The Bible's Guide to Getting Rich Fast

Did you know that the Bible gives principles that millions of people have used to get rich without hard work? The book of Proverbs explains the wisdom of God's law in very practical ways. It addresses the topic of money more often than any other book.  According to Proverbs, three of the "get rich quick" strategies are: lying, injustice, and robbery! Of course, the author of Proverbs also strongly warns against these things. Here's what I'm referring to:

"A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare" (Proverbs 21:6). Notice that the verse affirms that you can make a fortune through lying, but it also warns that it will not last and that it brings dangers that are not worth it.

Or, "Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice" (Proverbs 16:8). Again, you can make much gain through injustice, but it is better to be just and gain only a little.

In the opening chapter a group of thieves invite a young man to kill someone and take their possessions. They promise to "get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder." However, Proverbs tells us that in reality they "lie in wait for their own blood," and that "all who go after ill-gotten gain" do not come out ahead (Proverbs 1:13, 18-19). You can get rich this way, but it isn't worth it.

So, is there a good way to wealth? Proverbs 13:11 says, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow." In other words, work hard and save and invest wisely.

Although Proverbs say a lot more about how to gain wealth, it says much more about how to think about wealth. For instance, we are to desire "neither poverty nor riches" (Proverbs 30:8). Many people claim some secret path to great riches hidden in the Bible, but the Bible says we should avoid wanting too much wealth. There is a fine line between wisdom that sets money aside for a rainy day and a pursuit of wealth for the sake of enjoying the pleasures of this world. Riches may lead our hearts away from God, who is the real treasure for us to seek (Proverbs 30:9). And God is not the only thing more important than riches. For instance, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1). Or, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies" (Proverbs 31:10).

We also need to keep in mind that the wise use of money is no guarantee of wealth. Calamity may strike anyone, and God may allow it to happen to the righteous because of a greater good than financial security. Also, we are living in an age in which the preaching of the gospel to the nations is our primary focus, and persecution and financial loss can come as a result of opposition to the gospel. "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf" (Proverbs 11:28).

And yet, there is wisdom in working towards wealth in moderation. "The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor" (Proverbs 10:15). I think this means we should have enough sense to save up money so that we do not have to go into debt to pay for a sudden emergency.

Proverbs gives lots of additional advice about money:
1. Spend you money on things with eternal value: "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops" (Proverbs 3:9).
2. Stay out of debt:: "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7).
3. Don't spend more than a sensible budget will allow: "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich" (Proverbs 21:17)
4. Be generous with your money: "A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him" (Proverbs 28:22).
5. And more!

We can trust the Bible when it comes to money. It does not give us an easy path to great riches, but it does give principles that set us up for true success in how we manage our money and resources.


Trust the Bible's purpose is to grow your confidence that the Bible is true and the ultimate resource for life." You can join the Facebook group by clicking here. Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. Listen to previous programs online: www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Should I Talk With Jehovah's Witnesses?

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then yes, you should talk to Jehovah's Witnesses. Here's why:

1. They are lost. The Bible says that salvation is a free gift that God promises to everyone who receives it through faith. Anyone can hear the story about Jesus Christ (God became a man and died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose from the dead), and trust in him and be saved from the guilt and power of sin. The book of Acts demonstrates that this happened through a single sermon again and again. People repented when Peter preached, and that day they were saved and baptized.

Jehovah's Witnesses teach instead that in order to be saved, you must be baptized. In order to be baptized, you must study and take tests over a long period of time (usually at least several months), you must agree with every single doctrine of the Watchtower, and participate in door-to-door ministry, just to have the opportunity to be saved. But according to the Bible, whenever works are added to faith, it is no longer faith, because biblical faith is trusting in Christ alone for salvation.

In addition, Jehovah's Witnesses teach a different Jesus, one who is a created being and not the eternal God. Jehovah's Witnesses believe you should not worship Jesus, even though the Bible gives numerous examples of Christians worshiping Jesus and commends them for doing so (See Matthew 28:9, Revelation 5).

2. They are deceived. Jehovah's Witnesses are usually some of the most religious people you will meet. They believe the teachings of their organization and take seriously the charge to warn everyone that destruction is about to come upon everyone that is not a Jehovah's Witness. The problem is they have been lied to. They simply don't know about all the false prophecies their leaders have made. They are strictly forbidden from reading any religious literature that does not come from their own organization. Their own literature makes claims about history and world events that simply aren't true. That is why most books written by former Jehovah's Witnesses refer to their time as a witness as a type of slavery. (For example, "30 Years a Watchtower Slave," by William J. Schnell). The basic assumption behind arguments for Jehovah's Witnesses is that there was a massive apostasy away from the "true" Christian faith, probably as early as the first century. They believe this even though there is no evidence for it.

3. Jesus Commands us to go and preach the gospel to all nations. All true followers of Christ want to love others, even their enemies. What better way to love them than to share the hope of eternal life. Numerous verses command us to look for opportunities to tell others about salvation through Jesus and to be ready to answer questions or challenges about our faith.

4. They are willing to study the Bible with you. Imagine someone you know is an atheist. They come to your door one day and say they would like to study the Bible with you and are willing to answer questions you might have about what they believe. What Christian wouldn't be thrilled with such an opportunity? Yet, when a Jehovah's Witness comes to the door, many Christians turn them away and may even view it as noble to tell the Jehovah's Witnesses how wrong they are as they send them off.

But, you ask, "Aren't they difficult to talk to?" Well, that depends on how you talk to them. They don't want to be told how wrong they are or debate with you any more than you would. They are coming to teach you. So, let them! Show them love by asking questions about what they believe and why. As you have opportunities, explain what you believe and ask them for their response. Don't preach directly to them, but tell them, "This is what I believe, how is that different from what you believe and why do you think you're right?" Research the history of the Watchtower and ask them questions about it. This will lead them to learn about things that raise serious doubts about the credibility of their organization. Stay connected to a pastor or someone else who is knowledgeable about the Bible and update them on how the discussion is going. That way, you don't risk getting deceived yourself. However they respond, I have found that talking with Jehovah's Witnesses is an experience that has helped me learn more about the Bible, why I believe what I believe, and grow in my passion for reaching the lost.


Trust the Bible's purpose is to grow your confidence that the Bible is true and the ultimate resource for life." You can join the Facebook group by clicking here. Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. Listen to previous programs online: www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html