Money … we handle it every day, whether in the form of cash, credit card, cheque or online transactions. It is important to stop and reflect on our view of money and the values that influence how we use it. Here are a few wise insights from God's Word worth thinking about …
Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.' Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. [Deut 8:11-18. NLT]
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. [Ps 24:1. NLT]
The wise person saves for the future, but the foolish person spends whatever he gets. [Prov 21:20. LB]
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. [Prov 28:27. NLT]
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. [Eccl 4:6. NIV]
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. [Matt 6:24. NLT]
Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. [Luke 12:15. NLT]
Jesus … said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" Those who heard this said, "Then who in the world can be saved?" He replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God." [Luke 18:24-27. NLT]
Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever." For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. [2 Cor 9:6-10. NLT]
True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. [1 Tim 6:6-10. NLT]