By:    Bro. Mike Udam

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OPENING REMARKS 

To be rich is not a sin, but the road to the riches defines if sin was used to activate the riches. The church need honest rich people: those who honestly grew their work into riches and use same to bless the ministry of God.

Riches come naturally through hardwork and divine favour. Both must be activated to get genuine riches. Divine favour must meet a prepared environment to thrive. Some are very rich naturally due largely because of the nature of their job which is not an offence before God. According to http://www.careerprofiles.info/highest-paying-careers.html  some highest paying jobs are mostly medically related.

The point here is that you can arrive at riches just by the career path you choose and working very hard in that area couple with the grace and favour from God almighty. You can also be rich by inheritance. You are the son or daughter of a rich parent.

RICHES AND HUMAN THOUGHT PROCESS 

• Riches require much planning for it to come.
• Riches require much planning for it to stay long with you.
• Get rich quick method not included in the plans of God.
• Man brought it in to enable him meet up since the train has left him behind.

BIBLICAL INPUT 

So what does the Bible say? Does God condone anywhere that we should have that mentality or that it’s even okay? Are there any places in Scripture where God reveals His heart on the topic of getting rich quick and the drive to accumulate massive amounts of wealth over a very short period of time from things such as playing the lottery – Gambling (NairaBet and the likes), money ritual, or joining any venture that promises lots of money with little or no work or time invested?

The answer is yes and, as we will see, the root of the issue lies within the attitude and motivation of our hearts.

1. Proverbs 12:11 

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. – Proverbs 12:11 NIV

Contrasted here are two types of people: those who work hard and those who follow “chase fantasies” (i.e. – get rich quick schemes, dishonest gain, etc..).

One earns their money by diligently working with what God has entrusted to them. The other is void of understanding and will do whatever it takes to get things the quick and easy way.

The latter, in contrast to the former, will end up hungry and become a burden on others because of their worthless pursuits. A very similar verse to this is found in Proverbs 28:19-20.

2. Proverbs 13:11 

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. – Proverbs 13:11 ESV

The ESV Study Bible describes this verse perfectly. It says, “The person who receives sudden wealth has not worked for it enough to understand its value and has not gained sufficient skill in managing it.

By contrast, Proverbs prefers diligent, patient, careful labor that will increase wealth over time.”

3. Proverbs 20:21 

An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. – Proverbs 20:21 NIV

The principle here is that too much wealth gathered too quickly may be spent too soon. This could be from an early inheritance that was gained by asking for it or by dishonest means. Either way, it was not gained in the proper way, which can lead to reckless spending and mishandling due to irresponsibility.

4. Proverbs 23:4-5 

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. – Proverbs 23:4-5 NIV

Wealth is fleeting. Be wise enough to know when enough is enough in regards to how many hours you spend working to build it. Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Spend your time on what matters most rather than chasing after money, which flies away very quickly.

5. Ecclesiastes 5:10 

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

For those who seek after riches and gaining them quickly, their appetite will never be satisfied. The root of these desires is greed and the pursuit for more will never end. The cure for this type of heart condition is contentment in what you have and what you have worked for.

6. 1 Timothy 6:9 

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. –  1 Timothy 6:9 NIV

Note that this verse is not condemning being rich, rather it details the desire and pursuit of such, which can steer your heart in directions you may never have thought possible. It’s safe to say that this list of Bible verses is not exhaustive and there are certainly many more that speak on the topic of money. These particular verses focus on the pursuit of riches, getting rich quick, and the desire to be rich beyond imagination.

THINK DEEP 

• Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
• Matt 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
• 1Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
• God does not like get quick rick syndrome.
• It does not place you near God but near Satan.
• It steals your joy away and focus you to hell as your life will be driven towards how to meet up.
• Your spiritual activism will die gradually once you activate the get rich quick syndrome.
• The power to bless and curse is still in the hands of God.

CLOSING REMARKS

First, when Jesus met the rich young ruler, he did not say, “Follow me by giving your money away.” He said, “First give your money away, and then follow me.” His ensuing conversation with the disciples suggests this order is the rule, not the exception.

Today, we should stick to the plan. I will work and God will surely bless the labours of my hands.

The desire to get rich quick is sold by the devil and we must reject it completely.

I have resolved not to pursue wealth to the detriment of my soul. I pray God will redirect our thoughts to stay focus to him and avoid this great distraction.

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