One temptation Jesus experienced was when the devil brought Him to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendors. If Jesus was willing to bow down to the devil, then all of that wealth was going to be given to Him (Matthew 4:8-10).
The mindset of the world that was created from a long time ago is that happiness can be reached with wealth. The success of a person is measured by how much wealth he/she has accumulated. The wealthier the person is, the more power and honor that person has. So, it is not a surprise that many see money as everything and becoming rich have to be achieved.
Even as believers, we cannot escape the temptation of wanting to become rich. Many people who were eager in “chasing after God” are now “chasing after worldly wealth”. And that is why Jesus reminds us in Matthew 13:22, “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” Wealth can deceive and obscure the eyes of believers.
As Christians, are we not allowed to become rich or enjoy our wealth? The Bible explains that being rich should not be the focus of life. It is only a “present/bonus” that is received once we reach the main goal. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the Lord”. The main goal is to live in humility and fear of the Lord and wealth is just a present.
Wealth will be achieved once the Lord is pleased. In 1 Kings 3:5-14, Solomon asked for wisdom (an understanding heart to rule over the people of Israel). And because the Lord was pleased with what he asked for, additional to what Solomon had asked for, God also gave him wealth and glory.
Malechi 3:10, The Lord’s blessings will be poured out in abundance when tithes and offerings are brought in to the house of the Lord. Obedience results in blessings.
God is the true source of wealth. He can even give us the power to enjoy wealth. Wealth does not give us satisfaction, only God does. There is nothing wrong with being rich, as long as Christ means more than our wealth (Hebrews 11:26). Christ should be our goal in life. Believers can use their wealth to support the work of God on earth, by doing the will of the Lord, which is the greatest harvest of souls in the Third Pentecost. Amin.
Source: Article from GBI Gatot Subroto, Jakarta