Building Project

Much has been made in this space of the fact that the poorest person who reads this is vastly wealthier than the majority of the rest of the world. In addition, the average American today lives a much better life than even the wealthiest Americans of a few generations ago. Still, common sense requires us to recognize that in our society there are those who have more of this world’s goods than others. This disparity has existed in all times and places, is addressed in Scripture and thus has been expounded upon by the wise among us over the centuries.

The great-hearted Puritan pastor and writer Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646) had this to say: “If there is any good in wealth or in any comfort in this world, it is not so much that it pleases my sense or that it suits my body, but that it has reference to God, the first being, that by these (temporal things) somewhat of God’s goodness might be conveyed to me, and I may have a sanctified use of (them) to draw me nearer to God, that I may enjoy more of God, and be made more serviceable for His glory in the place where He has set me: this is the good of (them).”

A Sanctified Attitude Towards Wealth

In this excerpt Burroughs asserts that, for a believer, wealth “has reference” to God. That is, temporal wealth is a metaphor of God’s wealth, grace and goodness. This is a sanctified attitude toward wealth, which points us back to the source of all wealth: God. To be sanctified is to be set apart to God. Another synonym might be “holy.” Paul spoke of this when he wrote to the Corinthians that they were “washed...sanctified...justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor 6:11) Paul writes regarding the subject of the “sanctified attitude” toward wealth: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1Tim 6:17) Burroughs echoes this theme: “...so far as I can enjoy God in it, so far it is good to me, and so far as I do not enjoy God in it, so far there be no goodness in any (temporal thing).” Solomon wrote that “when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work this is a gift of God” (Eccl. 5:19). The phrase “to accept his lot” is provocative because many people feel guilty over their wealth. But legitimately-acquired wealth is to be enjoyed as a gift from God. Has God made you wealthy? As long as you recognize that it is from Him, that He gave you the ability to earn it, thank Him, and recognize that it is ultimately His to do with as he pleases, there is good in it.

A Sanctified Use of Wealth

But the momentum of Scripture and Burroughs’ thought carries us beyond mere enjoyment and into the realm of responsibility and stewardship. It is the “sanctified use” of wealth that draws one closer to God. Paul is clear on the subject of the “sanctified use” of wealth where he plays a word game on the word “rich” from the previous verse and writes: “Command them (the rich) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1Tim 6:18)

Again, hear Jeremiah Burroughs: “...but when a Christian, who has been in the school of Christ, and has been instructed in the art of contentment, has some wealth, he thinks, ‘In that I have wealth above my brethren, I have an opportunity to serve God the better, and I enjoy a great deal of God’s mercy conveyed to my soul through (it), and hereby I am able to do a great deal of good; in this I reckon the good of my wealth.’”

Let us not allow false modesty to stand in the way of doing God’s work. Are you wealthy? If so, you enjoy “a great deal of God’s mercy” conveyed to your soul “and thereby are able to serve God the better.” In this is the good of your wealth.