Money

From Journey the Word
So is money Good or evil?
Here is the line, if you're in a hurry... Change the mindset of "I can't afford it" --- to --- "How can I afford it?" This simply shall change your mind dramatically about money.

Biblical principles on money

  1. 1 - God supplies all our needs - Philippians 4:19
  2. 2 - When you have a need and want to know how to afford it... Seek first the Kingdom of God - Matthew 6:33
  3. 3 - The poor says they cannot afford something, but the rich asks how they can afford it. Therefore, the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender - Proverb 22:7
  4. 4 - When you cannot afford something, you covet it - you become greedy once you get money as well. But, when we think about how we can afford something, there is no more coveting... You simply know you can obtain it with good hard work.
  5. 5 - Neither being rich nor poor determines a person's spiritual state. It all matters how they depend upon God and their view of how the Bible concerns money - Proverb 22:2
  6. 6 - By a person's heart, they should be able to give to other Church members to help supply their needs as well, if they are able - 2 Corinthians 8:13-15; 9:7
  7. 7 - Wealth obtained honestly through labor and wise investment is sufficient; however, wealth obtained through cheating and stealing shall not flourish - Proverb 13:11
  8. 8 - Money is not evil in and of itself - just as possessions - you can have them. However, the "love" of money is the root of all evil, because if you love money, it will ask you to serve it. The Bible, however, notes that money should serve us... We rule over money and possessions - we make such things serve us. -1 Timothy 6:10
  9. 9 - Putting your hope and confidence in wealth will lead you into decline/peril - Proverb 18:12
  10. 10 - Wealth can deceive people (Proverb 19:4), can be dangerous {Proverb 13:8}, can become an idol (Proverb 23:4; Matthew 6:24), and can make it difficult into truly following Christ (Mark 10:21; Matthew 19:24).
  11. 11 - Wisdom shall be valued above wealth (Proverb 16:16; 28:6; Matthew 13:44).
  12. 12 - Those with lustful eyes or a lustful ambition will hasten after wealth (such as "get rich quick schemes") - Proverb 28:22
  13. 13 - It is wise to avoid debt if possible (Proverb 22:7). Nonetheless, if you must borrow, you should be diligent to repay it - Psalm 37:21
  14. 14 - Save money whenever possible, for a fool will spend everything he/she has - Proverb 21:20
  15. 15 - Just because someone is wealthy does not make them more righteous or less righteous from someone with lack of wealth - all are subject to God's Judgment - Proverbs 11:4, 28; Colossians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 6:20
  16. 16 - Pay your taxes! - Matthew 22:21; 17:24-27
  17. 17 - Seek financial contentment when possible - this will avoid dangers of greed, overwork, and underwork/laziness - Proverbs 30:7-9; Philippians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6
  18. 18 - If you are faithful with a little, you will be faithful in much. If you are dishonest with a little, you will be dishonest in much. - Luke 16:10
  19. 19 - Those lazy in work or who are ignorant on how to gather wealth will have a harvest full of trouble (thorns). Those who are lazy with work will experience poverty, but those diligent in work will receive a plentiful harvest. - Proverbs 24:30-34
  20. 20 - Oppressing the poor to increase your own wealth will lead to poverty - the same can be said of those who give to the rich. -Proverb 22:16

Attitudes toward/concerning money

  1. 1 - Money is either: a corrupting influence, a utility for good or for evil, or a blessing.
  2. 2 - Money should: be avoided, be managed, or be sought after.
  3. 3 - Spending money on oneself is: for basic needs only, to be done in moderation, or for pleasure.
  4. 4 - Possessions should be: minimal, moderate, or enough.
  5. 5 - Money should be: given away, invested/wisely spent, or gathered up/hoarded.

Book of Proverbs warnings and advice on money

-Bribery - Proverbs 15:27; 17:23 -Debt - Proverbs 22:7, 26-27 -Hoarding - Proverb 11:26 -Envy - Proverb 14:30 -Diligence - Proverbs 10:4-5 -Moderation - Proverb 23:4 -Patience - Proverb 13:11 -Fraud - Proveb 20:17 -Work - Proverb 12:11 -Wealth - Proverb 16:16 -Stinginess - Proverb 28:22 -Success - Proverbs 22:4; 11:28 -Reputation - Proverb 22:1 -Good business - Proverbs 11:18; 21:6 -Generosity - Proverbs 19:17; 22:9

How God will help you with money

Jesus spoke unto the Seven Churches, and stated the following to one of them that may lend a lesson to you about money...

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:14-21).

This teaches us to depend on God, not depend on money. God is our supplier and He is helping us. He is the one that gives us the ability to produce wealth (see Deuteronomy 8:18). Staying focused on what matters most and knowing that God is always faithful will help us understand that He knows best (see Proverbs 15:16-17; Matthew 22:37-39; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:32).

We should be asking God what we have need of and asking for wisdom in financial matters (see Proverbs 30:8-9; James 1:5). In our lives, our money should be managed enough where we can give freely, and put our money to work for God's Purposes (Luke 12:33). Praise God for His Blessings and learn all about contentment (Acts 20:33-35; 1 Timothy 6:7-8; Psalm 112:1-5).

Some people prefer to hear the plain truth of what to do and what not to do with money. It is your task to decide what applies to you in this teaching. What do you make of it?

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