Wealth, Poverty and Christian Callings
God sanctifies and purposes our vocations. All of them.
NOTE: Last week, my friend Titus Folks of The Conservative Job Board republished my documentary for Founders Ministries on “Vocation”. If you enjoy the following article, you might want to take time to watch it.
by Rod D. Martin
January 26, 2025
Dear _________,
I see that your ministry is beating on the "prosperity gospel," and rightly so.
However, I've been increasingly disturbed by the greater and opposite tendency in the church toward a "poverty gospel," one that exalts the lack of wealth, tends toward Liberation Theology and Critical Theory, and robs Christ's people of much of their purpose while infusing them with a heart of covetousness.
I see these as two sides of one sin-centered coin. Both are equally man-centric, both are equally Satan-empowering.
What we term capitalism is not merely necessary in consequence of God's laws regarding theft and covetousness (not to mention His dislike of nationalizations: see e.g. Naboth), it is something quite more: it is the societal level fulfillment of the Golden Rule.
In every other system wealth is accumulated by theft and coercion; but in capitalism, one cannot even think of making a single penny without first considering someone else's problems, creatively solving them, and then persuading them that their proposed solution is both worthwhile and worthy of paying for. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this is that even the evil are forced to put others before themselves if they want to succeed.
Again, every other system rewards power and plunder. Capitalism alone, rooted as it is in Biblical law, puts others’ needs ahead of our own: you must serve to succeed.
I am not by this suggesting that everything which calls itself "capitalism" is right, any more than you might suggest that everything calling itself "marriage" or "worship" is right. I am simply stating both the ideal and it's logical conclusion: that not only has God regulated the affairs of men, but that He has done so coherently, comprehensively, and consistently throughout.
There is no end to His wisdom.
As you know, I feel quite strongly that the old idea of the Creation Mandate is correct— regardless of one’s eschatology — and that we are privileged to be co-creators with our Father. In many ways we are like five year olds in Daddy's garage, "helping" fix his car. But we are co-workers with Him nevertheless.
I don't think this is incidental: I think that like common and special grace, the Creation Mandate and the Great Commission are the common and special calls upon all flesh. I think He did not make the world idly: He had great purpose in its physical reality and not just the spiritual. This is evidenced in many ways but not least in His repudiation of Greek asceticism and His resurrection of the body, a perfected body, subject to neither death nor decay — like the bodies we lost at the Fall — which we will wear forever in glory. And He is fulfilling His physical plans for His creation as surely as He is redeeming His race of men, who through their redemption will be better and better able to complete what He began before Eden.
Moreover, I think in addition to the failings of the prosperity and poverty "gospels," the church is prone — led by well-meaning but human clergy as it is — to see God's work as entirely that of evangelism and discipleship, work of men called to Gospel ministry (and those they can talk into helping them, generally seen as intellectually and otherwise inferior for their lack of an M.Div).
But I think this completely denies the concept of diversity in the Body: all vocations (other than those which are inherently sinful) are callings, and many of them do, or at least could in theory, achieve more good than the average pastor, with neither disrespect nor diminution of his dignity. The physician is certainly such a minister; so is the inventor of the polio vaccine he uses (and this is true, as with Nebuchadnezzer, regardless of whether he intentionally serves Christ). So is the gas station owner, and the dot-com guy, and the politician and the poet:
Their work pushes back the effects of the Curse.
God has made them precisely to do these works, for Himself and for His people.
In working successfully, they earn money which funds the church's ministry (which the church does not and cannot do for itself).
In working successfully, they earn money which sustains themselves and their families, and expands their ability to serve others. Whether for-profit or not-for-profit, provision of goods and services (or donation of money, goods, or time) is service just the same.
In working successfully, they employ people who otherwise might be charity cases for an overburdened church, people thus enabled to exercise their gifts and fulfill their callings. And as they grow their businesses they increase their ability to hire still more.
In employing these people, they have a five or more day per week ministry to them — one hopes their church leaders disciple them to act in this way! — that can be far more intensive and practical than the church can match.
In thinking this way, the church gives people meaning and dignity which too many today lack. They need, and thus gain, purpose. They begin to see Christ in all things and thus to submit all things to Him, and the Earth is filled increasingly with His Gospel, goodness and glory. Amen.
In Martin Luther’s words, it is not the duty of the Christian shoemaker to put little crosses on the shoes. It’s his duty to make good shoes!
How many people in our world need good shoes at a fair price? This is ministry. Calling.
We need to reclaim the fullness of the Gospel, which is not only the salvation of men, but their redemption to a purpose: the reaching of the lost yes, but also the renewing of all things, the pushing back of the curse, and the alleviation of the frustration to which all Creation has been made subject by sin.
God has proclaimed everything, and everyone's calling, good. Why don't we agree?
Speaking as a Christian entrepreneur, I believe must awaken all people to the fullness of their callings, and awaken the church to the fullness of the resources God has given it, too often now idle, for thinking His thoughts after Him and doing them, in every sphere. Christ has received all power in Heaven and on Earth. To make disciples of all nations requires thinking Christianly, and in absolutely everything.
It is a joy to get to serve with you.
Your brother,
Rod
Here’s the documentary I mentioned:
And here’s my Inauguration Day essay that got more than 20 million views on X:
You might also like:
Excellent. This is from my 2013 book, Thy Will Be Done, published by Nordskog on Christian Stewardship vs the Alternatives. The spectrum idea originated with Paul Jehle. Endorsed by Mark Rushdoony, Martin Selebrede, George Grant, etc. https://getwisdom.us/christian-stewardship-vs-the-flesh/.
I believe that capitalism is a man made system and is subject to abuse, but it also provides the best framework to live a christian life. I recall a statement I once heard ,“ You pray in the name of Jesus Christ but do you work in the name of Jesus Christ “. The first part references the authority that has been given to our lord. The second part of that statement refers to our acceptance of his teachings. ( simply said the two great commandments ). The first being ( restated “Live our life only in response to our love of God”) the second being (also restated “ Selflessly consider the wellbeing of others we interact with”). I am now retired but when I was employed I tried to provide more than what I was paid for. This is the way I was raised. As I got older and started looking into this Christianity I realized that I had been complying with the second commandment. My concerns were how my efforts affected my employer and those who received my services and not my pay or position. When the reason for this attitude changed from “ that’s the way I was raised” to “ that’s what our Father in Heaven want’s me to do” I was working in the name of Jesus. I won’t get into the contentment and peace that gave me, that’s for another time.
It isn’t hard to imagine how that the approach to work was rewarded by employer and customers especially in a capitalistic system. I was paid well, appreciated, and kept employed until I retired. This is the benefit of capitalism. It is also a curse to Christian living.
When the wealth, position, power, acclaim et.al. provided by this system becomes our focus and not our consideration for others we leavJesus
In an authoritarian system our work in Jesus’s name may gain only a wip and staff