God is not only interested in wealth, but according to the Bible, he makes those who follow him wealthy in many ways. One way is the accumulation of financial wealth. Another way is through spiritual blessings. Both of these come from the LORD and are designed to be used to further the Kingdom of God on earth and to give God glory and praise.
So how does God want us to build wealth? And, how can we build wealth that lasts and is meaningful?
One characteristic of God’s Word is its interest in wealth. This is a topic that is not only significant to the book of Proverbs but was a primary topic in Jesus’ teachings. He spoke often of money, giving, greed, treasures, and the accumulation of wealth. In fact, the core of the gospel can be understood and presented using economic terms. Here is an example.
The use of wealth relates to our salvation
Wealth, or its lack, is a significant part of life. Even the principles of redemption: the existence of a human soul and its need to relate to God in Christ, the failure of every heart to properly honor God, the imperative to live and confess Jesus as Lord, all of which compose the basic elements of the message of salvation can be explained using financial terms.
First, start by finding out what governs you. To do so, go to the center of your being and allow your passions to be exposed, for your treasure is always hidden in your heart (Lk 12:34). Next, realize that heaven is a place filled with treasures that will last forever—treasures that fully and eternally satisfy. Such treasures are to be the focus of our lives for there they cannot rust, disintegrate, or be stolen (Mt 6:19-20). Unfortunately, there is a roadblock to accessing heavenly treasures. The love of money is a root from which all types of evil sprouts and this separates us from God (1 Tim 6:10). Loving money more than God is a sin and sin separates us from knowing and being with God. To follow Jesus, wealth must be submitted to his lordship just as all aspects of life must come under his lordship if our lives are to be lived to its fullest. A wealthy young man was once told he must sell everything he has and give it to the poor as a test of his ultimate loyalty (Lk 18:22). Unfortunately, he failed the test, but we don’t have to.
These are only a few examples of how wealth relates to us and exposes our relationship, or lack thereof, to Jesus as Savior. How we accumulate and distribute our wealth reflects what we think of God and how we honor him during our short lifespan.
Resources for understanding how to honor God with your wealth
Many other examples could be given that show the topic of wealth was regularly on the mind of Jesus. The most concentrated sayings on wealth, however, are found in the book of Proverbs. Anthony Selvaggio has written an excellent book entitled: “A Proverbs Driven Life.” Some of the material in these mini-articles was inspired by his thoughts on biblical prosperity and financial stewardship. Check out the book review for a fuller discussion on his paperback. I strongly recommend his book for a topical study of the book of Proverbs. Additional content for these articles comes from Bruce Waltke’s New International Commentary: Proverbs (2 vol.) and Steven Voorwinde’s topical edition of the book of Proverbs “Wisdom for Today’s Issues.” Voorwinde’s study includes over fifty Scriptures from the book of Proverbs (virtually all) that speak of wealth and these verses (and more) are mentioned in this six-part mini-series.
Wealth is not evil in and of itself
The proverb “money is the root of all evil” is actually a misquote of the Apostle Paul’s admonition to young pastor Timothy where he wrote, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:10). It’s not money that is intrinsically evil but loving it that leads to all sorts of evil behavior. The writer of Hebrews stated that Christians are to keep their “lives free from the love of 
money” so that wealth doesn’t become a god or idol that governs one’s thoughts and feelings (Heb 13:5). Don’t deceive yourself and think wealth as no lure for you. Money is a powerful idol and desires to own you.
So, it’s what we make of wealth and how we use it that determines if we are ungodly or godly. We live in a universe that is moral, religious, and social. Our wealth, regardless of its size and scope, must align with God’s moral, spiritual, financial, and social laws if it’s to accomplish God’s purposes. Only then will it satisfy us with a contented life.
To do this we must honor God with our wealth (Pr 3:9-10). Honoring God (Hebrew = Kabbed) means to give God prominence in your life, to publicly recognize him as having weighted value. To show honor to God is not to give him mere lip service (Pr 14:23-24), but to honor him by sacrificing part of your wealth, the best part (firstfruits) as recognition of his importance to you.
Honor God with your wealth
Jesus spoke of putting money to work in the parable of the ten minas and said, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away” (Lk 19:26). Jesus was referring to how we invest the resources entrusted to us for the good of God’s Kingdom. To those who honor God as King, more is given; while those who reject his lordship will not prosper. Their wealth will not last.
When we give to God first and given to him what is our best, then we can recognize that our wealth is a gift from God and not independently acquired. There is nothing wrong with attaining wealth. Tevye in the movie Fiddler on the Roof sings “If I were a rich man” to God and said, “What would be so terrible if I had a small fortune?” In some Christian circles, poverty is esteemed while wealth is frowned upon. It’s as though wealth itself is evil and to live in poverty is thought to be a virtue. You won’t find this attitude in Proverbs. Each condition has its temptations and each can cause a person to morally stumble.
To put wealth into a biblical perspective we must read what the Bible actually says about the accumulation and use of wealth. Biblically speaking wisdom is better than silver or gold (Pr 3:13-16) 
but wisdom isn’t opposed to wealth. The Bible doesn’t make a dichotomy between wisdom and wealth. To the contrary, riches and honor, and wealth and righteousness can and do go together (Pr 8:18-21). Wisdom bestows wealth. God gives both (Pr 10:22). The person who is humble before God and gives the LORD honor (fear) is often rewarded with wealth, honor, and a long life (Pr 22:4). The point of these proverbs is to value godly wisdom over wealth and when you do you often end up with both (8:10-11, 16:16). God wants to bless us and that blessing often includes rare and beautiful treasures (Pr 24:3-4).
Christians have a legacy of wealth. Adam received the garden of Eden, a farmer’s paradise. It included every eatable fruit and vegetable imaginable—easily at his disposal. Noah was rich enough to fund the building of a massive ship (the Ark). Abraham, the first great biblical patriarch and considered the father of our faith, was extremely wealthy and able to assemble a strong private military force (Gen 14:13). Through Moses, the Hebrews were led out of Egyptian bondage and took with them the spoils of Egypt (Ex 12:35-36). King David became very wealthy as did his subjects under his rule. Solomon, David’s son, later became one of the wisest and wealthiest of individuals to ever live. And finally, those who are found to be in Christ possess all the riches that can be found in Christ (Eph 3:8, Phil 4:19).
Wealth is built and lasts when its foundation is solidly established on God’s moral laws and when your heart is focused on knowing and honoring Jesus as Lord and Savior. An evil person can become rich but that wealth eventually amounts to nothing. When a humble and godly person accumulates wealth, that wealth has power to influence generations to come to know and serve the LORD.
Pictures from various photographers Freerangestock.com, Stockfree.com, and Pexels.com
