In the light of the Budget presented by the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday, it seems not inappropriate to think about money - even if that is not a tropic with which I would normally deal on this blog! I am also aware that there are those who seem to think that the church is concerned about nothing else - or that, at least, money is its most important subject. Sadly, "prosperity gospel" (which is no gospel) preachers only confirm such an attitude, but even those who would not be classed as such can appear to have an attitude towards finances that is less than wholesome, seeking to use the methods of the world, rather than placing their confidence in the One Who says: "every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." (Ps.50:10) - in the contemporary society, a picture of untold wealth!
Of course, one of the perennial theological problems is the apparent prosperity of the ungodly compared to the suffering of the righteous. Why would God seem to endorse such a system? The prophet, Jeremiah could not understand. He acknowledged the righteousness of the Eternal One, yet asked the question: "Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" (Jer.12:1). And other godly men have asked the same question down through the ages.
Some 2,000 or more years before Christ, Job asked: "Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? . . . They spend their days in prosperity, and . . . say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of Thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we get if we pray to Him?" (Job 21:7, 13-15). Likewise the psalmist Asaph complained, "I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." (Psalm 73:3).
From a purely human perspective, such expressions are understandable. However, the real solution to this paradox is not in this present world, but in the world to come, where hell awaits the ungodly, and heaven awaits those whom God has redeemed through faith in Christ. The fact that a man may prosper materially is not necessarily a measure of God’s approval. Economic booms make many men very wealthy, and most of them seem to be either indifferent, or even hostile, to God. Yet there is a great deal of truth in the old saying that "There are no pockets in a shroud."! The wealth of these men or women, is very ephemeral. As David said in another psalm, "I have seen a wicked man overbearing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. Again I passed by, and lo, he was no more; although I sought him, he could not be found." (Psalm 37:35-36). I know that, when I die, or am raptured, I shall leave behind the same as Elon Musk - everything!
If God does give a few believers material wealth, it is so that they may use it for Him, and for others, not to pamper themselves. "As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God Who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous," (I Timothy 6:17-18).
