From two netfriends:

[1] According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_work_ethic, Protestantism is linked to prosperity and the article seems to suggest that Protestantism causes economic prosperity.

“The Protestant work ethic is often credited with helping to define the societies of Northern Europe and other Protestant countries where Protestantism was strong, such as in Scandinavia, northern Germany, Great Britain and the United States. In such societies it is regarded by many observers as one of the cornerstones of national prosperity. It has been said that people in countries with Protestant roots tend to be more materialistic, perfectionist, and that they focused more on work, compared to people many other countries, such as Spain and Italy, where the people had a more relaxed attitude toward work.”

However, in the bible we read that “money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:9) and that one should focus not on material well-being but spiritual well-being, so is the outcome of economic prosperity sinful?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money,” (Matthew 6:24)

Since Protestantism being based on the principle of Sola Scriptura and since scripture forbids worship of money then the Wikipedia article about Protestant Work Ethnic confuses me.

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[2] Church historians are typically not very happy with Weber’s argument. Despite the article, it’s not really making money that is the virtue. It is seeing your vocation as a call from God, and working to the best of your ability. The idea of vocation is not specific to Protestantism, but during the Reformation it was reemphasized by a number of Protestant theologians. Luther and others were concerned that clergy and monks had been elevated to a superior category of people. Luther emphasized that any job could be equally God’s calling. I do agree that this can develop into materialism. Of course there are similar movements in support of lay vocations in Catholicism.