Could God actually be concerned with our wallets and bank accounts? Do our personal finances matter to Him? Well, it might surprise you to know that the New King James Version of the Bible mentions “money” 133 times and “riches” 90 times, and the Scriptures address multiple aspects of this subject to give us some critical perspective. Consider the guidelines in the following passages …
1. No one can serve two masters.
“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 NIV). Jesus’ words were straightforward when He set the record straight about where our priority should be and which Master we should serve.
2. Beware of the love of money.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). We’ve all heard this verse or a misquote of it! Did you catch the word “love” in this passage? It’s not money that leads to evil, but the love of it. Allowing greed to get a foothold can easily cause a person’s downfall.
3. Stay away from 'Dirty Money'.
“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase” (Proverbs 13:11). God wants us to earn our money through hard work and honesty. Gain by any other methods will eventually add up to a loss.
4. Don't rush to be rich.
“Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!” (Proverbs 23:4). It’s important to keep in mind that money isn’t everything. Becoming a workaholic can cost a person their family, their health, and even their soul.
5. Honesty is the best policy.
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6). In God’s eyes, living an upright life is vastly more important than becoming successful in worldly terms.
6. Don't be a miser.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). Jesus taught that generosity regarding time, possessions, money—whatever God has blessed us with—is an essential part of the Christian life and is always rewarded.
7. Be a faithful tither.
“ ‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’ ” (Malachi 3:10). The Bible teaches that ten percent of our income belongs to God. He promises abundant blessings to those who faithfully return this tithe.
8. Help Others.
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). God, who gives us the ability to get wealth, expects us to use it in responsible ways—including helping those in need.
9. Be Humble.
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). With wealth comes temptations to arrogance and overconfidence, but money has a way of disappearing unexpectedly. Our faith should be placed in God alone.
10. Remember that you can't buy heaven.
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 11:4). Money won’t be of any use to anyone when they stand before the Judge of the universe. Our priorities and our hearts should be anchored on godly things and focused on living upright lives.
God really does care how we get and spend our money, and He observes our attitude toward wealth. But the state of our finances is ultimately temporary. True and lasting riches are found only in a close, trusting relationship with the God who loves you and wants you to inherit His kingdom. (See Matthew 25:34.)
Share with us in the comments below your favorite finance related Bible verses.