Biblical Examples of Wealth Used for God's Glory
The biblical account provides numerous examples of wealth being used for God's glory. One notable instance is the story of Hezekiah, who had accumulated vast riches and honor, much of which he used to honor God [5]. According to 2 Chronicles 32:27, Hezekiah's wealth was a result of God's blessing, and he used it to demonstrate his devotion to God.
The Bible teaches that wealth is a gift from God, and when used properly, it can bring glory to Him [4]. For example, the riches of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were seen as a blessing from God, and they used their wealth to honor Him (Genesis 13:2) [6]. The Psalmist also notes that the rich, along with the poor, will acknowledge and worship God, celebrating His delivering power [8].
The New Testament provides further examples of using wealth for God's glory. The apostle Paul writes that Jesus Christ, though rich, became poor for the sake of humanity, so that through His poverty, believers might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9) [3]. This selfless act is seen as a model for generous giving, where one's wealth is used to benefit others and bring glory to God [7].
The Bible also warns against the dangers of wealth, cautioning that it can be a hindrance to one's spiritual life if not used properly [4]. The book of Ecclesiastes notes that wealth can be a burden, and that it is ultimately unsatisfying (Ecclesiastes 4:8; 5:10) [4]. However, when used in accordance with God's will, wealth can be a means of demonstrating one's faith and devotion to Him.
In the view of some traditions, the proper use of wealth involves using it to support the work of God and to benefit others. For example, the riches of the early church were used to support the apostles and other believers in need [1]. Similarly, the wealthy are encouraged to be generous and to use their resources to bring glory to God [9].
The biblical concept of wealth is not limited to material riches. Spiritual riches, such as the riches of God's glory, are also emphasized (Romans 9:23) [2, 10]. According to John Gill, the riches of God's glory refer to the perfections of His nature, including His love, grace, and mercy [10].
The examples of biblical figures such as Hezekiah, Abraham, and Jesus Christ demonstrate that wealth can be used for God's glory when it is used in accordance with His will. By using their wealth to support the work of God and to benefit others, believers can bring glory to God and demonstrate their devotion to Him.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Romans “Romans 9:23 (Geneva1599) — And that hee might declare the riches of his glory vpon the vessels of mercy, which hee hath prepared vnto glory?”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 8:9 (BBE) — For you see the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how though he had wealth, he became poor on your account, so that through his need you might have wealth.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
- 2 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Chronicles 32:27: HIS RICHES AND WORKS. (Ch2 32:27-33) he had exceeding much riches and honour--(compare Kg2 20:13; Isa 39:2). A great portion of his personal wealth, like that of David and Uzziah, consisted in immense possessions of agricultural and pastoral produce. Besides, he had accumulated large treasures in gold, silver, and precious things, which he had taken as spoils from the Philistines, and which he had received as presents from neighboring states, among which he was held in great honor as a king under the special protection of Heaven. Much of his gr”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 13:1: I. Here is Abram's return out of Egypt, Gen 13:1. He came himself and brought all his with him back again to Canaan. Note, Though there may be occasion to go sometimes into places of temptation, yet we must hasten out of them as soon as possible. See Rut 1:6. II. His wealth: He was very rich, Rut 1:2. He was very heavy, so the Hebrew word signifies; for riches are a burden, and those that will be rich do but load themselves with thick clay, Hab 2:6. There is a burden of care in getting them, fear in keeping them, temptation in using them, guilt in abusing them, s”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 8:9: 8:9 The model for generous giving is the Lord himself, who was rich in the Father’s presence (John 17:5, 24) yet became poor by accepting a human existence and death on the cross (see Phil 2:6-11). By that self-giving sacrifice, he could make people rich with the blessings of salvation.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 22:27: His case illustrates God's righteous government. Beyond the existing time and people, others shall be brought to acknowledge and worship God; the fat ones, or the rich as well as the poor, the helpless who cannot keep themselves alive, shall together unite in celebrating God's delivering power, and transmit to unborn people the records of His grace.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 6:17: Resuming the subject from above, Ti1 6:5, Ti1 6:10. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (compare Ti1 6:14-16). From speaking of the desire to be rich, he here passes to those who are rich: (1) What ought to be their disposition; (2) What use they ought to make of their riches, and, (3) The consequences of their so using them. rich in this world--contrasted with the riches of the future kingdom to be the portion of believers at Christ's "appearing," Ti1 6:14. high-minded--oft”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 9:22: And that he might make known the riches of his glory,.... That is, his glorious riches, the perfections of his nature, his love, grace, and mercy, his wisdom, power, faithfulness, justice, and holiness; all which are most evidently displayed in the salvation of his people, here called vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory. They are said to be vessels, and so considered as creatures, made and brought into being; "vessels of mercy", and so fallen creatures, and by sin become miserable, for only such are objects of mercy: they are not called so, bec”