The Bible has a lot to say about money and finances. One important biblical principle is the importance of saving money and being wise stewards of the resources God has given us.
Here are some of the key things the Bible teaches about saving money:
1. Saving shows wisdom and trust in God’s provision
Proverbs 6:6-8 uses the example of ants working hard to store up food for the winter to encourage being wise and preparing for the future: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Saving money demonstrates wisdom and trust that God will continue to provide for us as we carefully steward the resources He gives.
2. Saving helps us avoid debt and slavery to money
The Bible warns about the dangers of debt and living beyond our means. Proverbs 22:7 says “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Saving money and living below our means helps us avoid the pitfalls of debt that can enslave us. It also frees us to be more generous.
3. Saving creates a resource to draw from in lean times
In Genesis 41, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream to mean there would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. He advised Pharaoh to save up grain during the good years to provide for the bad years. Saving gives us a cushion and emergency fund to draw from when financial difficulty comes.
4. Saving provides an opportunity to share with those in need
1 Timothy 6:17-19 encourages those who are rich to be generous and willing to share. Saving money puts us in a position to give generously when needs arise. It allows us to share with others as God leads without falling into poverty ourselves.
5. Saving displays ‘fruit’ of self-control and moderation
Self-control and moderation are fruits of the Spirit, according to Galatians 5. As we save money and deny ourselves unnecessary spending, we display godly self-control and moderation. Saving shows maturity in putting long-term goals over short-term desires.
6. Saving prevents wastefulness and poor stewardship
John 6 tells the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. Afterwards, he instructs the disciples to “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” Saving money allows us to steward our finances well and not waste what God has given us.
7. Saving allows us to leave an inheritance for our children
Proverbs 13:22 says “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” 2 Corinthians 12:14 also reminds us that parents should lay up for their children. Saving money allows us to provide an inheritance and financial blessing for future generations.
8. Saving demonstrates faith in God’s ongoing provision
Matthew 6 instructs us not to worry about what we will eat or wear. God knows we need these things. Saving money is an act of faith that God will keep providing for us each day rather than hoarding out of fear and lack of trust.
9. Saving helps us make wise investments for the future
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 shows us we are responsible to wisely invest what God has given us. Saving and investing additional funds allows us to expand our ‘talents’ and make a greater Kingdom impact.
10. Saving enables us to seize open doors and opportunities
In Acts 24, Paul shares how he brought gifts for the poor and offerings to the Temple. Having savings on hand allowed him to give freely when opportunities arose. Saving positions us to seize open doors when God presents them.
The key with saving money, as with everything, is trusting that all we have comes from God. We should hold loosely to earthly wealth, save with eternity in mind, and seek God’s wisdom on how best to use what He has entrusted to us for His purposes.
When it comes to saving, the Bible encourages wisdom, avoiding debt, good stewardship, generosity, providing for family, and trusting God’s ongoing provision. Saving money aligns with godly principles of prudence, discipline, moderation and stewardship.
Tips for Saving Biblically
Here are some practical tips for how to save money in a biblical way:
- Set aside a portion of income regularly as savings – treat it as a bill to pay (1 Corinthians 16:2)
- Limit unnecessary spending and indulgence – be content with simple things (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
- Avoid debt by living below your means – don’t assume the future is secure (Proverbs 22:7)
- Look for ways to increase income that can be channeled into savings
- Invest savings wisely rather than letting it sit idle (Matthew 25:14-28)
- Use long-term savings strategies like retirement accounts
- Start saving early and regularly – even small amounts add up over time
- Have a plan and budget for your savings goals
- Leave margin in your budget for unexpected expenses
- Seek wise counsel on major financial decisions (Proverbs 15:22)
It also helps to differentiate between short-term, mid-range, and long-term savings. This provides cash reserves for immediate needs while also building security and investment income for the future. The key is balance – saving for the future without neglecting present responsibilities.
Warnings About Saving Money
The Bible does warn against some potential pitfalls when it comes to saving money:
- Don’t make money an idol by trusting in your wealth (1 Timothy 6:17)
- Avoid greed – be generous and willing to share (Hebrews 13:5)
- Don’t hoard money; saving wisely is different than hoarding out of fear and stinginess
- Don’t save at the expense of giving to those in need (1 John 3:17)
- Don’t let saving money become an excuse not to trust God daily (Matthew 6:25-34)
- Avoid get-rich-quick schemes – wealth from dishonest gain does not profit (Proverbs 10:2)
The bottom line is that biblical saving stems from wise stewardship rather than fear, greed or stinginess. Our confidence needs to be in God as our ultimate provider, not in our savings account balance (Matthew 6:24).
Saving Money Is a Spiritual Discipline
Learning to consistently save money develops godly qualities of self-control, wisdom, faith, generosity, and stewardship. Setting aside income for future needs reflects the values of prudence, moderation, justice, and caring for one’s family that are emphasized throughout Scripture.
Saving money biblical aligns with God’s desire for economic justice and human flourishing. When practiced with the right motives, saving expands our capacity to bless others and make a lasting difference for God’s Kingdom. As Matthew 6:33 reminds us, the key is to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” – including how we manage money.
Trusting God While Saving
Since God is the ultimate provider, biblical saving requires trusting Him daily. We are called to be wise stewards while also relying fully on Him, not money, for our security. Some key principles for trusting God while saving include:
- Acknowledge God as the source of all provision (James 1:17)
- Be generous and willing to share even as you save (1 Timothy 6:18)
- Save with an eternal perspective – store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20)
- Hold financial plans loosely, submitted to God’s will (Proverbs 16:9)
- Balance saving with continued trust in God’s care (Matthew 6:26-27)
- Use saved funds to advance God’s purposes (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Saving money has an appropriate place when done for godly motives and balanced with continued reliance on the Lord. It reflects wisdom, stewardship, moderation, and care for one’s household. Most importantly, biblical saving recognizes God as our Provider, Owner, and Source – not money itself.
Saving vs Materialism
There is a danger when saving money becomes too much of a focus and slides into materialism. The Bible warns against building bigger barns to store our wealth while not being “rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21).
Some key differences between saving biblically and materialism include:
- Saving wisely vs accumulating greedily
- Providing for needs vs funding selfish desires
- Stewarding God’s funds vs personal ownership
- Generosity and sharing vs hoarding
- Money as a resource vs the idol of wealth
- Investing to advance God’s Kingdom vs personal gain
Saving itself is not condemned in Scripture, but becoming obsessed with money and possessions is. As Matthew 6:24 warns, “You cannot serve both God and money.” Our security and identity need to be founded in Jesus, not net worth.
Key Bible Verses about Saving Money
Here are some key Bible verses about saving money and stewarding finances wisely:
- “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8
- “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5
- “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” – Proverbs 21:20
- “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” – Proverbs 21:20
- “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
- “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
- “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
Conclusion
Managing finances wisely is an essential component of godly living. Learning to save diligently and use money for Kingdom purposes brings blessing. As we are faithful with the little God entrusts to us now, He promises we will be entrusted with greater things in the future (Luke 16:10-12).
Biblical saving demonstrates wisdom, stewardship, trust in God’s provision, and generosity. It expands our capacity to make an eternal difference and lay up treasures in heaven that will last forever. With saving as with all things, we are called to use it for God’s glory, hold it lightly, and seek wisdom from above.