Money can bring a lot of blessings, but it can also be an object of greed – and the Bible has a lot to say about that.
What does the Bible say about Money and Greed?
According to scripture, it’s not wrong to be wealthy but it is wrong to be greedy. God wants His people to use the money they’ve been given for spiritual purposes.
In Matthew 6:21, Jesus shows us that the love of money and greed is something to be aware of. He says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” – suggesting that if we place too much importance on financial gain, our hearts can easily be led astray.
In Proverbs 28:20-21, the Bible warns against those who take advantage of others financially. It is very clear that exploiting people for money is seen as wrong in God’s eyes. God’s people should always do what it right and moral – which means being just with their finances.
Romans 13:7 advises followers of God to pay all their taxes; to “render therefore to all their dues”. This also implies that we should be wise with our money and not waste it or use it recklessly as God has placed us in a position of responsibility when it comes to financial wealth.
It is clear from scripture that money is an earthly resource which should always be used wisely. We must be mindful of our spending and not let greed take over. It is important that we keep our purpose in mind – which is to bring glory to God and honor Him with our decision-making.
The Bible warns us of the dangers of greed and encourages us to live stewardship-minded lives. Although it is not wrong to be wealthy, how we use our financial blessings should reflect our Christian values and morality.
In 1 Timothy 6:10, the Bible tells us that wealth can be a blessing as long as it is not used as an idol. This is a reminder that money should never come before God in our lives. The important thing to understand is that money is a means to a greater end, and not the end itself.
Riches Bring Distractions
The Bible also tells us that riches can lead to being distracted from God, as they can be an obstacle that gets between our relationship with Him. This can be seen in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 where it reads: “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” This clearly implies that those with wealth should be careful to not become too attached to it.
Material wealth is fleeting and temporary while our spiritual relationship with God is forever. Therefore, we should always be mindful of our priorities and keep our focus on God. We should protect our relationship with God and use our financial resources for His glory.
The Bible also warns us against the dangers of trusting in riches. In Proverbs 11:28 it reads “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” This verse suggests that the righteous will never fall into temptation whereas those who trust in wealth will ultimately end up falling.
The main takeaway here is that money should never replace God as our source of security and purpose. Our wealth is a blessing which we are expected to use wisely and in a manner that honours the Lord.
The Deceitfulness of Riches
The Bible constantly warns us against the deceitfulness of riches. In Mark 4:19 it reads: “But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” This implies that we should approach money with a certain self-control and discernment.
When we become too attached to our wealth, it can easily become an idol as opposed to a blessing from God. Our hearts must never be drawn away from our true source of security which is God alone. We must remain focused on Him and make sure not to put any other gods before Him.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus also warns us against this very thing when He says: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” This passage clearly highlights the danger of letting wealth and possessions consume our lives.
We should never let our ambition for money lead us away from our purpose. Instead, we should use our resources to honour God and make a positive impact in the lives of those around us.
It is also important to remember that our riches are not ours alone. Proverbs 22:2 reads: “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.” This passage reminds us that we should always be mindful of our blessings and use them for a greater purpose.
Using Wealth Responsibly
The Bible also encourages us to use our wealth responsibly and in line with God’s plan for us. Philippians 4:19 tells us that our riches should be used to glorify God when it reads: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
This implies that we should use our money to help others and invest in the Kingdom of God. Our resources are a blessing and an opportunity to make a difference in the world and bring glory to our Father in Heaven.
The Bible also tells us to use our financial resources with wisdom and discernment. Proverbs 15:16 reads: “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it”, which points out the importance of being cautious when it comes to handling money.
We should remember that our money should not be seen as an end in itself, but as means to fulfill God’s will for us. We should always strive to be wise in the way we use our resources.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells us that if we store up treasures on earth rather than in Heaven, our hearts are bound to become attached to them. We must therefore always strive to have a heavenly mindset when it comes to our finances.
Intentional Stewardship
The Bible encourages us to be intentional and deliberate in the way we use our resources. We should remember that all of our money, possessions and time are gifts from God, and He expects us to use them responsibly.
Proverbs 21:20 reminds us of this when it says “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” This implies that we should always be wise and thoughtful with the way we use our resources.
We must recognise that all we have comes from God, and our wealth and possessions are to be used for His purposes. Everything on earth is temporal and can easily be taken away from us at any moment – which is why we must use our resources wisely.
The Bible also warns us against the love of money. In 1 Timothy 6:10 it reads: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
This verse tells us that placing too much importance on money can lead us away from God. We must be careful not to get too attached to our financial wealth; instead, we should always try to find our security and value in the Lord.
God’s Economy
The Bible emphasises that ultimately the economy is God’s. In 1 Corinthians 10:26 it reads “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This implies that all we have belongs to God and must be used to honor Him and to serve His purposes.
The Bible also tells us to be generous and to use our resources to help others. In Luke 6:38 it reads “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap”. This verse suggests that when we are generous, we will receive blessings in return.
We must remember that God has blessed us with resources so that we can be a blessing to others. All we have belongs to God and we are ultimately accountable to Him for how we choose to use our wealth.
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, the Bible reminds us to be generous “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” This passage teaches us to see our resources as a blessing that can be used to help others in need.
We should always strive to use our resources responsibly and honour God through our generosity. By being mindful of our purpose and discerning in the way we handle our money, we can bring glory to our Father in Heaven.
