Is Money a Blessing or a Test? Viewing Wealth and Success Through the Eyes of Faith
The word “money” has become more than a medium of exchange in Korean society. It now functions as a metric to evaluate a person’s ability, value, and even the depth of their faith. Annual salary defines one’s job, financial background determines credibility in relationships, and even Christian life is often reduced to pursuing material prosperity under the banner of “how to receive blessings from God.” Is wealth a blessing or a modern idol? This question is not merely theoretical. For today’s believers, it is a central issue of practical faith they encounter daily.
Especially since COVID-19, accelerated polarization, real estate surges, high interest rates, and inflation have imposed financial burdens even on many believers, often becoming a test of faith. Within the church, sermons on money remain sensitive and exhausting, yet this topic has become a central part of life that cannot be ignored. So how should we think biblically about money and maintain a posture of faith in such a sensitive area?
The Bible never stays silent about money. Many of Jesus’ parables deal directly with financial matters—such as the parable of the talents, the dishonest manager, the debtor, and the rich man and Lazarus. However, the focus is not on money itself but on the attitude and internal orientation of the person handling it. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus states clearly, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” Money is not just a tool—it can demand our service, placing itself in competition with God.
1 Timothy 6:10 is also frequently quoted: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” What is emphasized is not money itself but the *love* of money—a heart that leans on it, trusts it, and centers life around it. In truth, more faith collapses from comfort and arrogance than from lack of resources.
Within and outside the church today, attitudes toward money tend to split into two extremes. One side sees economic blessing as a fruit of faith—an outcome that must result in material success. This is the so-called “prosperity gospel.” On the other hand, some view material possessions with suspicion, even idealizing poverty as a form of spiritual virtue. But the Bible demands balance: money may be one of God’s provisions, but it does not prove one’s spiritual state. Scripture warns the rich not to boast in their wealth and urges the poor to live in contentment and integrity.
Jesus consistently held this perspective. He did not condemn the wealthy indiscriminately. Some wealthy individuals followed Him and supported His ministry. Yet, when their hearts clung to possessions, He warned that wealth could hinder faith. In Mark 10, the rich young man asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus tells him to sell everything and follow Him. The man leaves in sorrow—not because he lacked faith in the Law, but because he could not let go of his wealth.
We cannot easily criticize that young man. Many believers wrestle with the same tension. Real-life financial demands constantly test the ideals of the gospel. Supporting a family, paying for children’s education, preparing for retirement—these needs make faithful giving and ministry support difficult. So how do we live out God’s purpose for our finances?
There may not be one right answer, but the key is clear: Is money my master, or am I a steward who asks God how to use it? Earning money is important, but far more important is the motive and purpose behind it. More than the inheritance we pass down, the true legacy is a life lived according to God’s ways.
Modern society still defines “success” by financial abundance. But the Bible redefines success—not as worldly achievement, but as consistent obedience to God’s calling. Money can aid that journey, making it a blessing. But if it distances us from God, it becomes a trial.
This is not a call to avoid wealth or glorify poverty. Rather, it is an invitation to reflect on how our faith interprets and handles money. If we can see money as a mirror of faith, we can also assess where our belief currently stands.
Scripture does not leave money unaddressed. In fact, hundreds of passages across the Bible speak about wealth, possessions, and stewardship. God closely watches how we handle money, the attitudes we form toward it, and whether He remains central in our hearts. Though money may begin as a blessing, if it replaces God, it becomes a dangerous test.
Today’s Christians face deeply realistic financial struggles. Young adults carry student loans and rent. Parents juggle education costs and mortgages. Seniors plan for retirement and health care. At every life stage, money is entangled with our reality. Yet, churches often shy away from financial discussions or address them too superficially. But God wants us to confront finances honestly and manage them by gospel principles. Faith is not an escape from reality but a compass for truth in the midst of complexity.
The world’s definition of “success” is usually built on material benchmarks—high salaries, rapid promotions, asset growth, real estate investments. These values shape people’s worth and inject inferiority into those who fall short. Even churches sometimes absorb this worldview, equating ministry impact with financial results. But the Bible defines success differently: living in obedience and striving to fulfill God’s will. This may appear to be a loss or failure by worldly standards.
Jesus never pursued economic success. He was born in poverty, had nowhere to lay His head, and died with even His outer garment stripped away. Yet His life was not a failure—it was truth itself. His poverty revealed the riches of heaven. The gospel thus calls us to a radically different direction from the world’s financial logic.
Most of us seek wealth in hopes of a “better life”—for family, for security. Ultimately, we chase money to gain peace. Yet Jesus said, “My peace I give you—not as the world gives” (John 14:27). This means financial stability and biblical peace are fundamentally different. One depends on circumstances, while the other flows from God’s presence.
So how should money be used? The Bible calls us to *stewardship*. That means using what God has given with integrity and wisdom. Not hoarding for ourselves, but sharing with others, building the church, and advancing the gospel. Consider Zacchaeus: a corrupt tax collector who, after meeting Jesus, gave away half his wealth and repaid those he wronged fourfold. His repentance was not just verbal—it changed how he used his resources.
Today, Christian repentance can also begin by reexamining where our money, time, and talents go. Faith is not proven by worship attendance alone but by how we spend what we have. Spending, saving, investing, donating—all these reflect our spiritual condition.
In truth, finances are among the most accurate tests of our inner life. What do we think of first when we gain money? Whom do we turn to when money runs short? Whom do we seek to please when we have extra? These answers reveal whether our faith lives only in words or has taken root in action.
God may give or take away money. But what He truly desires is not our possessions, but our *hearts*. A heart that can say, “All this came from You,” a heart that remembers all we enjoy is grace, and hands that use resources humbly—this transforms money into a blessing. Without that, money becomes a snare.
For Christians, money is both a tool for life and a test of faith. We say we love God, but calculate first. We pray, but make decisions based on profit. In every such contradiction, we must revisit the gospel. What kind of wealth did Jesus seek? What standards did He set for us?
What we truly need is not real estate, stocks, or pensions. The one treasure we must possess is the heart of God and obedience to His will. If we have money to live that way, it is a blessing. If not, even great wealth becomes a burden.
The world still chases money, and people still crave success. But God still asks, “Do you truly desire Me—or merely the means to replace Me?” At this question, we find ourselves once again at a crossroads. And that choice reveals our faith.
Maeil Scripture Journal | Today’s World, A View Through the Word
