Riches Entails Responsibility

Posted on Oct. 15, 2025, 7:57 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode. The Gospel Study Centre

Riches is defined as wealth, an abundance of money, valuable possessions etc. To be rich is to be well supplied with wealth, property, etc. It is the opposite of poverty or lack. There is an assumption that Christianity is synonymous with poverty and lack. Based on the erroneous assumption, brethren that are blessed with abundance of money or valuable possession are some of the times castigated and portrayed as sinners because of their wealth. The assumption is erroneous because the Bible tells us that it is God that gives power to get wealth. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth...” (Deut.8:18a) King Solomon corroborated the fact. He says, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov.10:22) The Bible passage however distinguished the rich from God, as the one that is without sorrow. Apostle James explains further that wealth that is not from God corrodes and will act as evidence against those that have such wealth. (James.5:1-6) Nevertheless, Christianity is not synonymous to poverty, and it is not wrong for Christians to be well supplied with wealth. However, the rich should understand that their riches is a temporary means of sustenance while they are in the flesh in this world and it entails some responsibilities. The rich brethren are not to separate themselves from the poor and develop a spirit of arrogance. They should not develop the attitude that there is security in riches so that their faith in God will not diminish. The rich should not be high-minded, not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives richly all things to enjoy. They should be alerted to their responsibilities by seeking to use their riches to be good workers, to do good deeds, be willing to share and to help the poor. Doing the good work is a way to store up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim.6:17-19) The Bible says, “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labour, this is the gift of God” (Eccl.5:19) While there is nothing wrong with having money or being wealthy, one has to be careful about how to relate to money and not to be carried away by the love of it. Knowing that we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Contentment should be the watch word. Loving money and the desire to be rich opens one’s life to foolish and harmful lust which draw men to destruction and perdition. Apostle Paul gave example of believers that stray away from fate because of their greediness and concluded that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. No wonder Agur, the son of Jakeh in his wisdom, asked that he be given only that which would sustain his life, because he has seen the curse of wealth and the despair of poverty. (Prov.30:7-9) While the rich are alert to their responsibilities, the poor must not expect that the rich should give themselves into financial equality with them. They should be content with what they have if they have shelter, food and clothing. When they are content with what they have, they will not envy those that have more. But when they are not content, they will become envious of the rich which may aggravate their love for money and consequently cause them to fall into temptation and harmful lust. Brethren, Christianity does not promote or preach poverty, rather believers are empowered by God to make wealth to meet both their physical and spiritual needs. It is God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1 Tim.6:17b) Notwithstanding, like Apostle Paul, one should learn in whatever state one is, to be content. (Phil.4:11) And to remember that “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Tim.6:6-7) Evangelism Tell someone about the goodness of Jesus Christ today. You are blessed for doing so. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre