What does the Bible say about money?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that money is a legitimate earthly resource, yet it must be handled honestly, held loosely, and submitted to God’s greater claims. Wealth itself is not condemned: Abram possessed great riches (Genesis 13:2), and Abraham carefully weighed out silver to purchase Sarah’s burial place (Genesis 23:15-16). Scripture commends integrity in transactions, as seen in Jacob’s purchase of land (Genesis 33:19) and Jeremiah’s documented field purchase (Jeremiah 32:10). Yet money must never rule the heart or compromise obedience, for Balaam confessed he could not defy God’s word for silver or gold (Numbers 22:18). Jesus teaches believers to trust God rather than earthly provision (Matthew 10:9) and to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, while rendering to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:20-21).
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Silver used as Genesis 17:12; Genesis 17:13; Genesis 17:23; Genesis 17:27; Genesis 20:16; Genesis 23:9; Genesis 23:13; Genesis 31:15; Genesis 37:28; Genesis 42:25-35; Genesis 43:12-23; Genesis 44:1-8
- Gold used as Genesis 13:2; Genesis 24:35; Genesis 44:8; 1 Chronicles 21:25; Ezra 8:25-27; Isaiah 13:17; Isaiah 46:6; Isaiah 60:9; Ezekiel 7:19; Ezekiel 28:4; Matthew 2:11; Matthew 10:9
- Copper used as Mark 6:8; Mark 12:41
- Weighed Genesis 23:16; Genesis 43:21; Job 28:15; Jeremiah 32:9; Jeremiah 32:10; Zechariah 11:12
- Image on Matthew 22:20; Matthew 22:21
- Conscience Judges 17:2; Matthew 27:3; Matthew 27:5
- Atonement Exodus 30:12-16; Leviticus 5:15; Leviticus 5:16
- Sin 2 Kings 12:16
- Value of, varied corruptly Amos 8:5
- Love of, the root of evil 1 Timothy 6:10
- See FARTHING
- See GERAH
- See MITE
- See PENNY
- See POUND
- See SHEKEL
- See SILVER
- See TALENT
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Gold and silver used as Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18
- Brass introduced as, by the Romans Matthew 10:9
- Originally stamped with the image of a lamb Genesis 23:15; Genesis 33:19
- Of the Romans, stamped with the image of Caesar Matthew 22:20; Matthew 22:21
- Usually taken by weight Genesis 23:16; Jeremiah 32:10
- Pieces of mentioned
- Talent of gold 1 Kings 9:14; 2 Kings 23:23
- Talent of silver 1 Kings 16:24; 2 Kings 5:22; 2 Kings 5:23
- Shekel of silver Judges 17:10; 2 Kings 15:20
- Half shekel or bekah Exodus 30:15
- Third of a shekel Nehemiah 10:32
- Fourth of a shekel 1 Samuel 9:8
- Gerah the twentieth of a shekel Numbers 3:47
- Pound Luke 19:13
- Penny Matthew 20:2; Mark 6:37
- Farthing Matthew 5:26; Luke 12:6
- Mite Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2
- Of the Jews regulated by the standard of sanctuary Leviticus 5:15; Numbers 3:47
- Was current with the merchants Genesis 23:16
- Jews forbidden to take usury for Leviticus 25:37
- Changing of, a trade Matthew 21:12; John 2:15
- Was given
- For lands Genesis 23:9; Acts 4:37
- For slaves Genesis 37:28; Exodus 21:21
- For merchandise Genesis 43:12; Deuteronomy 2:6
- For tribute 2 Kings 23:33; Matthew 22:19
- As wages Ezra 3:7; Matthew 20:2; James 5:4
- As offerings 2 Kings 12:7-9; Nehemiah 10:32
- As alms 1 Samuel 2:36; Acts 3:3; Acts 3:6
- Custom of presenting a piece of Job 42:11
- Power and usefulness of Ecclesiastes 7:12; Ecclesiastes 10:19
- Love of, the root of all evil 1 Timothy 6:10
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