How wealthy should we be as Christians?

There is nothing wrong with having money. Money is not wrong. 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us that it is the "love of money that is the root of all evil."

There is nothing wrong with being wealthy. Abraham was wealthy. David. Job. Solomon. Barnabas.

Most everyone who is reading this blog is wealthy by the world's standards. If you have more than one change of clothes, you're wealthy. If you own a home, you're in the top 5% of the world.

I don't write this to lay a bunch of guilt on us, but only to be aware of the fact that God has blessed us. We are to be grateful for what we do have.

Materialism can really sneak up on us if we are not careful.

I read a story this week about a young man who was driving his BMW around a curve when he realized the car was out of control and about to plummet over a cliff. The young man jumped out, but his left arm was severed from his body. He stood there looking down at his burning BMW and said, "Oh, no! My car! My car!"

A man, who had stopped to help, said, "Mister, you have just lost your left arm, and you're crying about your car?"

The young man looked down and said, "Oh no, my Rolex watch!"

That's materialism. Materialism is when I am discontent with what I have and will remain so until I receive more.

Don't you think that too many people use debt to give what only God can give which is peace, joy and tranquility?

Let me give you this question for discussion:

Some Christians insist that it is an overt sin for North American believers to drive expensive foreign cars when people (and especially fellow Christians) around the world are starving to death. Other look unfavorably on Western Christians who live in luxurious homes or who take extravagant vacations. Are these advocates of frugal living correct? Why or why not?