What Happens If a Person Gives All Their Money to the Poor? Question 23.

Jonathan Shuttlesworth, in his book and YouTube blog 35 Questions for Those Who Hate the Prosperity Gospel, asks:

“If a person gave all their money to the poor, what would happen to them?”

He argues that those who give generously, especially to the poor, will receive blessings beyond financial rewards, citing Psalm 41:3 and Acts 10:1-6. Shuttlesworth frames giving as a way to “provoke a blessing,” linking acts of generosity to promises of health, protection, and prosperity.

While generosity is indeed a biblical principle, Shuttlesworth’s interpretation risks distorting the gospel message by presenting giving as a transactional relationship with God. This blog critically evaluates his claims, examining his use of Scripture and contrasting his teaching with the broader biblical narrative on giving, stewardship, and faith.

1. Examining Shuttlesworth’s Use of Scripture

Psalm 41:1-3

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth uses this psalm to argue that giving to the poor brings divine blessings, including protection, healing, and provision.

Contextual and Hermeneutical Analysis

1. The Nature of the Blessing:

   • This psalm highlights God’s care for the compassionate, emphasizing His provision and protection. However, these blessings are relational and spiritual, not guarantees of material wealth or immunity from hardship.

   • The psalm reflects a principle of God’s justice and mercy, not a formula for prosperity.

     
     

2. A Focus on God’s Character:

   • The passage underscores God’s faithfulness to those who align with His heart for the poor and vulnerable, encouraging trust in His sovereignty rather than self-reliance.

     
     

Acts 10:1-6

“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!’ Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.’”

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth argues that Cornelius’ giving provoked a blessing from God, suggesting that generosity leads to divine favor and tangible rewards.

Contextual and Hermeneutical Analysis

1. Cornelius’ Giving:

   • Cornelius’ generosity reflects his faith and reverence for God, but the passage does not suggest that his giving earned God’s favor. Instead, his acts of devotion were a response to God’s grace.

     
     

2. The Broader Purpose:

   • The angelic vision directed Cornelius to Peter, leading to the gospel being preached to the Gentiles and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48). This narrative focuses on God’s redemptive plan, not material prosperity.

     
     

2. Evaluating Shuttlesworth’s Theological Claims

Claim: Giving Provokes Blessings and Harvests

Shuttlesworth promotes the idea that giving is a form of planting seeds in “good soil,” resulting in divine blessings and material harvests.

Biblical Response

1. Generosity as Worship:

   • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”While this passage highlights the blessings of generosity, it focuses on the heart and intent behind giving rather than transactional expectations.

     
     

2. The Danger of Transactional Theology:

   • Acts 8:20: When Simon the Sorcerer attempted to buy spiritual power, Peter rebuked him, saying, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

     
     

     Generosity is an act of worship and obedience, not a means to manipulate God or secure blessings.

     
     

3. The Biblical Purpose of Giving

Faith Over Finances

The Bible teaches that giving reflects trust in God’s provision, not a reliance on financial abundance:

• Mark 12:41-44: The widow gave all she had, demonstrating faith in God’s provision rather than expecting a material return.

  
  

Stewardship Over Prosperity

Christians are called to steward their resources for God’s glory and the good of others:

• 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

  
  

Eternal Perspective

The Bible consistently points to eternal treasures as the ultimate reward for faithfulness:

• Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

  
  

4. Addressing Shuttlesworth’s Implications

Implication: Giving Guarantees Material Returns

Shuttlesworth’s teaching risks promoting a transactional view of faith, where giving is seen as a means to secure blessings.

Biblical Warning

• 1 Timothy 6:5: Paul warns against those who view godliness as a means to financial gain, emphasizing the dangers of such a mindset.

  
  

Implication: Poverty Prevents Generosity

Shuttlesworth’s argument assumes that financial abundance is necessary for faithful giving, contradicting the Bible’s examples of sacrificial generosity.

Biblical Response

• 2 Corinthians 8:2: The Macedonian churches gave generously despite their poverty, demonstrating that faith, not wealth, enables generosity.

  
  

5. A Biblical Perspective on Generosity

Giving as Worship

Generosity reflects a heart aligned with God’s purposes, prioritizing faithfulness and obedience over material outcomes.

Trust in God’s Provision

Believers are called to trust God to provide for their needs and empower their service to others:

• Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

  
  

Eternal Rewards

The ultimate reward for faithful giving is spiritual and eternal, not material:

• Matthew 19:21: Jesus invites the rich young ruler to “sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

  
  

Conclusion: What Happens If a Person Gives All Their Money to the Poor?

While generosity is a central biblical principle, Shuttlesworth’s teaching distorts its purpose by promoting a transactional view of faith. The Bible emphasizes that giving is an act of worship, trust, and obedience, not a guarantee of material rewards.

Faithful giving reflects a heart transformed by God’s grace, seeking His glory and eternal purposes. True prosperity is found in Christ, not in material abundance, and the blessings of generosity extend beyond financial gain to include spiritual growth, relational harmony, and eternal treasures.

Author: Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht BCL, M.Div. ✝️📖✨

(PhD Student)