When Being Rich is a Problem
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)
You can’t deny that Americans have been very blessed. Per capita, Americans are some the richest people on the planet, and the competition isn’t even close. The only country that outpaces America in per capita wealth is Switzerland. That’s probably why we hear so much about Swiss bank accounts! Americans spend their money on so many things – houses, cars, clothes, food, toys, etc. Let’s be honest – many countries would love to have the food we waste every day.
While Americans have done very well and many could even be considered rich, their wealth doesn’t correspond to their giving. In fact, only about half of Americans give to charitable causes, and those that do only give about $5,500 of their income to charity annually. When it comes to how much Americans “give back to God,” the numbers get even worse. Only about 10-25% of church members tithe biblically, and the average church member only gives 2.5% of his income to the local church.
“Houston, we have a problem.” The problem is that Americans have no problem pampering themselves, but they have a much harder time being generous to the work of our Lord. Jesus told a story about a man who tore down his barns to build bigger barns, rather than giving his prosperity to others. It’s not ungodly to be rich or to have a large bank account. It’s “the love of money” that is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). Your wealth becomes a problem only when you choose to enrich yourself without giving sacrificially to the work of the Lord. How much are you giving to God?
You can’t deny that Americans have been very blessed. Per capita, Americans are some the richest people on the planet, and the competition isn’t even close. The only country that outpaces America in per capita wealth is Switzerland. That’s probably why we hear so much about Swiss bank accounts! Americans spend their money on so many things – houses, cars, clothes, food, toys, etc. Let’s be honest – many countries would love to have the food we waste every day.
While Americans have done very well and many could even be considered rich, their wealth doesn’t correspond to their giving. In fact, only about half of Americans give to charitable causes, and those that do only give about $5,500 of their income to charity annually. When it comes to how much Americans “give back to God,” the numbers get even worse. Only about 10-25% of church members tithe biblically, and the average church member only gives 2.5% of his income to the local church.
“Houston, we have a problem.” The problem is that Americans have no problem pampering themselves, but they have a much harder time being generous to the work of our Lord. Jesus told a story about a man who tore down his barns to build bigger barns, rather than giving his prosperity to others. It’s not ungodly to be rich or to have a large bank account. It’s “the love of money” that is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). Your wealth becomes a problem only when you choose to enrich yourself without giving sacrificially to the work of the Lord. How much are you giving to God?
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