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Family Finances: a Biblical Guide
Managing Your Money: a Biblical Guide
by Bruce Gore
Money is a necessary evil, or so
the saying goes. It is certainly a necessary medium of exchange, but it doesn't have
to be evil. Whether money is a good or bad influence depends on our approach to it.
Jesus Christ wasn't opposed to wealth or a high standard of living. He said, "I have
come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
The Bible is a guidebook toward the abundant life He wants us to enjoy. Money can
be an integral part of the right kind of success.
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 (1Timothy 6:10). 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."
What else does the Bible have to say about money and family finances?
One group discovered that the Bible contains more than 2,300 verses on how to handle
money and possessions. The book of Proverbs, a guidebook with wise advice on many
subjects, contains financial guidance to help us manage money wisely. Let's take
a look at some of the sound financial principles it offers.
Our Attitude Toward Money
We must not let money become overly important to us. Indeed, one of the first
statements in Proverbs shows us we should honor God, who owns everything. "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). It is essential that we return a portion of what we receive to
the One who gave it.
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). If we put spiritual matters
first, then we can count on His help with the physical necessities of life.
Acknowledging 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.
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.
Money makes a good servant but a poor master. It can separate us from our families
and God if we find ourselves caught up in an unwinnable race for more possessions.
Wealth can intoxicate and enslave. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise
enough to desist" (Proverbs 23:4, New Revised Standard Version).
The apostle Paul spoke of learning to be content with and enjoy the things that we
have. "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. 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" (1Timothy 6:7-9).
It has been said that the test of a man's character is how he spends his time and
money.
Integrity Matters
How we go about earning our money is, in the long run, more important than how much
we earn. Earn it in such a way that you can sleep at night. God tells us, "The
blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22) and "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing . . ." (verse 2).
We should earn our living honestly. Do not climb over the backs of others to make
money. Proverbs tells us: "Do not rob (or exploit) the poor because he is poor, nor
oppress the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord will plead their cause, and plunder
the soul of those who plunder them" (Proverbs 22:22-23).
Such shortcuts to gaining wealth are really only traps, says God. "He who oppresses
the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to
poverty" (est).
We are never to take advantage of someone else. When we give our employer an honest
day's work, we earn more than the day's wages. "Servants, in all things do the orders
of your natural masters; not only when their eyes are on you, as pleasers of men,
but with all your heart, fearing the Lord: Whatever you do, do it readily, as to
the Lord and not to men . . ." (Colossians 3:22-23, Bible in Basic English).
God expects us to work for our employers or customers as though we were working for
Him.
Share with Others
A key to financial contentment and happiness is to share our blessings. ". . .
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than
to receive' " (Acts 20:35).
Some of the most miserable people are those who cling to every last penny they have,
fearful that someone else may get some of it. "Some give freely, yet grow all the
richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. A generous person will
be enriched, and one who gives water will get water" (Proverbs 11:24-25, New Revised
Standard Version).
Proverbs is filled with admonitions to share the wealth God has shared with us. "He
who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).
"He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he"
(Proverbs 14:21).
"Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard
(Proverbs 21:13).
Wealth Through Diligence
Too often people want to get something for nothing. They looks for a shortcut
to wealth. The luck of the lottery comes to only a tiny minority and sometimes brings
more pain than pleasure.
A more sure way to financial security is through hard work. "He who tills his land
will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding"
(Proverbs 12:11). Perhaps you are familiar with modern proverbs such as "The harder
I work the luckier I get" and "Success is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
The Bible tell us that a key to advancement is to develop our skills and then do
the best we can at what we have been given to do. "Do you see a man who excels in
his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men" (Proverbs 22:29).
Properly Manage
Once you earn money, you must properly manage it. Otherwise it will soon be gone,
with little to show for it. "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend
to your herds; for riches are not forever . . ." (Proverbs 27:23-24).
Some people seem perpetually to have holes in their pockets. Their money goes out
as fast as it comes in. They just can't seem to hang onto what they earn.
A family budget helps to show what is happening to what we earn and can help us to
see whether we need to make any adjustments in our spending. One simple way to hang
onto more of our earnings is to be cautious about buying on credit. "The rich rule
over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7).
Financial Self-discipline
It's important to control our wants. "Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man" (Proverbs 27:20, New International Version). We
will always desire something. Once one want is fulfilled, our eyes will turn to something
else. "The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He covets
greedily all day long . . ." (Proverbs 21:25-26).
Perhaps you've heard this saying: "Some people spend money they don't have to buy
things they don't need to impress people they don't like." Don't let material pursuits
cause you to live a life of deceit and pretense.
Financial success includes controlling selfish desires. "He who loves pleasure
will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich . . . There
is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders
it" (Proverbs 21:17,20).
It is hard for young people, in particular, to be patient. They want and expect instant
financial security and amassing material possessions their parents may have taken
years to accumulate. Proverbs 28:20 cautions against such an approach: "A faithful
man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."
True Security
Lasting security is found not in a big bank account, but in building strength
of character and a good reputation. No lasting security is to be found in wealth.
"He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish . . ."
(Proverbs 11:28).
So many unforeseen events can wipe out material wealth overnight--an accident or
natural disaster, a stock-market crash, an extended illness, a criminal act. The
only lasting security is a right relationship with our Maker. "Riches do not profit
in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death" (Proverbs 11:4).
We need to keep in mind another modern-day proverb: "It is good to have money and
the things that money will buy, but it is also good to make sure we haven't lost
the things that money can't buy."
Recommended Reading
This article highlights a few of the biblical statements and principles on the
subject of finances. The Bible contains much more advice to help us find and maintain
financial security. If you'd like to learn more, request your free copy of the booklet
Please contact
the office in your country (or the country nearest you).
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Table of Contents that includes "Family Finances: a Biblical Guide"
Other Articles by Bruce Gore
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Keywords: Proverbs Biblical money management financial management generosity
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