Wealth as a Tool for Ministry in the Bible
Wealth, in biblical understanding, is often presented as a gift from God, who "sends poverty and wealth" [5]. The Lord is described as the one to whom "this world's riches" belong [1], and who gives the "power to obtain" them [1]. While wealth can be a blessing, the Bible also portrays it as temporary, uncertain, unsatisfying, and even deceitful [1]. Despite these warnings, biblical texts and theological interpretations demonstrate that wealth can serve as a vital tool for ministry and for the advancement of God's purposes.
One primary way wealth functions in ministry is through charitable giving and meeting the needs of others. The Mosaic law encouraged a spirit of charity, aiming to prevent destitution among the people [4]. Passages in Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Amos, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel further foster this benevolent spirit [4]. Jesus himself commended the act of giving, as seen in his observation of the poor widow who gave two mites to the temple treasury, noting her sacrificial giving [12]. This act of giving is not merely about the amount but the heart behind it. Believers are encouraged to sell possessions and give to those in need, recognizing that all they possess belongs to God and should be used to serve Him and His people [8]. This includes a responsibility to care for the poor, especially within the church [8].
The New Testament further emphasizes the role of wealth in supporting ministry. Ministers, though often poor themselves, are seen as "making many rich" through their spiritual work [7]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, exemplified contentment with his circumstances, whether in abundance or need, yet he also facilitated financial support for the church [2]. The concept of "scattering" wealth through acts of piety, charity, and generosity is presented as a means by which one may actually increase their resources, as God blesses the giving hand [9]. This aligns with the idea that God provides "seed to the sower" and "bread for your food," implying that resources are given not just for consumption but also for further sowing and ministry [11].
However, the Bible also contains strong warnings about the dangers of wealth. It can be a "burden" and "thick clay," leading to care in getting, fear in keeping, temptation in using, and guilt in abusing [6]. The pursuit of riches can lead to a lack of contentment [2] and can be an "obstruction to the reception of the gospel" [1]. The book of Revelation warns against the spiritual lukewarmness that can accompany worldly riches [10]. Proverbs notes that "wealth from vanity becometh little" [3]. Therefore, while wealth can be a tool, its accumulation and use must be approached with spiritual discernment and a focus on God's glory rather than personal gain.
Sources
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Contentment — With godliness is great gain -- Ps 37:16; 1Ti 6:6. Saints should exhibit In their respective callings. -- 1Co 7:20. With appointed wages. -- Lu 3:14. With what things they have. -- Heb 13:5. With food and raiment. -- 1Ti 6:8. God's promises should lead to -- Heb 13:5. The wicked want -- Isa 5:8; Ec 5:10. Exemplified Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:33-37. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:13. David. -- Ps 16:6. Agur. -- Pr 30:8,9. Paul. -- Php 4:11,12.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 13:11 (YLT) — Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Alms — Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Ps. 41:1; 112:9; Prov. 14:31; Isa. 10:2; Amos 2:7; Jer. 5:28; Ezek. 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit. In the time of our Lord begging was common (Mark 10:46; Acts 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (Matt. 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this d”
- I Samuel “I Samuel 2:7 (BSB) — The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.”
- 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 (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 6:9: As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,.... As to their outward appearance they are sorrowful, and oftentimes really so on account of sin, their own and others, by reason of afflictions, temporal and spiritual; and as to the state and condition of the church of Christ, and the interest of religion: and yet always rejoicing; not in themselves, or in any creature, but in the Lord, in the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, and salvation by him. As poor, yet making many rich. It is, generally speaking, the lot of Christ's ministers to be poor in this world;”
- 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.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 11:24: Note, 1. It is possible a man may grow rich by prudently spending what he has, may scatter in works of piety, charity, and generosity, and yet may increase; nay, by that means may increase, as the corn is increased by being sown. By cheerfully using what we have our spirits are exhilarated, and so fitted for the business we have to do, by minding which closely what we have is increased; it gains a reputation which contributes to the increase. But it is especially to be ascribed to God; he blesses the giving hand, and so makes it a getting hand, Co2 9:10. Give, ”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 3:15: Because thou sayest, I am rich,.... In worldly goods, which occasioned her lukewarmness, as riches often do, and her vanity, pride, and arrogance, afterwards expressed. Laodicea was a very rich city, and so will be this church state, through the accession of kings and princes, and great men of the earth unto it, in the former period: riches seldom do any good to the churches of Christ, they did not in Constantine's time; and it seems that even at the close of the spiritual reign of Christ they will be of bad consequence, since they will usher in the Laodicean chur”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:10: Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, and bread for your food,.... For so the words ought to be pointed and read, as is clear from Isa 55:10 to which they refer; and are a "periphrasis" of God, who so blesses the seed that is cast into the earth, that it brings forth such an increase, as that there is a sufficiency of bread for food to the eater for the present year, and a sufficiency of seed to sow with again the next year; and that God, that does this every year, is able "to minister to", or supply your present necessities; and to multiply your seed so”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 12:41: This passage of story was not in Matthew, but is here and in Luke; it is Christ's commendation of the poor widow, that cast two mites into the treasury, which our Saviour, busy as he was in preaching, found leisure to take notice of. Observe, I. There was a public fund for charity, into which contributions were brought, and out of which distributions were made; a poor's-box, and this in the temple; for works of charity and works of piety very fitly go together; where God is honoured by our worship, it is proper he should be honoured by the relief of his poor; and w”