A Theology of Wealth and Giving
A theology of anything begins with God. Therefore, all theological musings must begin with God…and not man. The error of man-centered theology has been rampant throughout generations of those looking beyond mythology, psychology, and philosophy for answers. These, however, intrude their ideas upon theology and distort what God has revealed in the Holy Bible.
God has removed the need for human opinion and speculations. In the matter of wealth and giving, God has much to say in His written Word. Let us consider some basics.
First, God is the creator of all things in the heavens and on the earth (Gen 1–2; Eph 3:9; Col 1:16). Thus, whatever God reveals to us about the value of things is crucial because the alternative to worshiping the Creator is turning those things into idols for worship (Ps 115; 135; Rom 1:25).
Second, God is not just the creator of all things; but He sustains all things by the Word of His power (Heb 1:1–2). Everyone and everything derive its very existence from God’s creative and sustaining power.
Third, God owns everything. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Ps 24:1). Dominion belongs to Him (1 Chr 29:11). The problem with men is that they think they are the owner of what is in their control (Ps 49:6). This leads to the idolatry of greed (Col 3:5), which is wanting more and more. Qohelet warns: those who want more will never be satisfied with more (Eccl 5:11).
Fourth, God distributes to each person what they have in their possession at any given time (Eccl 5:19; 6:2; Jas 1:17). Hence, we must not fix our hope on the uncertainty of the riches, but on Him who richly supplies all things for us to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17). The reprobate, however, never give thanks to God for what they have because they do not believe it is God who gives them their lot (Rom 1:21). Instead, they believe it was their own wisdom and power that created and that sustains wealth (Dt 8:17–18).
The reprobate also believe that money and material possessions are always a “blessing” whether they give credit to God or not. The book of Ecclesiastes, as part of the wisdom literature of the Bible, has much to contribute to the discussion. In fact, some of the most shocking biblical truths about wealth and giving are found in the writings of Qohelet. The preacher writes in Ecclesiastes 6:1–2:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men — 2 a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner enjoys them. This is vanity and a severe affliction.
The myth: more money equals happiness is rarely reported as being true, despite the common belief that wealthy people are happier. The reason rich people are actually not happy is that God is never pleased with those who turn wealth into a god. He simply will not permit people to enjoy wealth unless they get this right (Eccl 5:19).
For the Christian, wealth is a stewardship to be managed (2 Cor 8–9). Less wealth usually means less work. To whom much is given, much is required (Lk 12:48). In addition, there is a day of reckoning, in which one must give an account of his or her stewardship (Lk 16:2; Rom 14:12; 1 Pet 4:5).
On the day of judgment, it will be obvious to all that some invested in the world and some invested in the kingdom of heaven (Mt 6:19–20). Some will have stored up wealth on the earth, only to leave the earth without their investment or return on investment (1 Tim 6:7). Some will have stored up wealth in heaven, which is done by investing in the only thing that ever transports from earth to heaven…the souls of people.
Taking the mammon of unrighteousness and making friends for eternal habitations is how Jesus stated it in Luke 16:9. Investing in people’s salvation is the work of every individual Christian; but it is also the collective work of Christ’s church. We see people as the church — not buildings, programs, projects, etc. Jesus promised to build His church (Mt 16:18); and this temple in the Holy Spirit is built with living stones — the souls of people (Eph 2:20–22). We must be rich toward God by not storing up wealth for ourselves like the rich fool, who built bigger barns to store wealth he thought belonged to him (Lk 12:20–21).
The joy of giving is entirely based on theology; for some are philanthropic in order to make a name for themselves or to perform a “good work” they think is pleasing to God. Giving without the motive of God’s love, that is, love for God and love for one’s neighbor is unacceptable to God (1 Cor 13:3). We must love, then give, without the thought of getting anything in return (1 Jn 3:17). This is sacrificial giving in the manner in which Christ gave Himself (Heb 7:27; 9:26; 1 Jn 3:16).
God sets the example by giving His only begotten Son (Jn 3:16); and Christ gives His own life for the benefit of His beloved bride (Jn 10:11, 15, 17; 15:13; 1 Cor 15:3; 1 Jn 3:16). Together, the Father and the Son give the Holy Spirit as a gift (Jn 14:26; 15:26; Acts 2:38; 10:45), who then gives spiritual gifts to men (1 Cor 12). The principle is that the Source of all this giving is infinite. All things are from Him (Rom 11:36).
The lesson is that hoarding money and possessions does not come with God’s blessing (Eccl 5:13; Lk 12:20–21). The blessing comes to those who learn the lesson that giving is an act of faith. One believes God will resupply everything necessary of for life and ministry (Lk 12:30–32; 2 Cor 8:14; 9:10–15; Phil 4:19).
The Christian is to be a conduit of wealth; and our God shall supply everything needed for the work that He gives to us (2 Cor 9:8). Thus, we can render unto Caesar whatever Caesar asks of us (Mt 22:21). We can give to the poor and find the joy of giving in doing so (Lk 19:8). Simply put, without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Stated another way, wealth is a test of faith and giving lets us know how we are doing on the test.
It is obvious to all, but stated in the Bible, that we come into the world with nothing and we leave the world with nothing (1 Tim 6:7). God gives and God takes away during our time in the world. If the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10), it is wise for us to consider those evils.
One evil is that for those who love money and its increase, they will never find contentment. Wealth accumulation is like a drug addiction. It is like an insatiable appetite. In addition, the more one has accumulated, the more difficult it is to sleep because worry consumes that one who needs to protect the wealth he has hoarded to his own hurt (Eccl 5:12–13). There is no greater hurt than to live sumptuously every day, only to wake up one day in the torment of eternal punishment in fiery hell of the lake of fire (Lk 16:19–31; Rev 20:14–15).
The Bible warns against trusting in silver or gold. Instead, we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6:11). One’s life is but a vapor (Jas 4:14), so the days of toil are actually few in comparison to eternity. One might say that investing in this world is a bad investment for eternity. The investor loses everything on the day of his death, including the further opportunity to invest in the kingdom of God.
Let us sum up our basic message. God created it. God sustains it. God owns it. God distributes it. Man receives it from God. Man should give thanks to God. Man takes what he receives and invests it the kingdom of heaven by giving to God’s interests; or he invests in the world, only to leave this world with nothing. The only thing that ever leaves this world are the souls of men. Therefore, one’s best investment is whatever facilitates people going to heaven. These people are the treasure of heaven for us who have invested in their getting there.
It is simply a bad investment to hoard material wealth. It creates all sorts of trouble for those who love the world and the things of the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). Sins of jealousy, envy, greed only lead to pride when the desire of the heart is granted by God (without His blessing and protection).
It is a most grievous evil to see God turn a person over to whatever they desire of this world (Rom 1:18–32). This is representative of the reprobate, who has been told to turn to God (Acts 17:30), but who refuses to see God as the Giver of every good (material) and every perfect (spiritual) gift (Jas 1:17). In short, he wants to be a god, which was the serpent’s original deception of man in the Garden of Eden.
My dear reader, the allure of money and material possessions (wealth) is far too powerful for most people. Few have wisely managed wealth under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is far better to ask God for neither poverty nor riches (Prv 30:8).
The very essence of faith is tested in the categories of wealth and giving. These are a test of allegiance. One either serves God or mammon (money); but it is impossible to please both of these masters (Mt 6:24; Lk 16:13). So, choose this day whom you will serve, knowing there are eternal consequences to your choice.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 25, 2025
