The Bible condemns greed—but it doesn’t condemn financial success, if it is gained legitimately and with the right motives.

In fact, some of the greatest men in the Old Testament—men like Abraham and Job—were also people of great wealth, and their wealth was seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Does that mean God wants all of us to be wealthy? No, it doesn’t; after all, Jesus didn’t have any material wealth, and the Bible teaches that wealth often causes people to turn away from God. Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money” (Matthew 6:24).

Remember: Everything you have—including your ability to be successful in business—is a gift from God. But why did He give these gifts to you? To put it another way, what difference is there between you and someone else who is successful but isn’t a Christian?

The difference is this: Everything you have is God’s, and should be used for His glory. All around you are people who need Christ and His love. What are you doing with your money to help them find Him? Ask God to give you a generous spirit. The Bible says, “Each man should give … not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).