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

This has been on my heart lately because of all of the messages we are constantly bombarded with that we need to have a lot of money and "stuff" to be successful and partake of the "American Dream."  I even heard a sermon that the Bible doesn't speak against riches, because Abraham was rich--but what we need to keep in mind is that he was a "type" of God the Father! Of course he was rich--God owns the earth and everything in it!  Some other positive examples of wealth in the Old Testament also involved "types" of Jesus, such as Isaac (Abraham's son) and Joseph (rejected by his brethren, but saved them).  However, Jesus didn't even have a place to lay His head during His earthly ministry.  Matthew 8:20  If we're supposed to be transforming into His likeness, then how do riches fit in?

So what else does the Bible have to say on the subject?  Some of the New Testament references to riches include the Parable of the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22) and the Parable of the Rich Man (Luke 12:15-21) and they do NOT portray wealth in a positive light. In the Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27) and Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), investing money is used as an example but it's about more than money--it's also about serving God in faith, making the most of the opportunities given.  The reward for pleasing the Lord in the parable included increased responsibility (and thus, honor, not only for oneself but opportunities to bring the Lord more honor) in the Kingdom.

Why would God say not to love money and warn against accumulating too many possessions and then tell us money is the most important thing?  He didn't--He used a parable about money to illustrate a deeper truth.  God expects us to use everything He blesses us with wisely and to invest generously of our finances, time and talent in building His Kingdom.  He wants us to acknowledge that everything we have we got from Him and He is the giver of all good gifts.  He knows what we need and promises to take good care of us IF we put Him first.  He doesn't begrudge us wanting to have our needs met, but He is not a genie giving us unlimited wishes.  If we truly love Him, we will recognize that He is the only true value in the universe and everything else will appear as worthless to us.

Parable of the Rich Young Ruler 21 Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” 22 But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.  Mark 10:21-22

Parable of the Rich Man 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’  18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’  20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”  Luke 12:15-21

“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."  Matthew 6:19-21

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.  Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"  Matthew 6:24-5

For the pagans eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:32-34

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."  Luke 16:9

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?  Matthew 16:26

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  Philippians 3:7-11

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  Philippians 4:11-12

This is not meant to convict anyone of anything--that's the job of the Holy Spirit; nor is it meant to judge anyone--that's the job of the Son.  It's meant to warn people about false teachers and get the focus back on God where it belongs.  Jesus told us that the Father would provide for all of our NEEDS.  The one who offered riches was Satan.

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Matthew 6:25

The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:8-10

kits: Love Bugs by Connie Prince and My Everything by Mandy King

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Revelation 3:18

What currency does God accept as payment for this gold refined by fire?  The only kind you have that is yours to offer, but you received it from Him:  your free will.  Lay it down and take up His instead.  Do good instead of evil.  Persevere through trials, doing His will instead of your own, even when it gets hard.  Pick up your cross daily and carry it.  Suffer with Him, for Him.  Trust Him and His ways.  No one who puts their trust in the Lord will ever be put to shame.  This is not only for when it's easy or convenient.  Value what is important to God, not men.  This life is short and then you meet God in person, and He holds eternity in His hands.  God desires a broken and contrite spirit, mercy, kindness, generosity, steadfast love, justice, righteousness, praise, thankfulness.  He expects and deserves to be loved, honored and respected.  Take delight in the Lord and He will take delight in you. (see scriptures farther below) 

How do you get white garments?  You clothe yourself in Christ's righteousness by believing in Him.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18a  Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Psalm 32:1; Romans 4:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.  Ephesians 1:7-8

I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Revelation 7:14

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.  Revelation 22:14

What is meant by eye salve?  It means to open our spiritual eyes to see the sad state of our souls.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!  Matthew 6:22-23

39 “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”  40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”  41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.  John 9:39-41

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’  Acts 26:17-18

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  Ephesians 1:18-19

Gold refined by fire scriptures are below:

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. 14 If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.  1 Corinthians 3:11-15

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:3-4

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.  Romans 8:16-17

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.  Philippians 1:29

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 2:3

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:20-21

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:14-16

Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.  1 Peter 4:19

Then I will bring the remaining third into the fire;
I will refine them like silver is refined
and will test them like gold is tested.
They will call on my name and I will answer;
I will say, ‘These are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Zechariah 13:9

These who are wise among the people will teach the masses. However, they will fall by the sword and by the flame, and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time. 34 When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully. 35 Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.  Daniel 9:33-35

Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.  Daniel 12:10

For the godless are full of resentment.  Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help.  They die when they are young, after wasting their lives in immoral living.  But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.  For he gets their attention through adversity.  Job 36:13-15

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.  Isaiah 48:10

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22b

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.  Isaiah 1:16-17

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.  Isaiah 66:2b

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:15-16

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. Psalm 68:30-31

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:10-11

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

kit: Chevalier et Dragon by Marta van Eck