Why Are Some People Rich?
Answer: People become rich for many different reasons. Some people are rich because they were born into rich families.
Others become rich by working hard, saving, and investing wisely. A few get their money as gifts or by winning contests.
Some people get their money illegally- they cheat others and commit crimes.
But some people who seem rich have lots of nice things but no money. They’re so far in debt that they may never get out.
They’re not really rich; they just look that way. Remember that “rich” and “poor” are just labels.
Many people who live in poor countries would say that everyone in the United States is rich.
They would say you are rich. Why? Because compared to them, you are. You have a lot more than they have.
You are truly rich only when you are content with what you have.
If you have enough for your needs and enough to give some away, you can be content.
Be glad just to love and serve God. Then you will be the richest person in town.
Key verse: [David prayed,] “Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything.
Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength.” (1 Chronicle 29:12)
Related verses: Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 10:4, 22; 22:2; Ecclesiastes 5:19-20; 7:14; Ezekiel 28:5; Hosea 2:8
Related questions: Why is everyone not equal? How do people get rich or poor?
Why can’t everybody be the same? How do rich people make so much money?
Do Billionaires Still Need To Trust God For Money They Need?
Answer: Everybody needs to trust God for money, even billionaires. The Bible tells about a man named Job who lost all his wealth in one day.
At the time, Job was one of the richest men alive.
No one has any money except what God lets them have.
Billionaires get all their money from God, just as you do.
God could take the money away in a second, just as he could give you a billion dollars in a second.
Key verses: This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches.
Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Related verses: Job 1:1-2:10; 42:12-17; Psalm 10; Proverbs 28:13; Ecclesiastes 5:10-12; Habakkuk 2:9; Matthew 6:19; 19:23-24
Related question: If you are not a Christian, will God still supply money for you?
Note to parents: If you talk or joke about wanting to be rich, your kids will get the impression that rich people are truly happier than the rest of us.
But the reality is that rich people have more to worry about- much more (see Ecclesiastes 5:12).
Remind your kids that every person should trust God for his or her needs, even billionaires.
The key to happiness is loving God, not having more money.
Why Doesn’t God Take Rich People’s Money And Give It To The Poor People?
Answer: God wants more than to just end poverty. He wants us to love each other as much as he loves us.
Just imagine how awful it would be if everyone had plenty of money and no kindness.
Money alone will not make anybody happy. But if everyone would obey God and love one another, we would be better people and happier.
That is why God has chosen to use his people to help others instead of just making everyone rich.
He wants us to leam to be kind, generous, and wise. He wants people to love and help each other.
Key verse: Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11)
Related verses: Ecclesiastes 5:8, 13; 6:1-2; Amos 4:1- 2; Luke 12:33-34; Acts 20:33-35; 2 Corinthians 9:11-15
Related questions: Why don’t rich people give some money to the poor? Is God sometimes angry about our greed?
How come God lets the poor be poor? Why does God let some people be rich and others poor?
Note to parents: It is important for children to understand that we are God’s hands and feet in this world.