Does the Bible give advice on managing your finances?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that managing finances wisely involves avoiding irresponsible debt, working diligently, and being generous, rather than hoarding wealth. It warns against loving money, as wealth is temporary and does not satisfy. Both the Old and New Testaments encourage wise stewardship, planning for the future, and using money to meet needs and glorify God. We are called to give generously and cheerfully, trusting in God’s provision. Ultimately, our finances belong to God, and we should seek His wisdom to manage them in a way that honors Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Proverbs 6:1–5 likens debt to being hunted and caught by a hunter: "My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler."
• Proverbs 6 also warns against laziness. Going into debt or mismanaging finances as a result of laziness is a sin.
• Other proverbs about borrowing, or going into debt, include Proverbs 20:16 and 22:7, 26–27.
• Proverbs 11:4 says, "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Money will not solve our biggest problem, separation from God due to sin (see Romans 3:23; 6:23).
• Proverbs 23:5 tells us that riches make themselves wings. Wealth and money do not last forever.
• Proverbs 27:23–24 says, "Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?" There is wisdom in having an accurate view of your finances, as well as planning for the future. Wealth is fleeting.
• A contrast is seen between those who work for a living, those who do not, and those who focus on becoming rich in Proverbs 28:19–20: "Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."
• Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us that there is never enough wealth to satisfy someone obsessed with making money. "How much is enough?" the old question goes. "Just one dollar more" is the common answer. In other words, there is never enough. Chasing after wealth for its own sake is ultimately a pointless pursuit.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Bible warns us against loving money (1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24).
• We are not to accumulate wealth for the sake of it; finances are not meant to be hoarded for selfish use (Matthew 6:19–21; Luke 12:16–21).
• We are to be generous people, who work hard and use our money for good and God’s glory: "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6–7).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Our finances belong to God and are meant to be used for His good purposes: provision for our needs and those of our family, both now and in the future (1 Timothy 5:8), generous giving to support the work of His kingdom ministry (1 Corinthians 9:14; Galatians 6:6), generous giving to those in need (1 John 3:17–18; James 1:27; Proverbs 19:17; 22:9, 16; 31:8–9), and even using it to enjoy His good gifts in things that bring us pleasure. We are to be wise stewards, faithful with whatever amount God has given us (Luke 16:1–13).

Being rich is not wrong. Being poor is not wrong. Loving money, squandering money, and hoarding money are wrong. We can manage our finances best when we set our minds and hearts on the things that God values, surrender our lives and all we have to Him, and live with our eyes set on His kingdom (Matthew 6:19–34). We can live open-handedly, trusting that our faithful God will provide for our needs. We work hard, spend wisely, and give generously. We ask God for His wisdom in how to best steward all that He provides, finances included (James 1:5–6).

UNDERSTAND

• We need to seek God's wisdom in managing finances to honor Him.
• We should avoid debt and work diligently, trusting God to provide.
• We should be generous with our finances, rather than hoarding wealth, using money for good and God’s glory.

REFLECT

• How do you seek to honor God with the way you manage your finances?
• In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on money, rather than trusting in God’s provision?
• How do you feel about the balance between saving and giving generously, and where might God be calling you to grow in either area?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage one another in biblical principles of financial stewardship?
• How do you think our culture’s view of money and success differs from the Bible’s teachings, and how can we align more with God's perspective?
• How can we, as a group, encourage each other to live generously and trust in God’s provision?