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This particular Christian truth only rarely works its way into the decision-making process of our ministry organizations. The engine that drives us is a compelling vision for ministry, and who can say that the vision was not vouchsafed by God? So we pursue the vision by building and growing the organizations that embody the vision. Growth means more money; more money means more ministry. In the worst cases, means and ends become reversed, and growth and influence become goals unto themselves.

In the best cases, more ministry means more people who become newly aware of the great gift God has given them in Jesus Christ—and who then, in gratitude, reach into their own pockets and give, so that others might also know.

Michael S. Hamilton is assistant professor of history at Seattle Pacific University. Illustration by Amanda Duffy

Michael S. Hamilton has also written "The Dissatisfaction of Francis Schaeffer" and "The Triumph of the Praise Songs" for Christianity Today.

Our earlier articles about God and money include:

The Culture of the Market: A Christian Vision (1999)

Keeping Up with the Amish (Oct. 4, 1999)

Pious Profits? (Sept. 6, 1999)

Trapped in the Cult of the Next Thing (Sept. 6, 1999)

Anatomy of a Giver (May 19, 1997)

Sister publication Christian Reader has profiled Catherine Booth, cofounder of the Salvation Army, while Books & Culture has looked at the history of the Salvation Army.

The Wesley Center for Applied Theology at Northwest Nazarene University features a number of John Wesley's sermons, including: "Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity," "The Use of Money," "On Riches," and "On the Danger of Increasing Riches."

"The Rich & Poor in Paul's Theology" discusses how Paul's teachings about wealth and poverty might apply to Evangelicals today. The Action Institute also discusses Evangelicals and economics. Roman Catholic scholar Michael Novak argues at Beliefnet that capitalism isn't hostile to religious faith. Also at Beliefnet, authors Gregg Easterbrook and Tom Bethell have recently debated the spiritual impact of money.

"Evangelism and Social Responsibility: An Evangelical Commitment," a 1982 document from the Lusanne Committee for World Evangelization, is available online. Pope John Paul II's 1991 encyclical Centesimus Annus presents the views of the Roman Catholic church on capitalism and wealth.

Money at Crosswalk.com features articles and information on personal finance, including advice from financial planning guru Larry Burkett. CCNfn reported last year on Burkett and the trend of using biblical wisdom in financial planning.

The CO Shopping Mall features a variety of books dealing with faith and money, including Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger and Wealth as Peril and Obligation.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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June 12 2000, Vol. 44, No. 7