The Bible issues several warnings against the love of money and the snare of wealth (1 Timothy 3:3; 6:10), but in Proverbs 30:8–9, Agur, the gather of wise sayings, asks that he would have neither poverty nor wealth.
“The biblical perspective is for us to live in wholeness, which includes a generous sufficiency of things. Poverty is a bad thing; God wants us to have all we need for a joyous life. God wants no one to be poor.”
Finally, 1 Timothy 6:17-18 offers divine instructions for the wealthy among us. The passage reads: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
God does want each of us to be rich in every possible way -- health, love, and peace of mind, as well as material possessions. God wants this, however, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of all humankind.
God does not want us to live in poverty; we have discovered that there is nothing inherently spiritual in poverty. Neither is there any sin in wealth. However, God does not desire for a Christian to live in worldly lavishness while His work needs money and other Christians go without food and clothing.
God Will Take Care of You and Your Finances
What will we wear?" These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:31-33).
The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed is should be paid back. Someone refusing to repay reveals a wicked heart and not the generous and giving heart God wants us to have. It's imperative that when we engage in any borrowing, we consider our ability to repay.
God is working to display His glory in our financial limitations. This is true not only because it forges our character to become more like Christ, but also because it allows us to be witnesses of Christ to those who do not know Him.
But Scripture tells us that God loves the poor. He is on their side simply because they are still persons worthy of respect. And in their helplessness, they put their trust in God.
God wants you to be able to earn money. Proverbs 13:11 says this, “He who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” He who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Jesus can and ultimately did provide a way for rich people—and all who believe in Him—to enter God's Kingdom. Peter seemed stunned by Jesus' statement that it's humanly impossible for the rich to inherit God's Kingdom. He said, “We have left everything to follow you!” (Mark 10:28, NIV).
Perhaps a good summary of this economic theme in Jesus' teaching are his words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven …for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21)
Wealth creation is a godly gift; and God says that he is the one who gives the ability to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Let's look at the context of this statement in Deuteronomy 8. The people of Israel have been brought out of Egypt and are about to enter the Promised Land.
Phillippians 4:12-13. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
You can trust God with the money He's given you because He's the real owner of everything under the sun! He's the ultimate source of our security. As 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV) says, you shouldn't put your hope in wealth, but instead, “hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
You are valuable because of what you cost.
As one loved by God, you have also been chosen by God for “adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself” (Ephesians 1:5). This adoption came at a high price, the death of His Son. “He made us accepted in the Beloved.
In Jesus' mind, the rich were too self-sufficient and self-satisfied to heed his message. Thus it is clear from his life and message that Jesus had a significant problem with how the rich viewed and handled their wealth in light of the revelation of God's kingdom of economic equality and justice.
The more debt we take on, the fewer options we give ourselves when it comes to where we work and how we spend our time. Instead of making decisions based on what we want to do, we find ourselves thinking about what we have to do. Debt will always leave us feeling stuck, and Jesus wants so much more for our lives.
Jesus cared deeply about the poor and the downtrodden, demonstrating his compassion in tangible ways: giving sight to the blind, touching the leper, healing the sick. But he also preached the good news of God's love and salvation.
What the Bible does NOT say about debt. It doesn't say … it's a sin to borrow. While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow.
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” - Psalm 37:21. As Christians, we know that paying our debts is important.
Debt is a form of slavery
The Old and New Testament books presents this truth to us clearly. "She came and told the man of God, and he said, 'Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest. '" "One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor."
Through the book of Deuteronomy, the Bible calls for debt forgiveness every seven years. Perhaps not coincidentally, the discharge of debts in chapter 7 bankruptcy is allowed to individuals every eight years.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” The Good News: Even when you're in low spirits, God still loves you.
But God tells the Christian, “Don't owe anyone anything. Don't go into debt; don't be in debt.” The service you owe to another will prevent you from serving God. The money you must pay out to bills will prevent you from giving to the work of the Lord.