Is there anything morally wrong with being rich?
The Bible has quite a bit to say about it… and much of it negative, but it does not say the rich people becoming less rich will help poor people.
Think about it. What do rich people do with their wealth? Do they hide it under their beds? No, they make it work for them by investing it They buy stock and entire companies. They build businesses. They put it into interest bearing accounts. But, they also buy expensive stuff for themselves. What is the outcome of them doing all these things? Let me tell you.
Stock purchases end up providing capital for business to operate and grow including paying their employees. Starting businesses end up providing sale to suppliers which gives them money for their employees and capital for the business to operate and grow including paying their employees. Putting money into accounts allows for the banks and fund managers to help start and grow businesses including paying their employees. Buying expensive stuff gives the suppliers more business which gives them money for their employees and capital for the business to operate and grow including paying their employees.
Rich people’s money doesn’t hide in the dark under beds and accomplish nothing. Rich people’s money ends up flowing out to the society providing for sales, services, and wages for the working class. Is there anything wrong with that? Is there anything immoral with that?
It is true that having riches can be dangerous for the rich person and Scripture warns about that as well as oppressing the poor.
1 Timothy 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Proverbs 22:16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
But nothing in Scripture says having wealth is inherently immoral.
I suggest two things: 1) if you are rich, don’t trust in your riches nor be arrogant about them.Put your trust and hope in God, 2) if you are not rich, don’t envy rich people or think that you having part of their wealth will make you happier. Instead, walk in integrity.
Proverbs 28:6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Rich people are not the problem; poor people are not the problem. Taking from the rich is not the answer. Giving to the poor can help them… but only for a short while. … and this we should do
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Jim