But I Want To Be Rich

I Timothy 6:6-12

In one of his books, Dick Francis writes about a young man who believes he better than other people because he is rich. His father explains that he is wrong, that they are rich because they are better. It is rather typical of our world’s view. Many church members subscribe to the same idea and seek teachers to tell them how to become rich. Proverbs 28:6 dispels the idea that they riches make one better. “Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” Proverbs 22:2 makes it clear we all come from the same place. “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.” In the last part of I Timothy 6:5, Paul warns that one of the problems for those who teach other than what Paul has taught is that they have corrupt minds and have turned away from the truth, “supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

Many link crime with poverty and lack of education, even today. Bernie Madof was not poor when he began ripping people off. The various actresses arrested for shoplifting were not poor. O.J. Simson was not poor when he killed his wife. History is replete with examples of rich people doing evil things. All of these people were also highly educated. Riches do not make people better, nor does education. They only make it easier for people to do what they want to do.

“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.” (I Timothy 6:6-8)

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists holiness as a synonym for godliness. It is essential to receive Heaven according to Hebrews 12:14. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:7 tells us it is what God intended for us. “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” By saving us, God has enabled us to be holy on earth, and ultimately to have eternal life “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life,” (Romans 6:22).

Proverbs gives many valuable insights into life on earth. Proverbs 16:7 promises, “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” From Proverbs 22:1 we learn that mere earthly wealth is not the most valuable kind of riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." Proverbs 13:7 warns that efforts to be rich may produce moral poverty instead. “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 16:8 concludes, “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”

The old joke talks of the man who died and some one asked how much did he leave. The answer was “he left it all.” You can’t take earthly riches with you, and if you could, they would be of little value. Gold is used for pavement, and precious jewels for foundation stones. Rather than trying to get rich here, we‘d be better off enjoying what we already have. If we have food and clothes, and a place to stay, the rich man only has more expensive versions of the same thing.

“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.” (I Timothy 6:9-10)

Proverbs gives a lot of insight to the getting of wealth. A man who wants to get rich quick has to be willing to give up his moral standards to accomplish his goals, according to Proverbs 28:22. “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” He ignores the emotional, spiritual and physical costs. He will be forced to do some things he shouldn’t to get rich according to Proverbs 28:20. “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”

Proverbs 22:16 advises that attempts to get rich by cheating others or ingratiating oneself with or bribing the rich will ultimately result in the loss of everything. “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” Real wealth only comes from honest production, as we see from Proverbs 13:11. “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”

Wealth is a transitory thing at best, and disappears unexpectedly. Proverbs 23:5 warns, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Focusing on riches leads only to disappointment and loss. Proverbs 11:28 states, “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” As a result, in Proverbs 23:4, Solomon advised, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.”

Paul commanded Timothy in a similar manner.

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:11-12)

Don’t throw away what God offers for earthly profit. Salvation is worth far more than any amount of wealth. Heavenly rewards are eternal. The loss is too expensive. It is like Esau, who traded all God’s promises for a bowl of lentils. He spent the rest of his life regretting the decision.