Wealth and material possessions are topics that the Bible has a lot to say about. As Christians, we are called to have the proper perspective and attitude when it comes to money and possessions. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles for how Christians should view wealth:
Wealth comes from God
The Bible makes it clear that God is the ultimate source of all wealth and possessions. We do not obtain money through our own efforts or cleverness alone. Deuteronomy 8:18 says “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” 1 Chronicles 29:12 also affirms “Wealth and honor come from you [God].” Recognizing that God is the giver of all good gifts should foster an attitude of thankfulness and stewardship in how we manage the resources He has blessed us with.
Wealth is not an end in itself
Scripture warns against making the pursuit of money and possessions the main goal in life. Jesus asked in Mark 8:36, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Material wealth should not be the thing we value most in life. Nor should we think that acquiring more money and possessions will necessarily lead to greater happiness or fulfillment. True meaning and contentment are found in our relationship with God, not earthly treasures (Luke 12:15).
Wealth comes with responsibility
The Bible views wealth as something that God entrusts to us as stewards during our lifetime. We are responsible before God for how we obtain and use our money and possessions. Ephesians 5:16 advises us to make the most of every opportunity and use worldly resources wisely. Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates that God expects us to be faithful stewards of what He has given us. This includes using our resources to bless others and advance God’s kingdom.
Wealth can become an idol
One of the greatest dangers of wealth is when it becomes an idol that replaces God in our affections. Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). The temptation is to trust in our own financial resources more than God’s provision. But Proverbs 11:28 cautions that “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall.” Material security can often lead to spiritual apathy and a lack of reliance on God. We must guard our hearts against greed and loving money more than God (1 Timothy 6:10).
Wealth should be shared generously
Rather than hoarding possessions for ourselves, the Bible encourages using our resources to generously meet the needs of others. 1 John 3:17 asks, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” We are blessed to be a blessing and channel God’s grace to others through sharing what we have. The early church modeled radical generosity (Acts 2:44-45). As we imitate Christ’s generosity, we can find joy in meeting needs and advancing the gospel through how we steward our wealth.
Wealth is uncertain and temporary
The Bible often reminds us of the fleeting nature of earthly wealth and possessions. Proverbs 23:5 warns, “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.” 1 Timothy 6:7 adds, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” We can wrongly place our security in riches that can disappear instantly. Our true hope is in the eternal inheritance Christ has secured for us (1 Peter 1:3-4), not temporal wealth.
Wealth can lead to pride and self-sufficiency
With increased riches often comes the temptation toward pride, arrogance and independence from God. Proverbs 18:23 observes that “The rich answer roughly.” Wealth can make us feel self-sufficient instead of relying on the Lord. But God warns against boasting in our wealth and possessions as if we somehow earned them ourselves (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). The antidote to pride is cultivating humility and recognizing everything we have comes from God’s grace.
The love of money leads to sin
The Bible warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). When we long for wealth and make it our focus, we are prone to stumble into greed, envy, deceit, and corruption. There are many examples in Scripture of how desiring riches leads people into ruin (see Achan in Joshua 7 or Judas in Matthew 26:14-16). Rather than loving money, Hebrews 13:5 encourages being content with what we have, because God will never leave or forsake us.
The rich face particular spiritual dangers
Jesus observed that it is very hard for the rich to enter God’s kingdom (Matthew 19:23-24). Increased wealth often leads to self-reliance rather than relying on God. It can be challenging for the rich to recognize their need for salvation. The comfort and security that wealth brings can prevent people from recognizing their need for God. We must be on guard that riches do not keep us from recognizing our spiritual poverty before God.
God values how we obtain and use wealth
It matters to God how we acquire and steward the resources He grants us. Devious or unjust business practices for financial gain are condemned in Scripture (Proverbs 21:6). Things like greed, stinginess, wastefulness and excessive debt are also looked down upon. But those who are righteous, generous and wise with their money are praised (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). We honor God when we earn, save, spend, and give in accordance with biblical values and principles.
Wealth is not a sign of godliness or virtue
Some mistakenly view wealth as an outward sign of God’s blessing or reward for righteous living. But the Bible clearly teaches that spirituality is not measured by outward prosperity. After all, Job was extremely wealthy but also godly and upright. And poverty does not equate to spiritual failure or sin, as we see from the lives of many righteous yet poor saints praised in Scripture. Our financial status is not an accurate gauge of our spiritual maturity or standing before God.
Cultivating proper motives and attitudes
More important than the actual amount of money we possess is our attitude towards wealth and God. Do we see wealth as a tool to serve God or as something to be served? Are we motivated by greed or generosity? Do we find our identity and security in money or in Christ? God cares more about the desires of our heart than the dollars in our bank account. As we cultivate godly motives like contentment, stewardship, and using wealth for eternal purposes, we can properly handle the resources God provides.
Trusting God’s provision and timing
Rather than worrying about money and possessions, Jesus encourages us to focus on pursuing God’s kingdom and trusting that He will provide for our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). God promises to supply what we need when we honor Him first in our finances (Matthew 6:33). We may not become rich, but we can be content in God’s faithful provision and timing. When we generously give to God’s work, He promises to bless us in return (Luke 6:38).
Keeping wealth in perspective
The Bible reminds us that our lives do not consist in the abundance of our possessions (Luke 12:15). Whatever money and resources we have on earth are merely temporal, not eternal. Our treasure is in heaven, not here on earth where everything will ultimately fade away (Matthew 6:19-21). Keeping an eternal perspective helps us hold wealth loosely and use it for God’s glory. We can enjoy God’s blessings but remember that true life is found in Christ alone.
Using wealth to make a lasting impact
Rather than living selfishly, we can use the resources God gives us to make a lasting, eternal impact. When we invest in people and ministries that advance the gospel and God’s kingdom, we store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Generous giving should be a priority over self-indulgence (Luke 12:33). As we prayerfully seek God’s wisdom in stewarding our finances, we can use our wealth for eternal good and reap eternal rewards.
The danger of coveting more
One of the Ten Commandments God gave was “Do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). Desiring and scheming after more money and possessions that God has given to others is dangerous for our souls. Coveting what others have leads to discontentment, jealousy, bitterness and stealing. As Hebrews 13:5 says, better to be content with what we have than always chasing after more through coveting.
Finding contentment despite our circumstances
Contentment is an important virtue when it comes to wealth and possessions. As 1 Timothy 6:6 says, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” God can help us learn to be content in plenty or in need. Having an eternal perspective, cultivating gratitude, and finding our satisfaction in Christ enables us to experience contentment regardless of our earthly finances. Christ should always be our greatest treasure, not temporary wealth.
Using wealth wisely and generously is commended
While the Bible warns about the dangers of riches, it also commends those who acquire and use their wealth in wise, prudent and generous ways. Those who work diligently, manage money well, avoid wastefulness and extravagance, save appropriately, spend within their means, generously share with others, and use finances to glorify God are praised in Scripture (Proverbs 21:20, Luke 16:10-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7). Wealth itself is not condemned, but improperly loving it and stewarding it.
We will be held accountable for how we manage wealth
As Christians, we should have an acute sense that we will give an account to God one day for how we handled the resources He entrusted to us during our lifetime. The parable of the talents illustrates this principle clearly (Matthew 25:14-30). At the end of our lives, it is not the amount we have accumulated that matters most but rather did we steward well what God gave us for His glory and the good of others. Managing wealth wisely and faithfully should be a priority.
Riches cannot satisfy the soul
A trap many fall into is thinking that the accumulation of more wealth and possessions will lead to greater life satisfaction or happiness. But Ecclesiastes 5:10 warns, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” Material things and money cannot truly satisfy our souls. Only God and living righteously bring contentment. We should not look to riches for meaning, joy or fulfillment in life but to Christ alone.
Wealth will fade away but God’s kingdom endures
As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21, earthly treasures are temporary but heavenly treasures are eternal. All the money and possessions we may accumulate during our lifetime will ultimately fade away. Moths, rust and thieves can destroy material wealth very quickly. But investments we make in God’s eternal kingdom work will reap benefits both now and forever. Keeping our focus on storing up eternal rewards rather than temporary earthly ones is wise.
Giving generously should be a priority
Rather than living self-indulgently, the Bible calls us to be generous with the resources God gives us, especially in giving to the church and those in need. As we read in 1 Timothy 6:17-18: “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Generous giving reflects God’s heart and reaps eternal rewards.
In summary, God is the giver of all wealth, and as Christians we are called to properly manage and steward the finances He entrusts to us. Our perspective should be one of thankfulness, contentment, generosity, and using wealth for eternal purposes. As we keep wealth in proper perspective, cultivate godly attitudes, and see money as a tool to serve Christ, we can honor God in how we handle the resources He provides.