Does the Bible Address Money?

Throughout the entire Bible there are approximately 2,350 verses concerning money. This is nearly twice as many as faith and prayer combined. Fifteen percent of everything Jesus said pertained to money and possessions. He spoke about money and possessions more than heaven and hell combined! The only subject Jesus spoke of more often is the Kingdom of God. Why? Because the Scriptures make clear there is a fundamental connection between a person’s spiritual life and his attitudes and actions concerning money and possessions. Often we divorce the two — Christ sees them as essentially related to one another.

Money was just as important in Jesus’ day. If we were to strike the comments of Jesus about money, we would reduce his teachings by more than one-third. Sixteen of Jesus’ approximately 38 parables dealt with money. One of every seven verses in the first three Gospels in some way deals with money. In fact, Jesus spoke about money more than about any other single subject, except the kingdom of God itself. Perhaps this was because Jesus understood how money itself can become a god. His assertions, “You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24) and, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”(Matthew 6:21) indicate his awareness of the preemptive role played by money in the lives of people.

You need to read the entire chapter of Matthew 25 and don’t fall into James 5:1-6!! You must obey Jesus to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lastly, and most importantly, look at Scripture itself. Below are just the words of Jesus addressing directly the following topics related to our money and possessions and how they affect our relationship with God and each other:

Money and Possessions

  • The Rich Fool — Luke 12:16-21
  • The Shrewd Manager — Luke 16:1-8
  • The Talents/The Minas — Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11 -27

God’s Lordship and Ownership

  • The Cost of Discipleship — Luke 14:28 -33
  • The Faithful and Wise Servant — Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48
  • The Great Banquet — Luke 14:16 -24
  • The Master and His Servant — Luke 17:7-10
  • The Shepherd and His Flock — John 10:1-18
  • The Tenants — Matthew 21:33 -44; Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18
  • The Thief — Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40
  • The Two Sons — Matthew 21:28 -32
  • The Unfruitful Fig Tree — Luke 13:6-9
  • The Unmerciful Servant — Matthew 18:23 -35
  • The Watchful Servants — Mark 13:34-37; Luke 12:35-40
  • The Wedding Banquet — Matthew 22:2-14

Human Prosperity and Poverty

  • The Lost Sheep — Matthew 18:12 -14; Luke 15:4-7
  • The Rich Man and Lazarus — Luke 16:19 -31

Contentment

  • The Workers in the Vineyard — Matthew 20:1-16

Tithing

  • New Cloth on an Old Garment — Matthew 9:16 ; Mark 2:21 ; Luke 5:36
  • New Wine in Old Wineskins — Matthew 9:17 ; Mark 2:22 ; Luke 5:37 -38
  • The Pharisee and the Tax Collector — Luke 18:9-14

Generosity

  • The Friend in Need — Luke 11:5-8
  • The Good Samaritan — Luke 10:30 -37
  • The Moneylender — Luke 7:41 -43
  • The Owner of a House — Matthew 13:52
  • The Prodigal Son — Luke 15:11 -32
  • The Son’s Request — Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13

Funding the Great Commission

  • The Growing Seed — Mark 4:26 -29
  • The Kernel of Wheat — John 12:24
  • The Mustard Seed — Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19
  • The Yeast — Matthew 13:33 ; Luke 13:20 -21

Revival and Reformation

  • The Discarded Salt — Matthew 5:13 ; Mark 9:50 ; Luke 14:34 -35
  • The Fig Tree — Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-31
  • The Lamp under a Bowl — Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-22; Luke 8:16 , 11:33 -36
  • The Lost Coin — Luke 15:8-10

Eternal Reward

  • The Hidden Treasure — Matthew 13:44
  • The Lowest Seat at the Feast — Luke 14:7-14
  • The Sheep and Goats — Matthew 25:31-46
  • The Valuable Pearl — Matthew 13:45-46
  • The Wise and Foolish Builders — Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49
June 30, 2016 Teachings, Tithing No Comments »