Is it a sin to be rich?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible does not teach that it is a sin to be rich. In fact, Scripture shows that many well-regarded Bible figures, such as Abraham, Jacob, Solomon, and those who supported the early church, were people of means (Genesis 13:2; 30:43; 1 Kings 10:23; Acts 4:32–37). Money is a tool, so it is not inherently good or bad. But Scripture teaches that money can tempt us to sin if we put it first in our lives (Matthew 6:24; Mark 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:10). Prioritizing money by trusting in it is foolish, as taught in many verses of wisdom literature, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (Proverbs 11:28; Proverbs 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10–12). The New Testament also warns against prioritizing money. Jesus exhorted His followers not to put money over God in their lives (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:17–31; Luke 12:21). Our trust should be in God alone, not money (Matthew 6:33; Luke 11:1–13). If God blesses us with wealth, we’re to be good stewards of it (Matthew 25:26–28). Overall, Scripture teaches that the only lasting security is the treasure we lay up in heaven (Matthew 6:19).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Proverbs warn us about the fleeting nature of riches (Proverbs 11:28; 23:5).
• Solomon wrote of the futility of seeking purpose and satisfaction from money (Ecclesiastes 5:10–12).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy includes a warning about loving riches: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10). This passage is often misquoted to leave out “love of”; money itself is neutral, but the love of money is sinful.
• Though it is not a sin to be rich, it is a sin to take advantage of others in pursuit of riches (James 5:1–6).
• Jesus’s conversation with the rich young ruler showed how riches can be a stumbling block to following Him (Mark 10:17–31). Jesus cautioned His disciples, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). He uses hyperbole to show how easy it is for the rich to put their trust in wealth, rather than in God.
• Jesus told a parable of a rich fool who trusted his wealth only to die quickly with no one to inherit it. He concluded, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).
• With the right attitude toward it, money can be a useful tool for God’s kingdom. Jesus's ministry was supported by people of means (Luke 8:1–3). The book of Acts describes rich believers voluntarily selling their possessions to help others in need (Acts 4:32–37).
• Whatever gifts God gives us—money or otherwise—we’re to be good stewards of them and use them to God’s glory and for the furtherance of His kingdom (Matthew 25:26–28). By doing this, we show trust in God, rather than riches (Matthew 6:33; Luke 11:1–13).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

“Money can’t buy happiness” is a cliche that many people respond to with, “I’d like to try it and see!” Though most people agree in principle with the saying, many think they’re the exception. The long lines for Powerball lottery tickets show the confidence people have that wealth will satisfy them.

And what if someone wins that jackpot? Then what? Money can buy momentary entertainment and lots of short-lived “friends,” but not ultimate satisfaction. Solomon was one of the richest men who ever lived and, apart from Jesus, the wisest. He concluded, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

God is our ultimate satisfaction. The Lord is why Paul, imprisoned in Rome and having suffered numerous persecutions, could write, “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12–13). No amount of money can provide such deep-down security and contentment; only Christ can do that. The treasure we amass should be the one we lay up in heaven (Matthew 6:19).

UNDERSTAND

• Being rich is not a sin, but loving money is.
• Money is a tool, not a source of true security.
• If God blesses us with wealth, we are to use it to honor Him and further His kingdom.

REFLECT

• What do your financial goals reveal about what you truly value in life?
• How have you struggled to trust God instead of money for security or satisfaction?
• How can you use what God has given you—no matter how much—to invest in His kingdom?

ENGAGE

• How can a wealthy person remain faithful to God in a culture that idolizes success with different ideals than God?
• What are some ways we, as believers, can model biblical stewardship of wealth?
• How can we help one another recognize and resist the temptation to love money more than God?