Early Christian Views on Prosperity and Riches
Early Christian writings usually warn that riches can lead to pride, distraction, and trust in money instead of God. Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, and Lactantius all press Christians to use wealth with humility and generosity. Riches are not treated as the highest good; God is. The main theme is simple: hold money loosely, help the poor, and do not let wealth rule your life.
114 early-church witnesses · 196 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about prosperity and Riches?
Early Christian writings mostly treat riches as dangerous when they pull the heart away from God, but they do not say money is always evil. Writers like Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Lactantius, and the Apostolic Constitutions warn against pride, greed, and trust in wealth, while also saying riches can be used well through giving and justice.
The strongest pattern is that Christians should be humble in prosperity, help the poor, and place hope in God rather than in money. A smaller but real line of teaching says wealth is a tool under God’s rule, not a master. So the overall witness is broad and strong against love of money, but mixed on whether riches themselves are good or bad. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christian writers warn that wealth can pull people away from God.
- They often call Christians to give, stay humble, and avoid greed.
- Some writers also say riches can be used rightly when they serve justice and charity.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians warn against trusting in riches?
The strongest sources repeatedly warn that riches are uncertain, can blind people, and should not become a person's confidence. Several writers explicitly contrast God with mammon and say the rich must not be haughty or ruled by money.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
... question and understanding nothing? These are the people who do have faith, but they also have the riches of this world. Therefore, when tribulation comes, they deny the Lord because of their riches and their business. I answered and said to her, When then will they be useful for the building, Lady? When the riches that now lead them astray have been cut back, then they will be useful to God. For just as a round stone cannot become square unless parts of it are cut off and thrown away, so also those who are rich in this world cannot be useful to the Lord unless their riches are cut down. Learn this first from your own case. When you were rich, you were useless. But now you are useful and fit for life. Be useful to God, for you also will be used as one of these stones.
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching
... 16:13, because while one is pleased, the other must necessarily be displeased. He mentions God and mammon. If you have no interpreter with you, you may learn again from Him what He meant by mammon. For when He advised us to provide for ourselves the help of friends in worldly matters, after the example of that steward who, when removed from his office, relieved his lord's debtors by reducing their debts so that they might repay him with their help, He said, "And I say to you, Make friends for yourselves from the mammon of unrighteousness," that is, from money, just as the steward had done. Now we all know that money is the instigator of unrighteousness, and the lord of the whole world. Therefore, when He saw the covetousness of the Pharisees giving slavish worship to it, He hurled this sentence against them: "You cannot serve God and mammon," Luke 16:13. Then the Pharisees, who were covetous of riches, mocked Him, because they understood that by mammon He meant money. Let no one think that by the word mammon the Creator was meant, and that Christ was calling them away from the service of the Creator. What folly! Rather, learn from this that one God was pointed out by Christ. Fo
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching
...how that the Creator warns men away from riches, even without first condemning the rich in the same terms Christ also used, no one could doubt that, from the same authority, there was also added a threat against the rich in Christ's woe. For from that same authority had first come the warning against the material sin of these persons, that is, their riches. For such a threat is the necessary result of such a warning. He also pronounces a woe on the full, because they shall hunger, and on those who laugh now, because they shall mourn. Luke 6:25 These match the opposite statements that appear, as we saw above, in the Creator's blessings: “Behold, my servants shall be full, but you shall be hungry,” even because you have been filled. “Behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed.” Isaiah 65:13 That means, you shall mourn, you who are now laughing. For just as it is written in the psalm, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy,” so it runs in the Gospel: those who sow in laughter, that is, in joy, shall reap in tears. The Creator laid down these principles long ago, and Christ renewed them by simply bringing them clearly into view, not by changing them in any way. “
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Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching
10. You say that you are wealthy and rich. But it is not fitting for a virgin to boast of her riches, since Holy Scripture says, "What has pride profited us? Or what benefit has the boasting of riches brought us? And all these things have passed away like a shadow." Wisdom 5:8 The apostle also warns us again and says, "Those who buy should live as though they did not buy, and those who possess as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as though they did not use it. For the form of this world is passing away." 1 Corinthians 7:30-31 Peter also, to whom the Lord entrusted His sheep to be fed and guarded, on whom He placed and founded the Church, says that he has no silver or gold. But he does say that he is rich in the grace of Christ, and wealthy in his faith and virtue. By these he did many great works with miraculous power. By these he abounded in spiritual blessings for the grace of glory. These riches, this wealth, she cannot have if she would rather be rich for this world than for Christ.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching
For this reason, the unjust, and those who do not know God, abound in riches, power, and honors. For all these things are rewards of injustice, because they cannot last forever, and they are sought through lust and violence. But the just and wise man counts all these things as human, as Laelius said, and his own goods as divine. He neither desires anything that belongs to another, lest he injure anyone at all in violation of the law of humanity. Nor does he long for any power or honor, so that he may not injure anyone. For he knows that all are made by the same God, in the same condition, and are joined together by the right of brotherhood. But being content with his own possessions, and with only a little, because he remembers his frailty, he does not seek anything beyond what may support his life. And even from what he has, he gives a share to the needy, because he is pious; and piety is a very great virtue. To this is added that he despises weak and corrupt pleasures, for the sake of which riches are desired, since he is self-controlled and master of his passions. He also has no pride or insolence. He does not lift himself up too high, or raise his head in arrogance. But he is c
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
...rpent that, as they say, sleeps over treasures. About him, this Scripture is true: “He has gathered riches that he will not taste,” and they will be of no use to him when he justly perishes. For it says, “Riches will not profit in the day of wrath.” Such a man has not believed in God, but in his own gold. He counts that as his god and puts his trust in it. Such a man is a pretender to the truth, one who shows favoritism, unfaithful, deceitful, fearful, unmanly, unstable, worthless, a complainer, always in pain, his own enemy, and nobody’s friend. Such a man’s money will perish, and a stranger will consume it, either by theft while he is alive, or by inheritance when he is dead. For riches unjustly gotten will be vomited up.
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Commodianus, Writings Direct teaching
...norance you depart from there. You act wickedly even with your own body. You are always thirsty for riches. You lift yourself up too high, and you carry pride, and you are not willing to look on the poor. Now you do not even feed your own parents when they are under your care. Ah, wretched men, let ordinary people flee far from you. He lived, and I have destroyed him; the poor man cries out, "I have found it!" Soon you will be driven by the furies of Charybdis, when you yourself perish. Thus you rich men are without discipline. You lay down a law for others, while you yourselves are not prepared. Strip yourself, rich man turned away from God, of such evils, if indeed, perhaps, what you have seen done may help you. Be the attendant of God while you have time. Just as the elm loves the vine, so you love people of no account. Observe now, O barren one, the law which is terrible to the evil and equally kind to the good. Be humble in prosperity. Take away, O rich men, hearts of deceit, and take up hearts of peace. And look upon your evil-doing. Do you do good? I am here.
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Gregory Thaumaturgus, Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes Direct teaching
...tion for his desire, nor goodwill from his neighbors, even if he has gathered the greatest possible wealth. For this also is vanity. But goodness gives great joy to those who hold fast to it, and it makes them strong, giving them the ability to see through all things. And it is also a great thing not to be consumed by such anxieties. For the poor man, even if he is a slave and cannot fill his stomach with plenty, still enjoys at least the gentle refreshment of sleep. But the desire for riches is accompanied by sleepless nights and anxious thoughts. And what could be more absurd than to gather wealth with great anxiety and trouble, and then guard it with jealous care, when all the while a person is only preserving for himself the source of countless evils? Besides, this wealth must perish sooner or later and be lost, whether the one who gained it has children or not, Job 20:20. And the man himself, however unwillingly, is fated to die and return to the earth in the very same condition in which he once came into being, Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:7. And the fact that he is destined to leave the earth empty-handed will make the evil even more painful for him, because he does not consider
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Thus from prosperity arises luxury; and from luxury, together with all other vices, there arises impiety towards God.
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Commodianus, Writings Supporting witness
...d profits, you greedily presume on fortune. There is no law for you, nor do you discern yourself in prosperity. Although they may be counted as gold, let the strains of the pipe always be raving. If you have not adored the crucifixion of the Lord, you have perished. Both place and occasion and person are now given to you, if, however, you believe; but if not, you will fear before Him. Bring yourself into obedience to Christ, and place your neck under Him. To Him remains the honor and all the confidence of things. When the time flatters you, be more cautious. Not foreseeing, as you ought, the final awards of fate, you are not able ever to live again without Christ.
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? Supporting witness
...; and come, follow Me.' But he, becoming downcast at the saying, went away grieved, for he had many possessions and lands. And looking around, Jesus says to His disciples: 'How hard it is for those who have possessions to enter into the kingdom of God!' And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus, answering again, says to them: 'Children, how hard it is for those who have set their trust on possessions to enter into the kingdom of God! More easily shall a camel pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man into the kingdom of God.' And they were astonished beyond measure, and said: 'Who, then, can be saved?' And He, looking upon them, said: 'What is impossible among men is possible with God.' Peter began to say to Him: 'See, we have left everything and have followed You.' And Jesus, answering, [says]: 'Truly I say to you, whoever leaves what is his own — both parents and brothers and possessions — for My sake and for the sake of the gospel shall receive a hundredfold; now in this present time lands and possessions and houses and brothers, with persecutions, [unto where? —]; but in the world to come there is eternal life. [And then] the first shall be last and th
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1 Timothy 6:17 Supporting witness
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
More related quotations from this section 10 shown
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Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching
...it is strengthened by frugality. And who can be poor if he is not in want, if he does not crave the possessions of others, if he is rich toward God? Rather, he is poor who, although he has much, desires more. Yet I will speak as I feel. No one can be as poor as he is when he is born. Birds live without any inheritance, and the cattle are fed day by day. Yet these creatures are born for us, and if we do not lust after these things, we possess them. Therefore, just as the man who travels a road is happier the more lightly he walks, so he is happier in this journey of life who moves forward in poverty and does not breathe heavily under the burden of riches. And even if we thought wealth useful to us, we would ask it of God. Surely He, to whom all things belong, could grant us some measure of it. But we would rather despise riches than possess them. We would rather desire innocency. We would rather ask for patience. We prefer being good to being prodigal. And that we feel and suffer the human mischiefs of the body is not punishment; it is warfare. For fortitude is strengthened by infirmities, and calamity is very often the discipline of virtue. In addition, the strength of both mind
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Mark 4:19 Supporting witness
and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
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Proverbs 11:28 Supporting witness
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
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Ecclesiastes 5:13 Supporting witness
There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.
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Psalms 49:6 Supporting witness
those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
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Mark 10:23 Supporting witness
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
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1 Timothy 6:10 Supporting witness
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
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1 Timothy 6:9 Supporting witness
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
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James 5:1 Supporting witness
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
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Hosea 5:12 Supporting witness
There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, Namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.
How did early Christians think wealthy believers should use money?
A second major thread says wealth is something to be used rightly: for almsgiving, justice, support of the poor, and good works. These sources do not call wealth itself bad, but they insist it must be handled as a stewardship under God.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
...an has much wealth, but he is poor in matters relating to the Lord, because he is distracted by his riches. He offers very few confessions and intercessions to the Lord, and those that he does offer are small and weak, and have no power above. But when the rich man refreshes the poor and helps him in his needs, believing that what he does for the poor man will receive its reward from God, because the poor man is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God, then the rich man helps the poor in all things without hesitation. And the poor man, being helped by the rich, intercedes for him, giving thanks to God for the one who gives him gifts. And he continues to care zealously for the poor man, so that his needs may always be supplied. For he knows that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable to God and has influence with Him. So both of them accomplish their work. The poor man makes intercession, a work in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord, and with which he repays the master who helps him. And the rich man, in the same way, without hesitation gives to the poor man the riches that he received from the Lord. And this is a
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
And he who is not haughty in prosperity, obtains glory for his humility;
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
It makes men humble in prosperity, brave in adversity, gentle towards wrongs and contempts.
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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness
...us calls the poor blessed. In that saying, however, Jesus did not mean those who are simply poor in worldly possessions, but those who are poor in spirit. That is, those who are not burning with pride, but have the gentle and lowly attitudes of humility, and do not think of themselves more highly than they should. However, this is a question that our adversary has not stated correctly. For here I see that Jesus also gladly watches the gifts of rich men when they are placed into the treasury. At the same time, it would be far too little if gifts were placed into the treasury by the rich alone. So the two mites of the poor widow are also received with gladness. And in that offering, truly, something is shown that goes beyond what Moses prescribed on the receiving of money. For Moses received gifts from those who had, but Jesus receives them even from those who do not have. But this man also says that it is written that unless a man forsakes all that he has, he cannot be my disciple. Well, I observe again that the centurion, a man exceedingly wealthy and richly furnished with worldly influence, had a faith greater than that of all Israel. So even if there was someone who had forsak
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2 Corinthians 6:10 Background
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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Luke 12:21 Background
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
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Luke 6:24 Background
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
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Proverbs 13:7 Supporting witness
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
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Wisdom of Sirach 10:31 Supporting witness
He that is honored in poverty, how much more in riches? And he that is dishonorable in riches, how much more in poverty?
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Wisdom of Sirach 34:3 Supporting witness
The rich hath great labor in gathering riches together; And when he resteth, he is filled with his delicacies.
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Wisdom of Sirach 34:1 Supporting witness
Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, And the care thereof driveth away sleep.
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Wisdom of Sirach 22:23 Supporting witness
Be faithful to thy neighbor in his poverty, That thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: Abide steadfast unto him in the time of his trouble, That thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage.
More related quotations from this section 19 shown
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? Direct teaching
for they are possessions, in that they can be possessed, and goods, in that they are useful, and they have been prepared by God for human use. They lie at hand and are placed under us like material and tools for good use by those who know how. The instrument, if you use it skillfully, is skillful; if you fall short of the skill, it suffers from your lack of art, while it itself is blameless. Such an instrument is wealth as well. Are you able to use it justly? Then it serves under you for righteousness. Does someone use it unjustly? Then it is found in turn to be a servant of injustice; for its nature is to serve, not to rule. We must not, therefore, blame what of itself has neither the good nor the evil — being blameless — but rather that which is able to use these things either well or badly, and which, by reason of those things it chooses, is by that very fact the cause. And this is the mind of man, which has within itself a free faculty of judgment and the freedom to decide how to handle what has been given. So let no one destroy his possessions rather than the passions of the soul, which do not allow the better use of what one has. Then, by becoming noble and good, he may be ab
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
And in this sense we charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
Now if riches are to be taken in the sense we have just explained, consider if it is not according to God's promise that he who is rich in all utterance, in all knowledge, in all wisdom, in all good works, may not out of these treasures of utterance, of wisdom, and of knowledge, lend to many nations.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
...nd to despise and trample on mortal things. But if you do not grasp this virtue, so as to give your riches to the altar of God, in order to provide for yourself possessions more secure than these fragile ones, I will free you from fear. All these commands are not given to you alone, but to all the people who are united in mind and hold together as one man. If you are not able to do great works by yourself, practice justice with all your power, yet in such a way that you may surpass others in deed as much as you surpass them in riches. And do not think that you are being advised to reduce or use up your property. Rather, turn to better uses what you would have spent on luxuries. Give to the ransoming of captives what you spend on buying beasts. Support the poor with what you use to feed wild beasts. Bury the innocent dead with what you spend on supplying men for the sword. What profit is there in enriching men of shameless wickedness, who fight with beasts, and in equipping them for crimes? Transfer to the great sacrifice the things that are about to be miserably wasted, so that in return for these true gifts you may receive an everlasting gift from God. Mercy has a great reward,
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...f the law promises riches to the just, Celsus may follow the letter that kills and understand it as worldly riches, which blind men. But we say it refers to those riches that enlighten the eyes and enrich a man in all utterance and in all knowledge. In this sense, we charge those who are rich in this world not to be high-minded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. For, as Solomon says, riches are the true good, which are the ransom of the life of a man. But the poverty that is the opposite of these riches is destructive, for by it the poor cannot bear rebuke. And what has been said of riches also applies to dominion, in regard to which it is said, "The just man shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight." Now if riches are to be taken in the sense we have just explained, consider whether it is not according to God's promise that he who is rich in all utterance, in all knowledge, in all wisdom, and in all good works, may, out of these treasures of utterance, of wisdom, and of knowledge, lend to many nations.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
Blessed are they who have riches, and who understand that they are from the Lord.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
And this is a great work, and acceptable before God, because he understands the object of his wealth, and has given to the poor of the gifts of the Lord, and rightly discharged his service to Him.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...uble them. They heap up plenty of money for themselves, lend at harsh interest, and care only about mammon, whose money bag is their god. They put eating and drinking before all virtue, saying, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." They value these things as though they were lasting and not perishing. For she who gives herself to nothing but talk about money worships mammon instead of God. That is, she is a servant to gain, but cannot be pleasing to God or devoted to His worship. She is not able to intercede with Him continually, because her mind and disposition run after money. For where the treasure is, there the heart will be also. In her mind she is thinking about where she may go to receive something, or that a certain woman, her friend, has forgotten her, and she has something to say to her. A woman who thinks about such things will no longer pay attention to her prayers, but to that thought which comes to her. So even if at times she would pray for someone, she will not be heard, because she does not offer her petition to the Lord with her whole heart, but with a divided mind. But she who gives attention to God will stay inside and care for the things of the Lord d
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Didache, Connection to Luke 16:9 Supporting witness
Give to every one that asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings.
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1 Timothy 6:18 Supporting witness
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
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Tobit 12:8 Supporting witness
Prayer is good with fasting and alms and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold:
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Proverbs 28:8 Supporting witness
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
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Wisdom of Sirach 40:26 Supporting witness
Riches and strength lift up the heart: But the fear of the Lord is above them both: There is no want in the fear of the Lord, And it needeth not to seek help.
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Wisdom of Sirach 13:24 Supporting witness
Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, And poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.
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Wisdom of Sirach 34:8 Supporting witness
Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, And hath not gone after gold.
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Proverbs 10:22 Supporting witness
The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
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Proverbs 8:18 Supporting witness
Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
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Hosea 7:14 Supporting witness
In the day of prosperity live joyfully, And consider in the day of adversity: Consider, I say, God also has caused The one to agree with the other for this reason, That man should find nothing after him.
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1 Chronicles 29:12 Background
From thee come wealth and glory: thou, O Lord, rulest over all, the Lord of all dominion, and in thy hand is strength and rule; and thou art almighty with thy hand to increase and establish all things.
Common Questions
Did early Christians think wealth was sinful?
Not always. They usually warned that wealth becomes dangerous when people trust it, love it, or become proud because of it.
Did early Christians teach that rich believers could be saved?
Yes. Some writers, especially Clement of Alexandria, say wealth can be used rightly, but only if it does not rule the soul.
What did early Christians say about using money?
They said money should be used for generosity, justice, and help for the poor, not for pride or selfish living.
Source Index for Prosperity and Riches
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 196 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 114
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Justin Martyr, Other Fragments from the Lost Writings of Justin
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
Bible Passages 80 shown of 82
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.