The seeking after riches?
My question is this - should we be seeking after riches?
Fellow Christians, I have a question for you. We, as members of Wealthy Affiliate each seek after success, after riches. So, is this right?
I sometimes wonder about this in relationship to my Christianity. Should I be doing this? If not, is this why God has not blessed my efforts?
I know that my life has been pretty easy and I know for sure that God has provided for all my needs throughout my life and even a lot of my wants. I know that as His child, He gives me good gifts over and over. I certainly have never worried about going hungry or not having a roof over my head. As His child, I have sought to follow Him and do His will and I don't want to do what He doesn't want me to be doing.
I've been here at WA for over 5 years and my success in receiving financial gains has been minimal. I have certainly enjoyed all the learning and the contact with each of you as fellow WA members. And that in itself has been very meaningful to me since I have health issues and am restricted socially because of living in this wheelchair. I love this training and this community and wonder if I love it too much.
Do any of you ever wonder, as I do, is it right to seek after financial success like we do here? Does this make a difference to you in your relationship with our Father God? Can we serve Jesus while seeking after material things?
This has been bothering me a lot lately. I've been thinking maybe I've put too much importance on seeking success and financial gain. I know that God could choose to bless me with lots of success and financial gain if He so wishes. But do I need to seek after that which is not of this world instead? Should I be gathering up treasures not for this earthly existence but for my eternal existence?
Matthew quote
"....19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money..."
"....25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own...."
also in Matthew
""…25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.…"
I know that none of you can answer this for me, it is a decision I must make on my own. But I was just wondering if any of you had been wondering about this also?
-shirley
Recent Comments
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Great points all, Shirley, but think about this--you can be using the platform to communicate with all these people, and while religion isn't permitted in the blogs, there are still ways you can be a witness for Christ--It also says Seek Ye First the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. Don't you think that might also mean riches? God really does want his followers to be successful!
Jeff
Yes, God does want us to prosper and lead full lives. I'm just having issues with the desire for wealth. I guess that's just a personal issue within myself - whether I'm wanting to succeed for the right reasons. Thanks for your response. -Shirley
I have wondered from time to time about that same question. But I have to remind myself of the many many times I have received promptings from the Holy Spirit which have guided me to an answer I was seeking in WA.
Yes, I get answers from the community, but I have to understand and implement them, and sometimes that takes more help than the community can give. I just think, as long as I am receiving help from God, He must agree with what I'm doing.
If and when he blesses me with a few $$, then I will use it to bless others, which includes my family who are in need. In the meantime, I comment and try to help others thru my knowledge and understanding.
IMO I think of WA as a means to keep my mind on positive things which living handicapped is often hard to do. The Lord would rather we live in the light than be swallowed up by darkness.
People here are hard-working, positive examples, and I don't think we can find such upbeat people many other places, except in the church itself. Sometimes we have to "wait upon the Lord"
Stay positive!
Linda
Money creates opportunity and helps people. With more resources we can make a bigger impact in the world. It’s when we use money in an irresponsible way such as drugs or drinking in excess, and so on that it is of concern. Don’t worship money, use it to fulfill a meaningful purpose.
~ Marijana
Hi, Shirley. I'm happy to hear from a Christian like you pondering on things she does in her life. The Biblical passages you quoted are reminders from the Great Master Teacher Jesus Christ for those people who have been irresponsible believers of God giving all their efforts, time and their whole being for riches over their faith in God.
God wants us to be responsible persons working for our loved ones, families and for our whole household. Being responsible is to be able to discharge your role and part in the household but not forgetting your responsibilities, commitment to God as his child. Do you have commitments being forsaken because of engaging in online business?
Our Great Teacher reminds us to love God with all our hearts, soul, and strength but it does not negate our commitment to our loved ones.
Being rich or becoming rich in online business through a legit and ethical platform is not a taboo for as long as it will not subvert our faith and commitment to God.
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The universe tells us we can have all we want if we ask. I consider my online work a form of asking. I actually don't always put anything to sell with my posts...just provide information. I think that Kyle and Carson's philosophy that we will advance by helping others is the key. If we help enough other people, we will end up helping ourselves. If we concentrate on supplying others' needs, the money will come, eventually. If we think about what we can do for someone else before thinking about ourselves, we are on the right track. We can try for success, and let the money take care of itself.