Occasionally people ask my opinion on various personal or church issues. I recently received the following question which I have reprinted below, followed by my response.

QUESTION

 Bob, 

Recently, pop megastar Justin Bieber has become open about his Christian faith. A few months ago, he led a Los Angeles congregation in worship. However, I saw a Facebook comment that chastised him for ministering the gospel from the platform while wearing an expensive watch. The criticism didn’t seem fair since Justin Bieber became independently wealthy before becoming a Christian. 

One commenter said he would never listen to someone ministering the gospel who wears a $35,000 Rolex. I asked him why? If Justin Bieber is tithing properly, is it wrong for him to spend the money he has earned? The commenter’s response was, “Seriously? Try emailing Bob Russell and ask his opinion on this.” So here I am. Is it wrong for someone to be independently wealthy and minister the gospel? 

MY ANSWER:

The Bible often warns about the danger of riches. We’re not to covet, envy, steal, hoard, or put our trust in possessions. Jesus said, “It’s harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” Riches inevitably bring additional temptations and pitfalls.

However, the Bible never says it’s wrong to have more resources than someone else. God’s people are commanded to be wise stewards of their blessings and not to put their hopes in riches but to be generous and willing to share.

Some of God’s most notable servants were rich. Abraham had huge flocks and over 300 servants. Joseph became wealthy as the Prime Minister of Egypt. King David was extraordinarily wealthy, and yet he was labeled “a man after God’s heart.” In the New Testament, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Barnabas had considerable wealth. Jesus commended the five-talent man for doubling his gift and chastised the one talent man for hoarding his gift. 

I know several Christian authors who have made millions because their books have sold millions of copies. However, those same people give well over 50% of their royalties to missions and parachurch organizations. Jesus said, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves” (Luke 16:9), and those guys have done exactly that. 

If Justin Bieber wears an expensive watch and yet gives 90% of his wealth away, who’s to say he’s outside God’s will? Not me. However, if I were to counsel him, I would encourage him to dress modestly to avoid skepticism and criticism.

Only God knows all things, and only He can judge whether a person is a good steward of what He has entrusted to them.

– Bob

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