while today

Have you listened carefully to some of the faith-based advice out there on getting out of debt and building wealth? Some of the advice I have heard is good and right, but some of it is very dangerous and unbiblical. We always need to approach “Christian” advice cautiously to make sure what is being said lines up with the word of God. This is especially true on the topic of wealth since the Lord has spoken with many sober warnings about the grave dangers of wealth.

It is said to try very hard to get out of debt. I believe this is generally good advice. It is said to spend at a level well below your means. This is also good advice. It is said to build up your savings and retirement accounts. I don’t see anything inherently wrong with this statement. It is advised to work hard at your job. This is sound biblical advice! We can do all these things with a heart to honor God with our wealth, to be generous, and to be good stewards of His blessings.

But listen carefully! Does some of the advice begin to go off the rails? It is advised: You should work a second and third job to build up your wealth more quickly. You should max out your retirement accounts so that you can live the good life someday. You should throw everything into building wealth now so that you can be generous with your money later. What is wrong with statements like these? Couldn’t they encourage us to make the gaining of wealth our main focus in life? While we’re working three jobs, are we neglecting our spiritual lives? Our families? While we’re setting ourselves up to live the good life someday, do we consider that our souls may be required of us today? While we tell ourselves that we’re doing this to be more generous someday, has it occurred to us that our hearts can become clouded with the pursuit of riches and that we may no longer want to be generous when “someday” arrives? Have we considered that God wants us to be generous and share now (as we are able)?

The words Jesus spoke about wealth need to be burned into our minds and our hearts: “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24 NAS95) Are we hearing Jesus? Will we heed the warning? When we make being rich our focus in life, we are putting ourselves in great danger. Yes, the rich can enter, but Jesus said, “how hard it is!” That should make us stop and think about our priorities in life! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle! This is only possible by a miraculous act of God. Brethren, let us be very careful that we do not fall into the love of money. Examine the advice you are given very carefully in light of the word of God. Our souls are at stake!

— Scott Colvin