Biblical Money Principles

The Bible is rich with wisdom on how to handle money. This is my take on some of the key financial principles I have found in the Bible.

Creation

God created man in his own image. God blessed man and commanded him to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. We are co-creators with God and have the power within us to create new forms using the materials of the earth. We have been commanded to be fruitful and to multiply. We need to create useful products and services, then build scale, and then dominate our fields. Wealth is to be obtained through creation and not competition. 

Stewardship

God created everything in this world and we are merely stewards of all the wealth we might acquire. We don’t really own what we have. We simply hold it on behalf of the creator. We are therefore called to be good stewards when it comes to money and be good caretakers of the wealth we have been privileged to have. This principle of stewardship is closely linked to service. Wealth is created by being of service to fellow human beings. If we take care of God’s children by providing useful service, we shall then be blessed with wealth. ” But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” This idea of servitude and sacrifice is central to wealth creation. We are also called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. It’s a form of stewardship when we improve the lives of our neighbors by providing useful products and services. And if you “love” enough people you will become extremely rich!

God wants us to be RICH

God wants his people to be RICH so that they can build his kingdom. God wants us to love our fellow human beings. Love is denied expression by poverty. A poor man cannot bestow gifts upon his loved ones. God created and owns everything in this universe. All we have to do is ASK, RECEIVE, BELIEVE, and ACT with FAITH and GRATITUDE to have all the WEALTH we desire. There is really no honor to be found in remaining poor. How can someone who claims to be made in God’s image and who has been empowered to subdue the earth’s resources accept poverty?

Gratitude

We are reminded to be grateful for what we have been blessed with. The habit of gratitude connects us with our creator and opens the way for more blessings.  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Vision

We are encouraged to have a vision for our lives, families, churches, and nations. The way we build a vision for our finances is through setting financial goals and a budget which is basically our intention for spending our money.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” “The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both. A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

Saving + Prudent Living

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” We are encouraged to live modest lifestyles. Many prophets in the bible lived modestly. They gladly shared the little they had. We are encouraged to save up and not spend everything we earn.  “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes the rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”  “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

Hard Work

The bible has no kind words for lazy people. Straight from Genesis, we are reminded to work hard. Through work, we become co-creators with the master creator. “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.  Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.  All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.  Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.  For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

Investment

The parable of the talents encourages us to use our gifts and blessings to invest and make more money. If we do this prudently we are guaranteed of sure returns. If we don’t invest and instead hide our money under mattresses then even the little money we possess will be taken away. We should also avoid get rich quick schemes. Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”

Generosity

Giving and generosity are core themes of the scriptures and most religions. We are encouraged to share what we have with others to enhance their welfare and our own well-being.  “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.”  “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.”  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Faith

We are encouraged to have faith in God’s ability to aid us through difficult financial situations and to know that a new day awaits us with abundance overflowing in our lives.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

Debt

The bible does not encourage borrowing. Debts enslave us and prevent us from fast-tracking our financial freedom. Also when you borrow please pay it back. Here are some verses:  “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.  The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.  Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

Get good counsel

Managing money is a complicated matter, and so is performing heart surgery. You wouldn’t consult your cousin who is a comedian for medical advice. Same thing with money. If you are serious about getting your finances in order then you need to invest in a good financial advisor.  “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”  “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”