God and Mammon

Abstract

The study offers a biblicaltheological overview of money, wealth, and material possessions, tracing how different scriptural corpora interpret prosperity and its spiritual risks. Beginning with the Torah and historical books, where wealth often appears as a sign of divine blessing, the paper contrasts this with the prophetic and wisdom traditions, where wealth is a source of arrogance, injustice, and estrangement from God. The New Testament intensifies this critique: Jesus’ teaching on Mammon frames wealth as a rival deity that demands trust and loyalty, warning that “you cannot serve God and Mammon.” Yet the paper also highlights the possibility of transforming “unrighteous mammon” into an instrument of mercy and solidarity. A brief historical survey shows how the early church grappled with wealth. The conclusion draws contemporary lessons for the Reformed Church in Hungary, emphasizing integrity, transparency, responsible stewardship, and the danger of institutional accumulation that undermines credibility. The paper argues that material resources must remain tools for the mission rather than ends in themselves.