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 parallel Deuteronomy 5:19 See also Proverbs 10:2, Proverbs 19:26; Mark 10:19

You shall not steal.

Not by fraudulent practices

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

You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.

Not by usury

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

If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

Not at the expense of justice

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

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.

Not by extortion

Luke 3:13 See also Ezekiel 22:12

“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered.

Not by oppression

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

Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Not at the expense of health

Proverbs 23:4

Not at the expense of witness

Genesis 14:22–23; 3 John 1:7

Not at the expense of spiritual well-being

Matthew 16:26 parallels Mark 8:36, 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, Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 14:23, Proverbs 19:14; Matthew 25:27 parallel Luke 19:23

We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

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

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

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

Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

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 parallel Luke 21:1–4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–4