Deuteronomy 8 tells us, “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to get wealth.”
God gives us the power to get wealth, which means that God must want us to become wealthy. But then the Bible says, “You cannot serve both God and money.”
Why would God want us to become wealthy when he doesn’t want us to serve money?
In my book Money Mastery, I remind readers of the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Sure, the Good Samaritan had a kind heart and a desire to serve. He wanted to help. But he also had the resources – the wealth – to be able to help when the emergency happened.
“The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” (Luke 10:35)
Wealth is a good thing. It is a gift from God. We must remember that it is God who gives us the power to get wealth, which means that there are specific reasons for our wealth.
How can we use our wealth to make a difference?
With wealth, we can participate in God’s work.
We have the opportunity to participate in God’s work in the world – kingdom work that truly matters. We are co-laborers with God, which means God has a part to play and we have a part to play.
The work that happens through Wealthbuilders is a great example of the opportunity we have to participate in God’s work. Partners are those who empower us to go overseas and provide business training to excited entrepreneurs. Monthly partners are the ones who enable us to provide needed infrastructure (water wells, fire bricks, hygiene training), produce education materials, send us to our sites, and sponsor conferences worldwide.
With wealth, we have the freedom to participate in God’s work in the world.
Building wealth grows and changes us.
The accumulation of wealth is a virtuous endeavor. Think about it: accumulating wealth means thinking rightly, managing well, and honestly stewarding resources. All of these processes encourage growth and virtuous living.
Being afraid to build wealth limits God’s ability to change us. By steadily working toward greater wealth and remembering that it is God who gives us the power to get wealth, we have the opportunity to be “holy in the earth” – to take God’s gifts and steward them well.
We grow. We serve God. God works in us.
We’re able to care for the needy.
Look around and you will see the incredible amount of need all around us. As money masters, we are able to meet those needs in impactful ways.
One of my favorite ideas when it comes to giving of our resources is this: “Instead of giving somebody a fish so they can eat the fish, teach them how to fish. Then they will always have food.”
Think about the spheres of influence you currently have. How can you empower the needy around you so that their futures are changed for the better? What skills can you teach? What training can you provide?
With the power of wealth, we’re able to step in and impact. As Christians and as people who master our money, we never want to neglect caring for the needs of those around us.
Our work is a form of worship.
Rabbi Cukierkorn says, “We repair the world by elevating it to the holy.” How do we elevate the world to the holy?
We work for the Lord. We serve God with our resources. We continue to grow and better ourselves so that we have opportunities to build wealth.
It’s never about how much more we can have, how big our home is, or what vacation we’re able to take. It’s about using our work – the process of developing wealth – to worship God.
Sure, the other pieces are blessings along the way. I don’t think there is anything wrong with enjoying those blessings. However, the process of building wealth allows us to use our work as worship. That is the greatest blessing.
As long as we build wealth God’s way – and remember that is God who gives us the power to get wealth – there is nothing wrong with becoming the masters of our money. In fact, we should become the masters of our money.
We should impact the world, care for the needy, allow ourselves to grow, and think of our work as worship to the Lord.
Let’s partner with God to make His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. This is why we should never be afraid to build wealth.
For more on wealth-building and becoming the master of your money, check out my book, Money Mastery!
Thanks so much for this piece. Its so inspiring.
I really wish we can partner to do a great wealth building in Nigeria here. Its always our passion in SYIM to see young Christians grow a strong financial power.
Hi Jude, thank you so much for your comment! Wealthbuilder’s mission is to help Christians to understand more about business in order to create a Kingdom impact. Since we cannot be everywhere, we appreciate everything you’ve been doing in Nigeria. Blessings, Billy
This is very inspiring.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you for your comment! I am so glad that you were inspired by this post.
Great article Billy!
Hi Bobby, thank you for your comment! I am glad you enjoy the blog. Blessings, Billy
I became wealthy.
Hi Paris, thank you so much for your comment. I am so glad to hear that! Blessings, Billy
God made us in His image. He calls forth those things because He is all powerful. Isaiah 55:11 explains it and it agrees with Genesis where He created all things. Wealth is one of those things referred to as great substance held by men of God throughout the Holy Bible. God made wealth available to be a great part in the lives of people. It is a big part of blessings He speaks of in His Word of Life. Thank you for your article.
Thank you for your insight Lily! I’m glad to know you enjoyed the article
great. how do people that are older and not able to keep doing the job that they were doing fit into the picture? If it’s God that gives us the power to get wealth why are there so many others involved in us getting rich.
Hi Beatrice! Thanks for your question. It’s not that God is limited in blessing us by using other people. One of the laws of wealth is the law of connection, which shows how God brings people into your life to cause increase and blessing. God is not limited to people but he does choose to use other people to help us. If you’re in a place where you don’t have many other people in your life, God can bring other resources to you that will bless you. Thanks again!
do you guys know how God can help me financially?
thanks in advance
Hi Matt! Deuteronomy 8:18 says “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,” so God puts within us the physical strength, mental capacity and spiritual capacity to create or acquire wealth. God shows us the steps we can take and the things we can do to prosper. He doesn’t just drop wealth on our heads, and that’s why I’m so passionate about teaching people how to build wealth. One thing I often say is that the way God blesses you financially is by blessing the work of your hands, but you have to go out and apply yourself by studying, learning and gaining the knowledge that you need. Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” So first you have to get the knowledge, then you have to start applying the knowledge by “getting in the game.” If you’ll do that, your level of understanding will increase so that you’ll be able to ask even better questions about how to build wealth. God bless you!
Excellent article, thank you for sharing, may God always prosper you
Really valuable article and very good to read.