Bible Truth On Money And Wealth
The Bible truth on money and wealth comprise the topic of our message for you today. Many people cite money makes the world go round. And many financial “experts” and money “gurus” offer various money principles and theories about money management. Still many sources such as books and videos assure people they can be financially successful, while some others tell us we can become millionaires practically overnight. Yet many find themselves mired in debt and worried about the future. As the world’s economy runs its typical cycles of booming prosperity followed by painful recession, millions of people struggle to survive economically. In a typical economic downturn many lose their jobs, and consumer credit reaches gigantic proportion. However, there are surefire ways that you can do to manage money and other material wealth regardless of the state of the overall economy. As always, we ask the power of the Holy Spirit to grant us wisdom to teach you about this matter. May you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear this heavenly message. Let this Bible truths set you free!
Do you realize that sound principles are to be found in a book resource you probably already own? Yes, it’s the Bible! The Bible offers proven financial advice and economic guidelines. Throughout the Bible we can find specific financial principles and advice that work for our benefit. People who believe in the Bible hold wildly divergent views about what it says. Some view money as the root of all evil and believe that poverty brings one closer to Elohim. Do not ever accept the very selfish and man-made wealth gospel teaching many promote, believing Christians are almost automatically destined to become financially successful if not fabulously wealthy. So what does the Bible actually say on the matter? Is money good or evil? To lay a foundation for managing one’s finances, we must first begin by carefully considering whether it is proper for Christians to personally accumulate wealth. First, Yahweh is not opposed to riches. In fact, He is the originator of good financial blessings (1 Samuel 2:7; Proverbs 10:22) and He reminds us that personal diligence can also lead to wealth (Proverbs 10:4). However, Yahweh warned the people that money and other material things must not be a priority in our life. Our priority must still be Him and His Word! Read here the true Gospel of the coming kingdom of Elohim. Also, the Bible speaks well of the saver, using the ant as an example that wisely stores up food for winter (Proverbs 6:6-11). It speaks favorably of someone who would provide for his children and his grandchildren (Proverbs 13:22).
Many get the idea that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil. However, apostle Paul wrote something considerably different—that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Make no mistake to understand that money itself is not evil, but elevating it and other material wealth to a greater priority than Yahweh is a great spiritual trap. Yes, in speaking of a Christian’s proper priorities (Matthew 6:24-33), Yahshua the Messiah said, “You cannot serve Elohim and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Mammon is an Aramaic word that means riches, especially riches that turn one’s attention away from Yahweh. In that sense, wealth is personified as a competing master, which is unacceptable. While recognizing that people have physical needs, Yahshua emphasized that our chief priority must always be Elohim! He emphatically taught, “But seek first the kingdom of Yahweh and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Apostle Paul’s comments to Timothy teach us not to make a god of money or to allow it to come between us and our Creator. Money is simply a tool that can be used for either good or bad. The key lies in our attitude towards it. Paul adds this advice for the wealthy: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living Elohim , who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). What a great advice for the rich!
Now the question is, can we seek wealth and eternal life at the same time? The Savior of mankind Yahshua answered this very question directly when a young rich man asked Him what one must do to inherit eternal life. After Yahshua told him he must keep Yahweh’s Commandments, the man responded that he had kept them from his youth. “Then Yahshua, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the stake, and follow Me” (Mark 10:17-20). But the young rich man was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Yahshua looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of Elohim. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Elohim” (Mark 10:21-25). Here, Yahshua explained that eternal life is a spiritual issue of highest importance! The wealth of the man was not intrinsically wrong. But his misplaced priorities—his improper attachment to material wealth—was! Yahshua the Messiah perceived this man was more interested in his money than Elohim. Indeed, this young rich man was despondent over Yahshua’s words “and went away very sorrowful, for he had great material possessions” (Mark 10:22).
The Almighty Father Yahweh has revealed in His Word (Bible) all essential knowledge that people need to come into harmony with His ways in both spiritual and physical matters. Yahweh has given His people specific instructions for supporting the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 15:1-2; 26:12-14). His Word even gives instructions for how His people should provide financially for His commanded annual Holy Days observances (Deuteronomy 12:17-18; 14:22-27). We also need to support our family. The apostle Paul wrote: “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” (1 Timothy 5:8). Also, tithing—giving a tenth of our increase—to Yahweh remains His expectation of those who wish to honor Him through obedience to His instructions. Yahweh allows us to keep the greatest portion of the material blessings He provides us. He asks only that we return a percentage, a tenth, to Him in acknowledgement that He is the source of all good things. If we ignore this principle, we will rob ourselves of Yahweh’s blessings (Malachi 3:8-9). Acknowledging Yahweh’s blessings with His tithing law and honoring Him with offerings is the first step in setting up a financial plan grounded in biblical principles. “Honor Yahweh with your possessions , and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new vine” (Proverbs 3:9). Yes, tithing is still enforce today! In fact, during His earthly ministry, Yahshua upheld the practice of tithing (Matthew 23:23). What then did Savior Yahshua promised those who took seriously the lesson of spiritual and financial priorities as stated in Bible? Notice! “Then Peter began to say to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You.’ So Yahshua answered him and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:28-30).
Additionally, our Heavenly Father Yahweh reveals to us in Bible that He is the Creator of heaven and earth. As such, everything belongs to Him. “All the earth is Mine,” He declares (Exodus 19:5). This includes all precious metals (Haggai 2:8), animals (Psalm 50:11) and people (Ezekiel 18:4)—each one of us! Since money and other material wealth is a tool that can be used for good or bad, it’s important that we understand Yahweh’s instructions in the Bible on how we are to use them. Since Yahweh created us, He naturally understands how we think. He reveals in His Word (Bible) a simple but profound truth about debt: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). In compassion, Yahweh revealed to the nation of ancient Israel important principles designed to help those in financial crisis. These included not looking disparagingly on the poor (Leviticus 25:35) or charging them interest (Exodus 22:25). Portions of fields and vineyards were to be left for them to glean (Leviticus 19:10; 23:22). Ancient Israel was commanded to take care of its poor (Leviticus 25:35)—this also apply to modern and not so modern nations and to present and future generations of people! And since biblical instruction also calls for helping the needy (Matthew 19:21; Galatians 2:10), the apostle Paul is obviously correcting those who were able to work but chose not to do so. If we are able, the Most High Yahweh expects us to work so we can provide for our own needs and not unnecessarily burden others!
Furthermore, it is easy for people to give more attention to their personal desires in this life than to think about the spiritual values we should be learning. Yahshua the Messiah warned us all: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). Yahshua gave a vital warning for money and wealth matters in general with this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But Elohim said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim” (Luke 12:16-21). It is most important for us to be “rich toward Yahweh.” We must always make Yahweh’s instruction our highest priority. Why? Because our failure to do so could cost us our soul, and therefore losing our chance for eternal life!
In closing, don’t let this Bible truth on money and wealth pass you by. The Savior of mankind Yahshua talked about freedom from economic want: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Here, Yahshua promises physical (material) rewards for putting Him first. So He clearly is not against prosperity—provided we don’t make it the highest priority in our lives! Keeping priorities straight can be quite a challenge for people who have been blessed with material goods. The rich must not glory in their riches (Jeremiah 9:23). We must remember Messiah’s instruction regarding our priorities: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21). We should always remember that all the good things we have is a priceless gift from Elohim, the Maker of everything! “As for every man to whom Elohim has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of Elohim” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Remember that everyone, whether rich or poor, must rely on Yahweh’s mercy for eternal life. Diligently applying the foregoing principles of economic well-being is essential for financial success. However, to seek a successful outcome in our daily endeavors, we must also have Elohim’s blessings! Yahweh sees whether we honor Him with the blessings He gives us, how we care for our family and how we treat the poor. Heavenly Father Yahweh promises that obeying Him in this life has value for the present and future (1 Timothy 4:8). May He keep you all in His loving arms as you learn to conform and obey His will! We hope you’ll be blessed and be enlightened by reading this heavenly Kingdom message. May this humble and faithful ministry inspire our worldwide readers to diligently seek the Bible truths they’re longing and searching for. May love and truth be with you all. We humbly ask and pray all these in the precious name of our coming Savior and King, Yahshua, Amen. Halleluyah, Shalom!
