Outline Christian Views on Wealth and Money

Outline Christian views on wealth and money [30]

Christianity is a diverse religion, so, it’s not surprising there are a variety of attitudes found on money, wealth and material goods in relation to it.

Some Christians are very clear that having an abundance of material possessions and money is a sign of being blessed by God and is actually what Christians should expect to have in their lives. This is expressed by advocates of the prosperity gospel, with their teaching that if one is walking in faith and giving generously to religious causes, God will give wealth.

These Christians argue Patriarchs were often blessed with wealth. God himself wanted the finest of materials to be used for the tabernacle and, later, Solomon built an ornate temple and palace so much of his wealth became renowned through Jewish history. Biblical facts don’t suggest God is ascetic, but wants people to enjoy the material world. Perhaps the most important argument is that God made this a part of the covenant agreement with Israel- if they were obedient, God would make them ‘abound in prosperity.’

This clear promise of God is seen by those who advocate the prosperity gospel as being developed by the new testaments emphasis on faith and the idea that one can move mountains if the only have enough faith. Walking in faith and obedience should guarantee one receives wealth. However, this view, God can be counted on to automatically dispense wealth in return for faith and obedience has been challenged by many churches and theologians.

However, the Hebrew scriptures indicated not everyone who walked in faith was consistently given health and wealth. Craig Blomberg notes §blessings were never promised to individuals but to a nation. He asks is it right to apply a promise made to a nation under conditions of the old covenant to other nations in this era? We must not assume Christians are under the same agreement as Jews, since Jesus announced a ‘new covenant’ in the new testament, there is no promise of health and wealth in return for faith and obedience. There is the principle that faith and one’s spiritual life can be strengthened through suffering is quite the opposite of the prosperity gospels teachings.

Jesus was believed to be God’s beloved son, someone who amplifies a close relationship with God. Yet he possessed no wealth; he was born to a poor family, and live life as an interant preacher, having to rely on the hospitality of others. He then died a violent death after physical abuse. So how could God be taught to automatically confer health and wealth in return for obedience when this didn’t happen to his own son.

The message consistent across the Bible is wealth as a goal in itself is never viewed as a good thing. In many old testament passages God is portrayed as a defender of the poor and oppressed, those with wealth are urged to give generously. In the new testament there are repeated warnings about wealth, not that its bad or dirty in itself, but a focus on it can lead people away from God’s priorities.