Times are tough. Rising prices and a cost-of-living crisis can make us feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
Americans are feeling the effects, with 60% of employees living paycheck to paycheck. What does that mean? It means a broken boiler or car can force you into crippling debt and put everything you’ve worked for at risk.
In difficult times, people search for different sources of comfort. So, what does Lord Jesus have to say on the matter?
It may surprise you that the Bible has much to say about money and investments. Being committed to God’s kingdom doesn’t mean ignoring the earthly necessities of wealth. Here are some inspirational Bible verses about investing (or scriptures on finances) to help you take advantage of His wisdom.
How to Have a Healthy Relationship With Money
Before discussing what the Bible says about smart investing, we must acknowledge that many struggle with their relationship with money.
Here’s the reality: 90% of Americans say financial considerations impact their stress levels. And that’s just not healthy.
So, how do we balance our commitment to Him and build a healthy relationship with dollars and cents?
Unsurprisingly, the Good Book guides us in this matter.
Money is Neutral – But the Love of Money is Evil (1 Timothy 6:10)
People love to quote that money is the root of all evil, but this has been distorted over time.
Consult your Bible, and you’ll see that money is neither good nor bad. It’s a medium of trade and shouldn’t have any emotional value attached to it. Loving money is evil because it blocks our attachment to God and family. In other words, break your life free of money obsessions and focus on serving God.
Remember, money is a tool of the Lord Almighty – nothing more.
God Gave Us the Power to Create Wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Wealth building isn’t an earthly creation. It was given to us by the lord your God. Rich people aren’t evil just because they’re rich. It depends on how they use that wealth.
Let’s expand Deuteronomy 8:18 for context:
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
Tithing is a central part of the church because those who generate wealth are expected to use their wealth to give to the needy and help the less fortunate.
Being rich doesn’t make you any less of a Christian. But how you use your status might.
He Who Loves Money Will Not Be Satisfied (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
This is about as straightforward a lesson as you could gain from His book. The Bible clarifies that abundance isn’t a sin but adds a cautionary note on abundance.
Like how the love of money is evil, he who loves wealth will find himself in a constant circle of chasing, not being satisfied, and continuing the chase.
As the dog chases its tail and never catches it, the money-obsessed follow the same path.
Earthly pleasures cannot replace God’s love. Only opening your heart to what matters, such as love, family, and worship, can deliver the lasting satisfaction you seek.
How to Steward Investments
Investing and saving money is the first step to providing for your family and community. However, most people need to improve at managing their investments.
According to a study from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of Forex Traders, 70% of traders lose money each quarter, most losing everything within a year.
So, what’s the key to shepherding investments for success?
Once again, we consult the Bible to discover how God can guide a successful investment management investment strategy.
Recognize That God is the Owner (Exodus 19:5)
The Bible mentions the concept of ownership several times. Alongside Exodus, Job 41:11 mentions the same:
“I owe nothing to anyone. Everything under heaven belongs to me.”
In the context of our investments, this delivers a valuable benefit. Paul explained this when he said that since the same God owns everything, there is a profound freedom in store for the true believer. Truthfully, there’s a tremendous amount of anxiety in owning things.
Trust everything to Him – because everything under the sky is His – and you take out the stress of investment management, like sucking the poison from a wound.
Grow What is Entrusted To You (Matthew 25:14-30)
We may not own anything, but God does entrust everything to us. We’re not the owners but the stewards.
But we’re not expected to sit around and enjoy what God has given us. The Bible clarifies that we must take God’s gifts and multiply them. This means putting our noses to the grindstone and investing in multiplying, regardless of whether it’s a real estate investment, stocks, or gold.
Whether God gave you a natural talent for investing, existing wealth, or just time, it’s every Christian’s duty to take whatever they have and grow it.
Provide for Your Children’s Children (Proverbs 13:22)
Proverbs provides the clearest indication of the importance of providing for our families. When we depart the Earth to be judged, those we leave behind carry on our legacies in His name.
Our investments aren’t designed to buy us that Tesla. They’re designed to provide for our descendants. In other words, we multiply our own household gifts and then help our children and their children to do the same.
That’s how humanity has progressed from discovering fire to inventing AI.
Strive For Contentment – God Has Given Us Everything in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
What do you want?
It’s a question filled with possibilities. But everything we need is already there in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the most important gift God has ever given us. This is why the Bible mentions contentment so often.
In Luke 12:15, the Bible says: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of His possessions.”
King Solomon also mentions the importance of balance. He said that extreme wealth and poverty have negative consequences, so he aims for neither.
So, in our investments, the goal is to multiply and provide without losing sight of what matters because we can’t have two masters.
7 Bible Verses About Investing
The Bible was written long before the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and stock tickers, but His word anticipated the value of investments and how to invest properly.
Today, around 158 million Americans own stock, putting them on the path to providing for their families. But what does the Bible say about how we should handle our financial investments?
Here are seven insights to guide you.
1. Consider the Size of Your Investment
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)
Too scared to invest? Not willing to use your money to grow? Then, you won’t enjoy the benefits of compounding.
Granted, this doesn’t mean you should head over to Wall Street Bets and YOLO your net worth on shorting Tesla. It goes back to using your abundance to multiply it – and without taking the plunge, that will not happen.
2. Do Not Fall For Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle.” (Proverbs 13:11)
It’s easy to get jealous of those Robinhood warriors who threw everything on a random meme stock and became overnight millionaires. It’s also easy to try the same get-cash-quick schemes and lose everything.
Hold up and focus on this quote from Proverbs. Get-rich-quick schemes may sound great, but even if they work, dishonest money dwindles fast.
Focus on steady, fact-driven investments that grow over time without risking your livelihood. Even in Biblical times, there was no shortage of snake oil salesmen.
3. Pay Your Taxes
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:7)
Messing with the IRS is the easiest one-way ticket to the poorhouse you’ll ever find—with a stopover at the Big House included.
It might surprise you that the Bible would be so concerned with paying taxes, but there’s a reason behind it. If we roll it back a little, Romans 13:6-7 explains this line:
“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.”
We might not like them, but God endorses taxes. It’s the price we pay to live in a functioning society where we can worship freely and enjoy His abundance.
4. Diversify Your Investments
“Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” (Ecclesiastes 11:2)
God knows all. You don’t.
Diversification is the foundation of any smart investing strategy. Any disaster could happen to any company you invest in. This is why most stock pickers usually lose all their money sooner rather than later.
Thankfully, we’ve got the investment vehicles to do just that. From ETFs to index funds, ensuring our money is protected against factors outside of our control is easier than ever.
5. Be Diligent in Managing Your Investments
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever.” (Proverbs 27:23)
Set it and forget it will inevitably lead to disaster. Staying agile is the key to an intelligent investing strategy and glorious riches.
But what does being diligent mean?
It doesn’t mean checking your investment account three times a day. It means setting aside time every so often to ensure your current portfolio meets your goals and circumstances.
For example, perhaps you’ve opted for a high-risk investing strategy during your younger years, but now you’ve got a kid on the way and need something more conservative. That’s the type of diligence the Bible talks about.
6. Seek Professional Advice
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
Thinking you know better than everyone else is supreme arrogance. False prophets throughout history claiming to know better than Jesus or even God himself have come and gone.
We listen to God because He’s the expert in all things.
The same principle applies to finance. If you’re new to the game, seek professional advice from financial advisors and those who know more than you. Listen to what investment experts say and seek more knowledge to inform your portfolio, such as through investment podcasts.
7. Don’t Forget to Build Up Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth… where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
The Bible establishes the importance of abundance and how we should manage it. But there’s also a cautionary lesson to take to heart about financial well-being.
Money will never satisfy us, so don’t spend your life with a money-orientated mindset. Just like the flower will always reach towards the sun, our hearts will always reach towards God.
Always take the opportunity to show obedience to and please Him because we’re on this planet for a short time. But heaven lasts for eternity.
Final Thoughts About Scriptures on Finances and Investing
Many people believe the Bible has little to say about money or that wealth is evil, but that’s not true. Investing successfully is one of the best ways to wield the glory God has given you.
But His word won’t tell you exactly how or what to invest in. That’s where The Abundant Wallet comes in. We specialize in enabling you to build generational wealth by eliminating debt, building your investment portfolio, and showing you how much you should be saving.
Are you ready to take god’s word and please Him by taking the plunge and using His gifts? Then book your call now to get some free, bespoke advice from an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does God say about investment and debt?
Jesus may have attacked the money changers, but it’s a misconception that it was due to their profession. He drove them from the church because they used the church as a place of business.
The Bible is clear about the need to invest, but it’s also clear that it is wrong not to repay your debts and that debt is enslavement.
Does the Bible encourage investing?
Yes, God’s word encourages investing several times. It mentions the need to multiply God’s gifts and provide for our children’s children. It cautions against developing a love of money at the expense of our love for God.
What are God’s promises on finances?
God doesn’t promise that you’ll have enough money to be rich. However, he does make a greater promise because God loves us:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
In short, trust in him and let him enact his plans for you.
