Attitudes to money

Money as a gift from God

Deuteronomy 8:18 NASB95

18 “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

See also 1 Sa 2:7; 1 Ki 3:13; Pr 8:18–21; 1 Ti 6:17

The dangers of money

Being ruled by money

Matthew 6:24 NASB95

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

See also Eph 5:5

Loving money

1 Timothy 6:10 NASB95

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

See also Ec 5:10; Lk 8:14; Lk 16:14; 1 Ti 3:3; 1 Ti 3:8; 2 Ti 3:2; Tt 1:7; Heb 13:5; 1 Pe 5:2

Trusting in money

1 Timothy 6:17 NASB95

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

See also Dt 8:12–14; Job 31:24; Ps 52:7; Ps 62:10; Pr 11:4; Pr 11:28; Pr 27:24; Is 10:3; Je 48:7; Lk 12:16–21 the parable of the rich fool; Jas 1:11; Jas 5:1–3; Re 18:14

Boasting in money

Psalm 49:5–6 NASB95

5 Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, 6 Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches?

See also Je 9:23–24; Ho 12:8; Jas 4:13–16

Examples of those led astray by the love of money

Balaam:

Dt 23:4; 2 Pe 2:15

Jos 7:20–21 Achan; 2 Ki 5:19–27 Gehazi; Mt 19:22–23 the rich young ruler; Mt 26:14–15 Judas Iscariot

Gifts and qualities that are better than money

Redemption

Psalm 49:7–9 NASB95

7 No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him— 8 For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever— 9 That he should live on eternally, That he should not undergo decay.

See also Is 52:3; Mt 16:26; 1 Pe 1:18–19

Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 NASB95

7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

See also Ps 49:20; Pr 3:13–16; Pr 8:10–11; Pr 16:16; Pr 17:16; Pr 20:15

A good reputation

Proverbs 22:1 NASB95

1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

A good wife

Proverbs 31:10 NASB95

10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

Healing

Acts 3:6 NASB95

6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”

Spiritual power

Acts 8:19–20 NASB95

19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

Spiritual riches

Isaiah 55:1 NASB95

1 “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.

See also Re 3:18