The Bible has a lot to say about prosperity and material wealth. There are many verses that encourage hard work, wise stewardship of resources, generosity, and trusting God to provide. At the same time, there are warnings against loving money too much or placing too much confidence in it. Here is an overview of some of the major Bible passages regarding prosperity and wealth.
God is the ultimate source of prosperity
The Bible teaches that God is the one who enables people to prosper. He gives people talents, abilities and opportunities to acquire wealth justly and ethically. Any material possessions we enjoy are gifts from God, not simply the results of our own efforts.
“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
At the same time, the Bible warns against believing that prosperity indicates God’s favor or blessing. Spiritual maturity and intimacy with God should be our highest priority, not material wealth.
“One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Wealth itself is morally neutral
The Bible takes a nuanced position on wealth. It is neither good nor bad in itself. Money is simply a resource, an opportunity. The moral value lies in how it is used, whether for good or evil.
Wealth is a blessing when accompanied by wisdom, generosity, justice and stewardship. But it easily leads people into temptation and sin when not managed properly. The love of money and greed for riches can corrupt people’s priorities and relationships.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
The Bible praises those who are rich yet humble, generous and concerned for others. It condemns those who use wealth selfishly, exploit others or trust in their riches rather than God.
Wealth should be gained and used ethically
The Bible strongly condemns ill-gotten wealth gained through oppression, fraud or exploitation. Greed, covetousness and lust for money that lead people into unethical business practices are sharply rebuked. Amassing wealth should not override acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God.
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.” (Proverbs 16:8)
“He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.” (Proverbs 22:16)
Christians are called to work hard, be wise stewards of their resources, save and invest. But they should avoid obsessing over wealth or Nutria harmful business practices. Our priorities should be honoring God, serving others and advancing His Kingdom.
Wealth brings greater responsibility and stewardship
The Bible teaches that to whom much is given, much is required. Those blessed with prosperity and resources have a greater responsibility to use them wisely for God’s purposes – supporting their families, funding ministry, giving generously to the poor and advancing God’s Kingdom on earth. We are merely stewards, not outright owners, of whatever wealth God entrusts to us during our lifetime.
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
The rich man and Lazarus parable illustrates how those who neglect the poor and needy with the riches God gave them will face judgment, while the poor who trusted God will be comforted (Luke 16:19-31). Jesus instructed the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor (Luke 18:18-25). He praised the poor widow who gave two small copper coins, worth less than a penny, because it represented tremendous sacrifice and faith (Luke 21:1-4).
Wealth can become an idol if not kept in proper perspective
One of the greatest dangers of prosperity is allowing it to replace God at the center of our lives. We begin to trust in our wealth for security, significance, identity and joy rather than finding those in Christ alone. Wealth demands our time, energy and affections. The temptation for the rich is to trust in their money rather than fully depending on God (Mark 10:23-25).
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
The proper response to material blessing is gratitude to the Lord, wise stewardship, generosity, and an eternal versus earthly perspective. We can enjoy the good gifts God provides without holding on too tightly or finding our identity in possessions. Our security is in our relationship with Christ.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17)
God promises to provide for our needs as we seek Him
A key theme in the Bible regarding wealth is that God will provide for the needs of those who faithfully follow and obey Him. While prosperity is not guaranteed, we can trust Him to care for us. However, we are instructed to avoid anxiety over money and focus on pursuing His Kingdom rather than material wealth.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25,33)
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
God can use both seasons of plenty and poverty to teach His people to depend on Him rather than riches. Our attitude should be one of contentment and gratitude whether God grants prosperity or requires us to sacrifice material comforts for a season (Philippians 4:10-13).
We should work diligently and avoid idleness
While the Bible condemns greed and overwork, it does encourage diligence, wise planning, moderation and prudent savings. Christians should provide for their families through honest labor and avoid idleness that leads to poverty. We honor God through our work when it is balanced with resting in Him.
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4)
“The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4)
“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23)
God created people for meaningful work as we serve Him, provide for families and bless our communities. Work is not a result of the Fall or God’s punishment, but part of His good design for flourishing when balanced with godly priorities and Sabbath rest.
We should be generous and freely share our wealth
A defining characteristic of Christian prosperity should be generosity. As God blesses us financially, we have the joy and privilege of channeling resources to expand His Kingdom, support gospel ministry and care for the poor and needy. Those with wealth are encouraged to freely share with those experiencing hardship.
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)
“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.” (2 Corinthians 8:13-14)
Giving breaks the power of greed and causes us to rely on God rather than wealth. It is an investment in eternity. Christians can experience the blessing of working hard and prospering if they remain focused on generously financing God’s work rather than hoarding riches for themselves.
There are dangers associated with both poverty and wealth
The Bible does not romanticize either poverty or wealth. Each comes with unique temptations and pitfalls that can draw us away from close fellowship with God if not navigated carefully.
Poverty tends to breed discontentment, desperation and deceit as people struggle to survive. There are examples of poor people in Scripture succumbing to envy, bitterness, anxiety, complaining and a lack of generosity. Poverty can also prevent people from having the resources to generously support ministry.
Wealth tends to breed arrogance, independence, selfishness and neglect of God. The rich can become focused on pleasure and comfort, trusting in their affluence rather than God’s provision. Wealth can distract from an eternal perspective, numb people to the plight of the suffering, and allow leisure that leads to idolatry.
Both the poor and the rich need to guard their hearts, staying centered on Christ, seeking contentment in Him, walking in wisdom and scriptural priorities, and avoiding the pitfalls of their respective situations.
There are benefits to both poverty and prosperity
Though neither poverty nor wealth should be idolized, the Bible does highlight some potential blessings associated with both.
The poor may more readily recognize their dependence on God for daily provision. Their need draws them to God’s mercy and grace. Jesus said it is very hard, but not impossible, for the rich to enter God’s Kingdom (Luke 18:24-27). Lack of abundance can foster contentment, patience, perseverance and compassion for others in need.
Those with financial resources and prosperity have the ability to generously fund ministry, serve the poor, provide jobs, influence culture for Christ and experience God’s joy in blessing others. They should humbly steward the gifts He has given them for Kingdom purposes. Wealth also allows Christians to model radical generosity in how they freely share.
God’s heart is for both the poor and rich alike as He calls all people to find their satisfaction in Him alone. Our identity and security are in Christ, not our bank accounts. God promises to provide sufficiently for those who faithfully walk with Him, though it may require sacrifice. He also entrusts wealth to some for purposes of generosity, ministry and blessing.
A heavenly reward awaits those who are faithful with their resources
The Bible encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective amidst any present circumstances. Our lives on earth are brief compared to eternity. How we steward the resources, talents and opportunities God grants us will affect our heavenly reward and position of responsibility in His coming Kingdom.
Jesus told several parables commending those who wisely invested what the Master had entrusted to them in this life, thereby earning a return for Him. In contrast, His displeasure fell on those who simply hid what they were given and made no eternal impact (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27).
While earthly wealth has no inherent value in Heaven, how we handle prosperity and poverty does. Our priorities surrounding money and possessions reveal where our hearts truly lie. God promises to reward those who trust in Him rather than riches, generously share with the needy, and use wealth to build His Kingdom.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)