Who Are The Rich - Chapter 4 of 7

 Who Are the Rich?

As I’ve mentioned in previous lessons, my mother always told me, “Son, it’s not about how much money you make, it’s about how much you keep.” What a profound lesson! I know many people who earn six-figure incomes, yet are barely scraping by. My mother, on the other hand, (who was 63 years old at the time I first wrote this article) and worked at a nursing home in the kitchen, earning just above minimum wage. Despite this, she is a tither, a saver, and a giver. She has no debt and is building a nest egg for retirement. By most standards, my mother is wealthier than those with high-paying jobs.

The size of your income doesn’t define wealth. What matters is whether you are in bondage to debt or whether you’ve been set free from it. We can get caught in financial slavery, much like the Israelites were in Egypt. The reason many of us end up in debt is simple: we’ve been deceived. The world’s system has blinded us to the truth, and Satan, like a roaring lion, has tricked us into accepting his lies. Many of us have been led astray by the pursuit of wealth and possessions, without realizing it’s a trap.

Jesus came to teach us a different way. He said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). His purpose was to redeem us from the grip of the devil and to restore the authority Adam had before the fall. His teachings were not just about eternal life but about how to live abundantly here and now. He wants us to be free from debt, free from worry, and to live life in fullness.

The battle is spiritual, not physical. As Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We are equipped with spiritual armor to fight these battles. God has given us everything we need to overcome, but it requires us to exercise faith and stand firm. It’s a battle for our minds. The enemy attacks us with thoughts of doubt and inadequacy, and we often accept them as our own. These negative thoughts—"I’m not good enough," "I can’t do this," "I’ll never succeed"—are not our thoughts, but lies that we must reject.

The truth is, we must come to God with childlike faith, as Jesus teaches (Matthew 18:3). Children trust their parents without question, and that’s how God wants us to trust Him. But many of us have been so conditioned by the world’s systems of doubt and fear that we struggle to believe that God truly wants the best for us.

In this chapter, we’ll explore practical steps to regain control over our finances. This isn't about creating more bondage; it's about freedom. A budget isn’t a set of rules that limit you; it’s a system that helps you manage your money in a way that brings freedom. A key principle is to follow the biblical formula: “Tithe first, save second, and live off the rest.” If we put God first, we open the door for His blessings.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” The plans God has for us are good. We need to trust Him with our finances and live in a way that honors Him, including being responsible, generous, and wise with the resources He’s given us.

Affirmation:
My God meets all of my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Financial Principles for Success:

1. Depend on God

2. Handle money responsibly

3. Give generously

4. Save diligently

5. Work hard

6. Invest wisely

7. Be a good steward

Action Steps to Financial Freedom:

1. Balance your checkbook daily.

2. Start with a plan—your financial blueprint.

3. Build an emergency fund, starting with $1,000.

4. Cut up credit cards.

5. Use debit cards instead of credit cards.

6. Pay off debt using the debt snowball method.

7. Start saving for retirement, even if it’s just a small amount.

Quote to Remember:
“Money management is not so much a technique as it is an attitude. Unless one achieves self-control, he’s no more likely to control his money than he is to discipline his habits or his time.” – Robert J. Hastings

We will also discuss a financial “diet,” a necessary reduction in spending that mirrors the way we might lose weight—by cutting back and being disciplined. It’s not about deprivation but about gaining control.

Your first step is to tithe, then save, and live off the rest. The process will take time and commitment, but as we learn to trust God with our finances, we will experience the freedom He has designed for us.

Scripture References for Principles:

• God owns it all – Luke 19:13-27

• The love of money is wrong – Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:10

• Be reasonable, be content – 1 Timothy 6:6-8

• Give generously, cheerfully – 1 Corinthians 16:2

• Work hard, as if working for the Lord – Colossians 3:23-24

Your journey to financial freedom starts today. You have the tools, the wisdom, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome debt and live a prosperous life—both spiritually and financially.