Written by Bob Barber
Biblical Financial Principles are timeless, true, and transcendent. I’ve never met anyone who has been harmed by following them, but I have seen the financial destruction of many who haven’t.
With over 2000 scriptures on biblical stewardship, picking only 10 subjects to cover in this month’s newsletter is challenging. But, from my experience of teaching Biblical Financial Principles for over 30 years, here are some of the best ones.
Biblical Financial Principle #1 – Ownership
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” Psalm 24:1
This scripture is the foundation for all scriptures on stewardship, that God owns everything; yes this means our saving and investment accounts. You miss the true meaning of this one, and you miss them all.
Biblical Financial Principle #2 – Debt
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
Debt is not a sin, but irresponsible debt makes us slaves to lending institutions. I’ve never seen anyone hurt by being debt-free, but I’ve sure seen a lot of people hurt by debt.
Biblical Financial Principle #3 – Giving and Tithing
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10
Nowhere in scripture does it say we can test God except in Malachi 3:10 with our tithe. Giving is by far the most powerful tool for releasing selfishness.
Biblical Financial Principle #4 – Working and Saving
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8
Work is good, provides a purpose, is Biblical and before the fall in the garden, God called for us to work and take care of it.
Biblical Financial Principle #5 – Overspending
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” Proverbs 21:20
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Luke 14:28
Many marriages, relationships, and lives are hurt badly by irresponsible overspending.