Can Christians Want to Be Rich? Rethinking Success in God’s Eyes (By Jaehyun Kim)

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” We’ve all heard that question at least once in our lives. For most of us, the answer includes a good job, financial security, maybe even luxury vacations or an elegant house. But as Christians, we have to ask: Is it wrong to want wealth or success? Can we dream big without drifting away from God? The truth is, success isn’t inherently sinful, but as Christians, we must rethink what success really means and ensure our ambitions honor God.

The world measures success by numbers—salaries, followers, awards, and material possessions. But the bible deviates from this commonly-held assumption, defining success as faithfulness to God. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). That means real success begins with loving God and living righteously, whether or not we’re rich or famous. A celebrity with millions of followers may look “successful,” but a humble missionary serving God faithfully is far more honorable in God’s eyes.

Additionally, Joshua 1:8 attributes success not to wealth but to obedience: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Prosperity here doesn’t refer to the promise of endless riches. Instead, it is a blessing of living in alignment with God’s will. This doesn’t mean Christians are intrinsically called to reject all worldly accomplishments. Instead, it challenges us to ask: Would we still consider our lives successful if we lost wealth but stayed faithful to God?

Furthermore, it is essential to clear the misunderstanding that scripture explicitly condemns wealth. What the Bible denounces is the love of money itself, the obsession that replaces God as our ultimate hope. Paul warns in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” We must note how this verse doesn’t declare money as evil, only that loving it too much can lead to greed, pride, and spiritual destruction. 

In fact, some of the Bible’s most faithful and prominent figures were wealthy. Abraham, for example, had great possessions according to Genesis 13:2 (“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.”), Job was blessed with riches both before and after his trials (Job 42:10-12), and Lydia, a seller of purple cloth in the New Testament, used her wealth to support Paul’s ministry (Acts 16:14-15). Wealth can seriously be a blessing when it is used generously and humbly for God’s purposes.

Rather, the real danger lies in turning money into an idol. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:24: “You cannot serve both God and money.” The moment wealth controls us. When we pursue it at the cost of integrity, relationships, or time with God, it becomes spiritually toxic.

So the question essentially comes down to this: Should Christians be ambitious? Absolutely, but equipped with the right motives. God calls us to work hard and use our natural gifts fully. Colossians 3:23 encourages: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Pursuing excellence in areas like sports, academics, and future careers can glorify God if we see it as an act of worship instead of avarice. James 3:16 warns: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” In other words, ambition becomes sinful when success is about proving our worth and is considered a problem when it turns into “selfish” ambition. Christians must persistently ask themselves: Why do I want to succeed? Is it to serve others, provide for my family, benefit Jesus’s ministry, and give generously to people in need, or simply be abused as a token of fake superiority?  

Christians can pursue success and wealth responsibly by following four biblical guidelines. Firstly, check your heart regularly. Pray about your motives and ask God to guide your goals in the direction of His glory. Secondly, be generous and view wealth as stewardship. Luke 12:15-21 conveyed the threat of storing up treasures and ignoring God through the parable of the rich fool. Whatever success we achieve in life, we should see it as a gift to be shared, not hoarded. Thirdly, we must always stay humble and reject pride, no matter the level of achievements. Even if God blesses us, we must remember that everything we have is solely through Him. Gratitude and humility are the keys to protecting our hearts from arrogance. Finally, seek balance between work and Jesus. Hard work is important, but never let career or financial goals replace prayer, worship, or relationships. Gaining the world at the cost of your soul is the ultimate failure. 

Therefore, can Christians desire to be rich or successful? Yes, but only if our hearts are right. We need to understand that success is not measured by our bank accounts or popularity, but by faithfulness and love to God and His creation. Wealth and ambition are not sinful themselves, but they are dangerous if they control us or lead us away from Him. 

Dream big, work hard, and use your talents fully, as that is instructed in scripture, but always hold them with open hands, ready to give, serve, and obey God first. Because at the end of your life, the ultimate question won’t be how much you achieved, but whether you were faithful to Christ. If you gained every materialistic thing the world offers but lost your relationship with Christ, would it really be worth it? After all, unlike money, which is temporary, God remains by our side forever.