Ministering to the Wealthy Without Eyeing Their Wealth

In Part 1, we saw how Jesus valued a single soul by engaging the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). In Acts 8:26–40, we see another striking example: God supernaturally moves Philip from a thriving revival in Samaria to reach just one man—the Ethiopian Eunuch.

This wasn’t just any man. The Ethiopian Eunuch was extremely wealthy and influential. Four strong indicators confirm this:

1. High Government Position: He was the royal treasurer under Queen Candace—essentially, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance. A man of great authority and access.
2. Private Chariot: In the first century, only the elite traveled this way. This points to wealth, status, and a personal staff.
3. Scroll of Isaiah: Scrolls were rare and expensive, hand-copied, and typically found only in temples. Owning one signals both riches and spiritual hunger.
4. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem: The long journey from Ethiopia was no casual trip. It required serious financial resources and spiritual devotion.

Yet after Philip explained the gospel and baptized him, he didn’t ask for a seed, a prophet’s honorarium, or even transport fare back. He simply obeyed God.

Ministry to the wealthy must not end with offerings. We must return to a place where ministering to politicians and high-net-worth individuals isn’t about their pockets but their souls.

Elisha modeled this too when he refused payment from Naaman (2 Kings 5). Ministry must never wear a price tag.

May we be ministers who truly value the souls of the rich—not their riches. Let God remain our source.