Be Rich

Despite the title, this is not the quick guide to God’s fame and fortune for you! God warns us often to beware of greed, lust, bitterness, and envy. But, in our culture and day-and-age it can be hard for any person to have a correct perspective on money. Beloved woman after God’s own heart, you and I must realize that in God’s economy, many things are more important than money.
True wealth – We are to “be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18). As a few more proverbs put it, “Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice” and “better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great trea­sure with trouble” (Proverbs 16:8 and 15:16).

Rather than greediness, desiring to be rich, and loving and chasing after money, we are to “flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Dear one, physical riches will one day be gone (verse 7). Therefore realize that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (verse 6).

Your character is more important than money — “Those who are of a perverse heart are an abom­ination to the LORD, but the blameless in their ways are His delight” (Proverbs 11:20).

Your reputation, too, is better than money — “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).

Wisdom is also more important than money — “The crown of the wise is their riches” (Proverbs 14:24); “how much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (Proverbs 16:16).

And humility is better than money — “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

And here’s another twist — you, as a godly wife, are better than money to your husband! “Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD” (Proverbs 19:14). In fact, according to the Bible, you, as a godly wife, are your husband’s greatest asset. With a godly wife of character, humility, wisdom, and faithful­ness beside him, the Bible says your husband “will have no lack of gain” (Proverbs 31:11). Why? Because as “a virtuous wife” your “worth is far above rubies” (verse 10).

In the reality of God’s economy we are rich beyond measure. We’ve been given the ultimate gifts of salvation through Christ, the constant presence of the Holy Spirit, and every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). We can rest in God’s care and provision for all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). Praise God— We are rich indeed!

A Prayer to Pray: Lord, I have so many blessings right now, and I still tend to focus on my wants or what others have. Do not let me define my value by a dollar sign. Help me to place more value and crave the things that you value.

Read Be Rich on Elizabeth & Jim George.