Quite often, we read about Bible verses about money being the root of all evil. We know very well the dangers of letting the “love of money” bring ruin to our souls and destroy our relationship with God.
But do you know that there are also Bible quotes that can teach us about the practical use of money?
If used properly, money can be a tool to help build God’s kingdom. It can supply the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It can assist the Church in spreading the message about God’s salvation.
God does not want us to be greedy, but God also does not want us to be unwise.
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” – Matthew 10:16 (NRSVCE)
Here are some Bible verses with practical insights about money:
1. On allocating your investments
“Send out your bread upon the waters,
for after many days you will get it back.
Divide your means seven ways, or even eight,
for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth…
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle;
for you do not know which will prosper, this or that,
or whether both alike will be good.”
– Ecclesiastes 11:1-2,6 (NRSVCE)
The above verses can be applied when making an investment.
Sometimes, people place their eggs in one basket. They put all their hard-earned money in one investment and when that suffers loss, they lose everything.
We should divide our money wisely into many portions. This is to mitigate the risk by dividing our funds in various undertakings.
2. On using your resources
“His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?’” – Matthew 25:26-27 (NABRE)
This verse teaches us about using the resources given to us. Even in terms of money, it specifically asked a very practical question, “Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?”
Are we letting our resources dwindle away without even letting it earn the smallest interest we could by putting it in a bank?
3. On making a guarantee
“Guaranteeing loans has ruined many prosperous people and caused them unsettling storms of trouble. Influential people have lost their homes over it and have had to go wandering in foreign countries. A sinner who hopes to make a profit by guaranteeing a loan is going to find himself involved in lawsuits. So help your neighbor as much as you can, but protect yourself against the dangers involved.” – Sirach 29:17-20 (GNT)
This verse opens our eyes to the reality of being the guarantor for someone else’s debts. While we should help our needy brothers and sisters, we should also be careful in doing so.
It warns us that there are real risks involved and it is not wrong to protect ourselves by being wise.
4. On diligence
“Go to the ant, O sluggard,
study her ways and learn wisdom;
For though she has no chief,
no commander or ruler,
She procures her food in the summer,
stores up her provisions in the harvest.
How long, O sluggard, will you lie there?
when will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest—
Then poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like a brigand.
-Proverbs 6:6-11 (NABRE)
This verse clearly teaches us to be diligent. We should work and have the satisfaction of doing something for a living. By working and earning money, we can have something to use later on for our needs.
5. On worrying about money
“Worrying about money will make you lose weight and lose sleep. Worrying about business will keep you from sleeping just as surely as a serious illness does.” – Sirach 31:1-2 (GNT)
The above quote warns us that although we have to work to earn a living, we should not be anxious in doing so. Worrying about it too much just to get rich quickly or to be more wealthy than you need to be would only bring you ruin in the end.
Final thoughts
As Christians, we should be diligent in using the resources God gave us. We should use it to help our neighbors in need and to preach the Good News to those who do not yet know God.
Let money be a tool we use wisely in doing so. But be very careful not to let the love of riches ensnare you. Why settle for material wealth and fleeting pleasures when we have eternal treasures that would never fade away?
“I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have. But it is useless. It is like chasing the wind…it is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind.” – Ecclesiastes 4:4,6 (GNT)
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