The Bible is the written Word of God. The Spirit of God supernaturally has guided every human author in writing all the Scriptures so that every word, every story, every precept, every command, every proverb and wise saying, every vision and prophecy, every truth, and every doctrine were written according to plan and purpose of the Lord God.
While the Scripture is a spiritual book, revealing God's work of redemption, yet it also touches on and teaches very ordinary matters pertaining to daily life as human beings created in the image of God. It instructs God's will for His own people redeemed by the blood of His dear Son Jesus Christ.
One common theme of the Bible is the teaching on money and wealth. To be wealthy is not a sin. To be poor does not lessen our value or worth as people made by God. Whether rich or poor our security is in the Lord.
The Bible teaches that earthly riches and possessions are temporary. It tells us not to put our trust on money. "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf" (Prov. 11:28).
The Bible does not discourage us from owning or enjoying our material wealth. But it also warns us of its fleeting character. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle" (Prov. 23:4-5).
One wise man also understands the inability of riches in saving us from the wrath that is to come. "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath," he writes, "but righteousness delivers from death" (Prov. 11:4).
The preacher (qoheleth) also reminds his readers of the insatiable desire of those who live for and love money. He says, "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless" (Ecc. 5:10).
The Lord even warns those who are rich in this world, especially those who belong to the community of faith, not to use their riches to oppress others.
In James 5:1-6, the holy writer speaks to the unjust rich people in the church saying, "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you."
Finally, the Lord teaches us that being rich in this world is a reminder that we can also be rich spiritually by generously using our wealth to promote the will of God, that is, to be rich in good works.
The apostle Paul commands Timothy to teach rich believers to trust in God, not in their earthly possessions. He says, "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed" (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
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