What does God say to the richer,wealthier people?

God has great advice for the rich, as well as for those who want to be rich or wealthy, so for the majority of people on earth.
Please, reader, analyze these thoughts in a specific a way, look at these Bible verses through the prism of your own life.
Let us not imagine fictitious rich people. These words are addressed to every person who has a lot, some, and even little money/material resources.

What does God say to the rich?

„But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Yeshu, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Yeshu Christ. God will bring this about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal power. Amen. Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge. By professing it, some people have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-21.

„Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.” – Proverbs 15:16.

„He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.” – Sirach 31:5-6. 

„If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him — how does God’s love reside in him?” – 1 John 3:17.

„For you say ‚I’m rich (4145); I have become wealthy (4147) and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched (4434), pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” – Revelation 3:17.

„Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21. 

„In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14:33. 

„Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5. 

„I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.” – Philippians 4:12.

„Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” – Proverbs 11:28.

„He then told them, „Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15. 

„Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” – Hebrews 13:16.

„In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Yeshu, because He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35. 

„A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.” – Proverbs 11:25.

„For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. In the same way the man with two earned two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ “The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ “The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned.„‚So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – Matthew 25:14-30.

Think about these verses, Reader. Please read or listen to them again.
What thoughts come to mind?
What conclusions? Please share them in the comments.
I will present my thoughts in the next article.

Author: Robert Brzoza

Translator: Hubert Brzoza