Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (ESV). Saving honors God because it values money as a gift that He has given to us.
Biblical financial stewardship requires prioritizing God in our finances. This includes giving to God first through tithes and offerings. The principle of tithing involves giving a tenth of our income back to God as an act of worship and trust in His provision (Malachi 3:10).
Additionally, it is wise to not have a greedy obsession with money, putting a love of money before your love for God. Hebrews 13:5 tells us, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little. Romans 4:4 - Wages, like a debt owed, must be paid.
God has entrusted us with a stewardship as managers of His property. The financial system of 'Tithes and Offerings' was initiated and given by God to His people in the Old Testament and it was continued into the New Testament.
He calls us to be good stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us, using them to bless others and advance His kingdom on Earth. This means that wealth should never be viewed as an end in itself but rather as a means to fulfill God's purposes and impact the lives of those around us.
These are the ten biblical financial principles: God is the source; give first; live on a margin; save money; keep out of debt; be content with what you have; keep records; don't cosign; work hard and seek godly counsel.
2 Corinthians 9:8: And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. Jeremiah 17:7-8: But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
What, then is the Covenant of Financial prosperity? It is the covenant of seedtime and harvest that provides the gateway to financial dominion (Genesis 8:20-22, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:15-19). From all the scriptures above, giving is the biblical gateway to financial dominion (Acts 20: 35; Luke 6:38).
Proverbs 27:23 In-Context
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; 24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
God blesses those who make money through honest work rather than sinful practices. God calls us to pay back what we owe and help those who have helped us. It's wise for us to plan, think through how we'll make money, and spend money. Saving money can help set us up for future financial success.
'The Laws of Wealth' by Daniel Crosby offers a behavioral finance approach to understanding money, and how our emotions can impact investing. Crosby combines psychological research with practical advice, to help readers make smarter financial decisions.
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” What does the Bible say about tattoos? That's it—that one line in Leviticus 19:28 of the Old Testament. But context is key—and this scripture may not apply to us in the way it looks.
Proverbs 28:20 (NKJV) says, “He who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Instead, follow the biblical plan for building wealth. Make a budget and stick to it. Live on less than you make.
Generosity: The Secret to Breaking Wealth's Grip (Luke 10:38-42; 14:12-14; 24:13-15) This suggests that God's secret weapon is generosity. If by God's power you can be generous, wealth begins to lose its grip on you. We have already seen how deeply generosity worked in the heart of the poor widow.
The Bible makes it clear that people are generally expected to pay their debts. Leviticus 25:39. No one will or should advance any argument against this general proposition.
Turning to Bible verses for financial struggles can be incredibly helpful. Verses such as Philippians 4:19, which states, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus,” are a reminder that God is a faithful provider.
As Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” The Bible encourages us to seek God's wisdom and blessing, aligning our hearts with His purpose for our lives.
The Bible also offers some pretty amazingly specific guidance on diversifying our income streams. Ecclesiastes 11:2 says, "Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth." In other words, don't put all your eggs in one basket.