DO CHRISTIANS RESISTED TO BE RICH????
THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT WORK, CAREER AND BUSINESS
The justified resistance to the theology of prosperity cannot be a barrier for Christians to study
and recommend the Bible knowledge on career and business. The good book have a number
of directions that can be applied into developing a career. One of these passages is in Proverbs
28.20: “A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go
unpunished.” It is undeniable the connection between this verse and businesses/career.
Salomon wasn’t talking about salvation in this verse, but about the wisdom to manage our
lives.
Other important quotes about business/work/profits are found in Proverbs 22.1 “A good name
is more desirable than great riches;”; and 1 Timothy 6.10 “For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.”
The Bible does not stimuli to get rich, but gives advises to the rich. Who is telling the wealthy,
nowadays, what the Bible teaches? About this, we would recommend reading 1 Timothy 6.17-
18. How many Christians (and non Christians) are doing less than they could or an insufficient
job? They are missing the advices on Colossians 3.23. And what to say to those complaining
about everything? Read Psalms 118.14 and 1 Thessalonians 5.16. These are just examples of
the Bible views on work related subjects.
Everyone should follow the biblical recommendation to search for knowledge (Proverbs 3.13-
14, 24.3), and follow Solomon’s advice about act upon knowledge, afterall “if the ax is dull and
its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.”
Why not teach others to be skillful/diligent while developing your work? The bible
recommends that in Proverbs 28.29. Those are not advices on salvation and regret, but about
professional life. Advices that many want to keep only for themselves failing to share with thy
neighbor, Christian or non-Christian.
As Brazilians, we know how much damage the lack of planning can do and the bible advises on
this “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21.5), and Jesus talks about the subject
on Mathews 25.2-12 and Luke 14.28-32.
Another important biblical advice is the Shabbat, or the day to recharge batteries – physical
and emotional. It is the time to turn to God, leisure, family, as seen on Exodus 23.12 and
Ecclesiastes 3. This would help the family and personal lives of so many professionals.
Needless to say that the bible makes no exceptions on topics such as honesty (Exodus 20.15
and Deuteronomy 5.19), too much profit (Titus 2.10), fraud or abusive practices (Amos 8.4-6,
Proverbs 11.26). The corporate world would be a lot better if the lessons on Jeremiah 22.13
were followed: “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by
injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” This would
change the way banks, phone companies, and health insurances operate, would also help to
prevent slavery, child labor, tax evasion and would insure that all labor laws and pensions were
observed and respected. Jesus also talks to the public servants on Luke 3.14 by telling to not
falsely testify, accept bribes or extort. But if you have already wronged, the Bible has a
message to you on Proverbs 28.13.
If all of these passages weren’t enough to prove that the Bible talks about work related
subjects we reunited a couple more examples such as: avoid bad company (1 Corinthians
15.33); exercise self-control (Proverbs 16.32); don’t do anything clandestinely (Mark 4.22); be
an example of incorruption, seriousness and irreprehensible language (Romans 12.17); be
committed and serious about your work (Ephesians 6.6-23); don’t be vindictive (Romans
12.17); appreciate everyone from the wealthiest to the humblest (1 Corinthians 12.12 24-26);
avoid fights (Mathews 5.25), be kind (2 Timothy 2.24); don’t act with anger (Proverbs 15.1,
19.11, 20.3); do no harm (Proverbs 3.29-30).
Still need more? The bible talks about being useful and reward those who do good work
(Proverbs 27.18), it also establishes how to serve our neighbors (Mark 9.37, James 4.17), tells
that the generous move forward while the selfish dries out (Proverbs 11.24-25), about team
work (Isaiah 41.6), about leadership (1 Timothy 5.17). The bible also teaches contentment (1
Timothy 6.8), not to love money (Ecclesiastes 5.10), and to plant good things (Ephesians 6.7, 2
Corinthians 9.6). As a baseline we always mention the law of love that goes about treat others
like we would like to be treated. Who can deny the power of these attitudes? They can help
the ones who practice them as well as the ones surrounding them.
GOD WHATS US TO WORK HARD!! BUT WITHIN HEAVENLY BOUNDARIES!!!
The justified resistance to the theology of prosperity cannot be a barrier for Christians to study
and recommend the Bible knowledge on career and business. The good book have a number
of directions that can be applied into developing a career. One of these passages is in Proverbs
28.20: “A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go
unpunished.” It is undeniable the connection between this verse and businesses/career.
Salomon wasn’t talking about salvation in this verse, but about the wisdom to manage our
lives.
Other important quotes about business/work/profits are found in Proverbs 22.1 “A good name
is more desirable than great riches;”; and 1 Timothy 6.10 “For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.”
The Bible does not stimuli to get rich, but gives advises to the rich. Who is telling the wealthy,
nowadays, what the Bible teaches? About this, we would recommend reading 1 Timothy 6.17-
18. How many Christians (and non Christians) are doing less than they could or an insufficient
job? They are missing the advices on Colossians 3.23. And what to say to those complaining
about everything? Read Psalms 118.14 and 1 Thessalonians 5.16. These are just examples of
the Bible views on work related subjects.
Everyone should follow the biblical recommendation to search for knowledge (Proverbs 3.13-
14, 24.3), and follow Solomon’s advice about act upon knowledge, afterall “if the ax is dull and
its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.”
Why not teach others to be skillful/diligent while developing your work? The bible
recommends that in Proverbs 28.29. Those are not advices on salvation and regret, but about
professional life. Advices that many want to keep only for themselves failing to share with thy
neighbor, Christian or non-Christian.
As Brazilians, we know how much damage the lack of planning can do and the bible advises on
this “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21.5), and Jesus talks about the subject
on Mathews 25.2-12 and Luke 14.28-32.
Another important biblical advice is the Shabbat, or the day to recharge batteries – physical
and emotional. It is the time to turn to God, leisure, family, as seen on Exodus 23.12 and
Ecclesiastes 3. This would help the family and personal lives of so many professionals.
Needless to say that the bible makes no exceptions on topics such as honesty (Exodus 20.15
and Deuteronomy 5.19), too much profit (Titus 2.10), fraud or abusive practices (Amos 8.4-6,
Proverbs 11.26). The corporate world would be a lot better if the lessons on Jeremiah 22.13
were followed: “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by
injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” This would
change the way banks, phone companies, and health insurances operate, would also help to
prevent slavery, child labor, tax evasion and would insure that all labor laws and pensions were
observed and respected. Jesus also talks to the public servants on Luke 3.14 by telling to not
falsely testify, accept bribes or extort. But if you have already wronged, the Bible has a
message to you on Proverbs 28.13.
If all of these passages weren’t enough to prove that the Bible talks about work related
subjects we reunited a couple more examples such as: avoid bad company (1 Corinthians
15.33); exercise self-control (Proverbs 16.32); don’t do anything clandestinely (Mark 4.22); be
an example of incorruption, seriousness and irreprehensible language (Romans 12.17); be
committed and serious about your work (Ephesians 6.6-23); don’t be vindictive (Romans
12.17); appreciate everyone from the wealthiest to the humblest (1 Corinthians 12.12 24-26);
avoid fights (Mathews 5.25), be kind (2 Timothy 2.24); don’t act with anger (Proverbs 15.1,
19.11, 20.3); do no harm (Proverbs 3.29-30).
Still need more? The bible talks about being useful and reward those who do good work
(Proverbs 27.18), it also establishes how to serve our neighbors (Mark 9.37, James 4.17), tells
that the generous move forward while the selfish dries out (Proverbs 11.24-25), about team
work (Isaiah 41.6), about leadership (1 Timothy 5.17). The bible also teaches contentment (1
Timothy 6.8), not to love money (Ecclesiastes 5.10), and to plant good things (Ephesians 6.7, 2
Corinthians 9.6). As a baseline we always mention the law of love that goes about treat others
like we would like to be treated. Who can deny the power of these attitudes? They can help
the ones who practice them as well as the ones surrounding them.
GOD WHATS US TO WORK HARD!! BUT WITHIN HEAVENLY BOUNDARIES!!!
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