Biblical Answer

Can I Still Be a Good Person if I'm Struggling Financially?

Being a good person is not solely defined by one's financial situation. As the passage suggests, "You can be good for the mere sake of goodness: you cannot be bad for the mere sake of badness." This means that our actions and character can be good even if we're struggling financially. In fact, the Bible teaches that "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). This verse implies that our good works and character are not dependent on our financial situation.

However, it's also important to note that our financial struggles can affect our ability to be good in certain ways. For example, if we're struggling to meet our basic needs, we may not be able to engage in charitable activities or help those in need. But this doesn't mean that we're not good people. Rather, it means that we're facing a unique set of challenges that require our attention and care. As the passage suggests, "Good health, then, is more fundamental to happiness than wealth." Similarly, our financial security is not the only factor that determines our goodness.

Ultimately, being a good person is not about our financial situation, but about our relationship with God and our commitment to living out our faith. As the Bible says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). This verse reminds us that true wealth and goodness come from our relationship with Jesus Christ, not from our financial situation. So, even if we're struggling financially, we can still be good people by trusting in God's provision and living out our faith in practical ways.