Sometimes we expect the Bible to be quiet on matters of money and finances

Pastors are scared to preach about the touchy subject of money, yet the Bible is packed with truth about it. Some people estimate that the majority of Jesus’ teachings was about money!

The Bible is filled with wisdom and insights about lots of areas of life for young people - health, rest, work, family, relationships, and - yes - even money. 

A Biblical View of Finances

However you want to look at it, nobody can deny that money matters. We need it to survive in this world we live in. Nothing is free these days and each one of us needs to pay for even our basic needs like a place to stay, clothing, food and water. As we’re growing up and expected to leave our parents’ care, this reality becomes even more true.

Yet the Bible’s opinion on matters of money is a bit… different. Where the world tells us to save and invest our earnings; the Bible encourages radical generosity. Where the world’s advice is “get lots of money to be successful/happy”; the Bible says “true success/happiness is found in God alone”. 

God’s way is upside-down; in His economy less is more.

What does the Bible say about Money?

The Bible doesn’t see money as the end goal

• 1 Timothy 6:10-11: For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.  But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
• Hebrews 13:5: Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Also read our article ‘Whose Money is it Anyway’ to go even deeper with this idea.

Be generous first, then you’ll always have enough

• Luke 6:38: Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
• Proverbs 3:9-10: Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Rely on God more than you rely on money

• Philippians 4:19: And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 9:8: And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Using money to care for others

• 1 Timothy 5:8: But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
• Proverbs 13:22: Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

Bible verses about debts / credit

• Proverbs 22:7: Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
• Romans 13:8: Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law

A Testimony about Using Money God’s Way

As newlyweds in our early 20’s, my husband and I had to scrape our cents together. I worked for the church on a very small salary, so we basically had to survive on my husband’s income for our whole household. We budgeted, worked out cheap meals, shopped for groceries with a calculator in hand, and even tithed to the church. Yet, we couldn’t shake the feeling that we didn’t have enough. 

A week turned into a month, and soon we settled into our new life together. Coming out of our bubble, we slowly started to invite friends over for meals. In our apartment, we set the table (even though we only owned 4 plates) as nicely as we could. For the meals, we did simple - and cheap - things like pastas or snack platters. 

Then something amazing happened. It was as if our generosity with the little that we had paved the way for God’s abundant blessings. We’d faithfully cook dinner, using up the very last things in our fridge, and then our guests would show up with a side or dessert that meant we had leftovers for the next few days. 

Abundance became a key in the way we do life and live out our faith. We don’t talk about what we lack, complaining about it, feeling sorry for ourselves - We would rather spend our energy wondering how we can bless people, glorify God with what we do have. 

What’s that in your hand?

There’s a well-known story in the Bible about Moses standing before God Himself at the burning bush. This is when God sends Moses to save God’s people, the Israelites, and lead them into the wilderness to learn to live His way. 

But before any of that happens, Moses protests at the burning bush. He tells God, ‘You must be mistaken. It can’t be me. I’m not able to do it. It’s too hard.’ And God doesn’t yell at Moses or get mad, He simply asks Moses 5 words: “What’s that in your hand?”

Moses must have looked down, noticing he’s still clinging onto his ol’ trusty shepherd’s staff. A tool that Moses knew well but that he didn’t think much of. Later on, Moses would see the staff itself turn into a snake, touch the river’s water and watch it turn to blood, hit a stone to produce a spring of water, and even split the sea with it. 

Today God is asking you and me the same question that He asked Moses at that pivotal moment: “What is in your hand? What is in your fridge? What is in your phone? What is in your bank account? What do you have and how can you use it for My Glory?”

“Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much”
- Luke 16:10

What does the Bible say about Money?