The Dangers of Hastening to Be Rich

Sermon on "The Dangers of Hastening to Be Rich"

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 28:22 – "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

Introduction

Good morning, my brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy to stand before you today and open the Word of God, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We live in a world that constantly urges us to pursue success, wealth, and fame. But in the midst of this pursuit, we are often faced with the question, “At what cost?” The verse we are considering today, Proverbs 28:22, addresses a critical issue that we must face in our own hearts and minds: the desire to hasten to be rich.

“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” These words from the wise King Solomon serve as a stern warning against the dangers of greed, impatience, and an unhealthy desire for material wealth. We will examine the meaning of this verse, its implications for our lives, and how we, as believers, can guard our hearts from falling into the trap of hasty wealth-seeking. Let us take this moment to reflect on the truth of Scripture, allowing it to shape our lives and our attitudes toward money.

I. The Dangers of Hastening to Be Rich

The opening phrase of our Scripture text, “He that hasteth to be rich,” speaks to an attitude that is prevalent in the world today. Many of us have heard the saying, “Time is money.” We live in a society that values wealth and success, often measuring a person’s worth by their financial standing. This mentality leads many to chase after riches, sometimes to the point of neglecting important aspects of life, including relationships, health, and most importantly, our relationship with God.

When the Bible speaks of someone who “hasteth to be rich,” it refers to the individual who is rushing, anxiously striving, and seeking wealth through shortcuts or dubious means. This type of pursuit is not grounded in wisdom or patience but in the pursuit of self-interest, status, and security through material possessions. It’s an attitude that prioritizes wealth over character, speed over wisdom, and immediate gratification over long-term fulfillment.

The desire to be rich quickly often leads to compromise. People may be tempted to cut corners, engage in unethical behavior, or put their trust in get-rich-quick schemes. In the rush to attain wealth, they may forget or ignore the cost of their actions, including the damage done to their moral integrity and spiritual health.

II. The "Evil Eye" and the Corruption of the Heart

“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye.” The phrase “evil eye” has several connotations in the Bible, but in this context, it speaks to a corrupt, covetous, and selfish desire for wealth that leads to spiritual destruction. The “evil eye” is often used in Scripture to describe a heart that is greedy, envious, and preoccupied with material gain at the expense of others.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned us about the dangers of greed, saying, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). If our hearts are set on earthly wealth, they become tainted by greed, envy, and self-centeredness. This is what the Bible refers to as an “evil eye.” It is a heart that is not content with what God has provided and is willing to sacrifice anything and everything in the pursuit of material wealth.

In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul instructs us, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Here, covetousness—an intense desire for wealth or possessions—is equated with idolatry. This speaks to the spiritual danger of greed. When we make the pursuit of wealth our highest goal, we are placing money and material possessions in the place of God, which is nothing less than idolatry.

The “evil eye” also signifies an attitude of bitterness or jealousy toward others who have wealth. Instead of rejoicing in the blessings of others, the one with the “evil eye” covets what belongs to someone else. This kind of envy can lead to division, strife, and a lack of peace in relationships. The pursuit of wealth, motivated by an evil eye, causes the heart to be hardened and focused on self, making it difficult to love others as Christ has commanded us.

III. The Forgotten Consequence: Poverty

The second part of our verse in Proverbs warns, “and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” This is the tragic reality for those who hasten to be rich. In their relentless pursuit of wealth, they fail to recognize that such a mindset often leads to ruin, both materially and spiritually. The road to hasty riches is not a guaranteed path to prosperity, but rather a dangerous journey that often ends in poverty.

The Bible repeatedly warns against the dangers of seeking wealth at any cost. Proverbs 23:4-5 says, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Wealth is fleeting. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. Those who set their hearts on wealth will often find that it slips through their fingers when they least expect it.

Consider the stories of those who, driven by a desire to get rich quickly, engage in risky investments, gambling, or other schemes. Many have lost everything they worked for, ending up in financial ruin. The allure of instant wealth has a deceptive power, and many have been lured by the promise of easy riches, only to end up in a worse position than before.

Moreover, those who hasten to be rich often neglect the virtues of patience, hard work, and diligence that are necessary for long-term success. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” True wealth is the result of steady and honest work over time, not of shortcuts or dishonest gain.

IV. The True Source of Wealth: Wisdom and Contentment

As believers, we are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that He will provide for our needs (Matthew 6:33). True wealth does not come from the accumulation of material possessions, but from the riches of God’s grace, wisdom, and peace. In 1 Timothy 6:6-10, the Apostle Paul teaches that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” He warns against the love of money, saying, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”

It is not wrong to desire to provide for ourselves and our families, but when we prioritize wealth above all else, we become slaves to it. The wise man in Proverbs understands that true wealth is not measured by the abundance of possessions, but by the wisdom and contentment that come from God. In fact, Proverbs 3:13-16 declares, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”

We are encouraged to seek wisdom above wealth, for wisdom leads to a prosperous and meaningful life. Proverbs 8:18-21 says, “Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.” When we prioritize wisdom and righteousness, God promises us blessings that are far greater than mere material wealth.

V. Conclusion: Trust in God’s Provision

My dear friends, the warning in Proverbs 28:22 is not meant to condemn us for desiring success or financial security, but to caution us against the dangerous temptation to rush toward riches at any cost. We are called to trust in God’s provision, to work diligently, and to find contentment in what He has given us. When we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, we can be confident that He will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

Let us not be driven by an “evil eye” or an unhealthy pursuit of wealth, but let us seek wisdom, contentment, and a heart that is focused on eternal treasures. May we be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and may our hearts be free from the love of money, knowing that true wealth is found in a life devoted to Christ.

As we leave this place today, let us pray that God would guard our hearts from the dangers of hasty wealth-seeking and lead us into the path of righteousness, contentment, and eternal prosperity in Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We confess that, at times, we have been tempted to hasten to be rich, to chase after fleeting wealth, and to place our trust in material possessions. Forgive us for the times we have allowed greed, covetousness, and an evil eye to take root in our hearts.

Lord, help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, trusting that You will provide all that we need. Teach us to be content with what You have given us and to pursue wisdom above wealth. Guard our hearts from the dangers of hasty wealth-seeking, and lead us to live lives that honor You in all things.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.