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As adults, we are the choices we make. We make our choices and our made by our choices and those choices affect our entire family. So what does this have to do with money? It has everything to do with money when we think about the Bible and all it has to say about money and God’s interest in how we earn and spend it. There are 2,350 verses in the Bible and 16 of the 38 parables that deal with how to handle money, wealth and possessions. Judging on the amount of scripture devoted to this topic, I think I can safely say this is very important to God and should be to us as well.
In spite of what we might believe about money and possessions, they are neither good nor bad. Money is merely a medium of exchange. It is the misuse and abuse of it that causes problems. The scripture is full of financial principles that we want to incorporate in our lives and the lives of our family. I’ve provided just a few simple thoughts on some of those principles for you to consider.
- Prepare
- The scripture teaches modest living practices which includes saving for lean times. Joseph gives us a great example on how to accomplish this. It really doesn’t take a scientist to figure it out; just cut down on what you use during your more prosperous days and put the rest away. It took seven years for it to come to pass, but if they hadn’t built storage bins and filled them with grain when there was plenty of food to go around, there wouldn’t have been enough during the dry season and many people would have died. Scripture makes it pretty clear, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov 22:7)
- Be Practical
- It really is ok to dream big dreams, however, be realistic. Proverbs 28:19 puts it this way, “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t fall for get rich schemes. They’re usually money suckers. The scripture reminds us to have self control, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.” (Prov 24:4 NIV). This is good advice!
- Plan Ahead
- Having faith in God does not mean that we don’t plan ahead. The scripture reminds us that, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” (Prov 21:5) So where do we start? First off we need to spend less and save more. It really is that simple, but for many of us it is not. We simply forget and get caught up in the moment. It’s easy to want to buy that new car, go to that expensive restaurant, or buy that new black dress (even if we have 3 others in the same color). Nevertheless, it’s often the simple things that have the biggest positive impacts on our finances. So as the scripture reminds us in Prov. 6; 6-8, plan ahead, work hard, and put something aside for a rainy day. “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.”
- Prosperity
- As Christians, is it a bad thing to want to be prosperous? Absolutely not! What I am not saying is that we wear ourselves out to make money and give only to receive. What I am saying is that working hard and giving of our abundance is a biblical concept. The scripture tells us that if we give, we will prosper. Proverbs 11:25 says that “a generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Giving sets us free, while hoarding entraps us. (James 5:2) It also brings blessing back to us (Luke 6:38) and allows us to store up treasures in Heaven rather than here on the earth (Matthew 19:21).
Here are a few more money scriptures to consider:
What the Bible says about investing
Proverbs 24:27
Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house.
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
Ecclesiastes 11:2
Give a portion to seven, and also the eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Proverbs 15:22
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
What the Bible says about lending
Matthew 5:42
Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.
Exodus 22:25
If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.
What the Bible says about debt
Deuteronomy 15:6
For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.
Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender s slave.
Romans 13:8
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
What the Bible says about provision and God meeting our needs
Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
Beth D. Baus is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has a private practice in Riverside, CA. She teaches for Apostolic School of Theology / Hope International University. Visit her new website at www.ourhealthyfamilies.org
