A recent study done by Charles Schwab showed that in the United States, $2.4 million is the number that makes a household feel wealthy, and just over $1 million is what it takes to feel “comfortable.” Sadly, that means that only about 10% of the population in the United States is “comfortable.” And then there’s the rest of us! And regardless of where a household fell on the income spectrum, nearly every household reported “needing” just a little bit more. Never mind the vast majority of the world’s population living in developing countries, where such amounts would be considered vast fortunes accessible only to the wealthiest.
I’ve been one of those people who constantly thought we needed a little bit more. I went on a steep curve in learning how to manage my money instead of letting my money manage me. A little digging into the Bible has helped me set up a better framework for our finances. Here are few things the Bible makes clear:
My money belongs to God.
Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!—1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT
The love of money leads to dissatisfaction and danger.
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!—Ecclesiastes 5:10 NLT
Choose virtue over wealth.
It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich.—Psalm 37:16 CEV
Generosity is part of the responsibility of having money.
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?—1 John 3:17 NLT
Do not borrow foolishly.
The borrower is servant to the lender.—Proverbs 22:7
Do not put faith in money.
Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life.—1 Timothy 6:17 CEV
This is by no means an exhaustive list of Bible verses. In fact, the Bible talks quite a bit on the subject of money. A popular takeaway from Christianity is that money is evil or that God is against wealth. This is not true.
Money is neither good nor evil. But how we use or misuse it reveals our own nature. God’s Word provides the principles for a healthy approach to finances. Applying these concepts has helped our family navigate and manage our money issues, whether we’re dealing with lack or plenty.