Why Has God Given You So Much?

December 5, 2019

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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-18

A United Nations report released in 2017, surveying the overall wealth of nations, concluded that the U.S. economic output and capital assets are greater than the next four richest nations put together. If you compare all that Japan, China, Germany, and the UK have together, we Americans still have more. 

The bottom 5% of Americans make less than $18 per day, which is extreme poverty in the U.S. Globally, about 80% of the people live on less than $10 per day. Globally, extreme poverty is defined as $1.25 per day, and more typical poverty is $2.50 per day. While the cost of living varies, our bottom 5% makes on average the same as India’s richest 5%. Can you comprehend that? I know you are tempted to compare and explain it away with the analysis of costs and needs in a different culture. But whatever explanation or excuse you make; the bottom line is that we are wealthy—there’s no other word for it. 

Quit comparing yourself to your brother-in-law or friend who has more than you have. In the bigger scheme of things, you are very wealthy. I don’t say that for you to feel guilty. God is in charge, and for whatever reason, God has allowed circumstances to be that you have what you have, and I have what I have. Even those of us who have worked exceptionally hard to earn large amounts of money have been enabled and empowered by God to do what they do. And in terms of God’s total creation, whether I am receiving unemployment or social security, living paycheck to paycheck, making six figures, or living in my car, I am wealthy compared to the rest of the world. You probably don’t feel like it. People rarely ever feel like they have enough. But in the global scheme, you are the 1%. You are wealthy. You are rich. Maybe you just didn’t know it. 

Economists tell us that our income is mainly determined by where we live. God has appointed you to live at your location, and He has given all that you have and enjoy. He doesn’t want you to selfishly hoard it OR feel guilty. Why has He given you so much? What does He want you to do with it? He wants you to become a generous giver for your own good—so that you will experience “life that is truly life.”

• God, show me today how rich I am in this present world. Help me put my hope in You and find ways to do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous. I want to take hold of the life that is truly life.