July 9 -- "The Power to Obtain Wealth"

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 7 & 8 

"The Power to Obtain Wealth"

An often misunderstood principle in Scripture is that of the wealth of the believer.  Tragically, some influential pastors and leaders have promoted a “health and wealth” gospel.  They teach their unsuspecting listeners that it is their divine “right” as followers of Christ to have riches heaped upon them.  They go on to imply that if you’re not living a life of abundant material wealth, it is your lack of faith that has caused your want.

These so-called leaders will often misquote Deuteronomy 8:18, saying “it is God who has given [all of you] the power to obtain wealth.”  They go on to tell their followers that this worldly wealth is a part of their “new covenant” with God citing the second half of verse 18 “he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers.”

Sadly, this is a misunderstanding of the content and context of this verse.  In context, Moses is warning the people of Israel about the danger of self-glory and taking credit for the blessings they receive.  He warns them that if they start thinking to themselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Always remember that it is not you, but God who gave you the ability to produce all this wealth. 

The truth of Scripture regarding wealth is this: God calls people from all walks of life and all classes of society to be His children.  In God’s kingdom “the rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.” (Proverbs 22:2)  God calls some to be rich and some to be poor.  “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?”  (James 2:5)

God uses all of us.  From every race, gender, ethnicity, and financial status. Have you been blessed with riches?  Great.  Enjoy the blessings of God.  And make sure you never trust in your wealth and lose sight of the fact that your purpose in life is to reach the lost and make disciples of all nations. Have you been called to be poor?  Great.  Enjoy the freedom of not being entangled with the world’s goods.  And make sure you don’t dwell on your poverty and lose sight that your purpose is also to reach the lost and make disciples of all nations.  As the Apostle Paul said, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”  (Philippians 4:11)