Should Christians be wealthy?

A lot of times, many people mistake piety for poverty, especially as regards Christendom. Most people believe that Christians are not supposed to be wealthy or seen handling political offices (a post for another day). Most Christain folks limit their God-given dominion to prayer houses and church, forgetting that in Genesis 1.28 God gave man dominion over everything, living and non-living things.

Speaking from the God-factor, God actually wants His people to be wealthy. I mean, if there is no money in the church, how do we sponsor evangelism, building projects, outreaches? How would we feed and clothe the poor and give to the needy if we have nothing to give? The mistake we make is that we either think God needs us to be more surrendered than successful, so we rather spend all day praying than putting in the effort to work where and when we are supposed to.

It is a huge irony and quite sad that a lot of Christians, especially Africans think that poverty is a prerequisite in serving God. They always match this belief with the scripture that says you cannot serve God and mammon (mistaking mammon for wealth), hence coming to the conclusion that no wealthy man can serve God in truth and in spirit. Little wonder there is always a common stereotype about wealthy men of God; either they are 'eating church money' or they are 'doing rituals'. Firstly, mammon is the spirit that makes one replace God's position with money and material things, the spirit that makes individuals worship and serve material things over God. God wants us to be surrendered, even in our most successful position. Being wealthy will only become a sin to God if you make your wealth and material possessions a god over your life, such that you begin to have misplaced priorities. How is it that we understand that the earth is the Lord's and fullness thereof (Psalm 24.1) and that silver and gold belongs to God, but we don't expect ourselves, as children of God (the owner and creator of Heaven and earth), as gods (Psalm 82.6), as joint-heirs with Christ to have and own nothing on earth because heaven is our home at last?

When God created the world, He created man to rule and have dominion over every element of nature and creation, to preside over affairs of this earth. He said, 'Occupy till I come'. Truth is, a poor man cannot serve God. A poor man cannot have dominion over the earth. He can only have spiritual dominion if he knows his identity in Christ. However, as Christians, our dominion and authority are not limited to the spiritual realm only. Poor Christians cannot dominate the earth no matter the strength of their spiritual life. You cannot be poor and demand territorial anointing from God to dominate the earth, because there are some international assignments that God would have you do that would demand billions of money. God cannot work on earth without going through a man, hence a lot of destinies are attached to ours. And no, don't expect God to touch the heart of a billionaire to drop billions at your feet to do the Lord's work'. God wants the billions to be made by his ministers and servants by making good use of the talents, gifts, and potentials He placed inside of us.

Christians need to get rid of the mentality that makes them think poverty is synonymous with piety. Being poor does not automatically mean being righteous. Poor people are actually the most wicked because they have a jealous mind with a sense of entitlement. Also, young Christians should be encouraged to make money the right way. If this part of the gospel is never preached in church, people will never come to the realization of this truth. Young Christians should never set limits on what God can do in their lives financially. Instead of worrying about the amount of money you are making, worry about if your character and attitude are still giving glory to God despite your success. God does not have a scarcity of vision. He needs vessels from His church to work on earth. Just be sure that the humble Christocentric man/woman God raised from the valley is still the same person carrying out His assignments in the mountain tops, regardless of whatever pressure.