Does Having Money Make Me a Better (or Worse) Christian?

A few years ago, I surveyed the young adults at my church, expecting to hear the usual money concerns: student loans, budgeting, saving for a first home. But what I didn’t expect were the deeply spiritual and personal questions:

• Does having a lot of money make me a bad person?
• Is it selfish to earn a good income?
• Is being poor somehow more righteous?

These questions point to a deeper struggle: the tendency to view money through extreme, distorted lenses. Christians often encounter two extremes. On the one end, the prosperity gospel glorifies wealth as a sign of God’s favor. On the other, the poverty gospel romanticizes lack as a marker of holiness.

Both are rooted in half-truths. And both can leave us feeling confused, guilty, or chasing the wrong goals.

Especially for young professionals just starting their careers, it’s essential to build a healthy theology of money early on. Your mindset now will shape how you view wealth—and how you handle it—for the rest of your life.

Let’s explore the myths behind these extremes and what Scripture really says.

Myth #1: The Prosperity Gospel

"If I live right, God will bless me with health, wealth, and success."

This view treats God like a cosmic vending machine—insert good behavior, receive blessings. Work hard, get a raise. Be obedient, get prosperity.

There’s some truth here. Scripture does affirm general principles of sowing and reaping. Proverbs teaches that diligence often leads to blessing. But righteousness doesn’t guarantee a comfortable life.

The story of Job in the Bible powerfully debunks the “cosmic vending machine” myth. He was called “blameless and upright”—a man of integrity, deeply faithful to God. Yet in a short span, he lost his wealth, his health, and even his children. His friends insisted he must have sinned to deserve such suffering, but the story reveals the opposite. God allowed Job to be tested, not as punishment, but as a testimony. And through his pain, Job’s understanding of God deepened. In the end, God restored him, but not because Job “earned” it. It was grace.

In fact, Scripture repeatedly shows that suffering is one of God’s primary tools for shaping us. Many of the wisest, most generous people I know point to hardship—not ease—as the catalyst for their growth.

And when God does bless materially, it comes with increased responsibility. In Hebrew tradition, the firstborn son received a double portion, not as reward, but so he could care for the extended family. God intends wealth to be used for the benefit of others.

Myth #2: The Poverty Gospel 

"To be truly godly, I must reject wealth and live in poverty."

This mindset views money as inherently corrupting. It whispers that we should feel guilty for having more than we need.

There’s some truth here too. Scripture clearly warns about the dangers of greed and the deceptive power of wealth. But Scripture also invites us to enjoy God’s blessings: “God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

We’re called to contentment, not accumulation.

Rejecting all wealth can ignore the biblical call to stewardship. You’re not automatically more righteous because you live simply. And having money doesn’t make you selfish. But it does require vigilance and wisdom to manage responsibly.

So What’s the Truth?

It’s not about how much money you have, but about your heart toward it.

As Willard said, “Riches are not holy, riches are not evil. They are creations we are to use for God.”

At JMA, I’ve seen this firsthand. Many of our clients are incredibly generous with their wealth, using it to serve others and honor God. I also think of a single mom I know who works overtime just to make ends meet—yet gives sacrificially and lives with deep trust in God’s provision. You can be a good person and use your resources well whether you are wealthy or poor.

Developing Your Personal Money Theology

If you’re early in your career, now is the perfect time to put money in its proper place in your life. It will save you a lot of fear, worry, and disappointment further down the road. Ask yourself these questions to get a better understanding of your current “heart” towards money:

• What makes you feel financially secure or insecure?
• How would you react if you lost your job or your entire savings disappeared overnight due to fraud?
• Are you mastering your money, or is it mastering you?
• What is the “why” behind every dollar you spend, save, or give?

Once your heart is right, you can walk in both seasons of plenty and want with clarity, generosity, and peace.