Money is a topic that comes up frequently in the Bible. Scripture offers wisdom and insight into how we should view money, how to handle our finances, and what our attitude should be toward wealth and possessions. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about money:
God Owns Everything
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1). God owns everything and we are simply stewards of what He has entrusted to us during our lifetimes. This perspective should guide how we view money and material possessions.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). All that we have ultimately comes from God.
The Dangers of Wealth and Love of Money
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Wealth can lead people astray and cause them to trust in their riches rather than in God.
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Money can become an idol if we let it.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money can lead to all sorts of problems.
God Provides For Our Needs
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:25-26). God promises to provide for our basic needs if we seek Him first.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God can supply all we need in accordance with His abundant resources in Christ.
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). We can be content with what we have, knowing God will take care of us.
Hard Work and Wise Stewardship
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty (Proverbs 14:23). God rewards those who work diligently and avoid laziness and empty chatter.
The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied (Proverbs 13:4). We should avoid laziness and work hard to provide for ourselves and our families.
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). We are called to count the cost and budget wisely when taking on endeavors.
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations (Proverbs 27:23-24). This speaks to wisely managing what God has given us.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5). Good planning and diligence is key, while rushing into things can lead to financial loss.
Generosity and Giving
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:24-25). Generosity and sharing with others is rewarded by God.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (Proverbs 3:9). We are called to give God the first and best of what we have.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). God wants us to give willingly and cheerfully, not out of guilt or compulsion.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). When we generously give to others, God generously gives back in return.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). We are called to invest first in eternal things rather than accumulating wealth here on earth.
Avoid Debt
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). It is wise to avoid debt which can make you beholden to others.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8). Again, while we should owe nothing financially, we do have a debt to love one another.
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously (Psalm 37:21). Followers of God are known by their desire to generously give rather than constantly take.
Do Not Trust in Riches
No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay (Psalm 49:7-9). Our money cannot buy eternal life.
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days (James 5:1-3). Those who hoard wealth for themselves without generous giving may face judgment.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Those who love money are never content, but God can provide true satisfaction.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Pursuing riches can lead us astray.
Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:6-8). True contentment comes from living a godly life, not an abundance of possessions.
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). Again, contentment comes from trusting in God’s provision, not heaping up wealth.
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Jesus warns against greed and finding life through material abundance.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12). Paul learned contentment in every circumstance through the strength of Christ.
Do Not Worry
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? (Matthew 6:25). Jesus tells us not to worry but to trust that God will provide what we need.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:33-34). By seeking God first, He will provide for our needs.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Rather than worry, we can cast our cares on the Lord.
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). Contentment removes worry because we can trust in God’s provision.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer with thanksgiving leads to peace and guards our hearts and minds.
Put God First
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). By making God our priority, He will supply the rest.
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). We must choose who is master over our lives.
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). Those with means should not trust in them but in the God who gave them.
No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough (Psalm 49:7-8). Our money is powerless to buy eternal redemption.
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:26). Even if we could own everything, it means nothing if we lose our souls.
God Rewards the Generous
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10). When we honor God first, He promises blessing in return.
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:24-25). God blesses and prospers those who give generously.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice (Psalm 112:5). We reap what we sow in how we handle money.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). Generous giving results in blessing returned.
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). God blesses those who give cheerfully and generously.
Money Can Corrupt
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money leads many people astray.
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses…The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold (Deuteronomy 17:14-17). God warned kings not to accumulate wealth and wives that might corrupt their hearts.
Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them (Isaiah 1:22-23). When leaders begin to love money, they often stop caring for people.
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight” (Luke 16:14-15). Jesus rebuked the religious leaders who loved money rather than pleasing God.
Beware of Get Rich Quick Schemes
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. (Proverbs 10:5)
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
but the one who gathers by labor increases it. (Proverbs 13:11)
Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. (Proverbs 13:11)
Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness. (Proverbs 23:4)
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. (Proverbs 21:17)
Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)
He who works his land will have abundant food,
but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. (Proverbs 12:11)
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible contains a wealth of wisdom when it comes to money, finances, generosity, greed, contentment, debt, hard work, and stewardship. As in all areas of life, God’s Word offers truth and insight to guide us in how we should approach material resources and wealth. The key principles center around trusting God rather than riches, avoiding greed, working diligently, giving generously, and seeking contentment in Christ. Our attitude toward money is a reflection of where our heart is spiritually. By keeping our focus on the Lord rather than earthly wealth, we can honor Him in how we handle money and find joy and fulfillment that does not depend on our bank account.