Does Faithfulness Require Wealth? A Biblical Rebuttal to "Don't Be Poor" Teachings

Introduction

Recently, a message was shared that encouraged believers to reject poverty and pursue wealth as a demonstration of their faithfulness to God and love for their families. While the intention behind such teachings may be well-meaning, it raises important questions about how Christians should view wealth, poverty, and spiritual maturity. Let's begin by examining the full extract:

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Full Extract:

"Don't be poor. Don't be poor. Make up your mind. I will not be poor. Now, there are those who say this and it's simply the flesh. It's just carnality. That's not what I'm teaching you. Make up your mind. If you truly love Jesus, don't be poor. If you truly love your children, don't be poor. And don't allow mediocres bring words and say, don't worry, it doesn't matter. It does matter. There are many people who have gotten into depression because of rent, you are a better Christian if you live in your own house. If you serve God in your own house, you can lock it up and have a night vigil and not be afraid. You can move to a neighborhood that allows you to serve God acceptably. How do you say that does not matter? You can send your children to a school whose curriculum honors God and you are aware of it. Well, I've made my decision. I came as a midwife to help you make your decision, but by all godly means, make up your mind tonight."

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Contextual Overview

This message, which suggests that wealth is a sign of spiritual maturity and that Christians should strive not to be poor, touches on real concerns. Financial stress is a challenge many believers face, and the desire to provide for one’s family, own a home, and offer children a godly education is understandable. However, the notion that avoiding poverty or accumulating wealth is directly tied to one's faith or love for Jesus is where this teaching diverges from biblical principles.

Below, we will explore why this teaching, though well-intentioned, does not align with the biblical perspective on wealth, poverty, and spiritual faithfulness.

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1. Understanding the Nature of Wealth and Poverty in the Bible

One of the foundational misunderstandings in the "Don’t Be Poor" teaching is the assumption that financial prosperity is a mark of God’s favor. While wealth can be a blessing from God, the Bible also teaches that it can be a source of spiritual danger.

Biblical Examples of Wealth

It is true that some biblical figures were wealthy. Abraham (Genesis 13:2), Solomon (1 Kings 10:23), and Job (Job 1:1-3) were all blessed with substantial material wealth. However, these examples do not establish wealth as a requirement for spiritual maturity or faithfulness. In fact, these men’s faithfulness to God was tested not by their wealth, but by their obedience, humility, and trust in Him, regardless of their material possessions.

Warnings Against Wealth

The Bible frequently warns that wealth can lead to spiritual peril. Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). In fact, Jesus warned, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). This teaching demonstrates that wealth can create a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, drawing our hearts away from total dependence on God.

Paul echoes this warning in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, where he says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” The problem is not wealth itself, but the desire to be rich and the idolatry of money.

Poverty and God's Care

On the other hand, the Bible shows God’s special care for the poor. Jesus was born into a humble family (Luke 2:7), and His ministry was directed largely toward the poor and marginalized. His famous declaration in the Sermon on the Mount was, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

Furthermore, James 2:5 reminds us, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?” This affirms that poverty does not disqualify someone from being close to God—in fact, it may bring people closer to Him.

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2. Jesus' Teachings on Materialism and Spiritual Wealth

In the teaching, “Don’t be poor,” there is an implicit suggestion that material wealth and physical comfort are primary goals for a Christian life. But what does Jesus teach about wealth and possessions?

Storing Treasures in Heaven

Jesus explicitly teaches against focusing on earthly wealth. In Matthew 6:19-21, He says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Here, Jesus is telling His followers to prioritize spiritual wealth—what is eternal—over material possessions, which are temporary. The Bible consistently teaches that true riches are found in a deep relationship with God, not in material wealth.

The Rich Fool

In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, a man who hoarded his wealth but was unprepared for death and judgment. The man said to himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

Jesus concludes, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Material wealth is no guarantee of eternal security. In fact, Jesus condemns the rich fool not for having wealth, but for trusting in it rather than in God.

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3. A Balanced Approach: Contentment and Trust in God

The Bible advocates neither extreme wealth nor poverty. Instead, it promotes contentment and a trust in God’s provision.

Contentment in All Circumstances

Paul provides a powerful counterpoint to the prosperity-driven view in Philippians 4:12-13. He writes, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation... I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

Paul’s contentment was not tied to his financial situation, but to his reliance on Christ. He was able to serve God faithfully whether in abundance or in lack. This is the mark of spiritual maturity—not the pursuit of wealth, but the ability to trust in God’s provision in every situation.

God’s Provision for Our Needs

Jesus taught His followers not to worry about their material needs, saying, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:25, 33).

God promises to provide for our needs, but this provision does not necessarily mean wealth. It means that God will ensure we have what we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives. Sometimes that may involve seasons of financial abundance, but other times it may involve seasons of financial struggle. In either case, God’s provision is sufficient.

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4. The Responsibility to Help the Poor

Another troubling aspect of the "Don’t be poor" message is that it can lead to shaming poverty and neglecting our responsibility to care for the poor.

Compassion for the Poor

Throughout Scripture, God commands His people to care for the poor and needy. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.” Similarly, James 1:27 describes true religion as caring for “orphans and widows in their distress.”

Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) makes it clear that how we treat the poor and marginalized is a reflection of our love for Christ. The true test of faith is not in the accumulation of wealth but in how we use what we have to bless others.

Generosity as a Christian Value

Rather than striving for personal wealth, Christians are called to be generous. Paul encourages generosity in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, saying, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously... God loves a cheerful giver.”

Generosity reflects a heart that trusts God rather than wealth and is willing to use resources for the good of others and the glory of God.

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Conclusion: Wealth is Not the Measure of Faithfulness

To say that avoiding poverty is a mark of true love for Jesus or that wealth is evidence of faithfulness misrepresents the biblical message. Scripture teaches that God’s ultimate concern is not our financial status but our spiritual health, our trust in Him, and our love for others. Wealth is not a guarantee of God’s favor, and poverty is not a sign of His disapproval.

The Christian life is not about chasing wealth or avoiding poverty but about living in faithful obedience to God, whether in abundance or need. As Paul says in 1