DYNAMICS OF GODLY RICHES

As far as riches is concerned, there is a general admonition of scripture for all the children of God. This knowledge forms the foundation of financial stewardship. 

"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).

Once you understand this, you will cultivate the right attitude towards riches. When you are thinking of being rich you will not be thinking only about yourself. You will be thinking empowerment to help others; to leave an inheritance for your children and the generation after you. To keep riches for yourself is foolishness¹. It is one way to hurt yourself², or even die. If you are only thinking about yourself, you need to learn to be content with food, raiment, and shelter. 

THE GOAL IS NOT TO BE RICH FOR YOURSELF 

There is a warning in the scriptures for those who want to be rich without the foundation of godliness and contentment. 

"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).

Covetousness or the love of money is to desire to be rich without understanding the purpose of God for riches. It's called the prosperity of fools. Such riches will destroy their owners because of a lack of the foundation of godliness and contentment. Don't set your eyes on riches.

“Labour not to be RICH: cease from your own wisdom.

Will YOU SET YOUR EYES upon that which is not? for RICHES certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:4-5).

THE DIVINE CHARGE TO THE RICH

What is the purpose of God for riches? We can find the answer in Paul's charge for those who want to be rich. The charge reveals the purpose of God for putting riches in the hand of His children. The charge will also save them from eternal sorrow.

"Charge THEM THAT ARE RICH in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;

That they DO GOOD, that they BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO DISTRIBUTE, WILLING TO COMMUNICATE;

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Remember that the foundation for this charge is godliness with contentment. If you lack that foundation, you can not keep this charge. This charge is at the core of Paul's teaching about giving. His instructions for giving was to meet the need of the saints. Even the poor gave out of their poverty to meet the needs of others. To Paul, giving was not necessarily to fill a church account. The people were the church. A church with a fat earthly account filled with hungry people is a poor church.

"For as touching the MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every GOOD WORK (2 Corinthians 9:1, 6-8).

It is most significant to understand that these verses are anchored upon verse 9.

"(As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR: his righteousness remains for ever." (2 Corinthians 9:9).

The more generous you are to the poor the more God will make all grace abound toward you; so that you always have all sufficiency in all things to abound to every good work. The book of Proverbs also teaches that those who have bountiful eyes give to the poor. 

"He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed; FOR HE GIVES OF HIS BREAD TO THE POOR." (Proverbs 22:9).

THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST ON RICHES

Paul was actually echoing the teaching of Christ. Jesus encouraged His followers to lay up treasure in heaven.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matthew 6:19-20).

HOW DO WE LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN? 

We find the answer in the response of Jesus Christ to a rich young ruler who wanted to know how he could have eternal life..

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and GIVE TO THE POOR, and you shall HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." (Mark 10:21).

We lay up treasure in heaven by giving to the poor or needy. Giving to the poor actually guarantees our supernatural supply.

"He that GIVES UNTO THE POOR shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse." (Proverbs 28:27).

If you give to the poor, heaven will supply your need because you have treasure in heaven. The economy of heaven is forever reliable. It will not fail you.

And if you read the context of giving in the New Testament with an open mind, you will discover that it is to meet the needs of the poor. It is to ensure that no one lacks.

Don't forget that Jesus was rich. But he became poor to make the poor rich. In other words He gave riches to the poor.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The grace of Jesus Christ makes the poor rich. But it flows through His saints who have cultivated the virtue of godliness with contentment. 

In conclusion, God wants His children to richly enjoy all things. God's children should not lack. But more importantly, God does not want His children to be rich only for themselves. He wants them to be channels of communication and distribution of His riches - to meet the needs of others. He wants His riches in His chichildren's hands to point men to God, leading to their salvation and an abundant thanksgiving to God³. To be rich in the kingdom is a gift; an unspeakable gift of service or ministry. The grace to give is an indescribable gift. It's a way to multiply thanksgiving to God on earth and to prove that the message of salvation is genuine. There is a true ministry of giving and receiving. It is a flow. But it can only stand on the foundation of godliness with contentment⁴.

______________________________________________________

¹ Luke 12:16-21

² Ecclesiastes 5:13

³ 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

⁴ 1 Timothy 6:6-8