Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5412 money  »  5414 money, stewardship of

The righteous handling of money is an important practical test of godliness.

Money must be obtained honestly

Not by theft

Exodus 20:15 pp Deuteronomy 5:19 See also Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 19:26; Mark 10:19

Not by fraudulent practices

Leviticus 19:13 See also Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 13:11; Proverbs 20:10; Ezekiel 28:18

Not by usury

Exodus 22:25 See also Psalm 15:5; Proverbs 28:8

Not at the expense of justice

Exodus 23:8 See also Proverbs 15:27; Proverbs 16:8; Jeremiah 17:11

Not by extortion

Luke 3:13 See also Ezekiel 22:12

Not by oppression

James 5:4 See also Proverbs 22:16; Ezekiel 18:7-8; Amos 5:11; Malachi 3:5

Not at the expense of health

Proverbs 23:4

Not at the expense of witness

Genesis 14:22-23; 3Jn 7

Not at the expense of spiritual well-being

Matthew 16:26 pp Mark 8:36 pp Luke 9:25; Luke 12:16-21; 1 Timothy 6:9

By work, trade, investment or inheritance

2 Thessalonians 3:12 See also Genesis 15:2; Genesis 34:21; Proverbs 13:11,22; Proverbs 14:23; Proverbs 19:14; Matthew 25:27 pp Luke 19:23

Money must be cared for diligently

Personal money

Proverbs 27:23-24

Money held on trust

2 Kings 22:4-7; Matthew 25:14-27; Luke 16:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2

Money must be used in a God-honouring way

For the support of the family

1 Timothy 5:8 See also 1 Timothy 5:16

For benefiting the poor, especially God's people

Galatians 6:10 See also Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 28:27; Matthew 6:3-4; Luke 12:33; John 13:29; Acts 2:45; Romans 15:26; Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:18

For the work of God's kingdom

Galatians 6:6 See also Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10; Luke 8:3; Luke 16:9; Philippians 4:14-19; 1 Timothy 5:17-18

Examples of godly people who have used their money well

Those who were wealthy but godly

Genesis 13:2; Genesis 26:14; Genesis 30:43; 2 Samuel 19:32; 2 Chronicles 9:22; Job 1:3; Matthew 27:57; Acts 4:34-36

Those who had little but gave much

Mark 12:41-44 pp Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

See also

5446  poverty
5475  property
5556  stewardship
5628  work
5703  inheritance
7784  shepherd
7939  ministry
8260  generosity
8434  giving
8488  tithing