A pastor from South China with 20 years of pastoral experience shared his views on wealth and the attitude Christians should have towards it.
Regarding the prevalent concept in churches in China that suggests being poorer indicates greater devoutness, leading to a reluctance to discuss money and wealth, Pastor Suo Zhen (pen name) pointed out that Christians can experience abundant honor and lasting wealth. He emphasized that the key lies in Christians creating and managing wealth in accordance with God’s will.
Suozhen gave an example, stating that although the population and land of Israel are small, the Jewish people are the wealthiest in the world. The reason is their reverence for God, who blesses them.
Furthermore, Pastor Suo identified the sources of wealth, saying that wealth comes from two forces in the spiritual realm: God and Satan. God gives power to Israel to make wealth, while the wealth of many others comes from Satan. Many people worship false gods and idols, which can indeed bring them wealth, but their ultimate goal is to take people's lives. Those who have experienced idol worship know the pain of being controlled by evil spirits after dealing with them
Regarding the ways Christians can acquire wealth, this pastor offered eight pieces of advice.
He suggested that Christians seeking wealth from God should follow His will. Instead of complaining that God does not provide them with wealth, they should learn to be grateful to God and acknowledge that all wealth comes from Him. They should turn their hearts toward God.
The second piece of advice is to build harmonious relationships. There is an old Chinese saying: "Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in everything." A gentle and kind-hearted person in business will be trusted and favored.
Third, diligence in work is essential. One should sow seeds in the morning and in the evening, because people do not know which will succeed. One should not expect to gain anything without hard work.
Being humble enough to seek God's guidance is important, he added. "In the life of a Christian, there will be difficult times. Though God sometimes tests and trains them, they should continue to obey His commandments. Christians need money, which God knows. He will not let them lack, for the Bible says, 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.' Christians should believe that there is abundance in knowing the Lord and make investment decisions with peace of mind."
Christians should seek wisdom in investments and less satisfaction in possessions, he continued. "Jesus instructed us to sell our possessions and give to the needy, storing up treasures in heaven. Jesus encouraged believers to give more to become richer, investing in eternal life."
Another piece of advice is to prepare to do any good and help those in need. "God gives Christians riches to enable them to give. Therefore, they should treat pastors, the poor, strangers, and widows with kindness," the pastor said.
A Christian should be a faithful steward of wealth, he stressed. "Christians must be honest, not forget their commitments, and value every penny and blessing. Even with a little, they can still share their happiness with others."
The last piece of advice is that believers are supposed to give glory to God. "Since wealth comes from God as a blessing, Christians should use it to honor God. Those who are proud will forget that God is their God, leading to their eventual downfall."
In conclusion, the pastor reminded Christians that wealth is the best servant but the worst master. "Christians should be masters of wealth, not its servants. Otherwise, money is what controls man. At the same time, Christians should be cautious, as Satan can steal their wealth through wasteful activities such as excessive feasting, drunkenness, gambling, and drug abuse."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
一位有20年的牧养经验的南方牧者，分享了自己的财富观和信徒对待财富该有的态度。
近些年，中国教会不断改变“越穷越属灵”的观念，但仍然有很多基督徒在教会里刻意回避金钱和财富的话题，因为不想被说成是拜玛门。
索真牧师（笔名）指出，基督徒可以享受丰富尊荣和恒久的财富，关键是基督徒要按照上帝的心意创造以及管理财富。
索真牧师举例说，以色列人口很少，土地也不大，但是犹太人却是世界上最富有的群体。原因在于他们敬畏上帝，上帝祝福他们。
接着，索真牧师明确了财富的来源。他认为财富是来自于灵界的两个力量：上帝和撒旦。以色列的财富是上帝所赐的，而很多人的财富却是从撒旦而来。为什么有那么多的人去拜财神、假神？因为假神的确能给他们带来财富，但是它的目的是要人的命。有过拜偶像经历的人会知道与邪灵交易，被邪灵控制的痛苦。
针对基督徒的取财之道，索真牧师给出以下建议。
基督徒要从上帝那里求得财富，就要遵行上帝的旨意。有人抱怨上帝不给自己财富，不如先学会向上帝感恩。承认一切丰富都从上帝而来。让自己的心转向上帝。
关系要和睦。中国有古话，家和万事兴，和气生财。做生意的人，心里温柔的、态度好的，人觉得你可信可爱，会给你机会。
工作要殷勤，早上要撒种，晚上也要撒种。因为不知道哪一样发旺。不要指望不劳而获。
要谦卑寻求上帝的引导。基督徒的生活，会有艰难的时候。有上帝苦练你、试验你的时候，但是你依然要守祂的诫命。我们需要钱财，上帝是知道的，上帝不会让我们缺乏。因为“耶和华是我的牧者，我必不至缺乏”。基督徒要相信丰富之道在圣书里， 并且投资抉择的时刻要有平安。
多求投资的智慧，少求占有的满足。耶稣让我们变卖所有的周济人，要把财宝积攒在天上。耶稣的价值观，是给得越多越富有，要投资在永生上。
预备行善，帮助有需要的人。上帝让我们丰富，是为了让我们给出去。因此，要善待传道人、穷人、寄居的、寡居的。
在财富上做上帝忠心的管家，小事忠心大事被托付。基督徒一定要诚信守约，不见利忘义。并且不轻看每一块钱，不轻看自己得到的每一个小小的祝福。即使自己所有的很少，也依然可以把自己的快乐分享出去。
荣耀归给上帝。财富是出于上帝，是上帝对我们的祝福，所以基督徒要用财富尊荣上帝。心高气傲的，会忘记上帝是我们的神，最终会走向败亡。
最后，索真牧师提醒我们：财富是最好的仆人却是最坏的主人！基督徒要做财富的主人，不要成为财富的仆人。否则，财富就是对人最大的辖制。同时，基督徒也要小心，撒旦会偷窃我们的财富，通过荒宴醉酒，赌博吸毒等等，这都是在浪费资财。
访谈| 一南方教会牧者谈：基督徒的财富观
A pastor from South China with 20 years of pastoral experience shared his views on wealth and the attitude Christians should have towards it.
Regarding the prevalent concept in churches in China that suggests being poorer indicates greater devoutness, leading to a reluctance to discuss money and wealth, Pastor Suo Zhen (pen name) pointed out that Christians can experience abundant honor and lasting wealth. He emphasized that the key lies in Christians creating and managing wealth in accordance with God’s will.
Suozhen gave an example, stating that although the population and land of Israel are small, the Jewish people are the wealthiest in the world. The reason is their reverence for God, who blesses them.
Furthermore, Pastor Suo identified the sources of wealth, saying that wealth comes from two forces in the spiritual realm: God and Satan. God gives power to Israel to make wealth, while the wealth of many others comes from Satan. Many people worship false gods and idols, which can indeed bring them wealth, but their ultimate goal is to take people's lives. Those who have experienced idol worship know the pain of being controlled by evil spirits after dealing with them
Regarding the ways Christians can acquire wealth, this pastor offered eight pieces of advice.
He suggested that Christians seeking wealth from God should follow His will. Instead of complaining that God does not provide them with wealth, they should learn to be grateful to God and acknowledge that all wealth comes from Him. They should turn their hearts toward God.
The second piece of advice is to build harmonious relationships. There is an old Chinese saying: "Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in everything." A gentle and kind-hearted person in business will be trusted and favored.
Third, diligence in work is essential. One should sow seeds in the morning and in the evening, because people do not know which will succeed. One should not expect to gain anything without hard work.
Being humble enough to seek God's guidance is important, he added. "In the life of a Christian, there will be difficult times. Though God sometimes tests and trains them, they should continue to obey His commandments. Christians need money, which God knows. He will not let them lack, for the Bible says, 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.' Christians should believe that there is abundance in knowing the Lord and make investment decisions with peace of mind."
Christians should seek wisdom in investments and less satisfaction in possessions, he continued. "Jesus instructed us to sell our possessions and give to the needy, storing up treasures in heaven. Jesus encouraged believers to give more to become richer, investing in eternal life."
Another piece of advice is to prepare to do any good and help those in need. "God gives Christians riches to enable them to give. Therefore, they should treat pastors, the poor, strangers, and widows with kindness," the pastor said.
A Christian should be a faithful steward of wealth, he stressed. "Christians must be honest, not forget their commitments, and value every penny and blessing. Even with a little, they can still share their happiness with others."
The last piece of advice is that believers are supposed to give glory to God. "Since wealth comes from God as a blessing, Christians should use it to honor God. Those who are proud will forget that God is their God, leading to their eventual downfall."
In conclusion, the pastor reminded Christians that wealth is the best servant but the worst master. "Christians should be masters of wealth, not its servants. Otherwise, money is what controls man. At the same time, Christians should be cautious, as Satan can steal their wealth through wasteful activities such as excessive feasting, drunkenness, gambling, and drug abuse."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Pastor Advises Christians on Acquiring Wealth: Follow God's Will
