Deuteronomy 28 may be used to make the case for God's promise of material
prosperity to his people, but that was part of the Old Covenant. In any
case, these promises of blessings did not apply to anyone who was
rebellious, sinning or backslidden in any way. Curses were laid out right
alongside those blessings for people who would forsake God and break his
commandments (sin). He forsakes those who forsake Him (2 Chronicles
15:2b).
One thing Jesus promised to his followers in the New Covenant is that their
needs would be taken care of if they are living for Him, so they wouldn't
have to worry (Matthew 6:24-34). But most today have their trust in money,
in their bank account, in their job, rather than in God. So, trusting God
for basic needs is an area most know nothing about apart from having a job,
savings or some kind of income.
There is no promise of material wealth to a Christian but of a life of spiritual abundance that comes by doing God's will out of a faith that works through love (John 14:15; Galatians 5:6; Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21; John 10:9-10; Romans 2:7).
Of course God can bless someone with material wealth to help or, in general, to do good to others, but never for the sake of being rich according to the world's standards. Having no money cannot stop any servant of God from doing exactly what God has called that person to do in his service (Acts 3:6, 2 Corinthians 6:10, Revelation 2:9).
Read also about blessings in Matthew 5:3-12, James 1:12, and Acts 3:26. Being saved from sin is the blessing Jesus gives to those who give their lives to Him! So, if someone does not have that freedom from sin (John 8:34-36, Romans 6:7, 16-18), there is no point in chasing anything else that may be considered a "blessing." The grace of God that brings salvation teaches how to say 'No' to sin (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 6:12-15), and someone who has that power from God is richer in God's eyes than someone who is still sinning and may be a millionaire but heading to eternal death because of sin (Romans 6:23).
Being a "rich" servant of God (having material wealth), if God has a purpose in that for the person, comes with great responsibility and accountability toward God also (1 John 3:16-23, James 2:1-9, Matthew 25:14–30, Luke 12:13-21). God will judge each one as much for the things done (good or evil) as for the good things not done when He had given the means to do them.
There are also dangers in having a wrong relationship with money, being either rich or poor (Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:3-10). Being greedy (wanting to be rich or ever richer), can also breed pride and selfishness. That is a destructive temptation to succumb to (1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 4:8-9), and is not a sign of loving God or of even having a saving relationship with Him. Jesus has warned against greed (Luke 12:15), which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), but false ministers who equate the blessings of God with money will never point that out.
There is no promise of material wealth to a Christian but of a life of spiritual abundance that comes by doing God's will out of a faith that works through love (John 14:15; Galatians 5:6; Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21; John 10:9-10; Romans 2:7).
Of course God can bless someone with material wealth to help or, in general, to do good to others, but never for the sake of being rich according to the world's standards. Having no money cannot stop any servant of God from doing exactly what God has called that person to do in his service (Acts 3:6, 2 Corinthians 6:10, Revelation 2:9).
Read also about blessings in Matthew 5:3-12, James 1:12, and Acts 3:26. Being saved from sin is the blessing Jesus gives to those who give their lives to Him! So, if someone does not have that freedom from sin (John 8:34-36, Romans 6:7, 16-18), there is no point in chasing anything else that may be considered a "blessing." The grace of God that brings salvation teaches how to say 'No' to sin (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 6:12-15), and someone who has that power from God is richer in God's eyes than someone who is still sinning and may be a millionaire but heading to eternal death because of sin (Romans 6:23).
Being a "rich" servant of God (having material wealth), if God has a purpose in that for the person, comes with great responsibility and accountability toward God also (1 John 3:16-23, James 2:1-9, Matthew 25:14–30, Luke 12:13-21). God will judge each one as much for the things done (good or evil) as for the good things not done when He had given the means to do them.
There are also dangers in having a wrong relationship with money, being either rich or poor (Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:3-10). Being greedy (wanting to be rich or ever richer), can also breed pride and selfishness. That is a destructive temptation to succumb to (1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 4:8-9), and is not a sign of loving God or of even having a saving relationship with Him. Jesus has warned against greed (Luke 12:15), which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), but false ministers who equate the blessings of God with money will never point that out.
See also:
