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We know what people say about money in the Bible. But what does God actually say about money in the Bible.
It doesn't take long before you hear the same three verses about money in the church. Whether it is about tithing, offering, or sacrificing in order to serve the church community. Unfortunately, no one teaches you about how to make money, and never point to any of the verses that talk about money.
Today, I hope to open your eyes and motivate you to read it for yourself.
God Talks About Money...A Lot
If money is the second most discussed or referenced topic in the Bible behind the kingdom of God. Why do a majority of Christians only know one or two verses?
Wouldn't you think that a topic that God spent so much time talking about, would be worth studying?
There are some cornerstone verses about money, that we either heard a million times, or misquote.
Let's do a quick test.
Have you heard this verse before?
If so, can you tell what book of the Bible it comes from?
Now ask yourself, is this what God said?
No.
Misquoting the Bible
The reason a majority of Christians have a distorted understanding of money is because we are not going to the scriptures.
Let me help you out.
This "saying" is derived from a scripture found in the book of 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verse 10.
These are only 7 words out of the 29 word verse.
This is not what God said
Here is the full scripture:
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
What is God saying about Money?
I am going to attempt to say this in plain English. This is not an attempt to change the scripture. But only provide a full understanding of what is being said.
"It is the LOVE of money, that is the cause of all evil. And because of this love, the beginning of every evil deed can be traced back to someone pursuing it.
God explicitly tells us not to covet our neighbors things in Exodus 20:17. “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
Keep in mind, all these things was considered wealth back then. So the act of coveting is forbidden and Paul in Roman 7:7 reiterates this point. That is why the Prosperity Gospel is so detrimental to the Christian community.
It goes on to say that these people who love money, and covet it, are no longer following the faith. And it is because of their actions, they are now the cause of their own pain.
This is a far cry from Christians saying "Money is the root of all evil".
Poverty is not Piety
If we don't know what is in the scriptures, how can we align our actions with it? Because of misquotes like this, many Christians believe money is evil and that poverty is piety.
That is not true.
Just because you don't have money, doesn't mean you are righteous.
And just because you have money, doesn't mean you are evil.
You can be rich and righteous.
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, "You cannot serve two masters...you cannot serve God and Money"
This is true.
But God didn't say, you couldn't serve God and have money serve you!
Christian investing is about stewarding God's wealth, so money serves you, and you don't become a servant to money.
Remember, the devil convincing Eve that she was poor was one of the first deceptions that gave birth to the first sins.
God told them they can have EVERYTHING except one thing. And instead of focusing on their abundance, they focused on their lack.
Reframing our perception of money
In this podcast, I discuss the concept of Christian investing and stewardship. I narrate a poignant story of a faithful churchgoer who experiences financial hardship despite his devout contributions to the church.
I challenge the traditional notion of giving solely out of habit and emphasizes the importance of understanding God's true expectations regarding finances.
I believe in a proactive approach to financial planning rooted in Christian principles. Because if you don't take control of your money, your money will take control of you.
Scroll down to listen to Episode 222 "What Does The Bible Tells Us About God and Money" to learn more.
Key Takeaways:
Reframing the Concept of Giving:
AB questions the conventional practice of giving to the church solely out of habit or societal pressure. He highlights the importance of giving from a place of genuine piety and understanding of God's expectations.
Financial Planning as Stewardship:
The episode emphasizes the role of financial planning as a form of stewardship. AB advocates for proactive debt management, savings, investing, and wealth transfer strategies to honor God with financial resources.
Preparing for Financial Trials:
Through the narrative of the man who lost his job, AB illustrates the importance of preparing for financial adversity through prudent planning. He outlines steps individuals can take to mitigate the impact of unforeseen challenges on their financial well-being.
Understanding True Prosperity:
AB critiques the prosperity gospel and challenges listeners to discern true prosperity beyond material wealth. He emphasizes the importance of using financial resources responsibly to support one's family, community, and personal growth.
Seeking Financial Counsel:
The episode encourages listeners to seek financial counsel aligned with Christian values. AB promotes the idea of selecting financial advisors who share one's values and prioritize holistic stewardship over mere financial gain.
Quotes:
"God doesn't want your money. God never wanted your money. God wants your piety."
"Give with happiness and pleasure and not under duress or pressure. That is Christian investing."
"If the church has to think about it before they give to you, then maybe, just maybe, you should think before you give to them because God doesn't want your money. He wants your piety."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before you humbly, acknowledging that all we have is a gift from You. Grant us wisdom and discernment as we navigate the complexities of financial stewardship.
Help us to give generously from the abundance of our hearts, understanding that true prosperity comes from aligning our actions with Your will. Guide us in our financial planning, that we may honor You in all aspects of our lives.
May we be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us, using them to uplift our families, communities, and those in need. In Jesus' name, amen.
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As Christians, we were taught to be good stewards over our tithing and giving to the less fortunate. But when it came to our personal finances and investing we were left clueless on what the Bible says. What does the Bible say about managing debt, leaving a legacy, investing, and planning for your retirement? Mr. Christian Finance answers these and many other questions because we want to teach you how to become rich and righteous!
Meet A.B. Ridgeway:
A.B. Ridgeway, MBA, CPWA®️ (info@abrwealthmanagement.com) is the owner and Christian Financial Advisor with A.B. Ridgeway Wealth Management. With a decade in the finance industry, his goal is to give believers clarity around the most confusing topic in the Bible, money, and tithing. A.B. Ridgeway helps tithing Christians become cheerful givers but unlocking their money-making potential, so they can prosper and be the great stewards of the wealth God has entrusted them with.
*Disclaimer: This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any financial instrument or investment advisory services. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of any description of securities, markets or developments mentioned. This is strictly for information purposes. We recommend you speak with a professional financial advisor.
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