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Bible verses about money and wealth
What Scripture teaches about riches, generosity, contentment, the dangers of greed, and the right use of material possessions.
What does the Bible say about money?
Money is one of the most frequently discussed subjects in the Bible. Jesus talked about it more than almost any other topic. The Bible does not condemn wealth outright, but it warns repeatedly about what money can do to a human heart when it becomes an object of trust or devotion.
These passages address earning, giving, saving, contentment, and the spiritual dangers that come with the love of money. They are useful for anyone thinking carefully about how faith and finances relate.
Key passages
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Jesus says no one can serve both God and mammon. , 36-43 This parable represents the present and future state of the gospel church; Christ's care of it, the devil's enmity against it, the mixture there is in it of good and bad in this world, and the separation between them in the other world.
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
The love of money is called the root of all evil. Those that make a trade of Christianity to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed; but those who mind it as their calling, will find it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come.
"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
The generous soul is made rich by giving. Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
God invites the people to test him with tithes and see blessing. The men of that generation turned away from God, they had not kept his ordinances. God gives them a gracious call.
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
God loves a cheerful giver. Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Be content with what you have, for God will not forsake you. The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship.
Main takeaways
- The love of money, not money itself, is identified as a root of evil.
- Generosity and contentment are held up as marks of spiritual health.
- Jesus taught that it is impossible to serve both God and money.
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Further guides
What does the Bible say about money?
The Bible does not condemn wealth — it condemns the love of wealth, and it has far more to say about generosity than about getting rich.