Wealth, Prosperity, and Giving

What does wealth and success do to a man’s soul?  

Success and wealth can be a sinister influence when it comes to the soul of one not grounded with biblical values and ethical absolutes. Once success and wealth arrive, the soul tends to slow down the yearning to learn and grow. Values and absolutes become minimized in the mind of those who have reached a certain level of wealth and success. Why? Because, well, they don’t need to focus on values and absolutes. They’ve attained a certain level of momentum, and wealth just comes toward them. Almost without trying. 

It’s the flywheel principle. The initial steps of the journey, of one seeking success and wealth, is like pushing a heavy, metal flywheel up a hill. It’s extremely difficult, and progress is virtually invisible. After many years, the ground levels out. Progress becomes evident. The effort is still very necessary but becomes a little easier. Further on, the hill crests, and the downhill journey begins. The momentum and progress shifts from difficult to easy, and results become almost effortless.

This is why Paul warned: Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches. 

 

The Stages of Wealth 

Self-made men and women go through stages on their way to affluence. I classify them as, 

1. The Striving Stage 
2. The Acceleration Stage 
3. The Momentum Stage 

Diligence to learn, grow and establish a strong moral foundation are assigned to the striving stage. In this early stage, the soul knows that in order to journey from obscurity to prominence, one must apply themselves, heart and soul, in extraordinary ways. 

First, they intuitively know that maintaining a certain level of integrity is necessary to gain trust. Trust attracts wealth as others tend to give, work with, help, buy from — those they trust. As a means to the end, aspiring self-made men/women apply ethics in order to achieve their means; to be rich. 

Integrity to aggressive achievers is a means to gain. In I Timothy 6.3-5, Paul warns those who seek personal advantage and financial gain by acting like they are morally good. He says, watch out for those who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

The humble follower of Christ, in contrast, is described in the next verse, I Timothy 6:6,7. But godliness with contentment is great gain; for we brought nothing into this world and we cannot take anything out of the world.

The watchwords of the striving heart – those pursuing success and wealth – are diligence, commitment, earnestness, rigor and intent-ness. But the key question is, what is at the heart of their diligence? They are indeed striving for advancement…but toward what end? 

If the solid foundation of biblical values and ethical absolutes is not set during this early striving stage, then the heart of diligence that drives the energy toward success is set upon the shifting sand of shallow ends.

 

Don’t Dive into a Shallow Pool 

The shallowest of ends is the pursuit of success and wealth as the end itself. Listen carefully, success and wealth are not a noble end. When success and wealth are pursued for the sole purpose of being rich and well-known and well regarded, then the familiar saying is never so true: this isn’t going to END well. 

Those who have attained success and wealth, know what I’m saying is true. Those who are in the early pursuit of success, may find my statements easy to ignore. But you can be sure, I know what I’m talking about. Success and wealth trigger the flesh to relax and enjoy. Beware. Be very aware of your soul as you pursue success. 

 

Good Gain. Bad Gain.

Do you seek gain? (Paul uses the word ‘gain’ to describe attaining advancement, resources and wealth). Be sure to seek gain in the right place. Paul teaches the right perspective when he says, but godliness with contentment is a means of gain, 6.6.  

Godliness + Contentment = Gain. 

Next time we’ll see that a humble servant of God can be rich. Being rich is not condemned. It’s an issue of the heart. A house of wealth must be built on the solid foundation of godliness with contentment. Any other end goal will not END WELL.

 

Father, You are the God of everything. You possess all things and all things belong to You. You give and You take away according to Your purposes. Remind us that all that we have and all that we strive for is always Your and Yours completely. If You grant us gain, may we be faithful stewards of it all; to enjoy as a blessing from and to give as a blessing to others. But all cases, may You give us contentment in YOU! Amen.