Money, attitudes to

Money can be a blessing or a snare according to one's attitude.

Money as a gift from God

Deuteronomy 8:18 See also 1 Samuel 2:7; 1 Kings 3:13; Proverbs 8:18–21; 1 Timothy 6:17

But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

The dangers of money

Being ruled by money

Matthew 6:24 parallel Luke 16:13 See also Ephesians 5:5

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Loving money

1 Timothy 6:10 See also Ecclesiastes 5:10; Luke 8:14, Luke 16:14; 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:8; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:2

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Trusting in money

1 Timothy 6:17 See also Deuteronomy 8:12–14; Job 31:24; Psalm 52:7, Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 11:28, Proverbs 27:24; Isaiah 10:3; Jeremiah 48:7; Luke 12:16–21 the parable of the rich fool; James 1:11, James 5:1–3; Revelation 18:14

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Boasting in money

Psalm 49:5–6 See also Jeremiah 9:23–24; Hosea 12:8; James 4:13–16

Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.

Examples of those led astray by the love of money

Balaam: Deuteronomy 23:4; 2 Peter 2:15; Joshua 7:20–21 Achan; 2 Kings 5:19–27 Gehazi; Matthew 19:22–23 parallels Mark 10:22–23, Luke 18:23–24 the rich young ruler; Matthew 26:14–15 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:4–5 Judas Iscariot

Gifts and qualities that are better than money

Redemption

Psalm 49:7–9 See also Isaiah 52:3; Matthew 16:26 parallels Mark 8:37, Luke 9:25; 1 Peter 1:18–19

No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, that he should live on forever and not see decay.

Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 See also Psalm 49:20; Proverbs 3:13–16, Proverbs 8:10–11, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 17:16, Proverbs 20:15

Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

A good reputation

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

A good wife

Proverbs 31:10

A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

Healing

Acts 3:6

But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

Spiritual power

Acts 8:19–20

“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Spiritual riches

Isaiah 55:1 See also Revelation 3:18

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!