Is money a blessing or a curse? Is it a necessary evil, or could it actually be a gift from God? At money-central.com, we believe that understanding What The Bible Says About Money is crucial for navigating our financial lives in a way that honors God. Many people grapple with these questions, and it’s important to delve into the scriptures to find answers. This article will explore the origins of money, address common misconceptions about the Bible’s warnings regarding wealth, and illuminate God’s intended purposes for money. We’ll also examine key Bible passages that offer guidance and wisdom for your financial journey. Understanding the biblical perspective on money is the crucial first step toward managing your finances in alignment with God’s will, ultimately maximizing its positive impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones.
The Origin of Money: A Divine Idea?
In a recent interview on the Worldview Legacy Podcast, Jordan Bush from Thank God For Bitcoin offered a compelling perspective on the history of money. Contrary to popular belief, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that money didn’t evolve from ancient bartering systems. This challenges the conventional narrative many of us learned in school and opens up fascinating possibilities.
What if money wasn’t a human invention born out of necessity, but rather an integral part of God’s design for human civilization from the very beginning? While further research is always encouraged, this perspective suggests that money, in its essence, might be a foundational element of societal structure intended by God. This understanding can fundamentally shift how we view money and its role in our lives.
“Money is the Root of All Evil?” – Unpacking Biblical Warnings
One of the most quoted—and often misquoted—Bible verses about money is 1 Timothy 6:10. People frequently shorten it to “money is the root of all evil.” However, the actual verse states, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” This distinction is critical. The Bible doesn’t condemn money itself, but rather the inordinate love of it.
Think about it this way: the Bible warns us against many things we can improperly love, including even our families. Jesus himself says in Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26 that our love for Him should surpass our love for our own family. This doesn’t mean family is bad, but it highlights the importance of prioritizing our love for God above all else. Similarly, the warnings about money are about keeping our hearts rightly ordered. When we place the pursuit of wealth above God, we open ourselves to spiritual dangers.
The issue isn’t money itself, but the disordered affection for it. It’s the love of money that becomes a snare, leading to various evils as described in 1 Timothy 6:10. Keeping Jesus at the center of our lives and placing Him first ensures that our relationship with money, and everything else, remains healthy and balanced.
God’s Intended Purposes for Money
If we understand money as potentially a gift from God, then it’s natural to ask: what is God’s purpose for it? The Bible reveals several key intentions behind money, offering a framework for how we should view and utilize it. Here are three significant purposes:
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Money as a Means of Communication and Appreciation: Money serves as a tangible way to acknowledge and compensate the value of someone’s labor and service. When you pay a barista for your coffee, a financial advisor for their expertise, or a mechanic for fixing your car, you are communicating value for the time, energy, and skill they have invested in serving you. The act of paying is an expression of gratitude and recognition of their contribution. As 1 Timothy 5:18 states, “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” This principle highlights the biblical basis for fair compensation and the honorable exchange of value through money.
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Money for Protection and Provision for Loved Ones: A fundamental purpose of money is to provide security and sustenance for ourselves and our families. Money allows us to store the value of our work and convert it into essential resources for life, such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. 1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes this responsibility strongly: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Furthermore, Ecclesiastes 3:22 reminds us to find joy in our labor and its fruits, suggesting that enjoying the provisions money affords is part of a balanced life. Christian individuals, especially husbands and fathers, have a God-given responsibility to use money to care for their families and ensure their well-being.
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Money as a Tool for Evangelism, Discipleship, and Generosity: Money is not just for personal use; it’s also a powerful instrument for furthering God’s kingdom and serving others. Jesus instructs in Luke 16:9, “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.” This verse encourages believers to use worldly wealth strategically for eternal purposes. Throughout history, countless hospitals, universities, missionary endeavors, and charitable organizations have been funded by Christians using their resources to spread the Gospel and demonstrate God’s love. From supporting local ministries to funding global missions, money can facilitate evangelism, discipleship programs, and acts of compassion that have an eternal impact, far outweighing the temporal value of the money itself.
What the Bible Says: Key Verses About Money
The Bible offers a wealth of wisdom regarding money, both highlighting its potential benefits and warning against its dangers. Here are 12 key passages from Scripture that provide a balanced perspective on finances, urging us to approach money with sobriety and discernment:
Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. — Deuteronomy 8:18 (This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate source of our ability to prosper.)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. —Proverbs 3:9–10 (Giving back to God from our resources is an act of worship that can lead to further blessing.)
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. — Proverbs 11:4 (Material wealth is temporary and cannot save us in times of judgment; righteousness is what truly matters eternally.)
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. — Proverbs 13:11 (Sustainable wealth is often built gradually and diligently, not through get-rich-quick schemes.)
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. — Proverbs 22:7 (This highlights the power dynamics associated with wealth and the potential for debt to create bondage.)
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. — Ecclesiastes 5:10 (The pursuit of wealth as an end in itself is ultimately unsatisfying and meaningless.)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth and rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19–21 (Our focus should be on eternal investments rather than fleeting earthly possessions; our values are reflected in where we store our treasure.)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. — Matthew 6:24 (We must choose between serving God and serving money, as they represent competing allegiances.)
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? —Luke 16:11 (Faithfulness in managing earthly wealth is a test for being entrusted with greater spiritual riches.)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19 (We can trust in God’s provision to meet our needs, according to His abundant resources.)
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. — 1 Timothy 5:8 (Providing for family is a fundamental expression of faith and responsibility.)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5 (Contentment and freedom from the love of money are essential for a peaceful and God-centered life, trusting in His constant presence.)
Does God Want You To Have Money?
If we accept that money is part of God’s good design, then it logically follows that God desires people to have money. James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Money, in its proper place, can be seen as one of these good gifts. Therefore, in principle, God wants people to have money to fulfill its intended purposes.
However, it’s crucial to understand that financial wealth is not God’s ultimate goal for us. We are not entitled to a specific income level, and we should avoid complaining or feeling that God is unjust if our financial situation doesn’t meet our desires or perceived needs. Contentment in all circumstances is a key biblical principle (Philippians 4:11-13).
Ultimately, regardless of our financial status in this life, we must remember that money is a tool, not an end in itself. God’s desire is for His people to steward money according to His purposes revealed in Scripture: to communicate value, to provide for families, and to advance His kingdom through evangelism and service. By using money in alignment with these divine intentions, we can transform temporary wealth into an everlasting legacy, all for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Explore Further: Bitcoin and Biblical Finance
In today’s evolving financial landscape, many Christian thinkers are exploring alternative financial technologies like Bitcoin through a biblical lens. While money-central.com does not offer financial advice or endorse specific investments, we encourage you to explore resources that can help you develop a robust Christian worldview on sound money and financial responsibility. Understanding innovative financial tools like Bitcoin can be part of this journey.
To delve deeper, we recommend listening to the Worldview Legacy Podcast episode featuring Jordan Bush: “#47 How to Understand Bitcoin From A Christian Perspective.” (https://thethink.institute/podcast). Additionally, you can explore the slide deck “Why Bitcoin” by Kevin Blessum, a board member of The Think Institute: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kyu2pVttLsKVeon5f4keemuX9TOr2IzKMjykUej0MuU/edit?usp=sharing. These resources can provide further insights as you seek to integrate your faith with your understanding of modern finance.
