Money is necessary for daily life, but what does the Bible say about earning it? The Scriptures guide us to work diligently and to honor God with our resources. Today, we’ll examine how earning money fits into living a life that pleases God.
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What Does The Bible Say About Earning Money
Proverbs 10:4
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence in earning money. It highlights the consequences of laziness, which can lead to poverty, while diligence and industriousness can lead to wealth. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their financial well-being and work hard to achieve prosperity.
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
This verse warns against the pursuit of dishonest gain, stressing that ill-gotten wealth will eventually diminish. It promotes the idea of earning money through honest means and encourages individuals to accumulate wealth gradually, through consistent and ethical practices.
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.”
Through this verse, Jesus teaches that money can easily become a master, competing with our devotion to God. It reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God over the pursuit of wealth, cautioning against allowing money to control our lives and values.
1 Timothy 6:10
“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 stresses the dangers of craving money and highlights how the love of wealth can lead to spiritual and personal harm. It serves as a reminder to guard against greed and to prioritize faith and spiritual well-being over the pursuit of material possessions.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
This verse warns against the insatiable pursuit of money and the false sense of fulfillment it promises. It encourages contentment and challenges the belief that accumulating wealth will bring lasting satisfaction, reminding us that wealth alone cannot bring purpose or meaning to our lives.
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 to acknowledge and give credit to God for the ability to earn wealth. It highlights the importance of recognizing God’s role as the ultimate provider and acknowledges that our skills and opportunities for financial success come from Him.
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
This verse emphasizes the value of hard work and diligent effort in generating income and achieving prosperity. It cautions against laziness and empty words, highlighting the importance of taking action and actively pursuing opportunities to generate profit.
Proverbs 22:7
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
This verse serves as a warning against the consequences of debt and the potential loss of financial freedom that comes with being indebted to others. It encourages responsible financial management and advocates for avoiding unnecessary debt to maintain control over one’s finances.
Luke 16:11
“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
This verse highlights the importance of financial integrity and responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. It suggests that our faithfulness in managing earthly possessions impacts our ability to receive spiritual blessings and true riches from God.
Proverbs 28:19
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.”
This verse emphasizes the principle of reaping what we sow and the correlation between hard work and abundance. It encourages individuals to invest their time and efforts wisely, focusing on productive endeavors rather than wasting resources on futile pursuits.
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
This verse assures believers that God is faithful to provide for their needs abundantly. It encourages trust in God’s provision, assuring that He will supply everything necessary for a believer’s well-being according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
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 verse emphasizes the importance of honoring God with one’s wealth and possessions. It encourages believers to give generously from their resources, acknowledging God’s provision, and promising abundant blessings in return.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Jesus teaches the principle of prioritizing the kingdom of God and His righteousness above material pursuits. He assures that when believers seek God’s kingdom first, their needs will be met, indicating that God is faithful to provide for the necessities of life.
Proverbs 11:28
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
This verse warns against placing one’s trust solely in wealth, highlighting its fleeting nature. It contrasts the downfall of those who rely on riches with the prosperity and vitality experienced by the righteous, who find their security in God.
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 cautions against the harmful grip of greed, reminding His followers that true fulfillment and purpose do not come from material possessions or wealth. He encourages cultivating a perspective that recognizes the limitations of material wealth in providing genuine satisfaction and contentment.
Psalms 37:16
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.”
This verse highlights the superiority of having little but being righteous in comparison to possessing great wealth as a wicked individual. It emphasizes the value of integrity and righteousness over material abundance.
1 Timothy 6:17
“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.”
This verse admonishes the wealthy to avoid becoming proud or trusting in their riches. It encourages them to find their security and satisfaction in God, who is the ultimate provider and the source of all enjoyment and blessings.
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 urges believers to guard against the love of money and to find contentment in God’s presence and faithfulness. It assures that God will always be with His people, providing comfort and security that surpasses worldly possessions.
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 value of generosity, particularly towards those in need. It teaches that acts of kindness and charity towards the poor are considered as lending to the Lord, and He promises to reward those who demonstrate such compassion.
Matthew 6:19-20
“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.”
Jesus advises against placing excessive value on earthly possessions, as they are susceptible to loss, decay, and theft. He encourages believers to invest in treasures that are eternal, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing heavenly rewards over material possessions.
Luke 16:10
“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.”
This verse highlights the significance of faithfulness and integrity in managing financial resources. It suggests that one’s trustworthiness and reliability in handling small amounts of wealth reflect their character and suitability for greater responsibilities.
2 Corinthians 9:6
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
This verse uses the analogy of sowing and reaping to illustrate the principle of giving. It suggests that generous giving leads to greater blessings and emphasizes the importance of a generous and cheerful heart in the context of earning money.
Ecclesiastes 10:19
“A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.”
This verse acknowledges the practical value of money in various aspects of life. It recognizes the role of financial resources in meeting needs and providing solutions, but it does not imply that money can solve all problems or bring ultimate fulfillment.
Proverbs 28:20
“A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and integrity in one’s pursuit of wealth. It highlights that those who seek to get rich at any cost may face negative consequences, but those who exhibit faithfulness and ethical practices will experience abundant blessings in various areas of life.