Bible Questions and Answers

 

  The Scripture’s teaching on finances is basically a set of principles.

1Timothy 6:6-11  But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

 It is a matter of striking the right balance between the need to work to earn a living, which God expects us to do, and at the same time put the kingdom of God as our first priority.

 The following should cover most aspects of how we conduct our finances:

 1. Firstly, we should have faith in God; without faith it is impossible to please him. He knows our need and is able to provide.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Matt 6:25-33 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 2. We should give yourselves to God’s service without reserve, recognizing that we cannot serve both God and Riches.

Matt 6:24 "No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

 3. We should recognize God in all that we do, saying concerning all that we purpose to do "if the Lord will."

James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 4. We should set our affections upon him, and not upon this present world.

Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 5. We should not shut our ears to the needy: but relieve the afflicted.

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Romans 12:13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.

James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

 Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 1John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

 6. We should not seek our own welfare only, but have regard to the welfare of others.

 Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 1Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

 Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

 7. We should treat others in the way we would like them to treat us.

 Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

 Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 8. We should exercise honesty towards all.

 1Thessalonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

 9. We should do everything as if to the Lord and not to men.

 Colossians 3:17,23 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.... 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 10. We should beware of covetousness; not lay up treasure upon earth: be ready to every good work.

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

 Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

 11. We should give to them that ask, and are in need, visit the sick, fatherless and widows; and give liberally and cheerfully, for God will deal with us in the way we deal with others.

Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

 2Corinthians 9:6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 12. We should not give to be seen of others.

Matthew 6:1-4 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

 13. We should not labour not to be rich: having food and clothing, we should be content.

 1Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

 John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life...

 Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

 14. Riches are dangerous: If they come to our hand, we should use them liberally in the Lord's service, whose stewards we are.

 Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 1Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 1Tim 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 Luke 12:18-21 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 Luke 16:9-13 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

 1Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

 15. We should pay our debts and pay taxes.

 Romans 13:7,8 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law. 

16. We should be subject to rulers: obey magistrates: submit to every law and ordinance of man, except where they come into conflict with the law of Christ. 

Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,

 1Peter 2:13-17 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.

 Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

 17. If we will not work and provide for our own families, we should not expect to be fed.

 2Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

 1Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 If you need an answer to more specific financial questions such as: Is it Ok to take out a mortgage; Should we take out insurance; Should we buy on credit; Where should we put our savings; Should we do the lottery; Should tithing apply to Christians ETC., please ask.

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