What the Bible Says about Money
What does the Bible have to say about money? Quite a lot! The Bible has over 2,300 verses that reference money, wealth, or possessions in some form. Of the 39 parables Jesus told, 11 were about money. This shows us how important it is for us to understand the principles and teachings of the Bible when it comes to our relationship with money.
The Bible provides valuable guidance on managing our finances, including budgeting, saving, and giving principles. It highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with money, recognizing that our ultimate source of security and fulfillment comes from God rather than material possessions. By understanding and applying these principles, we can make wise choices that align with God’s teachings and experience greater financial freedom and peace of mind. This post serves as a foundation for the series, emphasizing the importance of internalizing these principles and allowing them to guide our financial decisions.
Why does the Bible talk about money so much?
Let’s face it, money and possessions are everywhere. Regardless of who you are, what you do, or where you do it, you’ll have some interaction with money.
You get paid for your time at work. You use that money to buy your groceries and go to the movies. When you take a vacation, you use money to buy your hotel or camping gear, or a cruise.
We show our gratitude for good efforts using money. We show our love for others using money. From the cradle to the grave, money is something that you will have to learn to deal with.
Because money plays such an integral role in our everyday lives, the Bible is particularly concerned with our relationship with it. Through stories, proverbs, and parables, the Bible equips Christians with principles to protect our relationship with God by keeping money in its place and stewarding those resources for the advancement of His kingdom.
The Greatest Commandment from Matthew 27:34-38
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”
God wants Christians to keep money in its place – below our relationship with God. It is too easy to use money as a measure of worth and forget that our worth comes from God (Psalm 139). It is too easy to rely on the security money can bring and forget about God’s provisions (Matthew 10). It is so important to get money right because it is so easy to elevate money above it’s status.
One of the most recognizable Bible verses about money is from 1 Timothy 6:10:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Money is not the root of all kinds of evil – but the love of money is. The verse continues:
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The message of this verse is why money is discussed so much. God is not concerned if we have money or not. What He is concerned about is that you pursue Him first and foremost, and not place the importance of money above Him.
This is not to say that God wants Christians to avoid money. In fact, there are several examples of prosperous biblical characters in the Bible who are prosperous, including Abraham, Job, and Joseph. Deuteronomy 8:18 states that God is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth.
Instead, God wants Christians to honor Him and advance His Kingdom through biblical stewardship of His resources. The money principles laid out in the Bible will help Christians steward their resources according to God’s plan.
Biblical Money Topics
Stewardship
The biblical perspective on money is fundamentally one of stewardship, acknowledging that all of our resources ultimately belong to God. Because our resources belong to God, we have a responsibility to manage them well. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 provides an important lesson on the importance of stewardship in our Christian walks.
Read More Here: Biblical Stewardship: Learning to Manage What Belongs to God – Gilbert Wealth
Work
As a representative of God, Christians are called to embody His teachings not only in their personal lives but also in their workplaces and interactions with others. This means that Christians should act with integrity, respect, and kindness towards their colleagues, clients, and employers, and strive to be a positive influence in their professional sphere.
Read More Here: 6 Biblical Principles of Work – Gilbert Wealth
Retirement
The Bible does not have any formal references to our modern concept of retirement. However, it does have very clear guidelines on how you should spend your time in your golden years. These years provide a unique opportunity to continue stewardship of your resources and even more so with your time and talents!
Read More… (Coming Soon)
Giving & Tithing
The Bible places a strong emphasis on generosity, giving to those in need, and giving regularly to support the work of the Church. The Bible gives important principles to follow when establishing our giving, such as being a cheerful giver, giving regularly, and giving sacrificially.
Read More Here: What the Bible Says about Giving and Tithing – Gilbert Wealth
Budgeting
While the Bible doesn’t offer specific tips on how to create a budget, it does encourage us to be wise managers of God’s resources and to live within our means. Budgeting is a fundamental skill that any manager of others resources should have. If you hired a manager to oversee your financial affairs and they could not produce an accounting of how your resources are being used, are they being a good steward?
Read More… (Coming Soon)
Saving
The Bible encourages Christians to save in order to be a blessing to others, to make provisions for the future, and to advance the kingdom. However, it is also important for Christians to be mindful of certain pitfalls that can arise when it comes to saving. Specifically, using your savings as a replacement for reliance on God and prioritizing savings over advancing the kingdom are strongly warned against.
Read More… (Coming Soon)
Debt
What is the Biblical view of debt? The Bible contains many principles related to taking on debt for yourself, and for others, and how we should think about taking on financial obligations. The Bible does not forbid Christians from taking on debt; rather, it encourages Christians to be wise in considering what types of debt to take on and how much debt they should accumulate. Taking on debt is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
Read More… (Coming Soon)
Investing
The Bible covers key investment disciplines applicable to every investor, such as diversification, patience, and seeking long-term strategic gains over short-term, get-rich-quick schemes. Diversification, or spreading investments across different asset classes, can help reduce risk and increase potential returns. Patience is also emphasized, as the Bible encourages investors to wait for the right opportunities and to avoid impulsive decisions.
Read More… (Coming Soon)
Wealth and Financial Independence
God’s blessing can come in many forms. For some, that may be great wealth and financial independence. While there is nothing wrong with wealth, the Bible does caution against putting too much trust in worldly riches. Ecclesiastes 5:10 warns, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
Read More… (Coming Soon)
Contentment
Today’s world is flooded with comparisons of lifestyle. Social media makes it easy to see what great trip your co-workers are on, the new car that so-and-so bought, and the new pool your friend put in. Additionally, social media has also given “influencers” incentives to portray extravagant lifestyles in an effort to “fake it till you make it.” That’s not to mention the numerous get-rich-quick advertisements and stories that make you think you’re missing out. The Bible has a lot to say about being content with the resources God has given you.
Read More… (Coming Soon)