Ask the Pastor 135

What does the Bible say about money?

In last week’s article we looked at the fact that we are blessed in the heavenly places in Christ and that is our priority. At the same time, we realize that living in a free enterprise system, it is possible for anyone to make money and a lot of it. So, does the Bible have anything to say about that? The Bible encourages work, to make money and provide for our needs and the needs of others. The Proverbs give a lot of practical advice about stewardship such as, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.” (Prov. 6:6). Nobody has to tell an ant to get up and get to work. The ant also knows how to lay aside for the future. In the parable of the ten talents, our Lord spoke of how one took 5 talents and invested it, earning 5 more, another took 2 talents and invested it, earning 2 more and then one took 1 talent and buried it so he could give it back. The one who did not invest and just held on to it was cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. The context of this in Matthew 25 has more to do with spiritual stewardship than with monetary, but the Lord would not use an example in a parable that He did not agree with the premise, which makes the premise valid. A good steward will invest money to make more money. There are other references to owners of vineyards, conducting business and paying employees as he so chooses. In the Epistles we have practical instructions such as, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28). We make more money than what we need so that we can help others and so we can give to advance the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have questions about the Bible? Send them to Dr. Greg Koehn at gak4850@gmail.com and read the answer here in this article.