There is something about money: What is the right balance between faith and wealth?

Search the Bible and you will find hundreds of verses addressing the topic of wealth.

In fact, some researchers believe Christ preached more often about money and possessions than either heaven or hell, according to Lisa Keister, a professor of sociology at Duke University.

Consider the oft-quoted scripture in Matthew: "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Why then, do studies show people who attend religious services generally achieve more wealth than people who don't? Keister believes it's both a direct and indirect result of the emphasis religions place on issues such as marriage, childbearing, education and goal-setting.

Those are all big contributors to a person's lack or excess of wealth, she said.

So how does one reconcile the attainment of wealth with the teachings that wealth can be detrimental?

For some, it's a matter of interpreting the scriptures literally. Conservative Protestants as a whole tend to accumulate less wealth than Jews, Catholics or mainline Protestants, according to Keister.

Others believe it's a matter of attitude. The scripture in 1 Timothy does not say, "money is the root of all evil." It's the "love of money" that is the root of evil.

"We don't see wealth as good or bad," said Pastor Steve Goodier of Salt Lake City's Christ United Methodist Church. "It's what it does to you that makes a difference."

From his perspective, money can be a great tool, but the more tightly a person holds onto their wealth, the easier it is to focus on attainment and develop a "fearful" spiritual attitude.

He encourages people to try and seek balance with their money. It's important to save so as not to become dependant on others, but it must be done appropriately without hoarding, Pastor Goodier said.

Likewise, he believes a person must learn to spend appropriately, and also be generous in donating their money.

Within the Jewish faith tradition, Rabbi Tracee Rosen of Salt Lake City's Congregation Kol Ami said it is clear wealth is a gift from God and people have a responsibility to use it to benefit others. But giving must be done with balance so as not to indebt the giver, she said.