Bible Insights on Wealth

Before we begin a look at how we should manage wealth, let’s take a minute to get the Bible’s perspective:

1. God Gives the Ability to Create Wealth

First, we only have wealth because God has given it or enabled us to create it. Check the word of God given to the Israelites just as they are about to enter the Promised Land:

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:17-18

These words were given by God to the Israelites just as they were about to enter the Promised Land, after wandering around in the desert for 40 years. This instruction is timeless; it is as meant as much for us today as it applied to the Israelites–all that we have is a result of the abilities God has given.

2. Whatever Wealth We May Create Belongs to God

Not only does God give us the ability to create wealth, but it also all belongs to Him:

Wealth and honor come from you… – 1 Chronicles29:12a

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. – Psalm 24:1

Sometimes, we tend to forget that–even if we were active to create the wealth–ownership of whatever wealth God may have given us still belongs to Him. We are merely blessed to manage it, to steward it, during our lifetime.

3. Glorify God in All We Do

Now, whether you have much or little, we are to glorify God in all that we do:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

As we work to manage our wealth today, the same principles apply–we are to steward that wealth, given by God, to His glory.

In the next sections, we will look at what it means to glorify God with the wealth He has given–whether this is our personal money or money we professionally manage for others.