True Wealth: Faith and Good Works in a Biblical Perspective

True Wealth and the Christian Financial Plan

Time and time again, if you are a Christian, you will hear stories of people who gave up comfort and status to serve God. These days, the frequency with which we hear these stories in the church makes them rarer than they have ever been. This almost gives the impression that they are less applauded and celebrated in the Christian faith.

 

Many years ago, a family returned to the church from mission work in Africa, and at a New Year's Eve service, money was raised for them to rent and resettle back in the UK. That night, touched by their story, I decided to give the only money I had on me rather than give nothing at all. That £20 note included my fare home. I determined that to get home, I was going to borrow from my friends. As we walked to the tube, I found myself a bit ashamed to ask because I knew giving away my fare would be considered foolish. As we got to the tube, I received a miracle: I discovered that the gates were all open and that the tube was running free just before and after midnight, so without having to ask my friends to cover my fare, I got home safely. That is how God provided for those who put others first, first the missionaries and then me. 

 

Yet I know my story is nothing compared to the many miracles God does to bless, provide, and protect those who consider Him their true wealth and choose to spread the love of God and the word of God in mission, along with those who support them. In the early church and up into the 19th century, to be a Christian was to be rich in Christ, and therefore a form of true riches. The church was dominated by good works demonstrating these virtues. As a result, Christians were building schools, orphanages, and sending out missionaries to countries that had little faith. The church saw these good works as the foundation and demonstration of faith. In turn, Christians themselves were generous and hardworking, supporting the works of the church and taking care of people in their immediate and local communities.

 

The church eschewed any indication of ostentatiousness. To be rich was measured by one's generosity towards others, not by one's generosity towards self. This was because Christians took their cues on what it meant to be outwardly and inwardly rich by looking at Jesus Christ.

The Bible puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (King James Version):

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

In Jesus Christ, we see what it takes to be truly rich, which is giving up ourselves for others. I once watched a banker who gave up his wealth to serve with Mother Teresa in an orphanage in India. He described how his caring duties made him feel the richest he had ever felt. He was living in the most challenging conditions, passing on his earning potential, yet he felt fulfilled and rich. We know that there are in fact many ways to be rich; being rich is not just a material state.

According to various perspectives, the nine forms of wealth can include: financial wealth, physical health wealth, social wealth, intellectual wealth, time wealth, spiritual wealth, emotional wealth, relational wealth, and environmental wealth. If in church we are talking less about our spiritual lives and more about our materials, we may no longer actively challenge ourselves to demonstrate how we are living out our surrender and service to God. We know that living for God will be both a blessing and a challenge. Jesus described how He sees these acts of surrender and service as actions that demonstrate how we love Him and what differentiates us from those who do not believe.

Faith, Service, and a Long-Term Financial Plan

Jesus demonstrated this in Matthew 25:36-40 (New International Version):

"I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Effectively, Jesus demonstrated how it is neither our praises nor our prayers alone that set us apart as believers; it is these actions. In fact, we are challenged by James, who stated clearly that faith by itself is not enough when it does not lead to action.

 

It is vital to clarify the theological relationship between faith and good works. The Scriptures teach that we receive eternal life through god's grace, and that we are saved through faith alone, not because works are necessary or necessary for salvation. We are not justified by works, nor do we rely on good works for salvation to enter the kingdom. Rather, salvation is a free gift received through justification by faith.

 

At the same time, scripture emphasizes the necessity of good works as the natural overflow of a transformed heart. Good works are the visible outcome of a vibrant, living faith. As James writes in James 2:17–18 (NIV):

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

When studying Paul and James, we see harmony rather than contradiction. Paul emphasizes the doctrine of justification and justification by faith through faith in Jesus, faith in god, and faith in Christ. James highlights that genuine faith produces a faith that works. Both apostles agree on the essential relationship between faith and action: faith and salvation rest on grace, while faith and works together show the reality of that salvation. True faith and good actions belong together, because good works and a spirit of service demonstrate that our hearts have been renewed.

 

Research has now caught up with the view of Scripture, consistently showing that people who engage in good works and charitable acts are happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. Participation in community has also been associated with increased longevity and well-being. Perhaps as Christians, we need to return to looking less at the superficial when measuring our wealth. A faithful financial plan is not only about money, but also about generosity, service, and stewardship over the long term. We are called to look for wealth based on what we do for others and for the kingdom. That is true wealth proved first by the word of God, shown through the church, and now confirmed by modern research.

 

Recommended Faith & Growth Resources

• Spiritual Growth Book: Christian Spiritual Growth Book
• Prayer Devotional: 101 Bible Truths for a Powerful Prayer Life
• Scripture Promises: 199 Promises of God Devotional Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core message of "True Wealth: Faith and Good Works in a Biblical Perspective"?

The blog post explores how true wealth is measured not just by material possessions or financial status, but through spiritual richness, generosity, and living out one's faith through service to others.

Do good works earn salvation according to Christian teaching?

No. Christian doctrine teaches that salvation and eternal life are received as a free gift through God's grace and faith alone. We are not justified by works, nor can we rely on good works for salvation. Instead, good works are the natural outcome and evidence of a living, genuine faith.

Is there a contradiction between Paul and James on faith and works?

No, Paul and James complement each other rather than contradict. Paul focuses on the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ (that we are saved by grace, not by works), while James emphasizes that a genuine faith will naturally produce good works and active love.

How does modern research support the biblical view of generosity and service?

Modern research consistently shows that individuals who participate in charitable works, community service, and acts of generosity report higher levels of happiness, fulfillment, and emotional well-being, as well as improved health and longevity.

What resources are recommended for deepening spiritual growth and prayer?

The post recommends three core resources:

• Spiritual Growth Book: Christian Spiritual Growth Book

• Prayer Devotional: 101 Bible Truths for a Powerful Prayer Life

• Scripture Promises: 199 Promises of God Devotional Guide