Money—it’s a word that stirs up all kinds of emotions, from desire to desperation to anxiety and ambition. Everyone wants it, but most people don’t know how to carry it.
As Christians, it’s easy to think of money as a secular object, but it truly isn’t. A lot of people don’t understand what the Bible has to say about money.
Turns out Scripture has many opinions on the subject. The Bible isn’t just a spiritual guide; it’s a manual filled with financial principles that can lead to true prosperity.
Understanding What Money Is & Isn’t
First, let’s answer the question: “What is money?” Money is more than just a physical object; it’s an idea, a form of legal tender, and a source of power.
Money opens doors, creates opportunities, and magnifies whatever is in your heart. It has the potential to elevate righteousness, corruption, or destroy whoever mismanages it.
No amount of hiding will allow you to sneak past this test. God has designed money to act this way. Whoever possesses it shows their true colors—good or bad.
Money in the Bible
Various authors mention money in the Bible over one hundred times. One of the earliest examples is when Abraham purchases a field to bury his wife, Sarah:
And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” The Hittites answered Abraham… “Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” … and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. – Genesis 23:2-6, 16 ESV
In this story, commerce and trade are at the center. It’s clear that money was a fundamental part of human existence at this time. God didn’t shy away from discussing it, and neither should we.
While today we use fiat currency instead of precious metals, the principles remain the same. Money is fundamental to human existence, and understanding its importance is key.
Bible Verse About Money Root of All Evil
Everyone knows the verse: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…” This passage is often quoted to warn us against the excesses of wealth. But is that really what this verse is about? If we look closely, we realize that the Bible’s opinion is quite different. Let’s read this passage again:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10 ESV
It’s evident that the Lord despises the love of money, not money itself. Wealth is a tool used to achieve freedom and success. However, we must maintain a balanced perspective. When we become obsessed with riches, it leads to destructive behavior.
Does the Bible Say It’s Better to be Poor?
One misconception about Scripture is that it glorifies poverty. Yes, there are some “better to be poor” Bible verses, but if you examine the Word’s overall context, you quickly realize this is nonsense.
While Scripture emphasizes humility and warns against idolizing wealth, it does not champion poverty. Proverbs 10:4 states, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
God’s perspective on money is depicted in the parable of the unfaithful servant. In this story, the servant who failed to invest his master’s money was punished, while the one who gained interest was rewarded (see Matthew 25:14-30).
The Lord expects us to be wise stewards, growing what we are given. God is a capitalist. When He gives us a blessing, gift, or talent, He expects us to increase it. Ignoring this truth is a violation of God’s commands.
Bible Verses Regarding Money
There are many Bible verses regarding money. The Lord has so many opinions on topics like debt, generosity, and greed. Applying these truths, we can strengthen our own finances and help others do the same. Here are just a few relevant scriptures:
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops,” – Proverbs 3:9
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” – Luke 14:28
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income…” – Ecclesiastes 5:10
It’s clear that God wants us to master our finances with a complete and balanced mindset. If He didn’t, why would He emphasize stewardship, contentment, and money management? By embracing these Biblical principles on money, we can carve out our own paths to financial stability and gain personal freedom.
Bible Verses About Money Blessings
Scripture is overflowing with verses about money blessings. Some shy away from the concept of blessings, mistakenly viewing them as greedy or selfish. But God’s message is clear: He wants us to thrive. When we align our actions with His principles, success is not just a possibility; it’s a promise. Consider these verses:
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” – Proverbs 10:22
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6:17
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
God is not hesitant about blessing us; in fact, He actively encourages it. Money is a tool for blessing, and He wants us to enjoy it. We can embrace this perspective, but realize that we need to stay humble. Remember, according to Scripture, building wealth is all about stewardship, not self-indulgence. Money without righteous intent brings misery; money with purpose and a divine calling leads to eternal fruit.
Conclusion
Overall, the Bible has a lot to say about money. If we can apply its ancient, financial principles–the dangers of debt, the virtues of hard work, and the pitfalls of greed–we can exponentially increase our own monetary worth.
For your homework this week, tap into the Scripture’s wisdom on money. Consider the Lord’s insights on generosity, stewardship, and contentment. Use His wisdom to shore up any weaknesses in your own finances and personal beliefs.
