Religion

Many theologians hint there are at least two competing, opposing theologies, ideas, in the Bible. The 1) Old Testament, which says God will give you material things, even great prosperity, if you are good. Against 2) the New Testament, and often, Jesus. Who sometimes tells you to be spiritual. And to forget about, even despise, material things.

So there's a conflict, contradiction, between God and Jesus.

To try to fix that, one very common sermon suggests a compromise. Suggesting that God will and should give us 1) not obscene "riches"; but 2) at least basic necessities or needs; a minimum wage, more or less. The minimum you need to "live." Subsistence, at least.

Like most religion, much of that might be contradictory. But that's the rough compromise many preachers have reached. In the matter of material rewards, versus spiritual rewards.