Does the Bible talk about money?
BREAKDOWN
The Bible speaks extensively and profoundly about money, wealth, poverty, and material possessions, offering a comprehensive worldview on their origin, purpose, and proper use. Far from being silent, Scripture addresses economic principles, ethical considerations, and spiritual dangers associated with wealth. The Old Testament introduces concepts such as tithing (Malachi 3:8-10), the care for the poor and vulnerable (Deuteronomy 15:7-11), and the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:8-12), which mandated the return of land to its original families and the release of debts, highlighting God’s concern for economic justice and the prevention of extreme wealth disparity. It emphasizes that wealth comes from God (Deuteronomy 8:18) and that one's attitude towards it reveals their heart. Proverbs, in particular, offers wisdom regarding diligence, generosity, and the dangers of greed. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently taught about money, often using parables to illustrate spiritual truths. He warned against the love of money, declaring that "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon" (Matthew 6:24). The rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus (Matthew 19:16-22) demonstrates how material possessions can hinder one's commitment to God, while the generosity of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) illustrates transformative repentance. The Apostle Paul instructs believers on giving generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) and warns that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). Throughout Scripture, money is presented not as inherently evil, but as a tool to be stewarded for God's glory and the good of others, and its pursuit can become an idol that rivals one's devotion to God. The biblical perspective contrasts sharply with secular views that often prioritize personal accumulation or self-sufficiency, instead calling for generous giving, social responsibility, and trust in divine provision.
KEY TERMS
tithing
The practice of giving a tenth of one's income or produce to God, typically for religious purposes or the support of the poor.
Jubilee year
A special year of release commanded in Mosaic Law, occurring every 50 years, during which slaves were freed, debts were remitted, and ancestral lands were returned to their original owners.
Mammon
Aramaic term for wealth or property, often personified in the New Testament as a rival god or master to whom one might devote themselves instead of God.
stewardship
The biblical concept of responsibly managing resources, talents, and possessions that God has entrusted to individuals, recognizing that they ultimately belong to Him.
love of money
An inordinate desire for wealth, identified in Scripture as a root cause of various evils and a major impediment to spiritual devotion.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Malachi 3:8-10
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with the curse, for you rob me, even this whole nation. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for. it.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; but you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand;’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you. You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to. For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.’
Leviticus 25:8-12
“‘You shall count seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there shall be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, forty-nine years. Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you. In it you shall not sow, neither reap that which grows of itself, nor gather the grapes of the undressed vines. For it is a Jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You shall eat its increase out of the field.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.
Matthew 19:16-22
Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not give false testimony.’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What still do I lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell that which you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.
Luke 19:1-10
He entered and was passing through Jericho. Behold, a man named Zacchaeus was there. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see Jesus who he was, and could not for the crowd, because he was short. He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith by their eagerness for money, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
כֶּסֶף
money
Definitionsilver, money, price
עֹשֶׁר
wealth
Definitionriches, wealth
μαμωνᾶς
mammon
Definitionriches, worldly possessions, personified wealth
φιλαργυρία
love of money
Definitionlove of silver, avarice, greed
οἰκονομία
stewardship
Definitionadministration, management of a household, stewardship
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The economic landscape of biblical times, particularly in the Ancient Near East, was predominantly agrarian. Wealth was often measured in terms of land, livestock, and produce, with silver and gold (often weighed rather than coined) serving as primary mediums of exchange for larger transactions. The Israelite society, under the Mosaic Law, developed unique economic distinctives: the practice of tithing, the Sabbath year (every seventh year, land rested and debts were remitted), and the Jubilee year (every fiftieth year, land returned to original families and slaves were freed). These laws aimed to prevent the perpetual accumulation of wealth and power in a few hands, ensuring a measure of economic equity and care for the poor within the covenant community. During the New Testament era, under Roman rule, a more complex monetary system was in place, with various denominations of coins, extensive taxation, and significant trade networks. Despite these evolving economic structures, the underlying biblical principles concerning stewardship, justice, generosity, and the spiritual dangers of avarice remained constant. Archaeological finds, such as ancient granaries, weights, measures, and coinage, corroborate the economic practices described in Scripture, highlighting the cultural and material reality in which these divine instructions were given.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Theologically, the Bible presents money as a neutral tool, a test of the human heart, and a vehicle for divine provision and kingdom advancement. It is not money itself that is evil, but rather the 'love of money' that leads to idolatry and sin. Wealth and possessions are seen as belonging ultimately to God, and humans are called to be faithful stewards, managing these resources according to His will for justice, generosity, and the support of His work. This perspective profoundly shapes Christian ethics regarding consumption, saving, giving, and investment, urging believers to view all material resources through the lens of God's sovereignty and eternal purposes.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
On Malachi 3:10, Rashi explains that withholding tithes and offerings is indeed 'robbing God,' underscoring the divine ownership of all resources and the covenantal obligation of Israel to support the Temple and its priests, linking material obedience to spiritual blessing.
Maimonides (Rambam) (Jewish)
In his Mishneh Torah, Maimonides discusses the laws of charity (Tzedakah) extensively, outlining an eight-level hierarchy of giving, with the highest form being helping someone to become self-sufficient. This demonstrates the deep Jewish commitment to economic justice and practical care for the poor, not just simple handouts.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin, commenting on Matthew 6:24, emphasizes that the heart cannot be divided between God and material gain. He argues that the pursuit of wealth can become an all-consuming passion that inevitably draws one away from true devotion to God, highlighting money's potential as an idol.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Regarding 1 Timothy 6:10, Henry notes that 'the love of money' is 'the root of all evil,' not money itself. He elaborates on how this avarice can lead to dishonesty, covetousness, and a denial of God, ultimately causing great sorrow and spiritual shipwreck.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine often contrasted earthly treasures with heavenly ones, teaching that avarice (greed) is a disordered love that clings to temporal possessions rather than setting one's affections on God. He saw the love of money as a primary obstacle to genuine spiritual freedom and communion with God.