust in their riches. Only God's supernatural grace can save them.

The Dangers of Desiring Riches

Paul's first letter to Timothy contains perhaps the Bible's most direct teaching on the dangers of wanting to be rich: "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9-10, KJV). Notice the progression: wanting to be rich leads to temptation, which leads to a snare (trap), which leads to foolish and harmful lusts, which ultimately drown people in destruction and perdition. The desire for wealth is spiritually dangerous because it opens the door to countless other sins and ultimately spiritual ruin.

Another danger is that desire for riches breeds covetousness, which is idolatry. "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5, KJV). Covetousness—desiring what others have or craving more than what God has provided—is equated with idolatry because it places created things above the Creator. When you covet, you're essentially saying, "God, what You've given me isn't enough. I need more to be satisfied." This dishonors God, demonstrates lack of faith in His provision, and reveals that your heart is controlled by greed rather than gratitude.

Pursuing wealth also tends to produce anxiety and worry, which Jesus explicitly forbade. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Matthew 6:25, KJV). "Take no thought" means "don't be anxious." When wealth becomes your focus, anxiety inevitably follows—anxiety about gaining it, keeping it, growing it, and not losing it. This anxiety reveals lack of trust in God's provision and care. Jesus continued, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33, KJV). When God's kingdom is your priority, He takes responsibility for your needs. When wealth is your priority, you carry the burden of anxiety and worry.

Additionally, the pursuit of riches often leads to ethical compromise. How many business people have lied, cheated, exploited workers, or violated biblical principles in pursuit of profit? "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him" (Proverbs 28:22, KJV). Haste to get rich produces an "evil eye"—greed, selfishness, and willingness to do wrong for financial gain. It leads people to cut corners, shade the truth, take advantage of others, and rationalize sin—all in service of mammon. But God will judge such behavior: "Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work" (Jeremiah 22:13, KJV). No amount of wealth is worth compromising your integrity and incurring God's judgment.

The Right Heart Attitude Toward Money

Given the dangers of wealth and the warnings against pursuing riches, what heart attitude should Christians have toward money? The biblical answer is contentment. Paul wrote, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8, KJV). Contentment means being satisfied with what God has provided, trusting His wisdom and goodness, and not craving more as if present provision isn't sufficient. This doesn't mean you never desire improvement or work toward financial goals, but it means your peace and joy don't depend on gaining more. You're satisfied with God's current provision because you trust His care.

Another essential attitude is gratitude. Instead of always wanting more, Christians should cultivate thankfulness for what God has already provided. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17, KJV). Everything you have is a gift from God—your health, abilities, opportunities, relationships, and resources. Ingratitude is sin. Gratitude is worship. When you're grateful for present blessings, you're not consumed with craving future ones. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV). Thanksgiving in all circumstances protects your heart from the poison of covetousness.

Christians should also maintain a stewardship mindset—recognizing that everything belongs to God and you're merely His steward, managing what He owns for His purposes. "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1, KJV). God owns it all. You own nothing. You're entrusted with resources to manage faithfully for His glory. This transforms how you view wealth. It's not about getting rich for personal comfort but about being a faithful steward of whatever God entrusts to you—whether little or much. "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2, KJV). Your responsibility is faithfulness, not accumulation.

Furthermore, Christians must maintain generosity as a core value. Wealth exists not merely for personal enjoyment but for blessing others and advancing God's kingdom. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate" (1 Timothy 6:17-18, KJV). The wealthy are commanded to be generous—"ready to distribute" (share with others) and "willing to communicate" (contribute to needs). Generosity protects against greed, demonstrates trust in God's continued provision, and stores up eternal treasure. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6, KJV). Give generously, and God will provide abundantly—not necessarily in financial return but in spiritual blessing and eternal reward.

When Does God Bless with Prosperity?

If pursuing wealth is dangerous, does that mean God never blesses His people with financial prosperity? Not at all. Scripture contains numerous examples of God blessing faithful people with wealth—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, David, Solomon, and many others. In the New Testament, Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man who used his resources to provide Jesus' tomb (Matthew 27:57-60). Lydia was a successful businesswoman who supported Paul's ministry (Acts 16:14-15). Some early Christians had significant resources which they used generously for the church and the poor (Acts 4:34-37). God does bless some believers with financial prosperity—but always with purpose, always with responsibility, and never as a right or guarantee.

God also sometimes grants prosperity as the natural result of biblical principles. Proverbs repeatedly connects wisdom, diligence, and discipline with financial success. "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute" (Proverbs 12:24, KJV). Diligence produces prosperity; laziness produces poverty. "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (Proverbs 13:4, KJV). Hard work, faithful stewardship, wise planning, and biblical integrity naturally tend to produce financial stability and even abundance. This isn't a guarantee—life is complex and sometimes the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper (Psalm 73)—but it's a general principle. God has wired creation so that wisdom and diligence typically produce blessing.

However, prosperity is not guaranteed to all believers, and it's not the primary focus of the Christian life. Paul knew poverty and plenty, and he prioritized spiritual wealth over material wealth: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9, KJV). Jesus, though rich in heaven, became poor on earth so that through His sacrifice we might become rich spiritually—forgiven, justified, adopted, and made heirs of eternal life. This is true wealth. Material prosperity is temporary and uncertain; spiritual wealth is eternal and secure. Christians must prioritize the latter while holding the former loosely.

Rejecting the Prosperity Gospel

In our discussion of Christians and wealth, we must explicitly reject the "prosperity gospel"—the false teaching that God guarantees financial wealth and physical health to all believers who have sufficient faith. This heresy, promoted by many popular preachers, distorts Scripture and leads people to false expectations, spiritual shipwreck, and disillusionment. The prosperity gospel teaches that faith is a formula for getting what you want from God—that if you believe correctly, give financially, and speak positive confessions, God is obligated to make you wealthy. This is completely unbiblical.

Jesus explicitly taught that following Him often requires financial sacrifice, not guarantee of prosperity. When the rich young ruler came asking how to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21, KJV). Jesus didn't promise to make him richer—He called him to sacrificial giving. Jesus told His disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24, KJV). Following Christ involves self-denial, not self-enrichment. It involves carrying a cross, not accumulating wealth.

Furthermore, the prosperity gospel completely ignores the biblical teaching that suffering is normal and even beneficial for believers. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12, KJV). All godly Christians will suffer—not because of lack of faith but because the world hates Christ and therefore hates His followers. Suffering produces spiritual growth: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4, KJV). God uses hardship to mature believers, not evidence of their spiritual failure. The prosperity gospel has no category for redemptive suffering and therefore cannot make sense of the Christian life as Scripture describes it.

Practical Principles for Handling Money

Having established biblical theology of wealth, let's consider practical principles for how Christians should handle money. First, work diligently and honestly. "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11, KJV). Work hard as unto the Lord. Don't be lazy. Don't cut corners. Do excellent work as a testimony to Christ. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23, KJV). Your work isn't ultimately for your employer but for the Lord. Diligent, honest work generally leads to financial stability and honors God.

Third, save and plan wisely. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8, KJV). The ant saves during abundance to prepare for scarcity. Wise people save for future needs, emergencies, and opportunities. "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" (Proverbs 13:22, KJV). Plan ahead. Prepare for the future. Build financial margin. This isn't lack of faith—it's biblical wisdom.

Fourth, give generously and regularly. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:2, KJV). Regular, proportional giving should characterize Christians. The Old Testament tithe (10%) provides a baseline, though New Testament giving is motivated by grace rather than law and often exceeds 10%. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7, KJV). Give cheerfully, generously, and sacrificially, trusting God's promise: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19, KJV).

Fifth, maintain eternal perspective. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2, KJV). Don't pour your life into accumulating what you'll leave behind. Invest in eternal treasures. Use money for Kingdom purposes. Support missions, help the poor, bless the church, and advance the gospel. "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:19, KJV). How you use money now determines your eternal reward. Invest wisely.

Examining Your Heart Toward Wealth

Ultimately, the question isn't whether you have wealth or desire it, but what controls your heart. Jesus taught, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24, KJV). Who is your master—God or money? Here are diagnostic questions to examine your heart: Do you trust in your wealth for security, or in God? "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7, KJV). What's your confidence built on—bank account or God's faithfulness? Does money bring you peace, or does God?

These questions help diagnose whether money controls your heart. If you find that wealth has too much influence over you—if it determines your security, joy, decisions, or priorities—repent and reorient your heart toward God. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33, KJV). Put God first. Make His kingdom your priority. Trust His provision. And watch Him meet your needs according to His riches in glory.

The Greater Treasure

Finally, we must remember that the greatest treasure isn't financial prosperity but Jesus Christ Himself. Paul wrote, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8, KJV). Compared to knowing Christ, everything else—including wealth—is worthless garbage. Christ is the supreme treasure. Knowing Him, being found in Him, and experiencing His resurrection power—this is true riches. If you gain the whole world but lose Christ, you've lost everything. But if you have Christ and nothing else, you have everything.

This is why Jesus told the parable of the pearl of great price: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46, KJV). When you discover Christ's surpassing worth, you gladly exchange everything else to gain Him. He is the treasure worth any sacrifice, any cost, any loss. If God grants you earthly prosperity, praise Him and use it for His glory. But if He doesn't, you still have the greatest treasure—Christ Himself—and that's infinitely more than enough.

So is it wrong for Christians to want to be rich? If "wanting to be rich" means making wealth your goal, your security, your treasure, and your master—yes, it's wrong and spiritually deadly. But if it means working diligently, stewarding faithfully, and trusting God to provide whatever He deems best for His glory and your good—whether abundance or scarcity—then no, there's nothing wrong with this. The issue is always the heart. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21, KJV). Make Christ your treasure. Hold wealth loosely. Use resources generously. Trust God completely. And whether you end up with much or little, you'll have what matters most—God Himself.

Dear friend, examine your heart. What really controls you—God or money? Are you willing to trust God's provision and prioritize His kingdom above financial gain? Will you use whatever resources He entrusts to you—whether little or much—faithfully for His glory? These are the questions that matter. Not whether you're rich or poor, but whether you're faithful with what you have. "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21, KJV). God doesn't call you to be rich. He calls you to be faithful. Be faithful with little. Be faithful with much. Be faithful in poverty. Be faithful in prosperity. And one day you'll hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." That approval is worth infinitely more than all earthly riches combined.