“…the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth and economic power of her sensuous luxury” (Revelation 18:3 AMP).
Before we criticize the wealthy in light of this passage, we should remember that the Scriptures identify several God-honoring individuals who were rich in financial and material wealth. (1) Thus, we can say that financial and/or material riches alone do not explain the fate that befell those mentioned here in Revelation chapter eighteen. Instead, the underlying issue involved the beliefs and attitudes that shaped the way they managed and used those resources.
Unfortunately, there is a cost associated with the lifestyle mentioned here. In addition to what we read here in Revelation chapter eighteen, the Biblical book of James identifies that cost: “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (James 5:5 NIV).
Notice that James identifies two important parameters in speaking with the wealthy: luxury and self-indulgence. These individuals took the blessings of wealth and prosperity and used those God-given gifts to benefit themselves. Thus, it may be said that their financial and material wealth was not the primary issue; it was what they did with it.
With this in mind, the New Testament epistle of 1 Timothy shows us a better path forward…
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
This underscores the need to capitalize on the opportunities that God makes available to us as we invest the talents, skills, and resources He provides. Acts 20:35 identifies the positive personal benefit that flows from that approach: “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Nevertheless, we should also be mindful of Jesus’ cautionary message from the Gospel of Luke as we consider these passages…
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? (Luke 10-12 NLT).
(1) See discussion in James chapter five here. Abraham was a man of substantial wealth yet he was called a friend of God. Job was also identified as a God-honoring man of wealth and God even doubled his assets following his period of trial. The Old Testament book of Ruth provides us with the example of a man named Boaz, a wealthy man who served as Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. In the New Testament, we have the example of Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-58) as well as Zacchaeus, a wealthy individual who clearly received Jesus’ approval for the manner in which he decided to handle his finances (Luke 19:2-10).
Image Attribution: Opportunity by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free