[Viafdrear]

How does this fit in with wealth and possessions owned by monasteries and temples in the form of many valuable statues, artifacts and so on

Often these artefacts are donated by lay-people,and because of the particular relationship of monastics/laity,(the monastery depends 100% on donations from the laity).
This relationship has the downside of limiting the way a monastery may develop.
For example if the laity are not responsive to Dhamma talks on the Jhannas then support may diminish.
This reaction is of course both good and bad.
Of course the real 'bad guy' in this respect is the Catholic church.