5 Biblical Truths about Money

5 Biblical Truths about Money

Money isn’t everything in life. However, it is a very significant part of God’s purpose and should not be treated lightly. Some Christians think it’s unspiritual to talk about money, but the truth is we need money to live, to provide for our families, and to finance the gospel.

The Bible has a lot to say about money. In fact, there are over 2000 verses in the Bible on money, that compares to about 500 verses on faith, 500 on prayer , and 500 on love. If God gave this much attention to money, we probably should give our attention to what He has to say about money. For example did you know the Bible doesn’t promise you an abundance of money just because you’re a Christian? Did you know money is not simply the result of having the favor of God? Did you know the Bible doesn’t teach you’re more holy simply because you don’t have much money? Did you know the Bible doesn’t teach money is evil? Many people including Christians believe these things about money. So, what does the Bible say about money?

Jesus talked about and taught more about money than any other single topic. Nearly half of the parables Jesus told were about money. Why? He knew “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 NIV) In other words, money is an indicator of a persons true character. Knowing and understanding what the Bible truly teaches about money is extremely important for us as Christians. To help you get a good start here are 5 Biblical Truths about Money –

1. Money is to be Used as a Tool.

Money in and of its self is neither good nor bad. Money is simply a tool to be used for the necessities of life, to help achieve God’s purpose for our life, and to help build the kingdom of God. Money is a means not an end. It has no real value until someone spends it. It just sits in a bank account or someones pocket until they use it. How we choose to use money will ultimately determine its real value.

You either learn to master money or money will master you. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13) Money like any tool can be misused, abused, or even not used. Like a chain saw, when used properly can be a great blessing and help, but misuse it or abuse it and it can destroy property or hurt someone. If you fail to use it you miss out on the benefit it provides. Lets learn to use money properly and enjoy all the blessings it is meant to provide. Money is a Tool – it’s a Biblical Truth!

2. Money can be dangerous!

Ecclesiastes 5:10 tell us. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. ” In other words don’t let money become an “idol” it will leave you disappointed and wanting. The Bible gives us many warnings about the potential dangers of money. 1 Timothy 6:9 warns us, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” Jesus warned us to, “not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal… for you cannot serve both God and money” (Mt. 9:19) He told us to. “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

1 Timothy 6:10 warns us that, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,”. Notice it didn’t say money is evil, but the “love” of money is. Greed, covetousness, or wanting more than we have, is idolatry. The principle to remember here is to, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Money Can be Dangerous – its a Biblical truth! Don’t pursue money pursue God.

3. God Wants You to Have Money

Yes, God does want you to have money. He has nothing against you having money. He just doesn’t want you to have it before you’re ready for it. There are Biblical principles tied to having and getting money. There a dangers associated with wealth and money. (see #2) However, God does not rain money down out of the sky, in fact He doesn’t give money to anyone. Instead God gives wisdom, ideas, favor, direction, and abilities, so we can earn and aquire money. God does not promise to make anyone rich, wealthy, or prosperous, however He does provide the opportunity for anyone to prosper. It is His will and desire for His children to prosper! “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3John2) “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant”. (Psalms 35:27)

Our goal and purpose should not be acquiring a lot of money. Proverbs 23:4-5 says, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

But, that doesn’t mean we are to avoid money and prosperity. Our goal should be Jesus. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Mt. 6:33) When our priorities our right money and all other things are ADDED to us. God Wants You to Have Money – it is a Biblical Truth!

4. Money requires proper stewardship

God owns everything! “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, (Psalms 24:1) We are simply stewards (managers) of the things God entrusts us with including “money”. Everything we have – our life, our gifts and talents, relationships, blessings, possessions, etc. comes from the Lord even riches and wealth. “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth,”. (Dt. 8:18) Our responsibility is to be “faithful stewards” of all that we have. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 We will be held accountable for our stewardship. Luke 16:2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, We not ours. Gratefulness should overflow from our hearts for His merciful provision for our daily needs being met. It is a good practice to have the attitude of a learner as we grow in our maturity as money managers.

5. Money Has a Mission.

God does everything with purpose. Whatever He creates has a mission and divine destiny attached to it. Money and prosperity are no different. Money is more than just dollars and cents. Money supersedes what we accumulate in our bank account or investment portfolio. Money has a God ordained mission. The primary purpose of the money God allows us to obtain is to bring glory to Him by using it to establish His covenant in the earth. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant.. “. (Dt. 8:18) When God fulfills His covenant through us, it brings Him tremendous glory.

The mission of money also includes having all we need and then some (2 Cor. 9:8) and the mission of money is for us to be able to help others in need. The apostle Paul put it this way in Acts 20:35, “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.”

I encourage you to make this your goal financially. Jesus said that where our treasure is, that is where our heart will be as well. (Matt. 6:26) The question where is your treasure? Two different people can each have a million dollars and one uses it all for themselves, while another will use it for the Kingdom of God and to bless others. It is all about the heart motive. It’s all about the heart and our stewardship. May God prosper your life for a purpose – so you can be a channel of His blessings to others. We are blessed to blessing. Money has a Mission – it is a Biblical Truth!