6:17–19, NIV. “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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Wealth, according to the Bible, is like fire, good but dangerous. Everyone sees the good, so the Bible warns us about the danger. Danger one: the desire to get rich (I Timothy 6:10). Danger two: worry about money (Matthew 6:25-34).
Jesus explicitly condemns excessive love of wealth as an intrinsic evil in various passages in the Gospels, especially in Luke (Luke 16:10–15 being an especially clear example).
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.
Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven."
Financial freedom means having enough to provide adequately for your household and to give generously and joyfully to God's work. God wants you to be financially free so you can put Him first in your life and be sensitive to His voice, ready to follow Him whenever -- and wherever -- He leads.
According to God's Word, there are four fundamental purposes for money: to provide for basic needs, to confirm direction, to give to those in need, and to illustrate God's power and care in provision. Understanding these purposes allows you to see how money relates to God's work in your life and community.
Avarice is one of the Seven deadly sins in the Christian classifications of vices (sins).
The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job were rich and yet were also approved by God. Just as poverty doesn't guarantee virtue, wealth does not guarantee vice. In his discussion of Acts 2-5, Art Lindsley lists several examples from the New Testament of wealthy believers who gave generously to those in need.
According to Kotter “riches” correspond with self-indulgent hearts while the wealthy see themselves as stewards of God's gifts and manage their possessions in ways that honor him.
In fact, the Bible never states that you should not use debt. It does state however many times, that you should use extreme caution when doing so. Just like money can be used as a tool for good reasons and for bad, debt is the same way.
In Scripture, God lists the production of money as a spiritual gift. Romans 12:5-8 describes the gift of giving. Obviously, if there is a gift of giving, there must be a gift of gathering, as it is impossible to give otherwise. In every scriptural reference, God promises that as we give, so it will be given back to us.
Gluttony
Over-consumption to the point of waste is a spending sin that takes a heavy toll on budgets.
Ecclesiastes 5:13 tells us wealth hoarded does so to the harm of the owner; Isaiah 23:18 tells us that those who don't hoard their wealth, their profits will go toward abundant food and fine clothes; and James 5:3 tells us if you hoarded wealth in the last days your gold or silver will be corroded and eat your flesh ...
He taught about money in 11 of his 39 parables. Finances are Jesus' most talked about topic.” Ever heard something like this before? Did it surprise you?
Luke 6:20-21 (NIV)
“Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. '”
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.
Proverbs 22:26 - Do not become guarantors for debts. Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little.
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.
God does not owe us anything. Interestingly, we owe Him everything. He has given us the opportunity for living eternally with Him. He has provided the opportunity for total and complete forgiveness for every wrong we have ever done or will do.
Indeed, the Bible addresses the issue of lending and debt forgiveness on several occasions, but perhaps nowhere more directly than in Deuteronomy 15: At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.
The Bible teaches that it's possible to wisely save and invest for the future while also being “rich toward God” by “storing up treasures in heaven” (Luke 12:21; Matt. 6:19–21).
Christians believe that there is nothing wrong with wealth itself; it is how we use it that matters. We can use it for good and bad. Wealth is seen as a gift from God. Our money should come from lawful means.
Lydia of Thyatira - Wikipedia.