Billy Graham once made this astute observation: “There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.”1 In actuality, Christians who possess great wealth can be a great asset to advancing the kingdom of God. They can contribute to world missions, help feed the hungry, supply Bibles to those who can’t afford them, and support many other wonderful ministries.
When a Christian understands that when they possess great wealth, that they are really only God’s gifted stewards, who God expects them to use their possessions to advance the kingdom of God, not only will they experience great joy, but they will receive eternal blessings when they pass on from their earthly existence.
Sadly, for some believers, the worst thing that can happen to them is that they possess great riches, because rather than use these gifts from above to help others, they become consumed with their wealth, horde and use it for their own comfort, and make the fatal mistake of allowing their riches to possess them.
But the issue is not just money, but one of where your heart really is. When your heart is centered on Christ, the only thing you possess is a desire to use your possessions to glorify God, by using your time, talents, and treasury (finances) to bless God and others. However, when we take our eyes off of the Savior, we often allow our flesh to take possession of our heart, taking the focus off of Jesus, and placing it on self. And what does this lead to but self-gratification instead of the Christian blessing of self-denial.
Possessing wealth is great when we use it to advance God’s kingdom and bless others. However, when wealth possesses us we may be blesses with material possessions but often forfeit the true riches of being a God glorifier! The closer I walk with Christ, the more I realize that the only thing I want in life is to possess and develop a passion for Christ. My friends, it’s time to take stock of your life. Allow nothing to possess you except a consuming desire to become more like Jesus. For when you do this, even if you possess great wealth, when you give it away, God will bless you with even greater riches that mere money can ever buy!