What Does the Bible Say About Money?

Alright, let’s talk about something that gets people all kinds of worked up—money. Money is that thing we can’t live with, but we can’t live without. It’s like the air we breathe… except it doesn’t come for free (unless you’re in a Monopoly game, in which case, we need to talk about your life choices).

But seriously, what does the Bible say about money? Does God want us to be broke and starving for righteousness, or is He secretly hoping we all strike it rich and get that private island? Let’s dive in.

"Money is the root of all evil" — Wait, What?

First things first—let’s clear up a common misunderstanding. We’ve all heard the saying, “Money is the root of all evil,” right? But let me just stop you there—the Bible does NOT say that. What the Bible actually says is “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). There’s a big difference!

Money, in and of itself, isn’t evil. In fact, the Bible says that money is a tool—it’s a means of exchange, a resource. But the love of money? Well, that’s where things go sideways. When money becomes the thing we worship, when we value it more than relationships, more than integrity, more than our relationship with God, then we’ve got a problem. It’s not that money is evil, but the love of money can lead us down paths we don’t want to go.

Think of it like this: Money is like a good servant but a terrible master. If you’re in control of it, great. It can do awesome things, like help feed the hungry, build hospitals, or fund a mission trip to somewhere exotic (and by exotic, I mean "you’re definitely going to get some weird food photos for Instagram"). But if money starts controlling you, that’s when things get tricky.

God is Not Against Money – He’s Against What We Do With It

Now, let’s get something straight: God is not anti-money. I mean, God created the universe, right? If He wanted to, He could have given us a money tree right next to the Garden of Eden. But He didn’t. So clearly, He’s okay with the concept of earning and using money. In fact, throughout the Bible, God blesses people with wealth when they honor Him and use it for His purposes.

For example, Abraham was a wealthy man. So was King David. And let’s not forget Job, who was loaded before everything fell apart and then had it all restored. God even promises to bless those who are faithful with their resources. In Malachi 3:10, God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… test me in this,” and He promises to pour out blessings we can’t contain. And we’re not just talking about blessings in the form of more money—sometimes it’s peace, joy, or the ability to bless others.

God and Abundance: The Prosperity We Really Want

Here’s the kicker: God is totally cool with us having abundance. But—and this is the part that gets tricky—He wants us to understand that abundance isn’t just about stacking up piles of cash. True prosperity comes from knowing that everything we have is from Him, and we’re just stewards of His resources.

Jesus even talks about this in Matthew 6:33, when He says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” That’s God’s way of saying, “Look, I’ve got your back. Focus on my kingdom, focus on doing the right things, and I’ll take care of the rest. Trust me.” The key is having the right priorities.

God is in the business of blessing us, but He also knows that if we can’t handle a little, we won’t be able to handle much. It’s like giving your kid the keys to your brand-new sports car when they can’t even drive their bicycle without crashing into the mailbox. God is a good Father, and He knows we’re ready for abundance when our hearts and motives are aligned with His will.

What Does This Look Like in Real Life?

Okay, so what does all this look like in practical terms? Well, let me break it down for you:

1. Be Wise with Your Money – God wants us to be wise stewards. This doesn’t mean living on ramen noodles for the rest of your life (unless that’s your thing, no judgment). But it does mean budgeting, saving, and not spending like you’re still in college and living off of free pizza. Use your resources wisely!

   
   

2. Give Generously – God’s heart is for us to give. Whether that’s through tithing to the church, supporting a charity, or just helping out a neighbor who’s struggling, generosity is key. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If you’re not sure where to start, try this: Give without expecting anything in return. It’s like an instant feel-good moment, and it doesn’t cost you a thing—except your comfort zone.

   
   

3. Don’t Worship the Dollar – Keep money in its place. Don’t let it define your worth. If you’re living for the next paycheck or constantly comparing your income to others, you’ve lost sight of what’s truly valuable. God is your provider, not your job, not your bank account, not your Instagram followers who think you’re living your best life because you posted that latte art.

   
   

Remember It’s Not All About You – We’re blessed not just to hoard but to share. The more God blesses you, the more you can bless others. Whether that’s through financial resources, time, or skills, you’ve been entrusted to be a blessing.

God Cares Where Your Money Goes

Money is a tool—it can be used for incredible purposes, like helping the poor, supporting ministries that preach the gospel, or even building up the local church. But it can also be used to fund things that lead us down paths that are, let’s just say, less than holy. So, what are some of the things we need to watch out for when spending or giving our money?

1. Tithing to the Wrong Places

First up, let's talk about tithing—which, by the way, means giving back to God through the church. Tithing isn’t just about throwing some money in the offering plate once a week. It's about partnering with God in His work and ensuring that the message of Christ is being spread.

Now, I’ll be blunt here—if your church or ministry is spending tithes on things that don’t honor God, or worse, funding non-biblical practices or teachings, it’s time to reconsider where you’re giving. For example, tithing to a church that’s paying for a pastor’s salary who is promoting teachings contrary to scripture, like a woman pastor in a role that is not biblically supported (1 Timothy 2:12), is not the kind of giving that aligns with God’s plan.

While the Bible isn’t against women in ministry, it does outline a clear role for them in terms of leadership—it's essential we keep that in mind when supporting a ministry. Your tithe should go towards biblical purposes and ministries that uplift the Word of God, not agendas that stray from it.

2. Paying for Psychics, Mediums, and New Age Practices

Next up: psychics. Mediums. Tarot cards. Astrology. All these are real, and they’re dangerous. But let's be real for a second: How many of us have been tempted by the promises of “reading the stars” or getting a tarot card reading to find out our “destiny”? Maybe you even went to a New Age yoga class with all that Zen music and incense burning (I’m not even talking about the stretching—I’m talking about the spirit practices that sneak in).

Here’s the thing—God explicitly warns against seeking guidance from sources other than Him. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, He tells us that things like witchcraft, divination, and consulting the dead are detestable to Him. That’s some serious language. If you’re paying someone to predict your future, or to give you a glimpse into the “spiritual world” that’s not rooted in Christ, you are literally paying for something that opens the door to the demonic.

And no, I’m not trying to rain on your yoga class—but if your instructor is channeling spirits or inviting you to connect with “universal energy,” you should be taking your wallet and walking out the door. It’s just good stewardship of your spiritual health.

3. Paying to Attend Occult or Unbiblical Concerts or Events

Okay, here’s a fun one (not really): Have you seen those “spiritual” concerts or events where they mix entertainment with “the occult”? Think of things like the Taylor Swift concerts with all their occult symbols, hidden messages, or unbiblical themes. I’m not here to bash music (or pop culture) for the sake of it, but I’m pointing out that many of these events glorify things that directly oppose what the Bible teaches. Do you really want to spend money that could be used for God’s Kingdom funding things that promote idols, darkness, and confusion?

Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:24 that we cannot serve two masters—we can’t love God and love the things of this world that lead us astray. If the things you're spending your money on are promoting a worldview that doesn’t honor God, it's time to take a step back and evaluate whether you’re investing in God’s Kingdom or in worldly distractions.

4. Unwise Spending: What We Do For Ourselves

But hey, it’s not all about what you give—it’s also about how you spend your own money on personal things. Yes, you can buy yourself that fancy coffee, or the new shoes you’ve been eyeing, or the dream car, but we need to check our motives. Are we spending to serve ourselves, or are we spending to serve others and build God's Kingdom?

When we prioritize our own desires over being generous, we miss out on the blessings that come from being a good steward. Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Let’s face it, buying things that bring temporary satisfaction (or impress others) might make us feel good in the moment, but it’s not an eternal investment. Consider if your purchases are aligned with your relationship with God—or if you’re just trying to fill a hole that only God can fill.

Conclusion: Money Can Be Your Friend, Not Your Foe

To sum it up: Money is not the root of all evil—it’s the love of money that gets us into trouble. God isn’t against you having money, but He is against money having you. Seek His kingdom first, and watch as He provides for all your needs—and maybe even throws in a few wants too. Keep your heart right, be a good steward of what He’s entrusted you with, and never forget that true wealth is found in how you use your resources to honor Him.

So go ahead—make money work for you, not the other way around. And remember, the best kind of wealth? It’s not in your wallet—it’s in your relationship with God.

Amen!