Biblical Money Help provides this definition regarding financial principles from the Word of God as it is applied to the acquisition, management, and distribution of material resources in the context of the Christian scriptures. This collection, often called the Bible’s word on money matters, creates a broad and sturdy biblical scaffolding for believers. This article presents the essential principles according to which the Bible speaks about money, considering themes of divine ownership and human stewardship, the observance of tithes and offerings, the warnings about debt, the qualified views toward those who are wealthy or poor, and the quest to embrace contentment rather than greed. Readers will also see both the dos and don’ts as well as the why’s of biblical wisdom around their finances as a basis for ethical and spiritual financial behavior.
What Does the Bible Say About Money Problems?
The Bible explains that financial problems are inherently spiritual issues intimately related to our relationship with God and others. It gives a balanced view of this subject as it transpires in both the Old and New Testaments; teaching how to earn, save, spend, and give. These Bible money principles are not sloganized tips; they are given to us in a theological narrative appealing to the nature of God, the nature of man, and our wayward nature. The teachings include everything from warnings about the dangers of greed to the blessings that come with generosity, developing a wholistic view of material wealth.
What is the Biblical Law of Biblical Financial Principles?
The basis of Bible finance principles is that God owns everything, and we are not owners, but rather managers or stewards. Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This statement makes the truth clear that all things, material, money, wealth is from God. Haggai 2:8 adds support to this declaration, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts.” This switches the position from personal ownership to personal stewardship. Humans are stewards, not so much as though they are absolute owners of God’s good gifts; but as caretakers. This idea affects one’s perspective on their income, savings and investments as they know they are stewards of God’s resources to be used for His purposes. This is epitomized in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, in which servants receive varying amounts of money (sometimes called talents) from their master and are to steward them well for increase. Likewise, the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13) with its many nuances, teaches that it is essential for the Christian to deploy this world’s goods in a way that anticipates the eternal. This stewardship carries with it an obligation to use resources for the glory of God, the good of others, and the furtherance of His kingdom, and not only for one’s own advantage. There are three implications of this principle: that God is the ultimate owner, man’s accountability and the use of resources.
What Does the Bible Say About How Believers Should Give and Share Resources?
The Bible teaches God’s followers to give and share from the heart through the principles of tithing and generous giving. Throughout the Old Testament, tithing, which is giving one-tenth of one’s income or produce, is a standard theme. Malachi 3:8-10 condemns the Israelites in their tithing, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and contributions. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house.” This tradition served as a way to acknowledge God’s provision and to help fund the Levitical priesthood and the service of the temple. Deuteronomy 14:22-29 provides a comprehensive source of tithing instructions, including a three-yearly tithe for poor, needy and Levites.
Above and beyond the tithe, the New Testament promotes giving dynamically, not as an obligatory law, but as an act of love and grace. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This verse emphasizes the mind of the giver. Acts 20:35 states, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Proverbs 11:24-25 also highlights the “giving-back-and-forth” principle: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. And he who waters will himself be watered.“
The Bible also directed special consideration to be given to giving for the poor and needy. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus said feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, receiving strangers and clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned are acts of service to Him. An example of sacrificial giving is found in the story of the widow’s mite in Mark 12:41-44, when Jesus notes the donation of the poor widow who gave two small coins, and he comments that she gave “everything that she had, even all her living,” whereas the rich people contributed only a small portion. This attitude of giving also includes sharing with people in need, as was the pattern in the life of the early Christians (Acts 2:44-45), who “had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” This spirit of generosity reflects the very nature of God who Himself gave His Son for mankind.
What Does The Bible Say About Debt?
The cautions and instructions of the Bible with regard to debt warn of the need for carefulness, and note the possibility of freedom from financial obligation and the accompanying possibility of servitude. Proverbs 22:7 states, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” This passage vividly highlights the inherent relationship of power in debt – how the borrower becomes a slave of the lender. Though all borrowing is not categorically condemned in scripture, the Bible always casts debt as a negative or extremely risky (at best) enterprise. New Testament writers offer one directive in Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” This verse implies that if love is a perpetual debt, then pay your obligations immediately.
Surety, that is, guaranteeing someone else’s debt, is also condemned in the Bible. Proverbs 6:1-5 warns, “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared by the words of your mouth, caught by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead your case with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.” This is a repeated warning also in Proverbs 17:18: “One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.” These quotes emphasize how dangerous it is to assume responsibility for someone else’s debts, such that you end up in ruin yourself. The ideology behind Bible financial principles as it relates to debt is to achieve financial freedom, so that people can manage their funds independently without paying interest to another party or worrying about leveling the account. This freedom provides the opportunity to give, save, and invest as God guides.
What Does the Bible Say About Wealth and Poverty?
The scripture regards wealth and poverty with a certain nuance, recognizing on the one hand a warning against the dangers of wealth, and on the other a command that we serve the needy, all the while encouraging belief in the ultimately providential nature of God’s provision. Not wealth itself but the love of money, the direct seeking after riches, is there condemned. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 cautions, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” This verse points to the want of wealth, and not wealth itself, as the cause of troubles. This is also illustrated in Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler (cf., Matt 19:23-24), “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” This draws attention to the way that wealth has a way of becoming an idol, and thus keeping us from worshiping God.
On the other hand, the Bible offers believers God’s promise of supply. Philippians 4:19 states, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34), it tells of the need to have no concern for material needs, since God looks after the birds and the flowers, and therefore will provide for His children.
One of the most important biblical teachings on wealth is being responsible for the poor. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 prescribes generosity to the poor: “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” James 2:15-16 condemns a faith that produces nothing more than words in the face of desperate need: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed, be filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?“
The Bible also teaches the virtue of righteous wealth, wealth acquired properly and used rightly. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” Proverbs 28:20 adds, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not be innocent.” These passages imply that wealth is a blessing if obtained honestly and used honorably; it is an opportunity for philanthropy and to make a positive impact for the future.
What the Bible Says About Contentment and Greed
The Bible teaches that it is a virtue to be content and a force of destruction to be greedy. According to the Bible there is something good in being satisfied but there is something evil in greed, which is like a form of idolatry. Contentment is thinking that despite wealth or poverty God waits to supply and satisfy all one’s desires. Philippians 4:11-13 is a great example of this as Paul says, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This verse reveals that happiness is a taught behavior, and not based on external factors. Hebrews 13:5 states, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” This ties happiness to lack of greed and confidence in God’s existence.
On the other hand, scripture consistently condemns covetousness. Colossians 3:5 actually names greed as “idolatry:” “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” This is strong language that shows that if material things are what we long for and what we live for, we have put God in the background of our love. Luke 12:15 warns, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus follows with the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), who accumulated wealth for himself, but failed to make spiritual preparations, and eventually lost his fortune. This parable demonstrates that laying up treasure for one’s self, without being rich toward God is foolish. The Bible continues to tell believers over and over to search for riches and treasure in the spiritual realm, not the physical. The famous passage Matthew 6:19-21 counsels, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This principle shifts the frame of reference, to recognize the need to invest or the value of investing in things that will last, such as love, service, and service to God, rather than in transitory material wealth.
What Does the Bible Say About Diligence and Ethical Work?
In the Bible there is emphasis on hard work and honest toil as two cornerstones of living responsibly and of honoring God. It teaches that it is honorable to work hard and that work is a sacred command to sustain oneself and others, and also that working honestly is an integral part of maintaining our holiness. Colossians 3:23 adds, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This verse makes all work of whatever type and nature worshipful if it is done with the right spirit and attitude. Proverbs 10:4 says, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” The message of this proverb is one that you would like your children to adhere to – it associates hard work with wealth and laziness with poverty.
The Bible also emphasizes the virtue of honest wages. Proverbs 13:11 cautions about ill-gotten gain: “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” This compares fast, dirty money to a slow, honest accumulation. Deuteronomy 25:13-16 condemns false businesses, specifically in the use of weights and measures, as follows: “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall have a full and just weight, you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God.” This illustrates God’s desire for honesty in every financial transaction.
In addition, the Bible addresses the issue of employers compensating their workers a fair wage. James 5:4 brings a very solemn rebuke: “Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” Leviticus 19:13 states, “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.” These quotations stress justice and fairness in dealing with others, in their dealings on money, in their treatment of people. Biblical Money Principles on Work: The economic principles put forth in the Bible, focusing on work, are about maintaining a healthy society with people who work hard, tell the truth, and respect each other and get paid a reasonable wage for their work.
What Does the Bible Say About Financial Planning and Saving?
The Bible’s guidance for planning and saving for the future promotes wisdom, foresight, and responsible stewardship unlike impractical or wasteful behavior. Proverbs 21:5 states, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.” This verse contrasts the good result of prudence and the evil result of rashness. Luke 14:28-30 provides a real life example in Jesus’ teaching: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” This story shows the importance of careful consideration of the possible challenges and hazards of a financial investment.
The Bible encourages savings too, especially when you consider the ants as an example. Proverbs 6:6-8 says, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her food in summer and gathers her provision in harvest.” And in Proverbs 30:24-25, we are directed to the wisdom of the ant: “Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they make their homes in the rocks.” These are good examples and illustrate the benefits of regular, disciplined saving during good times to provide for future needs or leaner times. Though the Bible does validate saving (cf., the Parable of the Talents), it also cautions against hoarding or relying on vaulted hoards as a hedge against life’s uncertainties and an assurance of prosperity. The point is responsible stewardship and preparation, not hoarding for its own sake or in the place of faith in God. The Bible’s teaching on money is a balanced approach that involves hard work, careful planning, wise saving, and generous giving, and is all within the context of God’s ownership and stewardship. This is the approach that is expected to generate financial stability and for individual people to be a blessing to others.
What Would the Bible Say About Life on Earth?
The big picture that the Bible paints about one’s everyday existence is one of the life lived in the will and in the character of God. It consists of showing love for God and love for neighbor, of seeking justice, extending mercy and walking humbly. The Bible instructs us that every aspect of life, including finances, is an opportunity to bring glory to God and to serve our neighbor. It offers prescripts as to behavior, relationships, even stewardship, reflecting a comprehensive religion that colors every thought and action. The Bible and money are enmeshed within this larger paradigm of faithful living that says you put all on the table as an expression of your faith and as an expression of your understanding of God’s values.
What Does the Bible Picture As “Prosperity”?
The Bible describes prosperity as more than just economic gain, but a state of wholeness that includes spiritual, physical and relational health, and is always connected to obedience to God. For instance, Psalm 1:3 describes a righteous man as “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Just to clarify: I’m talking about a rich life, not just money, here.
Faith: What Role Does it Play in the Bible on the Financial Side of Things?
Biblical financial basics center around faith. For the first part, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it is impossible to please him” and that extends to all areas of life, even in dealing with money matters.
Does the Bible Condemn all Wealth?
The Bible does NOT condemn all wealth; it condemns the “love of money”, greediness, and wealth that was gained or used unjustly, but does recognize that wealth can be a blessing and a means to do good when it is handled in a righteous manner. Some of the greatest figures in the Bible, Abraham, David, and Solomon, were very rich.
What Happens When You Break God’s Financial Laws?
Ignoring the financial patterns of the Bible brings bad consequences of debt, poverty, spiritual emptiness and broken relationships described in proverbs and parables. For instance, Proverbs 28:22 cautions, “A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will overtake him.“
How does the New Testament Extend teachings on Money and Success?
The New Testament fleshes out the teaching on money by giving greater prominence to grace over law, showing concern for generosity, giving sacrificially, and being content, and regularly tying financial behavior to spiritual growth and love for God and others. The teachings of Jesus such as the Parable of the Talents and the Rich Young Ruler delve deep.
Are There Any Biblical Instances of Wise or Unwise Handling of Money?
Yes, there are some specific examples of wise, and unwise, financial transactions in relation to the Bible, such as Joseph and the stored up food of Egypt (Genesis 41), the widow’s two mites (Mark 12:41-44), and the rich fool who stored up his treasure upon earth (Luke 12:16-21). These stories demonstrate the real life implementation and effects of God’s financial laws.
