Be Rich Towards God

Where Is Your Treasure? A Kingdom Perspective on Wealth and Generosity

Growing up, I had a narrow view of money. I thought if I could pay my bills and have a little left over for fun, then that was enough. My mindset was self-centered—perhaps even greedy. I saw money as something for my own consumption.

But then I learned something transformative: the antidote to greed is generosity.

Rethinking Riches

Many of us never stop to ask ourselves: Am I rich? We assume wealth is reserved for millionaires, but let’s take a moment to reflect.

• Do you live in a home with a roof, running water, and electricity?

• Have you ever traveled for leisure, even to another country?

• Can you upgrade your phone before the old one stops working?

• Do you buy coffee at one of Bishop's Stortford’s many cafés?

If you answered yes to these, you are richer than you think. In fact, statistically, if you live in the UK, you are among the top 10% of the world’s wealthiest people. But true wealth isn’t measured by possessions—it’s measured by what we do with them.

Jesus on Wealth and Worry

In Luke 12:13-34, Jesus warns against storing up riches for ourselves while neglecting what matters to God. He tells the story of a man who built bigger barns to store his abundance, believing he could now "take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry." But God’s response was startling: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.” (Luke 12:20)

His point? Wealth is temporary, but a life rich toward God is eternal.

We see this principle in the stories of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:12-16) and the widow who gave all she had at the temple (Mark 12:41-44). Both demonstrated radical trust in God—a trust that prioritized giving over hoarding.

Jesus also tells us not to worry about material needs. “Seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31)

So, where is your treasure? Is it in financial security? In possessions? Or is it stored in the Kingdom of God?

Money: A Tool, Not a Master

God is not against money. He is not calling us to poverty. He wants us to have a right view of wealth—one where money serves the Kingdom rather than becoming our master (Matthew 6:24). He blesses us, not so we can accumulate luxuries, but so that we can be a blessing to others.

As Proverbs 11:25 says: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

The Challenge

This is where things get real. Who are the “others” we are called to bless? Friends, family, the poor, the church?

If you are part of a local church, are you all in—focused on the mission of Jesus through this church family? Are you giving sacrificially and cheerfully, or only from what feels comfortable?

Some churches teach tithing (giving 10% of income), but here, we focus on sacrificial, generous, and cheerful giving. For some, 10% might be unattainable, while for others, it’s merely a drop in the ocean. The heart behind giving matters far more than the percentage.

Jesus challenges us in Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

Are we storing up wealth for ourselves at the detriment of the Kingdom? Or are we being rich toward God—trusting Him with our future and blessing others with what He has entrusted to us?