“Smart” Money Matters

“Smart” Money Matters

 

The Bible addresses the subject of money and possessions around 2,300 times with verses portraying financial management as a matter of stewardship rather than ownership—smart management of the Lord’s assets. I am not a fan of ‘name it and claim it’ theology because its roots do not respect the Bible’s teachings. So, the following thoughts are practical realities I have witnessed, and the scriptures obviously convey to us.

Our focus needs to be on God-given wisdom in the form of long-term stewardship to avoid the modern emphasis on get-rich-quick schemes. People fall for these modern tricks basically because we are greedy for financial gain. Yes, real wisdom is essentially practical and not merely theoretical and certainly not designed to feed our greed. God advocates building wealth gradually through diligent labor, avoiding reckless debt, and prioritizing practical wisdom over pure financial increases. These timeless principles emphasize enduring money management, generosity, and financial discipline over ridiculously ‘quick’ money, convenient ‘easy’ payment plans and living from ‘paycheck to paycheck.’

We will only consider actionable “smart money” maneuvers for wealth management for God’s glory:

1. Choose Hard Work over Quick Riches Schemes

The Bible glorifies hard work and fair wages, warning against an “entitlement mindset” or acquiring wealth dishonestly.

• Proverbs 13:11, Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. God highlights the multiplied dangers of get-rich-quick schemes and certain ‘advantages,’ contrasting them with the slow, steady growth of patient labor.
• Wealth gained by dishonesty comes in haste or without exertion. This would include the money won by gambling, sweepstakes, or stock market speculation. This kind of wealth has a way of leaking out of a man’s hands. Wealth gained by honest labor accumulates instead of dwindling.^[1]
• Proverbs 10:4, He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

·        Proverbs 14:23, In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Proverbs heavily condemn get-rich-quick schemes and overnight windfalls, advocating instead for slow, steady accumulation—compounding interest. Slow and steady wealth creation relies on the power of compounding and consistent, disciplined habits over decades rather than high-risk “get-rich-quick” schemes. This long-term strategy focuses on automating your finances, investing in diversified funds, and avoiding the trap of lifestyle creep.

• The attitude: Dishonest money gains will dwindle away, but income saving and gathering money little by little will compound and grow. (see Proverbs 13:11)
• The action: Focus on patient, intelligent effort and consistent savings rather than financial windfalls. “Money can grow by being accumulated honestly little by little.”^[2]

2. Employ Saving Strategies and Plan for the Future

Proverbs advise storing up resources for future needs and emergencies rather than spending everything immediately. God discourages hasty, impulsive expenditures and encourages calculating costs beforehand, living within our means, and saving to meet anticipated requirements.

• Proverbs 21:20, There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Smart money involves planning for the future, planning expenditures—budgeting, building reserves, and resisting the urge to spend everything immediately.
• The contrast here is between the cottage of the wise man where there is a plentiful supply of all good things, and the home of a foolish man where sin, waste, and extravagance lead to scarcity.
• We are reminded of the alcoholic who used to sell his furniture and other household goods in order to buy whiskey. After his conversion to Christ, someone said to him, “You don’t really believe that stuff about Jesus’ turning water into wine, do you?” His answer was, “I don’t know about turning water into wine, but I know that in my house He turned whiskey into furniture!”^[3]

·        Proverbs 23:4-5, Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. God advises against exhausting oneself in the pursuit of wealth, noting that sudden riches can vanish quickly.

Financial preparation and foresight are frequently praised in God’s word, comparing prudent financial habits to the instinctive preparation of an ant (Prov. 6:6-8). Such instincts move the ant to hardwired behaviors of survival, maintenance, and future planning without central leadership.

• The attitude: healthy saving strategies are employed habitually, and hasty waste is routinely avoided. (see Proverbs 21:20)
• The action: Save a portion of your income for investing instead of immediately consuming every resource you acquire.

Planning and ‘diversification’ are expressed in Ecclesiastes 11:2 which advises spreading our resources, much like modern variation strategies, to protect against unforeseen disasters and unpredictable future hardships. Also invest a fixed dollar amount on a regular schedule (like every month), regardless of market fluctuations. This allows you to buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when they are high.

3. Select Honesty and Integrity over Debt Bondage

‘Avoid debt’ is God’s counsel in Proverbs 22:7. Warning us that the borrower is slave to the lender, discouraging the accumulation of burdensome debt.

• Proverbs 22:7, The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. The Bible recognizes debt as a form of financial bondage and encourages us believers to live within our means.
• Money is power, and it can be used for good or for evil. Too often the rich use it for evil, and perhaps that is why it is called the mammon of unrighteousness.
• The borrower is a slave to the lender. Debt is a form of bondage. It requires the payment of exorbitant interest rates. It keeps a man’s nose to the grindstone. It limits his mobility and his ability to take advantage of opportunities.^[4]
• Proverbs 11:1, A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. Business and financial dealings must remain honest and completely free of deception. It is vital we keep our priorities on the Lord! Again, deceptive business practices, involving rigged measurements and exploiting unsuspecting buyers highlights God’s hatred of cheating and taking advantage of others for personal gain.

These are stark warnings against the loss of financial freedom that comes with borrowing and manipulation. Greed is often at the root of deceptive ploys and tactics.

• The attitude: Recognize the affluent reigns over the broke, and the borrower is a financial slave to the creditor. (see Proverbs 22:7)
• The action: Live strictly within your means and avoid unnecessary debt to maintain control over your financial life—avoid using credit or credit cards to extend your income.

4. Cultivate Generosity and Contentment as Guiding Principles

As believers we want to remain cognizant that everything belongs to our Creator-God as the central concept. He owns all things, and believers are simply managers of His resources.

Contentment then involving the pursuit of riches is discouraged (Heb. 13:5); instead, scripture promotes contentment and trusting God for security rather than money (Matt. 6:24; Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:10). While being wealthy is not a problem, depending on our wealth as a means of security is! Materialism is not the answer, dependence on God is.  

Proverbs 11:25, The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

God tells us that wealth is a blessing meant to be shared, which often leads to deeper contentment and further blessing.

• The attitude: A generous person will prosper in the Lord; when we have given to refresh others, we will be compensated accordingly as needed. (see Proverbs 11:25)
• The action: Practice regular giving to break the blinding power of money and keep a healthy perspective on wealth. This is exemplary living that may include financial sacrifices to the Lord at times (2Cor. 8:1-5).

Believers are urged to give cheerfully and support the poor, the church’s ministers, missions, and other churches (2Cor. 8:6-24; 9:6-15).

5. Prioritize Godly Wisdom over Amassing Material Wealth

• Proverbs 16:16, How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. The foundational premise of biblical money management is that the pursuit of wisdom, integrity, and a “good name” yields much higher returns than plain money could ever secure.
• Fearing God is necessary because His sovereign presence hovers over all of life to determine the success or failure of human plans and programs. Fearing God is meaningful because those who do so can count on His care in any circumstance they meet. “The Lord’s eyes” is a shorthand way to express the dependability of His presence and the versatility of His care. That presence and that care, according to our catalog of the proverbs, find Yahweh at work…. ^[5]

While we acknowledge that hard work and smart money management naturally lead to material prosperity, we are warned against making mere wealth our primary focus.  

• The attitude: It is more beneficial to get God’s wisdom than the finest gold, to have God’s perspective rather than mere earthly treasures! (see Proverbs 16:16)
• The action: Do not wear yourself out to become rich; know when to practice restraint. Seek God’s guidance daily, practice regular generosity, and view money as a temporary tool to honor Him, rather than the ultimate goal of life.

Ecclesiastes 5:10; Proverbs 11:28 and Proverbs 28:20, also teach those who “love money” will never have enough; those who trust in their riches will fall, and those eager to get rich will not go scot-free. These guidelines are still relevant though nearly forgotten in this get-rich-quick, social media driven, fast credit, debt driven culture. Yes, God speaks to these subjects on wealth, possessions, and giving. We must not view ‘money’ as a naturally wicked topic; scripture treats it as a compelling, morally neutral compass that reveals our heart’s priorities and acts as a spiritual discipline. Many college bills, new cars, credit card debts, and social media influencers would disappear if we gave God’s wisdom even a little serious attention.

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 823.

^[2] Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 933.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 846.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 848.

^[5] David A. Hubbard and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Proverbs, vol. 15, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1989), 236.