The purposeful intersection of faith and finance is one of my favorite topics. Especially since The Bible is full of instructions about money – 2,300 verses worth, if we're being precise! It is as if God knew that, when it came to money, us mortals would twist this up royally. So, He has given us great guidance and a few specific commands.
The following are the top 25 Bible verses (or groups of verses) about finances across a wide range of topics — from the origin of stewardship to not loving money.
Follow these biblical truths about finances and you will go a long way towards success.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2 (NIV)
All the earth and everything in it belongs to Him.
Richard Halverson said, “Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man’s (and I add a woman’s) real nature, money is of first important. Money is an exact index to a man’s true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a man’s character and how he handles his money.”
Randy Alcorn wrote, “There is a powerful relationship between our true spiritual condition and out attitude and actions concerning money and possessions.”
“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,[a] 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.’ Matthew 25:14-30
And if you live inside the United States, you have tremendous resources and opportunities.
The word used for “bags” of gold best translates to talents. We understand a talent to be a natural giftedness, like being able to throw a 95-mph fastball or sing with perfect-pitch. But in ancient times, a talent was a measure of money. A talent of gold would be worth over two million dollars today. So, this was a substantial gift.
Many investors read this story thinking that they must double their money to impress God or be a good steward. Please don’t read it that way. Jesus is teaching us, as Stewards, to invest for good returns that fit our giftedness and Godly success.
“So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” Genesis 1:27-29
The ancient title of Steward was one of authority and responsibility. A Steward spoke for his Master and managed the Master’s assets on His behalf. God created humans for this purpose. We are made in His image and lead creation on His behalf.
Granted, we have made a catastrophic mess of this role. But the original responsibility still effects our management of money today. We should manage our finances in a way that brings God glory and serves His creation. Therefore, our goal should be creativity, profit, and excellent investing in ways that enhance society and does not harm it.
“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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6: 17-18
Most of your wealth has to do with the time and place that you were born and not as much to do with your talent and skills as you think.
Do not trust money for your future. But trust God – truly trust Him!
Enjoy God’s blessings. Do excellent, profitable, good work. Serve others with good deeds and be generous.
Invest in your future in Heaven. As a Christ follower, your real treasure is there anyway.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9
Success – God’s way: be strong and courageous in life. Obey God’s word, which is the Bible. Trust God in everything.
The Bible teaches us to be ambitiously content. Success is God’s idea. So, we should strive to be successful, but do so in God’s way.
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:9
If you live inside the borders of the United States, you have a better than fifty percent chance of being in the top ten percent wealth bracket in the world. Odds are – you are already rich. Even if you don’t feel like it.
It is not a sin to be rich. It is a sin to be materialistic and striving to be rich leads people in to all kinds of foolishness and destruction. Trust me – I’ve seen plenty of this idiocy.
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:10
We are wealthy and we glamorize the rich and famous. And I’ve been as guilty as anyone! But the love of money and the power and adulation associated with it leads many people to all kinds of evil.
Money is great tool but a terrible master. When someone chases wealth, it turns one them. And they become its slave.
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10
This is true with investing, too.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6
“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.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.” Genesis 41:34
“If a man borrows anything of his neighbor…he shall make full restitution.” Exodus 22:14
These are straightforward instructions and a financial plan. Tithe, give ten percent of your income to the Lord via your church or ministries you support. Save and invest twenty percent of your income. Pay your debts, work to become debt free.
Tithing is a command. Malachi 3:8 accuses Christians who do not tithe of stealing from God. So, this is serious. And yet, God promises to bless if you tithe. In fact, this is the only verse in scripture that I know of where God says, “put Me to the test.” Who are we to “test” God. But He says “hold Me to my promise.”
Saving twenty percent may be hard for you to do. So, grow into it. Start with five percent, build to ten, then fifteen, and then twenty.
And pay off your debts. Debt freedom is a big key for most people to be financially successful.
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5
“Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” Proverbs 24:27
Far too often, people plan their vacations more thoroughly than managing their finances. However, a good financial plan and you taking action to follow that plan can take you a long way.
Your financial plan should be designed to reach your goals and only be as complicated as it needs to be.
Take solid steps to be successful. And don’t buy a fancy house, car, or clothes that you cannot afford, just to show off.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
Life will test you. Running to God, studying His word, and learning to trust Him to provide for you is priceless.
A solid, simple financial plan that just works: tithe, save/invest, pay off your debt, plan for the complexities, and trust God.
“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, or you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
Invest wisely, freely, and systematically. Manage risk. And manage your emotions.
King Solomon is the traditional author of this passage. He would be worth over two trillion dollars today. So, I think we should listen to him.
Invest wisely, freely, and systematically. To often, people treat investing like gambling. Its fun. It’s a game. And it satisfies an adrenaline junky’s need for a fix. But investing should be wise placement of your money, seeking a specific profit, using a well-researched approach. We should invest in good and profitable ventures and patiently wait for a profit.
Manage risk. Investing is risky. You can lose money, sometimes all of it depending of your investment. But you can manage your risk through diversification and other strategies that should fit your plans.
Manage your emotions. Fear of loss and fear of missing out (FOMO – greed) are two of the driving emotions that I’ve seen derail investors most often. Avoid these at all costs!
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
There are three proper actions with money, with only one purpose: generosity, enjoyment, and investment. All for God’s glory.
God has blessed you to be a blessing to others. So, share your time, skills, and money with those in need.
God has blessed you to enjoy His gifts. So, when you enjoy the “fruits of your labor,” thank God for them and enjoy them deeply!
A farmer plants seeds for a future harvest. And we should invest money for the future. So, we can continue to be a blessing to someone else and enjoy God’s blessings in the future.
Financial blessings are for God’s glory. Don’t get lost in a materialistic haze. Remember that money is just a tool. Use it for good. And remember as the psalmist wrote, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me and I shall live in the house of the Lord forever.” all while you are chasing something good, God is chasing you with something great.