At least four large sources of income fueled Geneva’s new economic engine during this period. First, revenue for Geneva increased dramatically from 1550 to 1570 primarily due to the large number of new citizens (refugees). In two years (1555-1556), Calvinist refugees who were flocking to Geneva contributed approximately 20% of the total revenue to the city coffers. The popularity of Calvin’s Academy further boosted revenues in periods of need, and the influx of wealth continued for decades. By the 1580s many of the donors in times of crisis were people who had been refugees of the previous generation. Growth in the population enhanced prosperity.

Second, after Calvin’s arrival in 1536 Geneva retained many of the revenues formerly raised by the Catholic diocese. Parish tithes were still contributed and, as an earlier historian wryly noted, “The last thing which a Reformed state wished to do was to abolish any Papist tax; and Messieurs knew that a preacher, even Calvin, was less expensive to maintain than a well-bred cathedral canon. . . . All in all, the Republic took in perceptibly more revenue from traditional ecclesiastical sources than it spent on Reformed ecclesiastical institutions.” Thus, the conversion and redeployment of pre-existing assets helped the local economy.

Third, Geneva surged ahead in the development of new information industries. The printing businesses of Protestant immigrants made significant fiscal contributions to the local economy. Calvin’s thought and action impelled this to new heights.

Fourth, Geneva was successful in soliciting funds from other sympathetic Calvinistic countries. During one very difficult period (1593), Germans and other Calvinistic sympathizers gave up to 25% of Geneva’s budget to the city as a result of solicitations by Beza. Historian Alain Dufour summarized the sources of income: “Geneva survived principally on loans from her citizens in 1589, on foreign loans in 1590, and on collections from foreign churches in 1591.”
Read More»

David Hall | “The Initial Calvinistic Business Spirit” | November 10, 2025

RESOURCES

• Subscribe To The Heidelblog!
• Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play
• The Heidelblog Resource Page
• Heidelmedia Resources
• The Ecumenical Creeds
• The Reformed Confessions
• The Heidelberg Catechism
• The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2025)
• Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008)
• Why I Am A Christian
• What Must A Christian Believe?
• Heidelblog Contributors
• Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to

Heidelberg Reformation Association
1637 E. Valley Parkway #391
Escondido CA 92027
USA
The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Post authored by:

• David Hall

  

  Reverend David W. Hall is married to Ann, and they are parents of three grown children and grandparents of eight grandchildren. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA) since 2003. Previously, he served as Pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (1984–2003) and as Associate Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, Georgia (1980–1984). He was ordained to pastoral ministry in 1980. He was educated at Covenant Theological Seminary and is the editor and author of several volumes.

  More by David Hall ›