How Does Wealth Relate to Spiritual Health?

One of the two things that Agur requested from God is, “Give me neither poverty nor riches” (Proverbs 30:8). He does so reasoning that either side of the wealth equation comes with temptations and potential problems: “Lest I be full and deny You, And say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:9). As sound as his reasoning is, it is sadly not the way most people in the modern world think and far from what most people would pray.

In Jesus day, most people assumed that if a person were wealthy, it was a clear indication of God’s favor. It was also assumed that poverty and/or physical ailments were likewise a sign of God’s displeasure; even Jesus’ disciples thought that “a man who was blind from birth” had gotten that way because of sin (John 9:2-3). While this way of thinking about poverty and other challenges in life is not as common today, many moderns do assume that wealth and faithful living travel together. They also tend to believe that if poor people would only work harder, exercise more self-control, and spend their money more wisely, they too would be wealthy. It’s fairly common to hear the non-biblical adage, “God only helps those who help themselves,” in today’s world.

Jesus frequently turned the whole “faithfulness brings wealth” paradigm on its head. One such occasion was when he was visited by a rich young man. When this man asked Jesus about the “good thing” he needed to do to “have eternal life,” Jesus responded with a typical list of commands from the Law of Moses (Matthew 19:16-19). The young man felt something had to be missing as he had done these things since his childhood; he asked, “What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20). Jesus responded with a revolutionary idea: wealth for this young man was not an indication of God’s favor; it was actually the biggest obstacle between him and the life he desired. Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21).

To help His disciples make application of this lesson after the young man “went away sorrowful” (Matthew 19:22), Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24). This statement confirms that the danger wealth presented to the young man could potentially trouble anyone. This point was not lost on the disciples, who responded with a question: if the rich, who they assumed were closest to God, faced a seemingly impossible chance at salvation (akin to a camel going through the eye of a needle), then who could “be saved” (Matthew 19:25)? Jesus responded with a very important statement that we will circle back to in a moment: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

It occurred to Peter that the disciples themselves had already followed the instructions given to the rich young man. He said, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27). Jesus’ initial response was to affirm both the choice they had made as well as the affect this choice would have on others who made it. For Peter and the other disciples who would become apostles, this decision would lead to an important role in Jesus’ kingdom, the church (Matthew 19:28).^[1] Further, for “everyone” who follows these disciples’ example of self-denial and sacrifice, there will be benefits: “a hundredfold” blessings and “eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).

Jesus knew their hearts though, and he knows ours. Though it was/is not a common viewpoint in either Jesus’ world or ours, there are some who envision poverty as others envision wealth, assuming that there is something inherently holy or meritorious about being poor. From the Essenes in Jesus’ day to the monastic movements of the middle ages to the near deification of the marginalized by some in modern America, people throughout the ages have presented poverty as being next to godliness. Being poor therefore becomes the “good thing” that one must do to “have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16).

Do you remember though what Jesus said in answer to the question, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:25). The first part of his answer is very important: “With men this is impossible” (Matthew 19:26). Whether we take the common viewpoint that wealth travels with spiritual health or the less common viewpoint that poverty is true piety, in either case we have made salvation too much about us. It is absolutely true that wealth presents unique challenges and further that our sacrifices for the Lord will be rewarded; it is not true that our work either to obtain or to avoid wealth is what will bring about our salvation. To both ways of thinking, Jesus presents a corrective: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30).

It is important to note that the parable of the day laborers which begins Matthew 20 is actually a part of the same discussion. The word “for” in Matthew 20:1 serves to expand and explain the idea that the first will be last and the last will be first and provide a needed commentary on the whole wealth vs. poverty discussion. In the parable, a landowner hires some individuals at the beginning of the day, promising to pay them “a denarius a day” (Matthew 20:1-2). As the day progresses, he continues hiring individuals, even hiring some in the eleventh hour, each time promising to pay “whatever is right” (Matthew 20:3-7). When it is time for the workers to be paid, “beginning with the last,” each worker receives a denarius regardless of the amount of time he had worked (Matthew 20:8-10). Though the workers who had worked longer complained, the landowner pointed out that their complaints had no basis; the landowner could do what he wanted in paying wages (Matthew 20:11-15).

This parable illustrates something incredibly important. If we think that our work in pursuing either wealth or poverty is going to lead inevitably to spiritual blessings, we’re thinking incorrectly. While certain works are necessary to access God’s salvation, no work can ever merit salvation. It is in this latter sense that salvation is “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). In the parable, it was the landowner’s prerogative to give as he chose. Likewise, salvation is subject to God’s prerogative to give as He chooses. The Bible teaches that God will give His salvation: to the rich and to the poor and to those in between; to those who have had the opportunity to sacrifice little and to those who have sacrificed much; to those who are newly converted and to those who have accumulated years of Christian service. And along the way, there are many who believe themselves to be first on all sides of the wealth equation who will actually be last (Matthew 19:30; 20:16). And again, salvation is only possible “with God” (Matthew 19:26).  

So how does wealth relate to spiritual health? The answer is that it doesn’t, at least not automatically. Wealth is simply a tool. While some jobs are made a lot more difficult without the right tools, even a good tool can do a lot of damage when used incorrectly. Likewise concerning wealth, as Agur’s prayer teaches us, riches and poverty both present spiritual challenges. Perhaps another Proverb would be incredibly helpful: “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it” (Proverbs 23:4 NASB). Don’t make wealth your primary goal or consideration. If you have it, use it humbly and wisely; if you lack it, be content with what you have and count yourself spiritually blessed (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19; James 1:9-10).

-Patrick Swayne  
patrick@tftw.org