But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition" ( 1 Timothy 6:7-9 1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The apostle Paul spoke of learning to be content with and enjoy the things that we have. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich be wise enough to desist" ( Proverbs 23:4 Proverbs 23:4 Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom.Īmerican King James Version ×, New Revised Standard Version). It can separate us from our families and God if we find ourselves caught up in an unwinnable race for more possessions. Money makes a good servant but a poor master. We must not allow material possessions to become so important to us that pursuing them dominates our lives to the detriment of our spiritual development. If we put spiritual matters first, then we can count on His help with the physical necessities of life.Īcknowledging and giving to the One who owns all, who shares with us what we need to survive and prosper, helps us keep physical things in their proper perspective. Jesus Christ tells us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" ( Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6:33 But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.Īmerican King James Version ×). It is essential that we return a portion of what we receive to the One who gave it. So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.Īmerican King James Version ×). "Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine" ( Proverbs 3:9-10 Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase: Indeed, one of the first statements in Proverbs shows us we should honor God, who owns everything. We must not let money become overly important to us. Let's take a look at some of the sound financial principles it offers. The book of Proverbs, a guidebook with wise advice on many subjects, contains financial guidance to help us manage money wisely. One group discovered that the Bible contains more than 2,300 verses on how to handle money and possessions. What else does the Bible have to say about money and family finances? The Phillips Modern English translation captures the essence well and serves as a worthy commentary on this particular passage: "For loving money leads to all kinds of evil, and some men in the struggle to be rich have lost their faith and caused themselves untold agonies of mind." On the other hand, the love of money has corrupted and twisted the lives of many people and is a root cause of much evil ( 1 Timothy 6:10 1 Timothy 6:10 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.Īmerican King James Version ×). Money can be an integral part of the right kind of success. The Bible is a guidebook toward the abundant life He wants us to enjoy. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" ( John 10:10 John 10:10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.Īmerican King James Version ×). Jesus Christ wasn't opposed to wealth or a high standard of living. Whether money is a good or bad influence depends on our approach to it. It is certainly a necessary medium of exchange, but it doesn't have to be evil. Money is a necessary evil, or so the saying goes.
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