The desire to be rich and famous is common in our culture today. Social media influencers, reality TV stars, and entrepreneurs often portray luxurious lifestyles and popularity as the pinnacle of success. For Christians, the temptation can be strong to make attaining wealth and fame primary goals as well.
However, Scripture provides wisdom on the topics of money, possessions, humility, and living for God’s glory versus self-glorification. While being rich or famous is not inherently sinful, making these things our highest aims can lead us astray spiritually. Christians should carefully examine their motivations and align their priorities with biblical values rather than cultural trends.
Bible Verses on Riches and Wealth
The Bible contains many warnings about the dangers of loving money and cautions against making riches our focus:
- “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
- “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
- “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
It is clear throughout Scripture that the accumulation of wealth and possessions should not be our life’s ambition. Jesus instructs us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). He warns of the deception of riches and emphasizes the importance of being spiritually rich rather than materially wealthy (Luke 12:13-21).
Dangers of Riches and Wealth
Why does the Bible warn so strongly about the pursuit of riches? Some of the dangers include:
- Distraction from spiritual priorities: Focusing on accumulating wealth can cause us to neglect our relationship with God, prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and living on mission for Him (Mark 4:19).
- False sense of security: Trusting in our wealth rather than fully relying on God can give us a flawed confidence in our finances rather than the Lord’s provision (Proverbs 11:28).
- Pride and self-sufficiency: Having an abundance of possessions can tempt us to feel prideful and self-reliant rather than recognizing our dependence on God (Deuteronomy 8:11-18).
- Unethical behavior: The strong desire for riches may motivate some to compromise convictions, act unethically or exploit others in pursuing profit (1 Timothy 6:10).
- Lack of generosity: The more wealth we accumulate for ourselves, the harder our hearts may become toward the needs of others and toward generosity in giving (1 John 3:17).
For these reasons, Scripture urges believers to be on guard against greed and the deceitfulness of riches (Luke 12:15). Our sense of value and security should be rooted in our identity in Christ, not earthly wealth.
Biblical View of Material Resources
Does this mean it’s wrong for Christians to have money or possessions? Not necessarily. The Bible does not condemn material resources altogether, but it gives guidelines for the proper perspective toward them.
Wealth in and of itself is not presented as evil in Scripture. Many godly characters were blessed with riches, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, David, Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea and Lydia (Acts 16:14). The issue is the condition of one’s heart toward the wealth.
Possessions are meant to be seen as gifts from God to steward and use for His purposes. All that we have has been entrusted to us by Him. This gives us a responsibility to hold material goods loosely and maintain focus on the Giver rather than the gifts (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
Riches also provide the opportunity for great generosity, for which Scripture commends many believers who used their means to aid others and support ministry. In God’s economy, earthly wealth should be invested in light of eternal rewards (Luke 16:11). Our resources and assets should be leveraged for spiritual impact.
So the biblical view is not anti-possession, but emphasizes responsible stewardship under God’s authority rather than personal ownership and love of money. With the proper mindset, Christians can possess wealth while avoiding the pitfalls of greed or trust in riches.
Biblical View of Fame and Recognition
What about the desire for fame and recognition? Is it acceptable for Christians to seek popularity and influence?
As with wealth, Scripture does not expressly forbid being known or respected, but it does highlight the motives behind this pursuit and the associated temptations. The Bible consistently directs believers to avoid pride and self-glorification.
Jesus taught that the truly great are those who humbly serve others, not those seeking honor for themselves (Matthew 23:11-12). He condemned the religious leaders who boasted of their status and social media influencers, reality TV stars, and entrepreneurs often portray luxurious lifestyles and popularity as the pinnacle of success. For Christians, the temptation can be strong to make attaining wealth and fame primary goals as well.
However, Scripture provides wisdom on the topics of money, possessions, humility, and living for God’s glory versus self-glorification. While being rich or famous is not inherently sinful, making these things our highest aims can lead us astray spiritually. Christians should carefully examine their motivations and align their priorities with biblical values rather than cultural trends.
The Allure and Emptiness of Fame
Why does a longing for significance so easily shift into dangerous pride when not kept in check by humility and wisdom? Consider some of the forces that drive the quest for fame:
- Desire for approval: Our worth and value becomes dependent on others’ recognition rather than God’s love for us.
- Longing to matter: We hope fame will make our lives purposeful and significant.
- Seeking identity: Celebrity status becomes central to our sense of self.
- Lack of inner peace: We turn to adulation to fill emotional voids only God can satisfy.
- Pride: We want the spotlight on our accomplishments to feel superior to others.
The emptiness of pursuing fame as our primary goal is that it focuses on self-glorification over humble service to others. It seeks fulfillment in fleeting human praise rather than God’s eternal rewards. And no amount of adulation can define our worth or satisfy the soul’s deepest needs.
Right Motives: Soli Deo Gloria
How then should Christians view public influence, skills development, and achievement? A God-centered motivation focused on stewarding our gifts is key.
All that we are and all that we accomplish is by God’s grace. He designed our talents and abilities, and therefore He deserves all the glory for what we achieve by His enablement (1 Corinthians 15:10). Using our gifts for the purpose of fame points to self, but leveraging them for God’s kingdom points to Him.
Seeking visibility for the right reasons—to draw people to Christ, spread the Gospel, help others flourish for God’s glory—aligns with biblical values. Our fulfillment comes not from stardom but from pleasing the Lord and storing up eternal rewards in heaven as faithful stewards (Colossians 3:23-24).
Living by the motto Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone) helps keep fame in perspective. With this motivation, Christians can develop their talents and even gain public influence, not for selfish gain but for the ultimate purpose of glorifying God.
Warnings Against Self-Promotion
Scripture clearly warns against self-centered promotion and pride. When impact and acclaim become about inflating our own egos, we are pursuing worldly aims rather than godly ones. Warnings include:
- “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
- “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
- “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)
Self-promotion focuses on personal glory rather than God’s glory. It shifts trust away from God’s sovereign plan onto our own efforts at image management and fame-seeking. The antidote is humility, recognizing that all we have is by God’s grace.
A Higher Calling in Christ
Fame is fleeting, but faithfulness has an eternal impact. Rather than chasing the shifting winds of public opinion, Christians are called to find identity, security, meaning and purpose in Christ alone.
As believers, our fundamental calling is to follow Jesus in radical, self-denying discipleship. We are commissioned to live first for God’s kingdom rather than our own glory (Matthew 6:33). Our lives are no longer our own but have been bought with the price of Christ’s sacrifice for us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
This reoriented sense of identity and purpose frees us from needing to strive for worldly success. Our worth is already established through Christ’s love. Freed from self-glorification, we can steward our gifts for the ultimate aim of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.
Cultivating God-Honoring Ambitions
Rather than asking “How can I become rich and famous?”, those inspired by biblical values may ask instead:
- “How can I live simply and generously with the resources God has given me?”
- “How can I serve others and lift up Christ rather than self?”
- “How can I use my gifts to make the greatest eternal impact for God’s kingdom?”
Our aspirations flow from either worldly thinking or Christlike thinking. By meditating on Scripture, Christians can recalibrate cultural assumptions about success and align ambitions with God’s higher call in our lives.
With the right perspective, God may grant influence in varying degrees according to His wise plan. But the aim is to point people toward His glory rather than our own. Faithfulness is more important than fame.
Biblical Examples of Godly Stewardship of Influence
While the Bible warns against self-promotion and pride, it does include many positive examples of people who leveraged their gifts and resources to serve God’s purposes.
Joseph rose to powerful political position yet used his influence to save lives and point people to God (Genesis 41:37-57).
David was known as Israel’s greatest king yet remained humble and gave God the glory for establishing his throne (2 Samuel 7:18-29).
Daniel attained prestigious roles in pagan governments but continued faithfully serving and worshipping God rather than compromise (Daniel 6).
Mordecai‘s wise counsel saved the Persian Jews from threat, and he leveraged his position to aid God’s people rather than promote himself (Esther 8-10).
Lydia‘s successful business as a seller of purple cloth enabled her generosity in supporting the early church’s mission (Acts 16:14-15; 40).
These examples remind us that possessions and influence can indeed be stewarded for God’s purposes when our hearts are humble and focused on His glory.
Key Principles for Christians
Reflecting on biblical teaching, we can distill some key principles for Christians in relation to wealth and fame:
- Our identity is found in Christ, not earthly status.
- True greatness comes from humble service, not self-glory.
- Trusting in riches is futile; God alone is our security.
- Generosity pleases God; greed displeases Him.
- All we have is on loan from God to manage for His purposes.
- Investing in eternal rewards matters more than self-promotion.
- God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Keeping these biblical truths central helps followers of Christ avoid potential pitfalls of chasing after riches and fame. Our life purpose is not to exalt self but to exalt the Savior.
Asking the Right Questions
Rather than asking “How can I be rich and famous?”, those with biblical values may ask instead:
- “How can I live simply and generously?”
- “How can I serve others with my gifts?”
- “How can I bring glory to God?”
- “How can I store up eternal treasures rather than temporary ones?”
- “How can I leverage my influence for the sake of God’s kingdom?”
With the right mindset focused on stewardship and humility, Christians can develop and use their talents to positively impact others, aiming for God’s glory rather than their own.
Cautions Against Riches and Fame Becoming Idols
Scripture issues strong warnings about the allure of wealth and fame becoming ultimate aims in life. When our desire centers on self-glorification and earning the praise of people, we have drifted into idolatry.
The tenth commandment prohibits coveting anything that belongs to our neighbor (Exodus 20:17). But even more dangerous than wanting what others have is making anything other than God the primary desire of our hearts.
Jesus rebuked those who “receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God” (John 5:44). Human praise is a shallow substitute for the glory that comes from God.
Paul too warned believers against becoming “enemies of the cross of Christ” by making earthly things their god: “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).
Keeping fame, wealth, and self-glorification in proper perspective requires actively guarding our hearts against idolatry. We must vigilantly remember that the earthly things we chase after cannot take God’s rightful place in our lives.
Asking God for Right Desires and Contentment
Since pride and discontentment often drive the quest for riches and fame, a key spiritual discipline is asking God to cultivate right desires in our hearts. His Word reminds us:
- “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
- “Godliness with contentment is great gain…if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6,8)
Coming to God in humility and asking Him to instill holy affections frees us from vain pursuits. As we find satisfaction in Christ, By God’s grace, we can learn to be content with the blessings He has already given.
Riches and fame fail to fulfill, but Jesus alone provides enduring identity, meaning, security, and purpose. May He captivate our hearts above all lesser desires.