Religious response wasn't really all that positive but it wasn't completely negative as well. Religions of Eurasia were always against material goods since it went against spirituality. You can see that in Europe in the teachings of Christianity, which was not always respected by various Christian churches that accumulated wealth, and even more you can see it in Asian religions such as Hinduism or Buddhism. Religions of Eurasia always taught people that salvation comes from being a good person, not from anything related to wealth.
States on the other hand responded positively to accumulated wealth. Becoming wealthier meant rising in social rank and automatically meant paying more taxes or similar things. Merchants started becoming an important social factor in states since it was usually with their money through taxation that investments into government's administration was funded so states supported accumulation of wealth with individuals.
You can use these two paragraphs to expand the ideas if you are writing a full essay.