What does Proverbs say about money?
Proverbs 23:4-5 – Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Solomon mocks lazy people and warns them to expect poverty and family shame.
money answereth all things. (Eccl 10:19)
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
Proverbs 30:8-10 ERV
And don't make me too rich or too poor—give me only enough food for each day. If I have too much, I might deny that I need you, LORD. But if I am too poor, I might steal and bring shame to the name of my God. Never say bad things about a slave to his master.
The Preacher's statement that "money answers everything" (Eccl. 10:19) is a simple practical observation that wealth is a tool that can meet the need for food, clothing, shelter, and so on. We should not take his words as endorsing the idea that absolutely every issue one can think of can be solved with money.
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
Proverbs 10:4– “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Also, Proverbs 12:11– “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”
Regardless of how much—or how little—money you have, God is at work in your life through your circ*mstances. He is leading you to a deeper trust in him. This is exactly what we see in Philippians 4:11-12: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Proverbs 3:9 (NKJV) says, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.” Notice how this verse tells us to honor God with our firstfruits, which is Bible talk for giving off the top of what we make rather than simply whatever is left over.
Matthew 6:33. In Matthew 6, we're reminded to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you all that you need.” Notice Jesus doesn't say he will give you everything you want. God will give you everything you need.
What is the old proverb about money?
English proverb, mid 15th century, deriving from the Bible (I Timothy 6:10), 'The love of money is the root of all evil'. Money, like manure, does no good till it is spread.
15 Wealth protects the rich; poverty destroys the poor. 16 The reward for doing good is life, but sin leads only to more sin. 17 People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are in danger.
ESV In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. NIV All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Ecclesiastes 10:19 in Other Translations
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. 19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
Here are a few verses that you may find helpful: Proverbs 13:11: "Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow." Proverbs 21:20: "A wise man saves for the future, but a fool spends whatever he gets."
A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.
Proverbs is largely concerned with the inevitability of God's justice and the importance of prudence and moderation. Solomon's proverbs maintain that wicked deeds will invariably lead to divine retribution and punishment during a person's earthly life.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
- 1 Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company;
- 2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.
- 3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
- 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 10:15-17 New International Version (NIV)
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
What does God say about spending a lot of money?
Proverbs 21:20 says, “A wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” Saving is making provision for tomorrow. The most effective way to save is to do it every time you receive income.
There is the time he spoke with the wealthy rich man (Matthew 19): “I've obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
God is working to display His glory in our financial limitations. This is true not only because it forges our character to become more like Christ, but also because it allows us to be witnesses of Christ to those who do not know Him.
The Bible clearly illustrates how Christians are to respond to the poor and hopeless. Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you,” in Matthew 5:42, and in James it says, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
Proverbs 10:22: The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 2 Corinthians 9:8: And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
References
- https://www.geneva.edu/blog/faith/can-a-christian-be-rich-7-8-2016
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- https://www.biblestudytools.com/ecclesiastes/10-19.html
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