Attitudes to money

Money as a gift from God

Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT

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.

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 NLT

“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 God and be enslaved to money.

See also Eph 5:5

Loving money

1 Timothy 6:10 NLT

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.

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 NLT

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

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 NLT

Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great 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 NLT

Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave.

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

Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 NLT

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

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 NLT

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

A good wife

Proverbs 31:10 NLT

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

Healing

Acts 3:6 NLT

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Spiritual power

Acts 8:19–20 NLT

“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!

Spiritual riches

Isaiah 55:1 NLT

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!

See also Re 3:18