GIF The Riches Syndrome

“Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, ‘Why did you make me like this,’ will it?”
(Romans 9:20)

The Riches Syndrome
by Larry Burkett

Many Christians have concluded that since poverty isn’t normal, riches must be.

Therefore, they have assumed that God must make them wealthy to protect His image.

Then most of them set about in a totally secular way to accumulate what is supposed to be a Christian testimony. If God doesn’t provide according to their preconceived plan, they rationalize that the end justifies the means and “help Him out.”

So what if they don’t have a personal prayer or study life? After all, just think what a witness God will get from their “success”! The definition of success becomes distorted. Their relationship with God falls to the bottom of spiritual priorities, while working and earning a lot of money become the most important and the family may be neglected.

Others try to manipulate God to work for them. They give, but usually to get. They continually demand “more” and “the best,” while fervently trying to convince others that it is normal. Rarely, if ever, do they stop to consider God’s plan, for fear it won’t coincide with their concept of prosperity.

There is a great danger in seeing God only through worldly eyes, because then all riches and all blessings are measured in terms of what God can do for us, rather than what we can do for God.

To be a spiritual success, a Christian must be willing to relinquish all rights and accept God’s plan. Of necessity, God will place believers at every tier (or income level) in society to minister to those around them.

Daily Scripture Reading:
Romans 1 – 3