Thousands of bloggers around the world will write about poverty today. Here’s my contribution:
Why You Should Be Wealthy
We live in a world that cannot make up it’s mind about money. And no group of people is more confused than the church. I personally believe this is a tragedy and I’d like to point out why. So here are my 25 reasons why I think you should be wealthy:
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Because you can.
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Because others can’t.
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Because others need you to be so…
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They can see your success and believe they can succeed too.
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Because righteous, rich and loyal Christians terrify the enemy.
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Because a 10% tithe of a lot is a lot.
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Because 25% or 50% of a lot is even more.
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Because there’s no way to legally become wealthy without helping a whole lot of people (and if you win the lottery, see reason #7). Wealth is gained by providing something people want and creating a company (jobs) to provide that something. Both of these activities help people. Period.
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Because the Lord gives you the power to gain wealth. Deuteronomy 8:18 – But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
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Because He hates poverty. Among others, here’s Prov. 10:15 – The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
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Because the bible says the following in Prov. 13:22 – A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.
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Because you’ll be free to spend your time how, where and when you’re truly needed instead of spending 50% of your waking life working for someone else.
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Because you’ll eat healthier and probably live longer.
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Because you’ll have extra food and…
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Extra cars and…
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Extra homes.
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Because someone you know is hungry, has a broken down car, or simply needs a place to go on vacation.
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Because you would be a Godly and kindhearted employer.
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Because you would be a Godly and kindhearted landlord.
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You’d have more peace in your life. I didn’t say happiness, I said peace (see reason #10).
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Because you could become more active in your community, town, state or country.
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Because money is a tool and…
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As a tool, it is either controlled by you, used against you, or sitting idly wasting away. Wealth is NOT about amounts, it is about control. It is about stewardship – which is really what this post is about (see reasons 1, 6-9, 11, 12, 13, 14-19 and 25)
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Because properly gained wealth is one of the tangible measures of how you’ve helped other people. This sounds controversial, but it’s not. What I mean is IF and WHEN you help people (see reason #8) you will gain wealth. For some reason, this repels people from moving forward in life. They keep their goals small so “people won’t think I’m greedy and selfish.” Sorry, but if you have the next Microsoft, Cancer treatment, Automobile Engine or local restaurant idea inside of you and you don’t let it out, THAT is being selfish and greedy. And DON’T apologize if letting them out gives you reasons 6, 11, 12, 13-16 and 18-21 in the process.
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What have you been given? This is much deeper than reason #1. That is not simply about effort but about living out the big dreams God has placed in your heart. The ones that make you excited and terrified at the same time. The ones that cause you to think “what if” and “no way” in the same breath.
My hope is that you’ll put “because you can” with “what have you been given” and become a #5. And isn’t that what you really want to be?
