What does the Bible say about managing your finances?

Question: "What does the Bible say about managing your finances?"

Answer: The Bible has a lot to say about managing finances. Concerning borrowing, see - Proverbs 6:1-5; 20:16; 22:7, 26-27 ("The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave...Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become sureties for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?"). Concerning bribes, see - Proverbs 17:8; 18:16; 21:14; 28:21; 17:23 ("A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice"). Concerning riches, see - Proverbs 10:15; 11:4; 18:11; 23:5; 28:20 "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished."

Concerning the sluggard and finances, see - Proverbs 6:6-11 ("Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man"). Concerning the futility of riches, see - Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 (5:10 says, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This, too, is vanity"). Also 1 Timothy 6:6-11. Concerning giving, see - Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (verses 6-7, "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver").

Concerning stewardship, see - Luke 16:1-13 (verse 11, "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you?"). Also James 1:17. We are also responsible to provide for our own household. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

In summary, what does the Bible say about managing money? The answer can be summarized with a single word – wisdom. We are to be wise with our money. We are to save money, but not hoard it. We are to spend money, but with discretion and control. We are to give back to the Lord, joyfully and sacrificially. We are to use our money to help others, but with discernment and the guidance of God’s Spirit. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong to love money. It is not wrong to be poor, but it is wrong to waste money on trivial things. The Bible’s consistent message on managing money is to be wise. If you need financial help, you can inquire more through Christian Financial Concepts – www.crown.org