The Bible is clear that God doesn't condemn people

for having money, even a lot of money. In fact, God sometimes uses riches

as a way to bless us. So when does wealth change from being a blessing

to becoming a roadblock to faith? We'll find out today on Troop for Life.

Alistair Begg is teaching from the opening verses of chapter 5 in the book of James.

I think it is vital that we have a more comprehensive

piece of understanding of what the Bible in total has to say about poverty and wealth.

First of all, the Bible doesn't cast any aspersion or suspicion upon riches in and of themselves.

The Bible does not cast any aspersion or suspicion upon riches per se.

Secondly, the Bible consistently warns against and condemns the vices which are the snares of the rich.

First Timothy, at the end of First Timothy, Paul is giving to young Timothy all these instructions.

And he gives instructions concerning those who are actually rich people in his fellowship.

And he exercises a warning for them, and it reads as follows.

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.

In other words, the rich are not denounced for being rich,

but they are warned about yielding to the temptations to which the rich are prone.

There are peculiar vices that are the snares of those who have.

Thirdly, the Bible teaches us that godliness with contentment is great gain.

We're still in First Timothy 6.

In fact, we're quoting the sixth verse of First Timothy 6.

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