“Wealth is regarded as a good thing by most people. But that is not entirely true: it depends how you use it. If wealth were a good thing in itself and on its own account, then everyone who possesses it out to be good. Yet not all rich people are virtuous, one those who manage their money in a responsible way. Therefore wealth is not a good thing in itself, it is only an instrument for doing good.”
John Chrysostom (347-407) in Commentary on Isaiah as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. by R. E. Guiley (New York, 2002) 179.
I appreciate where Chrysostom goes with this idea. I also appreciate how it syncs with biblical teaching. What does our Lord say to those with wealth? Share it with the needy (cf. Mark 10:21-22)! What does the Apostle Paul echo? Enjoy and share it (cf. 1 Tim 6:17-19)! When wealthy people do this, wealth serves it’s intended purpose as an instrument of good for all.
Some debate this notion saying God made all of creation and declared it “good” so isn’t wealth “good” too? We must remember that God gave us the ability to produce wealth and instructions on what to do with it (cf. Deut 8:18). Sadly, His people in the OT failed to obey His instructions for the use of wealth, and my prayer is that we don’t forget today because our actions show whether we are His disciples or not.