What the Bible says about Money

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Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

13:5, 6 Covetousness is addressed in the last of the Ten Commandments (see Ex. 19:17). This attitude destroys a person’s inheritance in the kingdom (see 1 Cor. 6:9, 10). I will never leave you nor forsake you: This quotation is one of the most emphatic statements in the NT. In Greek it contains two double negatives, similar to saying in English, “ I will never, ever, ever forsake you.” Jesus uses the same technique to express the certainty of eternal life for believers (see John 10:28).

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1 Timothy 6:17 - 1 Timothy 6:19

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

The Wealthy (6:17–19)

It is as though the writer fears that his strong words regarding wealth in vv. 7–10 might be construed to imply that it is impossible for a man to be a Christian and rich in this present world. This is automatically corrected by the advice given in these verses. Negatively, they are not to be arrogant, ever a subtle temptation for the wealthy. Nor must they rely on uncertain wealth (cf. Prov. 23:4, 5). Instead, though affluent, they must put their hope in the God who with lavish hand richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. The contrast with the ascetic’s view of God is obvious. Positively, Paul views these riches which could so easily ensnare, as a means of doing good. The very possession of wealth will enable them to engage in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. With a rapid change of metaphor the apostle pictures this right use of money as treasuring up a firm foundation for the day to come; thoughts which may well have their origin in the Saviour’s Sermon on the Mount teaching. The final phrase of v. 19, which corresponds closely to take hold of the eternal life of v. 12, might well express a present blessing enjoyed by those who follow these injunctions.

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Ecclesiastes 5:18 - Ecclesiastes 5:20

18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

5:18–20 Once again the Preacher returns to the secondary theme of the book: though one cannot discover an absolute, ultimate value by his efforts in this life, he should at least receive what God has given him with thanks and enjoy it. This theme (seen already in 2:20–25; 3:10, 11, 22; 5:11–15) will appear again in 6:1, 2, 9 and 9:7–12.

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