Money is essential, but the Bible cautions us to be wise in how we earn and use it. Today, we’ll explore what Scripture says about making money and the importance of balancing wealth with faith and generosity.
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What Does The Bible Say About Making Money
Matthew 6:24
“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.”
This verse reminds us that our primary focus should be on serving God and not allowing money to become our master. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God over the pursuit of wealth.
While money is necessary to sustain our lives and provide for our needs, we should be cautious not to become consumed by the desire for wealth, as it can distract us from our spiritual growth and lead us astray.
Proverbs 10:4
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
In this verse, we are reminded of the importance of hard work and diligence. It highlights the principle that laziness leads to poverty, while diligent and hardworking individuals are more likely to achieve financial prosperity.
By diligently investing our time and effort into our work, we can experience the blessings of financial stability and provide for ourselves and those in need.
Proverbs 28:19
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of productivity and responsible stewardship of resources. It encourages us to engage in meaningful work and make wise financial decisions, rather than indulging in unrealistic dreams or pursuits that may lead to poverty.
By diligently tending to our responsibilities and utilizing our talents, we can experience the blessings of provision and abundance in our lives.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
This verse serves as a warning against the dangers of greed and the relentless pursuit of wealth. It highlights the emptiness and futility of a life solely focused on accumulating more and more money.
True contentment and satisfaction cannot be found in the pursuit of wealth but are found in seeking a relationship with God and finding fulfillment in His purposes for our lives.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
“Those 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.”
This passage warns against the dangers of greed and the harmful consequences of placing excessive importance on the pursuit of wealth. It cautions us about the temptations and pitfalls that accompany the desire for riches.
Instead of chasing after wealth, we should focus on cultivating a heart of contentment, generosity, and faith, recognizing that the love of money can lead us away from our faith and bring about unnecessary pain and suffering.
Proverbs 11:28
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
This verse presents a contrast between relying on material wealth and relying on God and His righteousness. Those who place their trust in their wealth alone will eventually stumble and experience disappointment.
However, those who live righteously, placing their trust in God, will flourish and experience the blessings of spiritual vitality and abundance.
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
This verse highlights the importance of integrity in our financial dealings. It teaches us that ill-gotten wealth obtained through dishonest means will eventually dissipate.
Instead, we should strive to accumulate money through honest and diligent means, understanding that the steady and faithful approach to financial stewardship leads to lasting growth and prosperity.
Proverbs 15:16
“Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.”
This verse reminds us that true riches are not found solely in material possessions, but rather in the reverence and awe of the Lord.
A life characterized by contentment and a healthy fear of God is far more valuable than amassing great wealth, which often brings with it stress, anxiety, and turmoil.
Proverbs 23:4-5
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 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.”
This passage warns against the dangers of obsessively pursuing wealth and relying solely on our abilities or cleverness to achieve financial success.
We are reminded to maintain a healthy perspective on money, understanding its transient nature and the potential futility of exhausting ourselves in pursuit of worldly riches.
Luke 12:15
“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.'”
Jesus exhorts us to be vigilant and cautious, guarding against the trap of greed in all its forms.
We are reminded that true life and fulfillment are not found in the accumulation of possessions but are found in our relationship with God and the pursuit of His kingdom.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
This verse highlights the significance of generosity and compassion towards the needy. It teaches us that when we help the poor, we are lending to the Lord, and He promises to reward us for our kindness and service.
Embracing a lifestyle of giving and supporting those in need not only honors God but also invites His blessings into our lives.
1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”
In this verse, we see Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian believers regarding financial stewardship and the importance of setting aside money regularly.
By faithfully saving a portion of our income and being prepared to contribute to worthy causes, we can actively participate in the work of the church and support ministries without the need for constant collections.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises their neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
This verse stresses the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion, especially those in need.
By reaching out to help and support our neighbors, we not only avoid sin but also experience God’s blessings in our lives.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility we have to look after the needs of our family members and loved ones.
Providing for our own household is not only a practical obligation but also a reflection of our faith, revealing our commitment to living out the teachings of Christ.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“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.”
This passage encourages us to honor God with our resources, offering Him the first and best of what we have.
By prioritizing our generosity towards God, we position ourselves to receive His abundant blessings and provision in return.
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.’”
In this verse, Paul reminds us of Jesus’ teaching that true blessing comes from giving rather than receiving.
By actively seeking opportunities to help and support the weak, we align ourselves with God’s heart and experience the fulfillment and joy that come from selfless generosity.
Psalm 37:21
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.”
This verse contrasts the behavior of the wicked who borrow without the intention of repayment and the righteous who give generously.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be faithful and generous stewards of our resources, honoring our financial obligations and willingly giving to others in need.
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
This verse highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ love and His willingness to give up His heavenly riches for our sake.
Through His poverty, we are offered the opportunity to experience true wealth and abundance, both spiritually and in the blessings that God provides.
Proverbs 22:7
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
This verse offers wisdom on the potential consequences of debt and financial dependency.
It reminds us of the importance of managing our finances responsibly and avoiding the trap of becoming enslaved to debt.
Malachi 3:10
“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.”
In this verse, God invites His people to trust Him by faithfully giving their tithes and offering to support His work.
He promises to bless those who are obedient in their giving, showering them with an overflow of His abundant blessings.
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
This verse highlights the connection between generosity and receiving blessings from God.
When we willingly share what we have with those in need, we position ourselves to experience the abundant blessings that come from living a generous lifestyle.
Luke 6:38
“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.”
This verse teaches us the principle of sowing and reaping, emphasizing the reward that comes from giving and the measure of generosity we apply to others.
God promises to pour out blessings and abundant provision to those who are generous in their giving, using the same measure of generosity that they extend to others.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
This verse encourages us to place our trust in God completely, acknowledging that He is the ultimate source of wisdom, provision, and guidance.
When we surrender our financial decisions to God and walk in obedience to His principles, He promises to direct and lead us in the right path, ensuring our financial well-being.
Proverbs 28:27
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
This verse underscores the importance of acts of kindness and generosity, particularly towards the poor and vulnerable.
By giving to those in need, we not only experience the provision of our own needs but also avoid the negative consequences and spiritual impoverishment that come from turning a blind eye to the suffering of others.