I figured while the parents were hearing about how to pay for college, the best way I could prepare students along these lines was to teach them how to think Biblically about money. We looked at 8 principles on money from the book of Proverbs.
Big Idea: God cares how we think about money.
8 Biblical Principles about Money (from Proverbs)
Money comes from hard work (6:10-11, 10:4, 12:27; 14:23)
- 10:4) hard work and diligence will lead to success - usually true in academics, job, sports...
- 12:27) the lazy person doesn’t follow through
- 14:23) you can’t just talk about what you are going to do; you need to get to work
- 6:10-11) Laziness is deceptive (something you have to fight...)
- 10:22) God makes rich. We do not make ourselves rich
- 13:18) Poverty can also be part of God’s judgment or consequences for our foolishness.
- 22:4) General principle (wisdom literature) - just like 10:4 - “hand of the diligent makes rich…”
- 6:6-8; 13:22; 21:20)
- Beware of “spending money” before you have it…
- 11:1,18) Justice and honesty are dear to the heart of God - He “delights in it”, and He calls dishonesty an abomination.
- Cheating is trivialized (victimless crime). But is it? What if we are the victim? What if we sacrifice our integrity for money??
- There is no point in accumulating wealth dishonestly, because God is ultimately in control - and He can take it away in a moment, or give it to the needy (v. 22)
- 10:15) There is value in having money - It can protect you in times of trouble.
- 19:14) Wealth can even be passed down to your children and grandchildren. There is value in this.
- 22:7) Right or wrong, this is a fact of life.
- 8:11) jewels are considered precious. But wisdom is better still. In fact, nothing material that you could ever desire is as precious as wisdom.
- 22:1) “name” - reputation, character. (favor with God and people)
- There are quite a few rich people who are hated, who are jerks.
- 28:6,11 - your integrity is more valuable than money (thief cannot steal it…).
- wisdom (understanding) is more valuable than money
- 10:2,16 Treasures (no matter how you get them) can profit someone physically, but not spiritually.
- 11:4) When we stand before God, it isn’t going to matter how much is in our savings account, or how many cars we had, or what clothes we wore. God isn’t impressed.
- 11:7) Wealth does bring hope, but only for this life.
- 11:28) Those who worship riches will eventually fall - if not in this life, in eternity.
- 3:9) Our goal is to “honor the Lord with our $$” (“Whether therefore you eat or drink…”)
- Tithe (first-fruits)
- (Tithing is a way to honor God, and to accomplish the work of the kingdom)
- Another way to use the tool of money is by being generous.
- 19:17) Generosity towards those in need is a ministry to and for the Lord.
- Money is simply a tool that we can glorify God with and bless others with. It is not meant as an indulgence for ourselves.
There is a man in the Bible named Agur who understood this, and he wrote about it in…
30:8-9)
Money Tensions (Kevin DeYoung)
- You’ll probably acquire more money if you work hard and are full of wisdom. But if all you care about is getting more money, you are the biggest fool.
- Money is a blessing from God, but you’ll be more blessed if you give it away.
- God gives you money because he is generous, but he is generous with you so that you can be generous with others. And if you are generous with your money, God will likely be more generous with you.
- It is wise to save money, but don’t ever think money gives you real security.
- Wealth is more desirable than poverty, but wealth is not as good as righteousness, humility, wisdom, good relationships, and the fear of the Lord.
— Richard Sibbes
The Bruised Reed
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