6 Biblical Principles Of Money Management For God-approved Success
Explore biblical Principles of Money Management and learn how to achieve financial success by applying faith-based wisdom in your financial journey
Principles of Money Management: A Biblical Approach
Did you know the Bible has over 2,000 verses about money and possessions? So clearly, money is a conversation we need to have regularly.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t Paul warn us that “the love of money is the root of all evil”?
Let’s be clear.
God doesn’t condemn wealth. What He condemns is the worship of wealth. And that’s what many of us get confused about. We’ve been operating under a cloud of misconceptions, thinking that being good stewards means barely scraping by.
But what if I told you that financial success, pursued God’s way, could be a powerful tool for building the kingdom?
That’s right.
The problem is not money but the attitude we have towards money.
In today’s article, we will explore biblical principles of money management that will help you achieve God-approved financial success.
Balancing Faith and Finances God’s Way
Here are the 6 biblical that will make your faith and wallet grow.
1. Be Content and Faithful With the Little You Have (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Being content with the small things can feel counterintuitive, especially if you want financial success. However, there’s nothing God loves more than a content heart.
In fact, the Bible repeatedly tells us that he who is faithful in the small things will be faithful in the big things. In other words, show God that you’re diligent with the ‘small’ things in your life, and you will be rewarded with greater things.
One of the best ways you can build your contentment is to start a “Blessing Inventory.”
Each week, list out what you already have. Before buying something new, check your inventory. Do you really need it, or are you chasing temporary satisfaction?
Another helpful rule for non-essential purchases is the 24-hour rule. Before I buy something huge, I sleep on it, pray about it, and then decide whether I really still need it.
2. Be Generous (Proverbs 11:24-25)
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Interestingly, giving more leads to prosperity, while generosity leads to poverty. From a natural perspective, it doesn’t make sense because giving money means I’m left with no money for other bills.
But the bible isn’t mincing its words here.
In giving, you become more prosperous. And in withholding your generosity, you set yourself up for poverty.
2nd Corinthians 9:6-7 also preaches the same:
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
So why does God reward generosity?
First, being generous is acting in obedience to God. That’s your first reward. According to the Bible, God rewards obedience. The second reason is that being generous shows that money is not your master. You have completely surrendered your finances to God and understand that He will truly be the provider He has promised to be.
There are no rules to how much you give. The only conditions God asks for is that:
- You give cheerfully
- You give to the best of your ability
4. Don’t Be a Slave to Debt (Proverbs 22:7)
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave of the lender.”
Debt is like quicksand for millions of people around the world. It starts small, but before you know it, you’re in over your head, drowning in depression, anxiety, shame, and stress. It’s a heavy burden that many carry silently.
For most people, some debt is necessary. It’s needed to cover unexpected medical expenses or keep them afloat after losing their income. In fact, borrowing isn’t inherently sinful, especially when funding these essential needs.
However, we can’t ignore that for many others, debt becomes a tool to service a lifestyle they simply can’t afford. This is the type of debt the Bible cautions against. It’s a slippery slope that can quickly lead to financial and emotional turmoil.
When we rush to borrow, we might be short-circuiting God’s plan to provide for us. Scripture already assures us that God will meet all our needs (Philippians 4:19).
So, when we immediately turn to loans or credit cards, we miss out on a chance to see God work in miraculous ways.
If you’re not in debt, strive to maintain this financial freedom.
Be content, manage your resources wisely, cut unnecessary expenses, and place your finances under God’s guidance. Also, build strong relationships within your church and community. This community can become invaluable support during unexpected hardships.
Above all else, put your faith in God’s ability to provide and direct your financial success. He is faithful.
5. Educate Yourself About Money And Finances (Proverbs 18: 15)
‘An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
Your financial success is directly tied to your financial knowledge. So, how can you grow in this area?
First, immerse yourself in financial wisdom. Pick up books on money management, budgeting, and investing. And don’t worry. You don’t need to become a Wall Street expert overnight. Start with the basics and build from there.
Also, take advantage of free resources. Many community centers and libraries offer workshops on savings, investments, and other money-making strategies.
Don’t be shy about asking questions, either. Seek out individuals who have a healthy relationship with money and are where you aspire to be financially. Ask them questions about their experience and how they got where they are.
However, don’t forget the Bible. It contains hundreds of verses on money that can help you build a solid foundation for your financial journey.
6. Solve Problems For Other People
Let’s be honest here. The people who are successful are those who solve enough problems for many people in the marketplace. The same applies to you. If you want to succeed, find the most pressing problem people face and solve them.
Focus on adding real value. As you serve more people and tackle bigger challenges, financial rewards will often follow. However, keep in mind that money isn’t the goal. It’s only a byproduct of faithfully using your abilities to benefit others.
What Does The Bible Say About Money?
True success is being a good steward of your God-given resources and talents. Here are 20 unique bible verses about money to help you build biblical wealth.
1. Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
2. Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
3. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
4. Proverbs 22:7
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”
5. Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
6. Luke 16:10
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
7. Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
8. 1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
9. Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
10. Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”
11. 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
12. Deuteronomy 8:18
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
13. Proverbs 21:20
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”
14. Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This, too, is meaningless.”
15. Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
16. Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
17. Romans 13:8
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
18. Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
19. Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work, we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
20. James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Related: Finding Strength in Crying Out to God
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