Some scriptures do reflect reasonable as well as wealthy incomes for the apostles. However, no apostle’s income increased as a result of following Jesus.
The apostle Matthew was a tax collector. Luke 5:27-29: (NKJV) 27 “After these things He (Jesus) went out and saw a tax collector named Levi (this is Matthew), sitting at the tax office. And he said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29 Then Levi gave him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them.” Great feasts are very costly. Hosting the feast in one’s home indicates that home is large. Therefore, Matthew was wealthy.
The apostle John probably came from a more prosperous family. John had relationships and was respected among the Sanhedrin. These men were prosperous leaders in the Jewish community. Because John knew these men, John alone was admitted into Jesus’s trial. John 18:15 (NKJV), 15 “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple (John). Now that disciple (John) was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.” Additionally, at the cross, Jesus commended his beloved mother into John’s care. Jesus would have chosen the best person to love and care for her so that she would not be in need. “Then He (Jesus) said to the disciple (John), ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:27 (NKJV)
The apostle Paul had great prominence in the Jewish community. He was a well-educated, religious leader. Philippians 3:4-6 (NKJV), 4 “…If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I (Paul) more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Doubtless, he had financial ease.
The apostles who were fishermen were owners of small businesses. They had houses near the sea of Galilee and owned boats. Land near the sea was probably well-priced. And owning boats with all the fishing gear requires a good income. So, these men may not have been as prosperous as Matthew, John, and Paul, but they still had comfortable incomes.
But none of these facts promote the “prosperity gospel” of today. Many well-known preachers teach that following Jesus and tithing will be blessed. They believe God will give you even more income. We strongly disagree with this thought. Paul wrote, “I know what it is to be in need,… hungry,… in want.” Philippians 4:12 (NIV). The apostles left all to follow Jesus. Matthew 19:27: (NKJV) “Then Peter answered and said to him, ‘See, we have left all and followed you. Therefore what shall we have?’”