Beating the Prosperity Trap

"Howl and Wail!", "Your riches will eat your flesh like fire!", "You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter!" Whew! James lays down some of the strongest rebukes in the Bible against the oppressive rich. And though He is taking up the prophetic mantle on behalf of his poor brothers who are being oppressed, we in the affluent west need to hear his words ourselves.

Remember, God never condemns money. Rather hard work and providing for oneself and family is commended. But wealth and prosperity has a way of twisting our souls in upon themselves and skewing our perspective. Like Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings", wealth becomes "My Precious" and we cling to it until it consumes us.

What is the proper perspective on wealth? The Bible gives us some key insights in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, 17-19:

⁶ Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

¹⁷ As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Here's the way it works:

1. Contentment, not acquisition, is the goal! (v.6)
   
2. Money is for meeting our basic needs, (v.7)
   
3. It's okay (even commanded!) to enjoy the good gifts God gives us! (v.17)
   
4. God gives excess wealth so that we can be generous to those in need. (v.18)
   

While we're listing points, here are some probing applications of generosity from Tim Keller's excellent book "Ministries of Mercy"

• We must give so that we may feel the burden of the needy ourselves.

• Keep only what wealth we need for our calling and ministry opportunities.

• We must not be generous in such a way that we or our families become liabilities to others (1 Tim 5:8).

So – here's the bottom line: work hard, give harder, and live in joyful contentment of God's good gifts!

The well wisher of your soul's happiness,

Pastor Tom