Did you know the Bible contains more than two thousand references to money? In His three years of public ministry, Jesus also taught monetary principles. Sixteen out of His thirty-eight parables concern finances.
Let’s face it. Money consumes a considerable chunk of our thoughts and time. We toil to earn a salary and then fret about how to use it to meet our wants and needs wisely.
If money occupies such a crucial space in our lives, we should study God’s Word to understand and follow His wisdom. Among the thousands of verses, we can find guidance regarding obtaining, spending, borrowing, saving, and giving money.
Obtain
1. Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. (Proverbs 13:11 NLT)
2. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT)
3. Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. (Proverbs 10:4 NLT)
4. You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18 ESV)
God created the first people and assigned them to manage the earth’s resources. Since then, work has become a God-given method to earn money we need to pay for living expenses. We often view our job as a necessary evil, something to escape, yet God commends diligence. He expects us to work at honest employment and use the proceeds to provide for ourselves and our families.
We must never forget every penny we have, whether we receive it through work or inheritance, comes from God. He gives us the brains and brawns to create and produce.
Spend
5. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT)
6. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” (Luke 14:28 NLT)
7. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT)
8. “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29 NLT)
We must spend money to purchase for our needs. We may even acquire things we merely want. God does not disallow the enjoyment of possessions. Consider how God allowed King Solomon to accumulate wealth beyond compare.
In spending, we must heed warnings and promises in these verses to guide our choices. In Matthew, Jesus cautioned against wrapping possessions around us like a security blanket. In Luke, He counseled us to research and understand the total cost of an undertaking before diving into a financial commitment.
We also learn God expects us to be good stewards, or managers, of the finances and property He gives us. Spending should always be within the limits of our income. Our human nature hates to wait for anything we want, but we must learn to do without or delay purchasing items that exceed our financial means.
In the parable of the talents, Jesus connected rewards to faithful stewardship. We should agree with God’s priorities for the money He gives us and spend it to further His eternal kingdom.
Borrow
9. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. (Psalm 112:5 NLT)
10. Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. (Romans 13:8 NLT)
11. Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7 NLT)
12. The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. (Psalm 37:21 NLT)
The Bible does not prohibit debt. God gives guidance to those who lend money. But many verses cast borrowing in a negative light. Debt controls the borrower. The one who owes nothing—except the debt of love—experiences freedom.
When we choose to borrow, God clearly expects us to exercise wisdom in the type and amount of debt we carry. What we owe must not overtake our lives or threaten the stability of our families.
Some financial counselors advise against paying for anything with credit, while others allow for a mortgage because of the lasting nature of the property investment. However, we must be on guard with home mortgages because most lenders will allow a borrower to become a slave to the mortgage payment. We should consider saving a larger downpayment or living in a less expensive home.
Those already burdened by a seemingly insurmountable mountain of debt can find hope and help through reputable Christian financial counselors.
God also expects Christians to repay every loan as a way of honoring Him, even if a debt has been legally dispensed through bankruptcy.
Save
13. The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. (Proverbs 21:20 NLT)
14. There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. (Proverbs 30:24-25 NLT)
15. A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. (Proverbs 27:12 NLT)
16. There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. (Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 NLT)
God tells us to trust Him for all our needs, including the future, so we may wonder why we should save. Won’t He deliver exactly what we need at the right time? On the other hand, a brief study of Scripture indicates God admonishes us to use part of our income to save for upcoming needs.
How do we balance these seemingly divergent concepts? The key lies in the source of our trust. Does a growing savings account create a sense of security, or do we recognize only God can secure our future? We save a prudent amount for future needs, but we remember God may use those funds in any way He chooses. Our savings may be the providence of God in an unexpected financial need. But even if our bank account were wiped out today, we remain sheltered in God’s care.
Give
17. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT)
18. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:16-17 NLT)
19. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44 NLT)
20. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT)
Five Principles Emerge from These Verses about Giving
- We offer a portion of our income back to God.
Because all we have comes from the hand of God, He expects us to return Him an offering of the best He gave. Giving a portion of our income to the work of the Church reminds us to be grateful to the source of our blessings. In the Old Testament, the Law specified specific amounts to be given at certain times, but the New Testament sets a higher standard of generosity.
-We help people who are in need.
God expects us to compassionately help people who demonstrate true material needs. When we encounter those who cannot work or financially care for themselves, perhaps even within our own families, we should ask God for guidance in giving.
-We give sacrificially.
Like the widow Jesus highlighted to His disciples, we should bite into our comforts to give to God. When we sacrifice something we want—a new car, a bigger house, a dinner out—for God, our hearts align more closely with Jesus, who sacrificed everything to save us.
-We give intentionally and cheerfully.
In the New Testament, God does not specify an exact amount to give. Instead, His Holy Spirit within us should guide us according to biblical principles. We should prayerfully plan our offering to God and then follow through on our commitment. We celebrate God’s generosity to us when we give to His work.
-God rewards cheerful and sacrificial giving.
Many Bible verses indicate God blesses those who generously give to Him. While we can never assume giving to God guarantees material wealth, we can rely on His promises to provide for our daily needs. In fact, according to Apostle Paul in Second Corinthians, you may find yourself with something extra so you can give even more generously. God always rewards us spiritually in His pleasure when we serve Him with our money.
Money Reveals Our Hearts
21. Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT)
Human desire gravitates toward reliance on wealth. Somehow, a few dollars in our hands seems more trustworthy than the all-powerful God of the universe. Paul understood our weakness when he urged his protégé Timothy to build an eternal account through generosity rather than stockpiling material goods.
God devoted thousands of verses in the Bible to money because it illuminates our level of trust in Him. Will you study His Word and ask Him to reveal any reliance you harbor on finances rather than Him?
Annie Yorty writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God’s person, presence, provision, and purpose in the unexpected twists and turns of life. Married to her high school sweetheart and living in Pennsylvania, she mothers a teen, two adult children (one with intellectual disabilities), and a furry beast labradoodle. She has written From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome, and a devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus. Please connect with her at AnnieYorty.com, Facebook, and Instagram.
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