Is it wrong for a Christian to be Rich?
The Bible views wealth as a morally neutral resource—like fire, which can cook food or burn down a house. The sin lies in the disposition of the heart toward that wealth and the failure to use it to glorify God.
1. The Direct Warning: The Danger of Riches
Jesus and the apostles repeatedly emphasized the spiritual peril of wealth.
Idolatry of Money: The primary danger is that money competes with God for ultimate devotion. As Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters. . . You cannot serve God and money [Mammon]” (Matthew 6:24). Wealth is a powerful idol that promises security and happiness apart from God.
The Love of Money: Paul identifies the core issue: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. . . By eagerly desiring it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10). The sin is not having the money, but loving it.
The Camel and the Needle: Jesus famously said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). This statement illustrates the extreme difficulty the wealthy face in placing their complete faith in God rather than their resources.
2. The Biblical Mandate: Stewardship and Generosity
The Old and New Testaments provide a framework for how the wealthy should use their resources, transforming the danger into an opportunity for obedience.
Generosity as an Antidote: Paul explicitly instructed the wealthy on how to conduct themselves: "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God. . . Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
Caring for the Poor: The rich are called to an extraordinary level of responsibility toward the poor, which is a key measure of righteousness. The prophets constantly condemned those who oppressed the poor while indulging in luxury (Amos 6:4-7).
Stewardship: A Christian must recognize that all wealth is a gift from God and that they are merely stewards (managers) of God's resources. True spiritual health for a rich person means holding wealth loosely and being willing to give it away radically.
Conclusion
It is not a sin to have a high income or to be wealthy. The test for the rich Christian is whether their heart is captive to their wealth or free to use it for God's glory.
The Christian tradition views radical generosity and humility as the only safe way for a rich person to navigate the spiritual dangers that come with abundance.
