
I find it pretty interesting how the Bible offers wealth advice and longevity advice that no human would ever come up with. These pieces of advice seem to be completely unrelated, yet, because I’m a believer and I believe the God of the universe is also the creator of all the rules of what govern wealth and longevity, I trust it works this way even if it may seem unrelated!
You will live long if you honor your parents
Exodus (KJV)
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
This is repeated in
- Exodus
- Deuteronomy
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- Ephesians
This commandment might be easier if you had great parents. If you had terrible parents, a way of honoring them may be to try to recognize and understand the life experiences and circumstances that may have contributed to their faults. It may be to recognize any good if there was any. It may be to refuse revenge or pray for them if you are able. According to the a Bible, longevity is tied to how we treat our parents!
You could just ask God for wealth or whatever it is you want/need

James 4:1 and 2 talk about how people want things, so they murder. They also covet and want for things, so they fight and quarrel, when all they have to do is ask God. Kinda silly huh? God is the giver of all good things. He is the source of all wealth. Everything belongs to Him, yet we try to take things from people.
Praying for friends can lead to wealth
Again, these two subjects seem completely unrelated! if you don’t believe me, read below –

What I’ve often noticed is that the world tries to tell you the rules for living well, being successful, building wealth, having a happy fulfilled life, but those unspoken rules oftentimes are completely counter to how the world really runs according to the Bible. Do you find this to be true in other areas?
Other counter culture messages of the Bible
The Bible contains many teachings that run against common human instincts and many cultural norms, both ancient and modern. Here are several examples:
Love your enemies
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
Instead of retaliation, Jesus commands love and prayer for enemies.
The greatest should be the servant
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” — Mark 10:43
The world’s model often celebrates status and power; Jesus defines greatness by service.
The last will be first
“So the last will be first, and the first last.” — Matthew 20:16
God’s kingdom often reverses human expectations.
Bless those who curse you
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” — Romans 12:14
Instead of seeking revenge, believers are called to respond with blessing.
Overcome evil with good
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21
The response to evil is not more evil but active goodness.
It is more blessed to give than to receive
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35
This challenges cultures centered on accumulation and self-interest.
Humility comes before honor
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” — James 4:10
The biblical path to honor is humility, not self-promotion.
Lose your life to find it
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” — Matthew 16:25
Jesus teaches that true life comes through surrender, not self-preservation.
Rejoice in trials
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” — James 1:2
Rather than viewing suffering as meaningless, believers are called to see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Forgive repeatedly
“I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” — Matthew 18:22
Jesus rejects keeping score when it comes to forgiveness.
Don’t worry about tomorrow
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” — Matthew 6:34
This contrasts with cultures driven by constant anxiety and control.
Consider others above yourself
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3
Instead of self-advancement, Paul calls believers to selfless concern for others.
God’s power is made perfect in weakness
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Rather than hiding weakness, Paul learns to depend on God’s strength.
Do not repay evil for evil
“Repay no one evil for evil… never avenge yourselves.” — Romans 12:17–19
Justice belongs to God, not personal vengeance.
Job prays for those who hurt him
“And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends…” — Job 42:10
After being accused and misunderstood by his friends, Job prays for them before his own restoration. This illustrates forgiveness and intercession instead of resentment.
Taken together, these passages consistently call believers to humility instead of self-exaltation, generosity instead of accumulation, forgiveness instead of retaliation, trust instead of anxiety, and sacrificial love instead of self-interest. These themes are central to the ethics of the New Testament and remain countercultural in many societies.
What do you think? Do any of these feel hard to implement because they are so counter cultural?





























































































