Page 21 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

CHAPTER 2

DOES GOD REALLY WANT US RICH?

S
o then, we come to the critical question: “Does God want me to be
rich?” Not just successful at what I do but also to be wealthy
because of what I do. What exactly does the Bible say about
acquiring material wealth? Because here, of course, is where the
dilemma truly begins for many Christians. Let’s start our study by
looking at how the word rich, in terms of material wealth, is used in the
Bible.

The Greek words for rich repeatedly used in the New Testament are
‘plousios,’ which means wealthy or rich , and the verb ‘plouteo’ which
means to become wealthy , to be increased with goods , to be made rich .
Both words are derived from the noun ‘ploutos,’ which means wealth,
money, possessions, abundance, richness. Therefore, when these words
are used in the Bible, they are clearly speaking of financial wealth or
material abundance. Here are some of the Scriptures in which these
words are found:

• You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous
on all occasions. (2 Corinthians 9:11)

• For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he
was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, so that you
through his poverty might become rich . (2 Corinthians 8:9)

• And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious
riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

These Scriptures do not speak of prosperity in the general sense of a
successful outcome, as we explored in the last chapter. Instead, these
Scriptures speak of material wealth, and of a God full of riches who is
able and willing to bestow such wealth on His children.

On the other hand, we are equally familiar with the following often-
quoted Scriptures on the dangers of acquiring material wealth and
riches.

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