What the Bible Really Says About the Love of Money and Wealth
- Jack Selcher
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
I studied what the New Testament says about the love of money and its relation to Christianity. I am sharing my conclusions, followed by a table that summarizes those conclusions.
1. Earthly treasures are easily lost. Focus on storing secure treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
2. Slavery to money prevents us from serving God. Love of and devotion to money and God are impossible (Matthew 6:24).
3. Don’t worry about food, drink, and clothing. That’s how unbelievers live. God provides for the birds and clothes the lilies. They don’t worry about their lives. How much more will He care for us? Seek God’s Kingdom first, live obediently, and He will take care of us (Matthew 6:24-33).
4. We can’t be money’s slave and God’s servant. The Pharisees thought they could but were wrong (Luke 16:13-14).
5. We have enough resources to accomplish God’s will when we trust Jesus to make up the difference between what we have and what we need to complete the job (John 6:7).
6. Those who serve God’s people only for money don’t care about them (John 10:13).
7. Spiritual riches bless others in ways money can’t. We must give those riches away (Acts 3:4-6).
8. Church leaders must not love or be dishonest with money (1 Timothy 3:3, 8).
9. The lust for money underlies a galaxy of evil behaviors. It leads to spiritual shipwreck and emotional agony (1 Timothy 6:10).
10. Financial success doesn’t impress God. We shouldn’t be proud of or trust in it. It isn’t dependable. We trust a trustworthy God to meet our needs. Being rich in good works and helping the needy is far more important than financial success (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
11. In the end times, people will love only themselves and their money. They will be proud braggarts who don’t respect God or their parents. They will think they deserve everything they have and live as “nones,” devoid of devotion to God (1 Timothy 3:2).
12. False teachers only care about the money (Titus 1:11).
13. Being content with what we have demonstrates that we don’t love money. We can be fearless because our ever-present God is our hidden resource to care for us and to make up for any lack.
Summary
God Lovers |
Treasures are secure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20) |
Can love and serve God (Matthew 6:24) |
Unworried about daily provisions (Matthew 6:32) |
Promised daily provisions (Matthew 6:33) |
Free from money's domination (Luke 16:13-14) |
Have God's resources for mission completion (John 6:7) |
Lovingly serve people (John 10:13) |
Have spiritual riches to share (Acts 3:4-6) |
Honest with and don't love money (1 Timothy 3:3,8) |
Rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:17-18) |
Generous to the needy (1 Timothy 6:17-18) |
Not proud of financial success (1 Timothy 6:17-18) |
Trust God to supply their needs (1 Timothy 6:17-18) |
Content with what they have (Hebrews 13:5-6) |
Fearless because God is their hidden resource (Heb 13:5-6) |
See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com
God has empowered me to write “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength.” It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship eBook. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 5,190 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 14,074 people. I invite you to explore it.
Comments