Big Bucks

Does God want you to make big bucks? That is the feature article on the September 18, 2006 time magazine article that I received in the mail yesterday. The by-line reads, "Yes, say some megachurches. Others call it heresy. The debate over the new gospel of wealth." The article quotes Joel Osteen, the popular megachurch pastor from the Houston area who touts "prosperity": "I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to enjoy our lives. I don't think I'd say God wants us to be rich." Megachurch pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Live says, "This idea that God wants everybody to be wealthy? Baloney. It's creating a false idol. You don't measure your self-worth by your net worth." What do you think about this? What is the place of money in the lives of Jesus' apprentices?