Godly Use of Material Resources in Christian Living
The biblical concept of the godly use of material resources is rooted in the understanding that all blessings and possessions come from God [2]. The Psalmist and other biblical writers frequently acknowledge God's provision and express gratitude for His loving-kindness, which encompasses all aspects of life, including material wealth [3, 5].
In the Old Testament, David's preparations for the construction of the Temple exemplify a godly attitude towards material resources. He gathered vast amounts of gold, silver, and precious stones, not for personal aggrandizement, but for the service of God and the building of the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:2) [1, 4]. This act demonstrates that material resources are to be used for God's glory and the advancement of His purposes.
The New Testament reinforces this principle, teaching that believers are stewards of God's resources. The apostle Peter exhorts believers to use their gifts, including material resources, to serve others, thereby acting as faithful stewards of God's varied gifts (1 Peter 4:10) [6]. Similarly, the apostle Paul instructs the Corinthians to use their resources to promote equality among believers, so that those in need are cared for (2 Corinthians 8:15) [7].
The use of material resources is sanctified through prayer and the word of God (1 Timothy 4:5) [9]. Believers are encouraged to view their possessions as belonging to God and to use them accordingly. Jesus teaches that true treasure is stored up in heaven, and that believers should prioritize heavenly riches over earthly ones (Luke 12:33) [10].
The early Church Fathers, such as John Chrysostom, emphasize the importance of detaching from earthly possessions and focusing on heavenly things. Chrysostom notes that believers should not pray for earthly riches but rather for spiritual benefits [11].
In Christian living, the godly use of material resources involves recognizing God's sovereignty over all possessions, using resources to serve others, and prioritizing heavenly treasures. As Matthew Henry comments on Ecclesiastes 5:18, the best course is to use what we have to serve God, do good, and take comfort in our families [8]. This approach reflects a balanced view of material resources, neither idolizing nor despising them, but using them in a manner that honors God.
Sources
- 1 Chronicles “Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, stones for inlaid work, and of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. -- 1 Chronicles 29:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gifts of God, The — All blessings are -- Jas 1:17; 2Pe 1:3. Are dispensed according to his will -- Ec 2:26; Da 2:21; Ro 12:6; 1Co 7:7. Are free and abundant -- Nu 14:8; Ro 8:32. Spiritual Christ the chief of. -- Isa 42:6; 55:4; Joh 3:16; 4:10; 6:32,33. Are through Christ. -- Ps 68:18; Eph 4:7,8; Joh 6:27. The Holy Spirit. -- Lu 11:13; Ac 8:20. Grace. -- Ps 84:11; Jas 4:6. Wisdom. -- Pr 2:6; Jas 1:5. Repentance. -- Ac 11:18. Faith. -- Eph 2:8; Php 1:29. Righteousness. -- Ro 5:16,17. Strength and power. -- Ps 68:35. A new heart. -- Eze 11:19. Peace. -- Ps 29:11. Rest. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 29:2 (Geneva1599) — Now I haue prepared with all my power for the house of my God, golde for vessels of golde, and siluer for them of siluer, and brasse for things of brasse, yron for things of yron, and wood for things of wood, and onix stones, and stones to be set, and carbuncle stones and of diuers colours, and all precious stones, and marble stones in aboundance.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:10: 4:10 his great variety of spiritual gifts: See Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:7-16. • Use (literally manage) them well: Believers are like managers: They have been entrusted by God, their Master, with gifts to be used to glorify him.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 8:15: (Exo 16:18; Septuagint). As God gave an equal portion of manna to all the Israelites, whether they could gather much or little; so Christians should promote by liberality an equality, so that none should need the necessaries of life while others have superfluities. "Our luxuries should yield to our neighbor's comforts; and our comforts to his necessities" [J. HOWARD].”
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 5:18: Solomon, from the vanity of riches hoarded up, here infers that the best course we can take is to use well what we have, to serve God with it, to do good with it, and take the comfort of it to ourselves and our families; this he had pressed before, Ecc 2:24; Ecc 3:22. Observe, 1. What it is that is here recommended to us, not to indulge the appetites of the flesh, or to take up with present pleasures or profits for our portion, but soberly and moderately to make use of what Providence has allotted for our comfortable passage through this world. We must not s”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:5: sanctified--"hallowed"; set apart as holy for the use of believing men: separated from "the creature," which is under the bondage of vanity and corruption (Rom 8:19, &c.). Just as in the Lord's Supper, the thanksgiving prayer sanctifies the elements, separating them from their naturally alien position in relation to the spiritual world, and transferring them to their true relation to the new life. So in every use of the creature, thanksgiving prayer has the same effect, and ought always to be used (Co1 10:30-31). by the word of God and prayer--that”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:33: 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need: This is not a command to liquidate all personal possessions, since elsewhere in the Bible it is assumed that believers will own property. It means recognizing that everything we have is God’s and should be used to serve him and his people (see Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-34). Believers are responsible for meeting the needs of the poor, especially in the church (Gal 6:10). • treasure for you in heaven: See Luke 16:1-13; Matt 6:19-21. When God gives wealth, he also gives a ministry to help the unfortunate.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: dominion, but all things contributing to the benefit of the soul; nothing earthly, but all things heavenly. If then we are bidden to refrain from the things of this present life, how could we help being wretched and miserable, asking from God those things which even having He biddeth us cast away, to free us from care about them, and for which He biddeth us take no pains. 1239 1239 al. “no pains, but rather neither to have nor to desire them.” This is the “using vain repetition”; and this is why we effect nothing by our prayers. “How then,” saith so”