5414 money, stewardship of

The righteous handling of money is an important practical test of godliness.

Money must be obtained honestly

Not by theft Ex 20:15 pp Dt 5:19 See also Pr 10:2; Pr 19:26; Mk 10:19

Not by fraudulent practices Lev 19:13 See also Pr 11:1; Pr 13:11; Pr 20:10; Eze 28:18

Not by usury Ex 22:25 See also Ps 15:5; Pr 28:8

Not at the expense of justice Ex 23:8 See also Pr 15:27; Pr 16:8; Jer 17:11

Not by extortion Lk 3:13 See also Eze 22:12

Not by oppression Jas 5:4 See also Pr 22:16; Eze 18:7-8; Am 5:11; Mal 3:5

Not at the expense of health Pr 23:4

Not at the expense of witness Ge 14:22-23; 3Jn 7

Not at the expense of spiritual well-being Mt 16:26 pp Mk 8:36 pp Lk 9:25; Lk 12:16-21; 1Ti 6:9

By work, trade, investment or inheritance 2Th 3:12 See also Ge 15:2; Ge 34:21; Pr 13:11,22; Pr 14:23; Pr 19:14; Mt 25:27 pp Lk 19:23

Money must be cared for diligently

Personal money Pr 27:23-24

Money held on trust 2Ki 22:4-7; Mt 25:14-27; Lk 16:10-12; 1Co 4:2

Money must be used in a God-honouring way

For the support of the family 1Ti 5:8 See also 1Ti 5:16

For benefiting the poor, especially God’s people Gal 6:10 See also Pr 19:17; Pr 28:27; Mt 6:3-4; Lk 12:33; Jn 13:29; Ac 2:45; Ro 15:26; Gal 2:10; 1Ti 6:18

For the work of God’s kingdom Gal 6:6 See also Pr 3:9-10; Mal 3:10; Lk 8:3; Lk 16:9; Php 4:14-19; 1Ti 5:17-18

Examples of godly people who have used their money well

Those who were wealthy but godly Ge 13:2; Ge 26:14; Ge 30:43; 2Sa 19:32; 2Ch 9:22; Job 1:3; Mt 27:57; Ac 4:34-36

Those who had little but gave much Mk 12:41-44 pp Lk 21:1-4; 2Co 8:1-4

See also