Many people remember Fiddler on the Roof, in which Tevye frequently talks with God as he goes about his daily life. At one point, after imagining the comforts and opportunities that wealth could bring, he looks heavenward and asks, “Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan if I was a wealthy man?”
It is a humorous line, but it raises a serious question. Most of us have wished for greater financial security at some point. We may not dream of mansions and luxury, but we often wonder why money seems so scarce when our needs are so real. If we are faithful to God, is it reasonable to expect Him to make us prosperous?
Before answering that question, it is worth asking another: Does God owe us prosperity in exchange for our obedience?
The Christian answer is no. As C. S. Lewis observed, every ability we possess, every breath we take, and every moment of life is already a gift from God. Even if we devoted every moment of our lives to His service, we could never give Him anything that was not already His. Our relationship with God is not a business arrangement in which faithful service earns material rewards. Instead, we are indebted to Him for both our creation and our salvation.
Yet some Bible passages seem to connect obedience and prosperity. In Malachi 3:10–11, God promises to bless those who faithfully return their tithes, even protecting their crops from loss. Deuteronomy 5:33 similarly declares that those who walk in God’s ways will “live and prosper.” Such passages can make it sound as though faithfulness naturally leads to financial success.
The difficulty, of course, is that many faithful believers do not experience great material prosperity. Some struggle financially throughout their lives despite their commitment to God. Does that mean God has failed to keep His promises?
Perhaps the problem lies not with God’s promises but with our assumptions. When we read the word prosperity, we often automatically think of money. But Scripture uses a much broader understanding of blessings than modern culture does.
In fact, the Bible frequently warns that wealth can become a spiritual liability. Paul writes, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap” and reminds us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:9–10). Likewise, Ecclesiastes observes that those who love money are never satisfied with what they have. Wealth can provide comfort, but it cannot provide contentment, purpose, or peace.
This does not mean that money itself is evil. Scripture includes many examples of godly people who were wealthy. Abraham possessed enormous resources. Job was blessed with great wealth before and after his trials. Solomon became the richest king of his age. Clearly, wealth can be a blessing when it is placed in the hands of someone who will use it wisely.
The key point is that money is not God’s highest blessing. For some people, wealth may be a useful tool. For others, it may become a distraction or even a danger. Because God knows us better than we know ourselves, He gives not according to our wishes but according to our true needs.
Jesus addressed this concern directly when He said, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matt. 6:31–32). God does not promise that every believer will become wealthy, but He does promise His care. He knows our needs, and He is committed to providing what is necessary for us to fulfill His purposes.
So what blessings can we confidently expect from a life devoted to God?
Psalm 23 offers a beautiful picture of the prosperity God truly desires for His people. David begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The promise is not unlimited wealth but the assurance that God will provide what is needed. He leads His people to green pastures and quiet waters, restoring their souls. He guides them along the right paths, not because they have earned His favor, but because of His faithfulness.
Perhaps most strikingly, the psalm does not promise a life free from hardship. God’s people still walk “through the valley of the shadow of death.” The blessing is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in the midst of it. “You are with me,” David says. God’s guidance, protection, comfort, and companionship remain even when circumstances are difficult.
The psalm concludes with another remarkable promise: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Here we find prosperity in its fullest sense—not merely enough for today, but the assurance of God’s care throughout life and the promise of eternal fellowship with Him.
When viewed from an eternal perspective, these gifts are far more valuable than financial prosperity. Wealth lasts only for a lifetime; God’s presence lasts forever. Money can solve some temporary problems; salvation addresses our deepest need. Financial security may ease our worries for a season, but God’s faithfulness gives us hope both now and for eternity.
So if we find ourselves asking Tevye’s question—whether it would spoil some vast, eternal plan for us to be wealthy—the answer may be that God’s plan is focused on something greater than wealth. His goal is not simply to make us richer, but to make us His. And the blessings He promises are ultimately far better than anything money can buy.
That sounds like a pretty good vast, eternal plan.
By Lisa Rasmussen