Personal Finance Tips from the Bible

There are so many differing opinions about the Bible and what it means personally.  Some see it as merely a book of stories and life lessons from the characters contained therein.  Others believe in it as an explicit authority on how to live life.  Then there are those who are in between those two views.

Whatever your feelings about the Bible and its place, the wisdom it contains is priceless.  This is especially true when it comes to advice on money.  In fact, money is the most talked about topic in the Bible with more than 2,300 mentions.  One book in the Old Testament – Proverbs – is full of advice on money.

An attempt to list all instances would be too laborious and lengthy.  Instead, a sample of the best money advice gleaned from its pages is worth a look.

On Budgeting.

• Luke 14:28, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost.”
• Proverbs 24:3,4, “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms shall be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

On Debt.

• Psalm 37:21, “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives back,”
• Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

On Giving.

• Deuteronomy 15:10, “Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
• Proverbs 3:9, “Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce.”
• Proverbs 22:9, “He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.”

On Investing.

• Proverbs 28:20, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.”
• Proverbs 15:22, “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”

On Lending.

• Matthew 5:42, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
• Luke 6:35, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”

On Money Attitudes.

• 1 Timothy 6:9,10, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
• Proverbs 13:11, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

This is only a small sample of what is taught about money in the Bible.  If you desire to read more, you can Google “the Bible and money” and find some fascinating sites which explore personal finance.  Suffice it to say that the principles taught in the Bible form the foundation for successful living in a world which runs on money.

All references above: New International Version of the Bible, International Bible Society, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984