The Biblical View of Money and Possessions
In a world often consumed by the pursuit of wealth and material gain, understanding the biblical perspective on money and possessions is not merely an academic exercise but a spiritual necessity. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, provides profound insights into how believers should view, acquire, manage, and use their financial resources and earthly belongings. Far from condemning wealth itself, the Scriptures consistently focus on the condition of the human heart concerning these things, emphasizing God's ultimate ownership and our role as stewards.
God's Sovereignty and Ultimate Ownership
The foundational principle of the biblical view of money and possessions is that God owns everything. We are not owners but temporary managers of the resources He has entrusted to us. This truth is declared unequivocally throughout Scripture:
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
This verse establishes God's absolute claim over all creation, including every resource within it. Similarly, the prophet Haggai reminds us:
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
King David, in his prayer of thanksgiving, eloquently acknowledged this divine ownership:
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Understanding that God is the rightful owner transforms our perspective from one of entitlement to one of stewardship. It means that everything we possess—our income, our property, our skills, and even our very lives—are gifts from God to be managed according to His will and for His glory.
Stewardship, Not Ownership
Since God owns all, we are His stewards. A steward is a manager or administrator of another's property. The Bible frequently uses parables and teachings to illustrate this concept. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 vividly portrays this responsibility. A master entrusts different sums of money (talents) to his servants, expecting them to invest and multiply these resources. The servants who acted wisely and faithfully were commended, while the one who buried his talent out of fear was condemned. This parable underscores several key aspects of biblical stewardship:
- Accountability: We will give an account to God for how we have managed His resources.
- Responsibility: We are expected to use our resources wisely, not to squander them or hoard them.
- Fruitfulness: God desires that we use our resources to produce spiritual and temporal fruit, furthering His kingdom and blessing others.
Good stewardship involves diligent work, wise saving, generous giving, and responsible spending. It is about using what God has given us to honor Him and serve others, recognizing that we are merely conduits of His blessings.
The Danger of Loving Money (Mammon Worship)
While money itself is morally neutral—it can be used for good or evil—the love of money is unequivocally condemned in Scripture. The Apostle Paul warns:
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.
It's crucial to note that money itself is not "the root of all evil," but rather the love of money. This love can lead to covetousness, greed, dishonesty, and a host of other sins. Jesus Himself stated the impossibility of serving two masters:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
"Mammon" refers to wealth or material possessions regarded as an evil influence or false god. When money becomes the primary focus of one's life, it displaces God, leading to spiritual idolatry. The deceitfulness of riches can choke the word of God, as seen in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:22). It can lead to spiritual blindness, making one believe that security and happiness are found in material abundance rather than in God.
Generosity and Giving
A hallmark of biblical stewardship is generosity. The Bible consistently encourages believers to give cheerfully, sacrificially, and systematically. Giving is not merely an obligation but an act of worship and an expression of love for God and neighbor. The New Testament principle of giving is summarized in 2 Corinthians 9:7:
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
While the Old Testament prescribed tithing (giving 10% of one's income), the New Testament emphasizes a spirit of generosity that often exceeds a mere percentage, stemming from a heart of gratitude and love. This giving includes supporting the work of the church, caring for the poor and needy, and contributing to missions. Jesus instructed His followers to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
True generosity is an investment in eternity, reflecting a kingdom-minded perspective that values eternal rewards over temporary earthly gains. It is also an act of faith, trusting God to provide for our needs as we give.
Contentment and Trust in God's Provision
In a world that constantly encourages discontentment and the pursuit of more, the Bible calls believers to cultivate contentment. The Apostle Paul, who experienced both abundance and scarcity, declared:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Contentment is not passive resignation but an active trust in God's provision and sovereignty. It means finding satisfaction in Christ regardless of one's material circumstances. The writer of Hebrews echoes this sentiment:
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
This contentment is rooted in the assurance of God's unfailing presence and provision. Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about their material needs, but to seek God's kingdom first:
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
This promise does not guarantee lavish wealth, but it assures us that God will meet our legitimate needs as we prioritize Him.
Practical Principles for Handling Money
Beyond the overarching principles, the Bible offers practical wisdom for daily financial management:
Conclusion
The biblical view of money and possessions is holistic, challenging, and profoundly liberating. It calls us to recognize God's ultimate ownership, embrace our role as faithful stewards, guard our hearts against the love of money, practice radical generosity, and cultivate deep contentment in Christ. Our relationship with money is a spiritual barometer, revealing where our true allegiance lies. By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we find true abundance, not necessarily in material wealth, but in a life rich in purpose, peace, and eternal significance.