Kingston, Jamaica
Money can be a very uncomfortable topic for many, even for Christians. But did you know that the bible has A LOT to say about it? The word money is used 140 times in the King James Version (KJV) but depending on the translation, money and assets are referenced about 2,000 times!
So what does the bible say about money? That we should hate it and the people who have a lot of it? Nope not even close. You will be surprised to know that money and assets are spoken of in a more neutral to instructional way.
- Saving can’t save you
- Diversify
- Give and it will come back to you
- Provide for your family or else
- Excel in work
Disclaimer: The following article may, or may not contain affiliate links which will allow me to gain a small commission should you purchase through those links. I have only shared links to items or services that I personally recommend.
1. Saving can’t save you…
On one end, selfishly hoarding money can actually put you in a worse position. However, you definitely should not be a spendthrift either. Saving alone won’t make you more money, since you must put your money to work as well.
Matthew 25 (New King James Version)
*Talent = a measure of money
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant …24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant…. 27 ..you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
Read the full story of the talent Matthew 25: 14-30 (NKJV) here
If we save or even hoard our money there is no way we can expect it to increase. Or money gets taxed and eaten away by inflation. Saving in a bank account with low interest rates vs. investing can result in the loss of purchasing power over time. The money you lock away today will have less value two years from now. Just as Matthew 25 suggests, even putting money into special accounts would be better than just saving. Today, that could be pension funds, Roth IRA, index fund, starting a business etc.
In addition to these investment accounts, the aim of the story is also about rewarding diligent and consistent work. Can you really say you tried starting a business but only put in effort for six months? Not at all. It requires not only patience but active input.
Keep reading for the solution on how best to put your money to work.
2. Diversification is the answer!
As we look to grow and protect our wealth, the Bible also encourages us to diversify our investments; spread our resources. For some time, you may have heard the conversations about whether or not you should have a focused investment portfolio or diversified. According to the bible, the correct answer is to diversify.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 (NKJV)
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
The concept is simple. It is wise to prepare for the uncertainties of life. Since no one knows the future, it’s wise to diversify. But what does that look like today? Do you only plant one or two crops on your farm? Do you only have one source of income? If all of your money is in the stock market….especially if the company stocks are in similar industries then you have not diversified.
A perfect example of a diversified portfolio could be: owning a duplex home and renting out the other side + having some stocks in the market + having a job + investing in commodities such oil or silver or agriculture, etc. The aim is to invest in things that have a low correlation with others so that if some misfortune happens, you can rely on other sources of income.
Related Article: 3 Easy Ways How to Start Reading the Bible
3. GIVE and it will come back to you
If you grew up in church, you know that giving/donating a portion of your income or assets is taught and expected. But why and how?
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
The tithe refers to 10% of your income. In this scripture, “My house” is referring to the temple/church. The duty of the church is still to seek out the needy and help them. There is often debate on church funds so if you feel conflicted, there is an alternative.
Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV)
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
You can take initiative in your household to reach out to shelters or community projects that help people in need. Acts of kindness always have a way of coming back to bless the giver. It might not happen immediately, but it always does. But most importantly, giving to those in need is about fulfilling a spiritual duty and reflecting God’s generosity. Ultimately, all that we have and ever hope to be is because God has blessed us with the ability to achieve it. Giving is not a transactional exchange but a spiritual principle that reflects trust in God, not a guarantee of financial gain.
4. Provide for your family or else…
Before you give to others outside your household, are your children taken care of? And I don’t mean excess. Are their needs met?
My mother had a coworker who had a strained relationship with her father. At his funeral, she wished you knew the father that the other children in her community got to experience. In her perspective, he often sacrificed the well being of his own household to give to other children.
1st Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
This principle is usually innate for most people. Most of us have a strong desire to take care of our family. Our goal then is to produce enough to do that AND to give to the needy in that order.
Providing for our family is not only about finances. It also includes how we show up for each other. We have to step back and think about how our loved ones would describe our presence in their lives. Would you consider us to be a good emotional support? Are we reliable or are we even there to offer words of encouragement or advice?
5. Excel in your work
There is a new wave or thought among Gen Z and Millennials called ‘Quiet Quitting’ – essentially doing the bare minimum tasks required from your employer, no overtime and especially not doing anything beyond the scope of their job description.
This concept is in response to the rapid rising cost of living and our slowly growing paychecks contrasted by the goal of companies to increase profit margins by making sure they maximise employee output…at times stretching them without reasonable adjustments to their compensation.
It’s frustrating. But to retaliate with Quiet Quitting may not be the best response because you create a less than ideal reputation for yourself.
Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.
Work is not limited to employment. This also includes solo business owners and service providers. People always notice good customer service, excellent craftsmanship and diligence. When this is the name you make for yourself, people will make positive recommendations on your behalf even without you being present.
How can you balance the unreasonable demands of work and the scripture’s instructions to work diligently? You need to have time to relax. Even the Lord rested after 6 days of creating the world. He rested on the 7th day (Sabbath).
What should you do?
Consequently, if it is accessible to you, refine a skill that you have an interest in already. The key is to look up skills that are increasing in demand in the job market. Employers often pay more and offer better benefits to higher skill sets.
Online platforms like Coursera offer self paced, subscription courses i.e. the faster you complete your course the less you pay.
Link to Coursera
Additionally, if your HR department allows for cross training in another department, take it. It may cause you to have additional work temporarily but at least you will gain some experience in another field.
Lastly, accept and initiate projects on the job that will fortify your resume for the next job. Since your company is overworking you, use them as well. Be selective in the projects you join. Be diligent in these initiatives, as the bible says, so that in the interviewing process you will have recent impactful results to point to for reference.
Conclusion
Save and spend wisely.
Put your money to work. Prepare for the future well.
Give generously as a sign of your trust in God.
Be especially kind and prioritize your household’s holistic well being.
Work hard and effectively at what you do but remember to find a balance for rest.
And remember…money is a tool, not the ultimate goal, and that God’s guidance leads to true wealth (spiritual and material).
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