"Is wealth a sign of righteousness or of wickedness?" (Alleged Contradiction #E4245)
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalm 37:25
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Psalm 112:1-3
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Proverbs 13:22
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Proverbs 15:6
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:23-24
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Luke 6:24
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
James 5:1
Response
Wealth is not necessarily a sign of either righteousness or wickedness. As a general rule, however, throughout history those who have had great wealth have tended to forget God and reject Him. However, God can bless people with wealth if He so chooses. Furthermore, those who know Christ will be wealthy some day in Heaven. Thus, there is no contradiction.
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