Let us not be enamored with the pursuit of wealth, but rather aspire toward the virtue of simplicity; it is indeed a profound blessing. You may wonder if this renders a person abased and unhappy. Yet, that very experience is beneficial for us. The Scriptures state, "Poverty," as the Wise One observed, "humbles the husbandman" (Proverbs 10:4); and our Christ declared, "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." (Matthew 5:3). Do you lament that you tread the path leading to righteousness? Are you unaware that such simplicity bestows upon us great courage? You might counter, “the wisdom of the poor is disregarded” (Ecclesiastes 9:16); further, it is said, “give me neither poverty nor riches” (Proverbs 30:8); and again, "bring me out of the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10). Can poverty or wealth be wicked if "poverty and riches come from the Lord"? This was articulated in the Old Testament when material prosperity was seen as paramount and poverty as scorned—a curse compared to a blessing. That viewpoint has shifted. Would you like to hear the commendation of simplicity? Christ embraced it, stating, "The Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt. 8:20); He also instructed His disciples, saying, "Take no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your belts" (Matt. 10:9). Likewise, Paul expressed, “we have nothing, yet possess all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). Peter told the crippled man, “silver and gold have I none” (Acts 3:6). In the Old Testament, amidst the wonder at riches, who were celebrated? Was it not Elijah, who had naught but favor? Was it not Elisha? Was it not John the Baptist? Thus, no one should be deemed lowly for simplicity; rather, it is wealth that burdens one with numerous demands and compels the need for approval. Who was poorer than Jacob, who declared, "If God be with me... He will give me bread to eat, and clothing to wear" (Gen. 28:20)? Elijah and John possessed boldness, did they not? Did not John confront Herod, saying, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6:18), and Elijah boldly declared to Ahab, "I am not he that troubleth Israel, but thou and thy father's house" (1 Kings 18:18).
Where do the rich derive their wealth? It is written, “poverty and riches come from the Lord.” But let us inquire of those who dispute this: Is all wealth and all poverty ordained by God? Who can assert that? We witness many amass great riches through theft, corruption, sorcery, and other such means, and who, in their acquisition, are even unworthy to live. So, can we claim this wealth originates from God? Certainly not; it stems from sin. The harlot becomes affluent by compromising her body; the attractive youth often profits shamefully through selling his allure; the grave robber accumulates ill-gotten gains; and the thief digs through walls to procure his treasure. Therefore, can all wealth be considered a gift from God? You might ask what we should say to this assertion. Hear this: poverty does not come from God, and then we can revisit the aforementioned phrase. When a young man lacking self-control squanders his fortune on vice and becomes destitute, is it not clear that this downfall is not by divine decree but springs from his own choices? Similarly, if a man faces poverty due to idleness or heedlessness, can we not also see that God does not bring such poverty upon them? Does Scripture declare falsehood? Certainly not! Those are mistaken who fail to thoroughly examine the text. If we acknowledge that Scripture holds truth, and recognize that not all wealth is divinely sanctioned, any confusion arises from the oversight of inattentive readers. With this understanding, let us not condemn the Scripture; however, out of compassion for your confusion, I will now clarify.
Consider the context of those statements: they were delivered by Solomon in the Old Testament to the Israelites, who grasped little beyond physical possessions and assessed God's power through them. They questioned, "Can He also provide bread?" (Psalms 77:20) and demanded signs, claiming, "Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness" (John 6:30-31). Their god was their appetite (Philippians 3:19). Thus, the Wise One conveyed that God can indeed create both wealth and want—not that He always does, but that He has the power to do so when He chooses. The Scriptures remind us, "He rebukes the sea, and it dries up, and all rivers are parched" (Nahum 1:4); yet, this does not occur constantly. Why, then, does the prophet imply such potential? Not as a declaration of necessity, but as a testament to God's capability.
Reflect upon the patriarchs and you will discern the nature of divine prosperity. God enriched Abraham, then Job, who himself asked, "Shall we receive good from God, and not receive evil?" (Job 2:10). Jacob was similarly blessed. There also exists a poverty that merits commendation, which Christ presented to a wealthy man: "If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and come follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). To His disciples, He instructed, "Provide neither gold nor silver, nor two coats" (Matthew 10:9-10). Hence, do not assert that He distributes all wealth, for we know it is often amassed through violence, theft, and other nefarious actions.
Returning to our earlier inquiry, if the wealthy are of no benefit to us, what is their role? Let me clarify: those who accumulate riches through righteous means are invaluable, while those who gain their wealth through sinful paths are of no use. You can observe this in their deeds. Abraham used his wealth for the benefit of travelers and the needy. Upon receiving three visitors, he generously slaughtered a calf and prepared ample food for them; he was a beacon of hospitality, offering both resources and service, even in his old age. He acted not to gain property but out of compassion—when those he saved wanted to designate him steward of their spoils, he rejected everything, "not even a thread or a strap of my shoe" (Gen. 14:23). Such was the character of Job, who declared, “The stranger did not lodge in the street; my doors were always open to the traveler” (Job 31:32). "I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame; I was a father to the needy" (Job 29:15-16); and "I did not turn away the requests of the needy" (Job 31:16). Furthermore, he utilized his wealth continually for the welfare of others.
Contrast this with those who have acquired wealth without God's blessing; look at the rich man from the parable with Lazarus, who did not grant even a crumb; consider Ahab, who unlawfully seized a vineyard; reflect on Gehazi and others like them. Those who receive their wealth justly from God manage it according to His commandments, while those who sin in their accumulation act similarly in their expenditure, squandering it on immorality or hoarding it selfishly, neglecting the poor.
You may wonder why God permits such individuals to thrive financially. He exercises patience and seeks to bring us to repentance, knowing the day of judgment is set for the entire world. Had He swiftly punished those who dishonestly accumulate wealth, Zacchaeus would not have had the opportunity to repent and restore fourfold what he had stolen; Matthew could not have transformed from tax collector to apostle without time for reflection, nor many others who were granted similar mercy. Thus, God demonstrates His longsuffering, calling all to repentance. Yet, should they refuse and persist in their ways, Paul warns, they "according to your stubbornness and unrepentant hearts, are storing up wrath for yourselves for the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Romans 2:5). To avoid that wrath, let us seek the true riches of heaven and pursue a commendable simplicity so that we may receive the promised blessings, enjoying them through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power, and honor, now and forevermore. Amen.
