Money. Virtually everyone wants money and to have more and more of it. But, What does God say about money? That is, what does the Bible say?

In this post then, out of all that the Bible says about money, we will focus on the life and teachings of Jesus regarding money. For if we follow Jesus correctly, we will receive eternal life from God.

Our Bible Quotation of Focus

Here is our Bible quotation of focus in this post: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34.

Now you may be asking, What does “Luke 12:34” mean? It is an example of Bible notation, in that, it is a way of referencing the Bible which is a collection of books. As it is, each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. For example, the Bible notation “Luke 12:34” refers to the book of Luke, the 12^th chapter, and the 34^th  verse of Chapter 12.

Who or What is God?

I have mentioned God, But who or what is God? Well, on reading the Bible, you will find that “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family made up of three Persons. So, God is a Person or, rather, Persons, and not a thing or things.

And God describes Himself in the Bible by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. That is to say, each of the three members of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others. In fact, this love is the only definition of true love in the universe.

And, No, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. For there has never been nor ever will be any disagreement or contention among them. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

Furthermore, each Person in the Godhead, the divine Family, is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

And the names of these three Persons in the Godhead are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 51:11.

OK, with this understanding of who God is, a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,000 years ago.

God’s Ownership of All

God says of Himself, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:2.

“O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims [between two angels], thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.” Isaiah 37:16. “He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.” Jeremiah 51:15.

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1. “He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:25. “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2:8.

“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men [to humanity].” Psalm 115:16. Thus, God who owns all things, has made all humanity His stewards, that is, His managers of the earth.

The Origin of Trading in the Universe

From where did the concept of trading arise in the universe? Well, to begin with, God created angels with a character of perfect love to live with Him in heaven. And so all was love, peace, joy, and harmony in heaven.

However, a time came when God said of an angel named “Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:12), “Thou [Lucifer] wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created [by God], till iniquity [wickedness] was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:15.

“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned [done evil]…Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries [some of the other angels] by the multitude of thine iniquities [your wickedness], by the iniquity [evil] of thy traffick [your trading].” Ezekiel 28:16 – 18.

Lucifer, whose name God changed to “Satan” (1 Chronicles 21:1) was highest in rank of all the angels. He enticed some of the other angels to sin (to do evil) by trafficking in promises of power and position in heaven to those angels who would join him in his rebellion against God.

Thus, the concept of trading arose in the universe from the activities of Satan. What did God do in the face of this evil? Well, because Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) became fixed in their wicked ways, God cast them all out of heaven pending God’s Judgment Day.

The Origin of Money in the Universe

After God had cast Satan and his evil angels out of heaven, God created the first human pair, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve.

Both Adam and Eve were created with a character of perfect love just like God’s character. However, Satan’s temptations to sin succeeded with both Adam and Eve so that they sinned.

As a result, the character of both Adam and Eve changed from love to selfishness. And, since all Adam and Eve’s descendants, that is, the whole human race, have inherited their disposition to sin, they too have all become sinners.

Therefore, instead of having a spirit of giving and sharing as God requires, selfish human nature demands payment and reward for any exchange of goods and services. Thus, the concept of money came into existence in the universe.

And the lust for money is so strong among the human race that God says, “The love of money is the root of all evil [on earth].” 1 Timothy 6:10.

But elsewhere in the universe which is populated with angels and other created, intelligent beings, and which is ruled by God’s economy, there is no money, no means by which one can labour and acquire wealth. Everything is free to all according to God’s purpose for the universe.

So, what is God’s response to evil in the human race? God says, “The wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

That is, God promises to give the gift of a change of heart from selfishness to love to any human being who will allow God to change them. And those persons who have a change of heart, God will give eternal life with Him. On the other hand, those who reject God’s promise to them will be annihilated by God because of their sins.

Money and Love

As was said earlier in this post, we will look at what Jesus taught by His words and actions about humanity’s relationship to money.

Here is an incident in the life of Jesus. “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly [in terms of money], and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour [the fragrance] of the ointment.” John 12:3.

“Then saith one of his [Jesus’] disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him [Jesus], Why was not this ointment sold for [an amount of money in the sum of] three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” John 12:4, 5.

“This he [Judas] said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief [of money], and had the bag [of money belonging to Jesus and His disciples], and bare [carried] what [money] was put therein.” John 12:6.

“Then said Jesus, Let her [Mary] alone: against the day of my burying hath she [Mary] kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me [Jesus] ye have not always.” John 12:7, 8.

Here Jesus expresses His approval of Mary’s expenditure of a large sum of money for the perfume with which she anointed Him, Jesus. Why? Because Jesus was about to give His life for the sins of the whole world. And, so, humanity owes Jesus, who died and was raised again from the dead, a debt of gratitude and love that they cannot repay with any amount of money.

Mary did not understand all this then, but her heart was full of love for Jesus such that she did not count as wasted the money she spent on the perfume.

Money and Loyalty

Now, God says, “He that is faithful [to God’s ways of love] in that which is least is faithful [to God’s ways of love] also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10.

“If therefore ye have not been faithful [to God’s ways of love] in the unrighteous mammon [money], who [such as God] will commit to your trust the true riches [of eternal life]? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s [that which is God’s], who [such as God] shall give you that which is your own [to possess]?” Luke 16:11, 12.

“No servant 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 [money].” Luke 16:13.

So, God says that either we love and serve God in His mission to save the human race to eternal life, or we love money. We cannot love both.

Money and Wealth

Again, God says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures [such as money and other things] upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures [not of money, but of spiritual wealth] in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Matthew 6:19, 20.

“For where your treasure [your money and other wealth] is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21.

In other words, “Sell that ye have [for money], and give alms [give money and other necessary things to the poor]; provide yourselves bags which wax [grow] not old, a treasure [not of money, but of spiritual wealth] in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” Luke 12:33.

“For where your treasure [your money and other wealth] is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34.

And only those whose hearts are set upon God as their spiritual treasure in heaven shall receive eternal life from God.

Money and Principle

Hear now what God says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men [people] should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets [this is all the words of the Bible].” Matthew 7:12.

Here God gives a principle that should govern the lives of every human being in all things, not just in regards to money.

Money and Giving

Let us hear God’s words which says, “Give [money and other necessary things], and it shall be given unto you [by God]; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men [shall people] give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete [you give] withal [to all] it shall be measured to you again [by God].” Luke 6:3.

This is not to say that we should give money and other things with the expectation of receiving wealth from God. That is, God’s promise is not a money multiplication scheme.

For God’s promise is to bless us in whatever way or to whatever degree God sees fit for our best interests.

Further, God says, “Take heed [Be careful] that ye do not your alms [do not give gifts of money and other things to the poor] before men [before people], to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1.

“Therefore when thou doest thine alms [when you give gifts of money and other things to the poor], do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues [in the churches] and in the streets, that they may have glory [praise] of men [of people]. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matthew 6:2.

“But when thou doest alms [when you give gifts of money and other things to the poor], let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms [gifts to the poor] may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:3, 4.

So then, God is against all publishing and advertising to the public of our gifts of money and other things to the poor. For then our motives for giving are evil.

Money and Tithes and Offerings

Let us now consider what God says, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees [the religious leaders of ancient Israel], hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith [in God]: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat [small insect], and swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:23, 24.

What is the tithe? It is one-tenth of all our increase in wealth, such as money and other things. The tithe, along with freewill offerings of money and so on, are to be given to support God’s cause on earth, which is the ministry of winning people from Satan’s ways of evil to God’s ways of love.

That is, the system of tithes and offerings of money and other things is a training from God designed to kill all the selfishness in the human heart and, so, bring humanity into harmony with God’s ways of love.

God did not devise the system to enrich Himself with money, for everything belongs to God and humanity are merely God’s stewards. Rather, God devised the system to bless the human race such that they could be saved to eternal life.

Money and Necessities of Life

At this point you may be asking, Just how much of my money and other wealth should I give to the poor? What about providing for my necessities in life? Well, consider the following things from Jesus’ life.

Money and Shelter

“And a certain scribe [one who made copies of the Scriptures] came, and said unto him [to Jesus], Master, I will follow thee whithersoever [wherever] thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:19, 20.

Here Jesus declares that He did not have any money to provide a home for Himself where He could sleep. That is, Jesus was dependent on the hospitality of others, and He trusted God to provide shelter for Him. This is a lesson for the human race. It doesn’t matter if you have money or not, God will provide for you if you trust in Him.

Money, Food, and Other Necessary Things

“And…he [Jesus] went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing [showing] the glad tidings of the kingdom of God [to come]: and the twelve [disciples] were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits [demons] and infirmities [sicknesses], Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils [demons], and Joanna the wife of Chuza [king] Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance [of their money and other things].” Luke 8:1-3.

We see then that Jesus had no money of His own. He was dependent upon others for food and other necessary things, trusting God to provide for Him.

Also, here is an incident in the life of Jesus that is instructive. “And he [Jesus] looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts [of money] into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither [in there] two mites [two cents].” Luke 21:1, 2.

“And he [Jesus] said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more [money] than they all: For all these have of their abundance [of money] cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury [her extreme poverty] hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:3, 4.

Thus, Jesus praises the poor widow who gave all the money that she had to the cause of God on earth. Again, these are lessons for humanity that we can trust God to provide for us whatever we need.

Money and Worry

Now God says, “Therefore take no thought [Do not worry], saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles [the unbelievers in God] seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6:31, 32.

That is, do not worry if you have no money for these things. God knows of your needs.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [money, food, clothing, shelter, and so on] shall be added unto you [by God]. Take therefore no thought for the morrow [for tomorrow]: for the morrow [tomorrow] shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33, 34.

Worry about money and other things is a sign of lack of trust in God and it in no way is a help to us. Therefore, trust God and seek eternal life with Him and God will bless you.

Money and Taxes

Here is another incident in the life of Jesus. “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter [a disciple of Jesus], and said, Doth not your master [Jesus] pay tribute [pay money for taxes]?” Matthew 17:24.

“He [Peter] saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented [anticipated] him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon [Peter]? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute [money]? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him [Jesus], Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him [Peter], Then are the children free [of paying money for taxes].” Matthew 17:25, 26.

“Notwithstanding, lest [in order to avoid that] we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me [Jesus] and thee [Peter].” Matthew 17:27.

The lesson here from Jesus is that we are not to neglect to pay money for taxes to whom it is due.

Money and Tradition

Let us now consider another incident in the life of Jesus. “He [Jesus]…said unto them [the religious leaders of ancient Israel], Why do ye also transgress [break] the commandment of God by your tradition?” Matthew 15:3.

“For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye [the religious leaders] say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift [of money], by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me [your child, I will give it to the religious leaders]; and honour not his father or his mother [with his money], he shall be free [from all responsibility]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Matthew 15:4-6.

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias [Isaiah, the prophet of God,] prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh [near] unto me [God] with their mouth, and honoureth me [God] with their lips; but their heart is far from me [God]. But in vain they do worship me [God], teaching for doctrines the commandments of men [of human beings].” Matthew 15:7-9.

Note carefully the lesson here for humanity. We should not allow human traditions to cause us to break God’s commandments regarding money or anything else. For then we will not receive eternal life from God.

Money and Dishonesty

Here again are two incidents from the life of Jesus. “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables [of money] of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written [in the Scriptures], My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:12, 13.

At a later time when “the Jews’ passover was at hand…Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.” John 2:13, 14.

“And when he had made a scourge [whip] of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence [away from here]; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” John 2:15, 16.

Note that Jesus never whipped anyone, but He was angry at the buying and selling in the Temple compound and at the dishonest gain of money that was made in the trading there. This again is a lesson for humanity.

Conclusion

Once again, here is our Bible quotation of focus in this post: “For where your treasure [of money and other wealth] is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34.

That is, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world [of money and other things], and lose his own soul [lose eternal life]? or what shall a man give in exchange [as money or other things] for his soul [for his eternal life with God]?” Matthew 16:26.

“For [Jesus] the Son of man shall come [the second time to the earth from heaven] in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he [Jesus] shall reward every man [every human being] according to his works.” Matthew 16:27.

Make sure that when Jesus returns to the earth you receive the reward of eternal life from Him.

The Bible Teaches Us How to Obtain Eternal Life from God

“In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word [Christ] was made flesh [was born as a baby boy named Jesus], and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” John 1:14. Thus, Christ, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13) is the One who gave the whole Bible to humanity, from the Bible’s beginning to its end. Further, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8), which is to say, Christ is love.

And every one of you as a human being are to “lay apart [put away] all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness [of wickedness], and receive with meekness the engrafted [the implanted] word [from God, which is the Bible and], which is able to save your souls [from annihilation by God as the penalty for sin].” James 1:21. For the word of God, the Bible, being implanted in us means that “the love of God is shed abroad [is poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. So then, “love is of God; and every one [every human being] that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. This is known as “justification” (Romans 4:25) which is accomplished by our repentance, that is, our deep sorrow for our sins and the gift of faith from God, which when exercised to believe God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin brings us the gift of love from God. Note that everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately upon our justification, God tests our character to see if we will successfully resist all temptation to sin. Our success depends on our exercising faith in Christ’s keeping power through the Holy Spirit and, hence, we become sanctified (made holy) and thus receive eternal life from God.

And this is life eternal [everlasting life], that they [as human beings] might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [to the earth as a Deliverer from sin].” John 17:3. Thus, when the whole Bible makes our character a character of perfect love, it means that we know God and, hence, we will receive eternal life from God.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

Image: Annie Spratt at unsplash.com.