Thinking Wealth is Wrong and Wrong Thinking about Wealth: Common Misconceptions about

Materialism

A sure way to turn a good dinner table conversation into an uncomfortable silence is to ask the
person across the table how much he or she earns. Money and wealth, while so essential to our well
being and happiness, is a topic which we discuss with much caution and often avoid altogether.

God seems to think differently. The Bible, and in particular the New Testament, abounds with
teachings on wealth. Sixteen out of the thirty eight parables of Christ were dedicated to handling
wealth, and the Bible contains twice as many references to wealth and property as it does to faith and
prayer.1

As such, it seems only fitting that as believers, we attempt to form a clear understanding of
wealth and materialism. Put simply, from a Christian perspective, materialism is defined as a devotion to
material wealth and possessions at the expense of spiritual values. While the range of views within the
church on this topic is extensive, this article aims to clarify two common misconceptions and in the
process, suggest some alternative approaches to thinking about this subject.

Misconception 1 – Wealth is sinful

Many of the biblical references to wealth include warnings to the rich. Matthew warns against
serving both God and wealth2, Luke reminds us that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of
possessions3, and Paul writes in 1 Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil. 4 In Matthew 19,
Jesus famously states that ‘it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of heaven.’5

As such, it is unsurprising that many within the church view wealth and money with much
suspicion, and some schools of thought argue that there is inherent value simply in being poor. Since the
2nd century, the monastic tradition has advocated a way of life that renounces wealth alongside with
other worldly cares, with far reaching implications for the church and society. 6 In the 1950s and 1960s,
liberation theologians in Latin America argued that the poor and oppressed are specially favoured by
God, while the rich and powerful are rejected. 7

While most of us may not take such an extreme stance, we often find ourselves unable to feel
completely at ease with the wealth we were born into or may even have earned. Daily, we observe with
shock and sympathy the prevalence of abject poverty all over the world. And we wonder if we are guilty
of materialism by failing to answer the call to renounce our wealth, sell all our possessions and follow

1
MacArthur, John. Whose Money is it Anyway? A Biblical Guide to Using God’s Wealth. Nashville: Word, 2000.
2
Matthew 6: 24
3
Luke 12: 15
4
1 Timothy 6:10
5
Matthew 19:24
6
Hill, Jonathan. Handbook to the History of Christianity. Zondervan, 2006
7
Ibid
Jesus8, and whether this relegates us to the category of spiritual underachievers when compared to
those who have decided to serve in full time ministry.

But the guilt that is so often associated with wealth is somewhat misplaced. While the Bible
warns against the love of wealth, it does not condemn the possession of wealth in and of itself.
Throughout Scripture, there are examples of godly people living with considerable wealth. Two
examples include Abraham and Job - we read in Genesis 13:2 that Abraham had great wealth, and in Job
1 we see a man who was ‘blameless and upright’, and also extremely wealthy.

What is important to note here is how quickly these two characters were able to let go of this
wealth when it was required of them. Having had to uproot his entire life and leave his homeland,
Abraham graciously concedes the better land to his cousin Lot. 9 Although faced with huge financial
losses and intense physical suffering, Job rejects his wife’s suggestion to curse God, saying ‘Shall we
accept good from God, and not trouble?’ 10 In both cases, although extremely rich, the actions of these
two men demonstrate little attachment to their wealth. And it is ultimately the level of attachment,
rather than the level of wealth itself, that determines how materialistic a person is.

Misconception 2 – Only the wealthy are materialistic

Materialism can be described positively – that is, as a love for the world. 11 Defined as such, it is
often tempting to dismiss materialistic attitudes as something specific to the wealthy, be it the elite or
the societies of developed nations. After all, the outward signs of worldliness are a luxury available only
to those beyond a certain income level, and hence it is easy to criticize the conspicuous consumption so
common among this segment of society.

However, it is inaccurate to think that such materialism is confined to the wealthy – for instance,
much white-collar crime and over-indebtedness can be attributed to those aspiring to wealth rather
than those already rich. The well-known caution against the love of money in 1 Timothy is in fact
followed by a criticism of individuals whose aims are set on the acquisition of wealth: ‘Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.’

But beyond this, materialism can also be defined negatively 12, as an anxious care for the things
of this world. The Sermon on the Mount tells believers not to worry, and to trust God in the provision of
our daily needs. Instead, we are to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God.’ 13 But human nature tends towards
the reverse – we worry incessantly about our finances and channel most of our time and energy solely
towards our material needs. Framed this way, it becomes more evident how prevalent materialism can
be, even amongst those who may be struggling to make ends meet. Materialism is, essentially, placing
our trust in material possessions rather than the provider of these possessions, and it is possible for this
to occur in anyone, irrespective of their financial circumstances.
8
Matthew 19:23
9
Genesis 13: 5-9
10
Job 2:10
11
Kaiser, Walter C. What Does the Lord Require? A Guide for Preaching and Teaching Biblical Ethics. Baker Academic, 2009.
12
Ibid
13
Matthew 6: 25-34
The Heart of the Matter

The misconceptions described above often lead to the belief that there is a kind of ideal lifestyle
or level of income to which Christians should aspire. The general perception seems to be that the richer
you are, the lower you fare on the spiritual scoreboard. And beyond a certain ‘appropriate’ threshold
(for which we have a variety of pejorative terms, e.g. ‘ill-gotten gains’, ‘filthy rich’ and ‘ungodly profit’),
one is in grave danger of succumbing to the evils of materialism.

But living a life free from materialism is not as simple as giving away more money or
downscaling our lifestyles. The crux of the issue does not lie in how much wealth I may or may not
possess, but rather, in two fundamental questions – firstly, what am I doing with what I have?; and
secondly, how do I feel about what I have/do not have?

The first question pertains to stewardship. The use we make of what God has given us is vitally
important, regardless of how little or much we may possess. While the possession of wealth is not
condemned, it does carry with it a responsibility to care for those who are not as fortunate. Rich
believers are ‘not to be conceited’, but instead are to ‘do good...be rich in good works, [and] be
generous and ready to share’. 14 Conversely, being poor does not give one the license to behave
irresponsibly or selfishly with one’s endowment, as can be seen in the parable of the talents. 15

Secondly, our attitude to wealth is much more important than the level of wealth we own. For
some, the challenge is similar to that of Abraham and Job, that is to be free of attachment to the wealth
we possess. But for many others, it will be learning to be content instead of worrying and obsessing
about wealth, and to gradually reduce the importance of financial considerations when making our life
decisions.

Like so many other aspects of our lives, finding a godly perspective on managing our finances is
a dynamic, ongoing journey. Asking ourselves these two fundamental questions does not make it any
easier, but at the very least, it provides a reference by which we can decide if we are headed in the right
direction.

14
1 Timothy 6: 17-18
15
Matthew 25: 14-30