Attitude Christians Should Have Toward Wealth and Success (11)

Chapter 11

Attitude to have toward wealth and success

Christians are expected to have a different outlook concerning building wealth and achieving success, because they should be considered fruits of our endeavors, not the root of our lives. That's why we are told by Jesus our lives are made up of more than food and drink, and why will all these things added to us if we seek the kingdom of God first.

This doesn't mean every individual will become rich, but it does mean we as a people will experience wealth and success as a whole. It also means the purpose for wealth is to establish God's covenant, not to build our own little kingdoms.

If our only goal is to get more while in this life for ourselves, we have failed, no matter what this world may say or what the outward indicators imply. We truly can gain the whole world and lose our soul if we're only in it for our own interests.

For that reason we are encouraged and admonished to be content with what we have in all circumstances. That's vital because if we don't, and I've learned this at times personally, we can never enjoy the journey. We start to think the time to be content will be when we reach our goals. Trust me, this simply isn't true. I've had many different times I've run businesses for others, acquired businesses, started by own businesses from scratch, bought real estate and invested successfully in stocks. Even when things were going good, I tended to never be content. There was always the sense of a carrot being dangled in front of me and I continued to chase it without every really enjoying the moment or the journey.

The problem with contentment being tied into the end game is there is only one brief moment when we reach our goal. If that is the only time of contentment in this world, we'll not only be individually miserable, but are probably going to make those around us miserable as well. As the Bible teaches us, "... godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6).

What that implies is if we're discontent, there tends to be some type of godlessness that accompanies it, meaning we are engaged in some type of sin; whether it's within or without. Contentment allows us to enjoy the blessings of God in the moment, focusing on taking care of what needs to be taken care of today, in order to reach our destination tomorrow. When we're discontent, we can move off our path and do things that may slow down or take us off the journey. Contentment allows us to relax and stay focused, while we patiently take one step at a time toward our goal.

Another thing contentment helps us with is in regard the possessions we have. In that case if we're not content, we can take steps in our businesses or investments that take on more risk in order to get what we want quicker. Yes, I've entered into that type of action too, and it has cost me time and many thousands of dollars before I figured out my motivations for taking the actions and why the results ended up being what they were.

All of this is a variety of ways of saying the same thing: our chief motivation can't and shouldn't be self interests. Even in serving others in a business this can easily be seen by customers over time. If we're in it for them in order to provide great value to their lives, they will know it and reward us with their business. If after time they start to see our motivation primarily being for ourselves, it does come out. It can't be hidden.

Even if customers can't put a finger on it right away, it is something they sense, and they will go somewhere else to get the type of service that has their best interests as core of the business.

Here's the key scripture that says it all:

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent (Proverbs 28:20).

The meaning is obvious to me. When people choose to get rich quick, there are all sorts of things they will enter into which will remove their innocence, meaning they will usually do whatever it takes at whatever costs; sometimes it is even illegal means to achieve and end. We must completely resist this temptation.

Shortcuts are part of the loss of quality service, which brings about the loss of business and revenue for the business. All of that comes from the desire to get rich at our pace, with that being the motivation, rather than providing terrific products and services which we can count on, over time, building wealth.

Counting our blessings

One tool I've used to combat discontent and the drive to get rich quick is to count the blessings God has already given me. This isn't only related to money, but to my own health, the health of my children and grandchildren, having food on the table and a roof over my head, blessed with wisdom from God, and many other things that are too many to mention.

What this practice does is not only develop and attitude of thankfulness for the blessings of God we take for granted, but allows us to see how much God has already given us, which in my life, has resulted in an inner peace, knowing, over time, He will continue to provide that which we ask Him for and expect of Him, as long as it isn't so we consume it on our own lusts.

When we get together as an extended family and talk, eat and share together, one of the practices we've developed is to share with one another the things we're thankful for. And if there are areas of stress, we share that to in order to pray for and encourage one another, which leads to peace and contentment.

This takes a little time, like everything does, but if you're faithful in counting or naming the many blessings of God in your life, it should bring about a sense of peace, accomplishment and increased faith in God that He will provide all that which we need to build unto His purpose, while enjoying the fruits of our labor during any time of our lives.

Finally concerning blessings, we have understand and acknowledge they all come from Him. To think otherwise makes us believe we've someone earned the blessings of God, which causes us to think we done it with our own hands. That doesn't mean we pretend we haven't planted and watered. That would be nonsensical. What it means is only God can give the increase, and we aren't to try to make those things come our way. It all comes from His grace, and walking in thankfulness for the blessings He's giving and have given us by occasionally reminding ourselves of them, is a good way to keep that fact in our minds.

Never trust in riches

Proverbs 11:28

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Now we get to the crux of this book, which is in our pursuit of wealth and success for the purpose of establishing God's kingdom, we have to learn we are never to trust in those riches, but in the grace and mercy of God who has richly provided us with them.

To trust in riches, as the scripture says above, means we are setting ourselves up for a fall. We cannot put our trust in money or things as if they will be able to save us, or have anything to do with our righteousness or favor before God. It could mean He has granted us favor in response to our faith in Him and willingness to seek wealth for the purpose of advancing His kingdom on earth, but we can't always assume that.

It's not as if God has need of the assets he has put under our control in order to advance His kingdom. For us to partake in His work is a privilege, not something we do as if we have anything to give we haven't been given.

Another thing to consider is the second part of the verse. It contrasts those that trust in their riches against the righteous. In other words, trusting in riches is an unrighteous outlook, and those that do so are separated in the eyes of God from the righteous. Those that trust in God and have wealth and possessions will flourish, as will those without the same amount of assets.

Remember, success is primarily measured by doing things based upon His word. This implies how we get there is as important as reaching our goals and assignments from God.

I believe for that reason it's hard for God to bless many people in ways He would like to because it ends up destroying them rather than giving them an opportunity on behalf of God to give in a variety of ways to spread His kingdom across the earth.

If you've ever researched giving by many big donors who identify themselves as Christians, you'll quickly find much of it has been in vain because they don't operate under these principles. I don't mean they aren't willing to give, because they are, the problem is they don't know how to give, and by guilt manipulation, can underwrite institutions and activities that may oppose Christ and His kingdom, rather than build it.

We need much more wisdom and insight to be representatives of God's kingdom on earth as people with assets and resources at our disposal.

What is meant by that is we need to look to the scriptures to be sure what we're given to is based upon its laws and principles. For example, it's not always a good thing to give to those types of charities that provide for the poor. There can be many secondary or ancillary services offered that may conflict with God's will and way of doing things.

There also may be no program or training in place to help those in need. I don't mean something has to be elaborate, but there should at least be legitimate guidance on where to go to get training and how to go about applying for it. There should also be places of employment listed within literature they can take with them to look for a job. Creating learned helplessness through our giving isn't in line with God's will as revealed in His Word. After all, we're clearly told if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat. There should always be some type of work required in order for people to partake in the blessings of God.

Again, this doesn't have to be a job right away, it could be helping cleaning up around the place food is served or maybe the outside of the facilities.

I'm not trying to get too detailed here, but the point is we have to learn to give based upon God's requirements. Not only for those in need of food, clothing and shelter, but for many other areas of life.

If you can't find one, maybe start one of your own that targets areas you see the kingdom of God needs to advance in.

When we don't trust in riches, we won't be as tight with our assets when it comes to the kingdom of God, and we will be more than willing to contribute to those things that please God based upon His word.

This is what confirming or establishing God's kingdom and covenant in this world means, this is why He gives us assets to work with beyond what we need. This is how we build wealth and achieve success without destroying our own souls.