Building wealth isn’t wrong, but the Bible warns against greed and forgetting God’s role in our success. Today, let’s uncover how Scripture encourages wise financial habits while keeping a heart focused on Him.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Fools And Money
What Does The Bible Say About Building Wealth
Proverbs 10:4
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence in building wealth. It suggests that laziness leads to poverty, while those who are diligent and hardworking have the potential to achieve financial success.
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
This verse warns against the accumulation of wealth through dishonest means, emphasizing the importance of integrity in financial matters. It highlights the value of patience and gradual accumulation, suggesting that consistent effort in saving and investing leads to the growth of wealth.
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
This verse emphasizes the need for action and tangible effort in building wealth. It suggests that merely talking about wealth or success without taking concrete steps towards achieving it will result in poverty. Hard work is presented as the key to financial profit.
Proverbs 21:5
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
This verse highlights the importance of planning and diligence in financial matters. It suggests that careful and thoughtful planning, coupled with consistent effort, leads to profit and financial success. Conversely, hasty or impulsive decisions can lead to poverty.
Matthew 6:19-21
“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.”
This verse reminds us not to place too much emphasis on accumulating material wealth on earth. It encourages us to focus on building treasures in heaven, which are eternal and cannot be destroyed or stolen. It serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual wealth and values over material possessions.
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 verse cautions against the desire to become excessively rich, as it can lead to temptation and a loss of moral values. It warns of the destructive power of the love of money, highlighting that pursuing wealth at all costs can result in ruin, destruction, and a departure from one’s faith.
Proverbs 22:7
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
This verse emphasizes the potential consequences of debt and financial dependence. It suggests that borrowing money can lead to a loss of control and autonomy, positioning the borrower as a slave to the lender. It serves as a reminder to exercise caution in managing finances and avoiding unnecessary debt.
Proverbs 28:20
“A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”
This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness and integrity in the pursuit of wealth. It suggests that those who are faithful and honest will be blessed with abundant blessings. Conversely, those who are solely motivated by a desire to become rich without considering ethical standards may face negative consequences.
Proverbs 13:22
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
This verse encourages responsible financial planning and generational wealth. It suggests that a good person considers the future well-being of their descendants and leaves behind an inheritance. It also implies that ill-gotten wealth may be transferred to those who are righteous and deserving.
Deuteronomy 8:18
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate source of our ability to generate wealth. It acknowledges that God’s blessings and covenant with our ancestors play a role in our financial success. It encourages us to always remember and acknowledge God’s role in our prosperity.
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.'”
This verse warns against the dangers of greed and the mistaken belief that life’s value is determined solely by material possessions. It reminds us to prioritize spiritual and relational aspects of life over the accumulation of wealth. It serves as a reminder to guard our hearts against the allure of greed.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
This verse highlights the futility of pursuing wealth for its own sake. It suggests that an insatiable love for money or a relentless pursuit of wealth will lead to dissatisfaction and a sense of meaninglessness. It encourages contentment and a focus on things that truly matter.
Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest. So, take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
This parable teaches the importance of wise stewardship and the responsible management of resources. It underscores the need to utilize and invest our abilities and talents to generate increase. It also emphasizes the principle that those who are faithful and diligent with the resources entrusted to them will be rewarded, while those who fail to use their resources wisely will suffer consequences.
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
This verse highlights the principle of generosity and the potential rewards it brings. It suggests that those who are generous and willing to refresh others will themselves experience prosperity and refreshment. It encourages a mindset of abundance and selflessness in financial dealings.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness above our own desires. It assures us that when we seek God’s will and align our lives with His purposes, He will provide for our needs. It encourages a shift in focus from the pursuit of wealth to the pursuit of God’s kingdom and righteousness.
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 emphasizes the importance of generosity, specifically towards the poor. It suggests that extending kindness and assistance to those in need is seen as lending to the Lord Himself. It promises that God will reward those who demonstrate compassion and generosity towards the less fortunate.
2 Corinthians 9:6
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
This verse presents the principle of sowing and reaping in the context of generosity. It suggests that those who are generous and give freely will experience a bountiful harvest, while those who withhold and give sparingly will receive less in return. It encourages a mindset of abundance and a willingness to give generously.
Luke 14:28
“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?”
This verse highlights the importance of financial planning and wisdom in managing resources. It encourages us to consider the cost and feasibility of our goals before embarking on them. It promotes responsible financial decision-making and the avoidance of unnecessary debt.
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 verse warns against the obsession with becoming rich and placing excessive trust in one’s own strategies and wisdom. It cautions that wealth is fleeting and unreliable, often disappearing unexpectedly. It encourages a balanced and measured approach to wealth, focusing on wisdom and contentment rather than relentless pursuit.
Ecclesiastes 10:19
“A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.”
This verse acknowledges the practical role of money in addressing various needs and challenges. It suggests that money has the potential to provide solutions and alleviate certain difficulties. However, it also implies that money is not the ultimate answer to all of life’s problems and should not be the sole pursuit.
Luke 16:10-11
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
This verse emphasizes the importance of integrity and faithful stewardship in handling worldly wealth. It suggests that how we manage and handle even small amounts of money is indicative of our character and trustworthiness. It raises the question of whether we can be trusted with true riches, which extend beyond material wealth.
Hebrews 13:5
“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.'”
This verse encourages contentment and a detachment from the love of money. It reminds us that our ultimate source of security and provision is God Himself, who promises to never leave or forsake us. It reassures us that true contentment is found in our relationship with God rather than in the accumulation of wealth.
Psalm 37:16-17
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”
This verse juxtaposes the wealth of the wicked with the modest possessions of the righteous. It suggests that it is better to have little and be righteous than to possess great wealth obtained through wicked means. It assures us that God ultimately upholds the righteous and will bring down the power of the wicked.
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
This verse reassures believers that God will provide for all their needs according to His abundant riches and glory in Christ Jesus. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision, encouraging trust in His ability to meet our financial needs.
Psalm 112:3
“Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.”
This verse suggests that wealth and riches can be found in the houses of the righteous. It implies that those who walk in righteousness and live according to God’s principles may experience material blessings alongside spiritual endurance and blessings that endure beyond temporal wealth.