The Bible says the following:
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22 ESV)
So… a Christian storing up wealth is good?
The Bible also says these:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV)
“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:13 ESV)
Additionally, there is an account of Jesus talking to a rich ruler who questioned about obtaining eternal life. The ruler claimed that he kept all of the Old Testament commandments. Jesus then said to give away everything and follow Him. The ruler was sad and didn’t want to give away everything. Jesus then said:
“For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25 ESV)
In Jesus’ model prayer, he asks The Father to “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Some suggest it means, “give us only what we need today”.
So… don’t seek to be wealthy or rich? Give everything away except what you need to get by?
But scripture is full of instances where God blesses abundantly, simply because he loves his children. What about God blessing Job abundantly towards the end of the book of Job (Job 42)? What about all the wealth the Lord gave Abraham (Genesis 24:35)? What about King Solomon’s wealth (1 Kings 10)?
I prefer the interpretation of “give us this day our daily bread” that was introduced to me by the preacher Paul Washer via a sermon on the internet: that we should pray for God to give us what we need to effectively and sustainably do what he calls us to do each day (which he already does and will always do).
When we feel like we don’t have something we think we need, it’s because God knows we don’t truly need it at that time to carry out the work described in the following:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)
There are a few ideas that reconcile all of the above scriptures. Four are presented below:
1- Not all inheritances are riches or financial wealth.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)
Teach your children to teach their children wisdom. Teach them life skills they can pass on. Teach financial skills such as investing, when to save, economic costs vs explicit costs, etc. They will inherit something worth more than money itself: how to make money make money.
It’s like the saying that teaching a man to fish is better than feeding a man a fish.
2- Inheritances can be directly or indirectly given.
Scripture can have many interpretations, and often, multiple different interpretations are all true. I believe that applies here.
Inheritances can be received directly from someone, like getting $50,000 from a parent when they pass. The Bible calls us to take care of our family in 1 Timothy 5, so if an elderly person has wealth, they should probably give some to the future generations of their family.
However, what if a person learns from their parent to invest, make, and manage money, and that results in them obtaining $50,000? I would argue that the person indirectly inherited $50,000 via inheriting wealth management skills from their parent.
Additionally, I would argue that direct financial inheritances for one’s grandchildren are reliant on that person’s children inheriting wealth management skills. If someone has vast amounts of wealth that their children don’t know how to manage, the likelihood of the grandchildren getting a significant amount of that wealth is low, don’t you think?
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4 ESV)
Aside #1:
I believe this idea can give hope to many struggling financially. Even if they pass with no material possessions, the inheritance of wisdom from generation to generation can give their grandchildren abundant wealth and priceless knowledge.
Aside #2:
I won’t even mention the likelihood that every godly person is supposed to somehow rack up enough wealth to 100% guarantee that two whole generations will get a cut of it. That’s probably not what Proverbs 13:22 is calling for.
Aside #3:
Be weary of negative and sinful traits that can be inherited!
3- Currency is a tool on Earth that will probably not exist in Heaven.
On Earth, scarcity exists. There is no abundance of food, clean water, or energy all readily available and infinite. Because of this, we store up these and other valuable things, as well as the value-storing currency that can be exchanged for such items.
But scarcity doesn’t exist in Heaven. Everything needed is in abundance, and Revelation 7 suggests no one will hunger or thirst. Currency would be useless, as storing value with such an item wouldn’t be needed.
Therefore, if Jesus says to store up treasures in Heaven, He isn’t talking about money.
4- You can have money and not treasure it.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV)
Notice that it says the love of money, not the possession of money. Money is a resource and tool, used to buy goods and services. So long as you’re managing it for the glory of God, it is a good thing.
It is important to note, however, that more money is not always better. Finding a way to responsibly hold, save, and maintain money in a godly manner is more work to do. It is a job we are completely relieved from in Heaven. Additionally, there is the risk of you starting to love money and identifying with it rather than identifying as a child of God. You may have to put more time and effort into securing your money and family if others find out about your big stash and want a piece of it.
So what should we treasure? What should we try to consistently and abundantly store up?
Treasure wisdom:
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says to not store up treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Moth and rust cannot destroy wisdom, financial management, or life skills. Thieves cannot steal these either.
“for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (Proverbs 8:11 ESV)
Treasure the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19 ESV)
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15 ESV)
Don’t idolize money and instead see it for what it is: a resource and a tool able to be used for kingdom impact. If using discernment, you could simultaneously be saving money to use for the Great Commission and be storing up treasures in heaven at the same time.
Treasure a personal relationship with Jesus:
Luke 16:13 says we cannot serve both God and money. It does not say that we cannot serve God with money. Treasure a personal relationship with Jesus, and use money as a resource to know Him and make Him known. Save up for a Bible. Save up for a down payment on a bigger house so that you can host a lot of Christian community and unbelievers. Spend money on a ministry God calls you to. The possibilities are endless.
Conclusion
Save money and spend it with wisdom. Use it as a tool to store up treasures in Heaven, but don’t treasure it. Learn what true wealth for the glory of God is, and never see money for more than what it is: a blessing and resource to glorify God and make Him known through financial freedom.
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