What does the Bible say about marriage and finances?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that marriage should be marked by covenantal love, faithful stewardship, and wise provision under God’s lordship. Hebrews 13:4 honors marriage, while Ephesians 5:33 calls husbands and wives to sacrificial love and respect. Scripture commends planning and diligence: Luke 14:28 urges counting the cost, Proverbs 21:20 praises prudent saving, and Proverbs 22:7 warns of the burden of debt. 1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes responsibility to provide for one’s household, yet Luke 16:11 reminds believers that money is a test of faithfulness, not their master. Couples should pursue generosity, contentment, and a godly legacy, remembering that love, described in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, is greater than financial success.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Luke 14:28

    For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?

  • 1 Timothy 5:8

    But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

  • Proverbs 13:22

    A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

  • Ephesians 5:33

    Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

  • Luke 16:11

    If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

    [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

  • Proverbs 3:1-35

    [1] My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments: [2] For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you. [3] Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] So you will find favor, And good understanding in the sight of God and man. [5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths. [7] Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones. [9] Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase: [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. [11] My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof: [12] For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights. [13] Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding. [14] For her good profit is better than getting silver, And her return is better than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. [16] Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. [19] By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. [20] By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew. [21] My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: [22] So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck. [23] Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. [24] When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. [25] Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: [26] For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken. [27] Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it. [28] Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give it to you," When you have it by you. [29] Don't devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you. [30] Don't strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. [31] Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. [32] For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright. [33] Yahweh's curse is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous. [34] Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble. [35] The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools.

  • Proverbs 22:7

    The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

  • Proverbs 21:20

    There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swallows it up.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about marriage and finances and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about marriage and finances