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11-2-11
TO: LETTERS TO EDITOR, TIMES-VIRGINIAN
FROM: FILLMER HEVENER, (434) 392-6255; 224 MOHELE ROAD,
FARMVILLE, VA. 23901
DOES GOD APPROVE OF
WEALTH GENERATION?
Today in 2011, there are
those, both Christians and non-Christians, who attack
the concept of wealth generation as being of Satan, not
of God. One such group would appear to be the “Occupy
Wall Street” hellions! This negative, twisted view of
wealth generation is not taught by the Holy Bible!
First, are there examples in Scripture of God
assisting individuals in becoming wealthy? The answer
is, “Yes.”
Abraham, whom most informed people
accept as being the “Father” of the Jews, was
exceedingly wealthy and was richly blessed by God, the
Creator, and, therefore, the owner, of everything. David
writes that the cattle on a thousand hills belong to
God. (Ps. 50:10.) Clarke’s Commentary notes
that Abraham was “very rich.” God promised to bless
Abraham for his faithfulness, both spiritually and
temporally. Not only did Abraham have many flocks, but
silver and gold as well. The highly respected Jewish
historian, Josephus, says that a part of this prosperity
was acquired by Abraham teaching the Egyptians both arts
and sciences. Abraham was both wise and well informed!
In addition, God also blessed Abraham spiritually
because of his faithfulness and obedience. Therefore,
not only did God approve of Abraham’s wealth, but He
also participated in seeing that His servant was richly
blessed in flocks, gold, silver, and spirit.
Another wealthy Biblical character is Job. He owned 7000
sheep, 3000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, and 500 female
donkeys; in addition, he had a large number of servants
(Job 1: 1-4.) Although Job was sorely tested, he
remained true to God. When Job’s troubles continued to
mount, Job’s wife advised him to curse God, but Job
called her “foolish” (Job 2:9-10.) Job asked her, “Shall
we take only good things from God and not trouble?” “In
all things, Job did not sin.” (v.10.) Because of Job’s
faithfulness, at the end of the epic, God restores Job’s
wealth doubly as well as gives him long life, allowing
him to enjoy his children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. (Job
chapter 42.) Finally, God calls Job “perfect.” (Job1:
1.) Yes, God proclaims that a wealthy man can be
“perfect.”
Jesus Christ also taught the
importance of wealth generation. In His parable about
the three servants, Christ had a master give each
servant a certain number of bags of money. To the first
servant, the master gave five bags of money, to the
second servant he gave two bags of money, and to the
third servant, he gave one bag of money. Each servant
was to manage his allotment of money for his master, who
then left for an extended journey. Upon the master’s
return, he called the three servants before him to
account for their stewardship. The first servant doubled
his five bags of money, the second servant doubled his
two bags of money, but the third servant buried his
money, hoping that the master would be satisfied with
preserving the original capital. As the parable closes,
the master returns home and praises the first two
servants for their business ability; because they had
demonstrated their good judgment and business acumen, he
put under their management additional wealth. However,
the master calls the third servant slothful, condemning
him to outer darkness and giving his money to the first
two servants, who demonstrated their enterprise,
integrity, wisdom, and good business judgment (Matthew
25.)
Of course, the master in the parable
symbolizes God, and the servants symbolize each
individual. Although each person is given different
abilities, talents, God expects him to increase those
talents, and, in the judgment, each person will have to
give account for the talents that God has given him.
These talents include such assets as time, life, money,
and health.
Today, there are some who would
condemn wealth fairly gotten and have the government
take the wealth from the thrifty and energetic, while
giving it to those who refuse to practice the work ethic
and refuse to take responsibility for developing their
own God-given talents.
Remember the Ten
Commandments? The eighth says that man is not to steal;
the tenth says that man is not to covet. James writes
that we shall be judged by the Ten Commandments (James
2: 8-12). Therefore, wanting to confiscate what someone
else has breaks both of these commandments and puts us
in jeopardy on the day of God’s judgment. Money is not
the root of evil; it is the LOVE OF MONEY that is the
root of all evil. Anytime we put money, or any other
object, above our love for God and serving Him, that
object becomes our god; therefore, we break the first of
the Ten Commandments, “Thou shall have no other gods
before me.” (Exodus 20: 3 &1 Timothy 6:10).
In
summary, does God approve of wealth generation?
As we have seen, not only does He approve of it; He
demands
it!
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