General Principles on Money from the Bible

As I mentioned in the previous post, our Bible study group is going through a short series on Biblical stewardship. One of the first discussions was on what kind of general principles on money can we get from Scripture?

This list is obviously not exhaustive, but it should at least point out some very clear guidelines and reminders. We can then use these as a foundation as we try to make wise decisions on more specific, practical financial questions (budgeting, insurance, retirement, etc.). I'll continue next time with some thoughts on putting together an overall plan.

Money is from God
Deuteronomy 6:10-12, 8:10-18,
1 Samuel 2:7 “The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.” (NIV)
Proverbs 10:22, 22:2, 29:13
Ecclesiastes 5:19-20, 6:1-2

Honor God with your money
Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (NIV)

Be diligent and plan ahead
Proverbs 6:6-11, 10:4-5, 12:24, 27, 13:4, 14:23, 18:9, 19:15, 20:4, 13, 21:5, 25-26, 24:27, 30-34, 28:19
Proverbs 10:4-5 “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” (NIV)

Be generous
Proverbs 3:27-28, 11:24, 25, 26, 19:17, 21:13, 25-26, 22:9, 28:22, 28:27
1 John 3:17
Proverbs 11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (NIV)

Be humble/simple
Proverbs 12:9 “Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.” (NIV)
Proverbs 13:7 “One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” (NIV)

Be patient
Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (NIV)
Proverbs 20:21

Be wise
Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” (NIV)
Proverbs 8:17-21, 13:18, 16:16, 20, 17:16

Be righteous
Proverbs 21:21 “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” (NIV)
Proverbs 28:6

Be faithful
Matthew 25:14-30
Luke 16:11 “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (NIV)

Be cheerful
2 Corinthians 8, 2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Don’t trust in wealth
Proverbs 11:28, 18:11,
Proverbs 23:4-5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (NIV)

Avoid co-signing for others
Proverbs 6:1-5, 17:18, 20:16-27, 22:26-27, 27:13
Proverbs 11:15 “He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.” (NIV)

Avoid greed/love of money
Proverbs 15:27
Luke 12:15
1 Tim. 6:4-11

Avoid debt
Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (NIV)
Proverbs 26-27