How To Get Rich According To The Bible
We all want to achieve financial success and live a comfortable life. You may wonder – what does the Bible say about getting rich? Can Christians ethically pursue wealth according to biblical principles?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible does not condemn wealth itself, but rather the love of money and dishonest gain. It emphasizes building wealth ethically through hard work, wise investments, generosity, and trusting in God’s provision.
In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into various biblical perspectives on money and prosperity. You’ll learn actionable tips on how to honor God as you manage your finances and create true, lasting wealth.
Old Testament Teachings on Wealth and Prosperity
God’s Promise of Prosperity for Obedience
The Old Testament contains many examples of God promising blessings of prosperity and abundance to His people for obedience to His laws and commandments. For instance, in Deuteronomy 28, God tells the Israelites that if they “fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands” (Deuteronomy 28:1), they will be blessed in the city and country, and that “The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground” (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11).
This shows that God rewards obedience with material prosperity.
Wealth as a Reward for Hard Work and Diligence
In additon to directly blessing His followers, the Bible also shows that God blesses hard work and diligence with prosperity. For example, Genesis 13:2 says that “Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold” through God’s favor on his efforts.
Proverbs 10: 4 also explains that “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Ecclesiastes 5:19 also connects hard work to enjoying wealth: “when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them.”
Guidance on Managing Finances Wisely
While promising prosperity for obedience and diligence, the Old Testament also provides wisdom and guidance on managing personal finances responsibility. For example, in Proverbs 21:5 it advises “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
It also warns against going into debts you can’t pay back in Proverbs 22:7 which says “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Exodus 22:25 also prohibits excessive interest and exploiting the vulnerable.
King Solomon himself demonstrates both industrious labor and wise financial management that gained him an abundance of wealth, as described in 1 Kings 10. However, Ecclesiastes 5:10 also has his warning that “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.”
This shows that the Bible ultimately counsels pursuing prosperity through obedience to God coupled with hard work and restraint, not out of boundless materialistic greed.
New Testament Guidance from Jesus
Jesus’ Teachings on Money and Possessions
Jesus had a lot to say about money and possessions in the New Testament. He warned about the dangers of wealth and taught that materialism can negatively impact our relationship with God. Some of Jesus’ notable teachings include:
- Do not store up treasures on earth: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
- You cannot serve both God and money: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
- Sell your possessions and give to the poor: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33)
- The widow’s offering: Jesus upholds a poor widow who gave two small copper coins to the temple, saying her small gift was worth more than the large donations of the rich. “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)
- The rich young ruler: When a rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:16-22)
- The parable of the rich fool: Jesus calls a rich man a fool for building bigger barns to store his plentiful harvest but not being “rich toward God.” Jesus says, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)
Parables on Investing Talents and Resources
Jesus told several parables that relate to investing the resources God has given us and using our talents wisely. Two famous parables are:
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
In this story, a master entrusts three servants with different amounts of money (“talents”) before leaving on a journey. The servants who invested and doubled the money are rewarded when the master returns. However, the servant who buried his talent and did nothing with it is harshly rebuked.
Jesus concludes, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” The parable emphasizes using one’s gifts and resources for God’s purposes rather than wasting them due to fear or laziness.
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-15)
Here a manager is accused of wasting his wealthy employer’s assets. Before he can be fired, the shrewd manager calls in the employer’s debtors and reduces their debts, earning their gratitude. The employer surprisingly commends the manager’s shrewdness.
Jesus explains the moral: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Christians debate this puzzling parable, but it seems Jesus advocates strategic use of money and possessions for eternal gains.
Instructions for the Early Church
Giving Generously and Supporting the Needy
The Bible encourages believers to be generous givers to those in need. For example, Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
In the New Testament, Jesus told the rich young ruler to “sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21). The early church took these teachings to heart and “sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:45).
Even today, Christians are called to generously support ministries and non-profits that help the poor and needy. Tithing 10% of one’s income is a good baseline for giving, but some choose to give even more.
Of course, donations should be given freely and cheerfully, not under pressure or compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7). As the Bible promises, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
Earning Wealth through Honest Labor
The Bible praises those who work diligently and earn wealth through honest means. As Proverbs 10:4 declares, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” The Apostle Paul worked as a tentmaker to support himself in ministry (Acts 18:3), setting an example for Christians to provide for themselves and their families.
At the same time, believers must reject greed and refrain from illegal practices in pursuit of money. As 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Christians should find ethical ways to create value for others, viewing wealth as a tool for blessing people rather than an end in itself.
Approaching work with integrity allows Christ-followers to have a positive influence in the business world.
Avoiding the Love of Money
Though earning money through diligent work and business activities is commended in Scripture, believers must beware of becoming obsessed with getting rich. As Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
The love of money and possessions can easily become an idol that distracts people from loving God and loving others.
Rather than endlessly pursuing the accumulation of wealth, Christians should find contentment and balance in life. As Hebrews 13:5 counsels, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” Moderation and generosity are key principles to avoid falling into greed.
By clinging to God rather than money, believers can experience lasting joy and purpose beyond material prosperity.
Building Wealth God’s Way
Working Diligently and Excelling at Your Vocation
The Bible encourages us to work hard and excel at whatever vocation God has called us to. Proverbs 10:4 says, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” When we work diligently and become very skilled at our jobs, we will tend to be compensated accordingly.
This allows us to earn more income that can then be invested and saved wisely.
We should see our work as a calling from God and serve wholeheartedly as if working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). He will honor those who honor Him by doing excellent work. The Bible commends those like Daniel who had an “excellent spirit” and served exceptionally well (Daniel 5:12).
When we work diligently and excel, we tend to gain promotions and favor that provide greater opportunities to build wealth.
Investing and Saving Wisely
The Bible tells us that wise financial investments and savings are key to building wealth over time. As Proverbs 21:20 says, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” We should avoid wasting money on unnecessary consumption and frivolous spending.
A helpful budgeting tip is the 50/30/20 rule – spend 50% on necessities, 30% on discretionary items, and save 20%.
We should save and invest money regularly over the long term. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Investing in assets like stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities allows money to grow.
For example, consistently investing 15% of income from age 25 to 65 at a 10% return could accumulate over $2 million.
Giving Generously and Blessing Others
While wise saving and investing is important, we should also be generous givers. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Proverbs 11:24). Jesus said it is more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35).
When we give freely to help others, especially supporting ministry and humanitarian causes, God promises to bless us in return. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
Trusting God as Your Ultimate Provider
Most importantly, we should trust that God is our ultimate provider. Wealth comes from Him: “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all…In Your hand is power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:12).
We should not worry about money but seek God first: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33).
As we work diligently, save wisely, give generously, and trust God fully, He will lead us to prosperity and abundance. We can build wealth in a righteous way according to Biblical principles of money management.
Staying Centered on Eternal Rewards
Keeping Perspective: Treasures in Heaven
Jesus teaches us not to store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but to store up treasures in heaven instead (Matthew 6:19-21). This requires keeping an eternal perspective and investing in things of eternal value rather than temporary, earthly possessions and pleasures.
Some ways to store up heavenly treasures include:
- Using our resources to help those in need
- Supporting missionary work and spreading the gospel
- Giving generously to church and charity
- Making disciples and helping others grow spiritually
Earthly wealth has no value in earning eternal rewards, but it can be wisely used to have an eternal impact. As Jesus said, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).
Avoiding Greed, Debt, and Dishonest Gain
The Bible strongly warns against greed and living beyond our means through debt. “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Dishonest business practices or exploiting others financially is also strongly condemned.
Wise financial stewardship includes:
- Avoiding greed and an obsession with accumulating more wealth
- Living within our income and avoiding unnecessary debt
- Earning money ethically and paying debts/taxes owed
- Being generous with wealth rather than hoarding it
Handling money wisely and selflessly now reaps eternal dividends. As C.S. Lewis said, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”
Using Wealth to Glorify God and Advance His Kingdom
While pursuing wealth for its own sake is unwise, generously using it to bless others glorifies God. Scripture says, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Some impactful ways to be generous with wealth include:
- Tithing faithfully to your local church
- Supporting Christian charities/ministries making a difference worldwide
- Funding scholarships at Christian schools
- Sponsoring a child’s education or basic necessities
- Supporting theological training for future church leaders
- Funding medical missions/disaster relief aid
Generosity today leaves an eternal legacy that no earthly investment portfolio can match! As missionary C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Conclusion
The Bible offers much wisdom on ethical ways for Christians to create wealth and live prosperously. While condemning greed and love of money, the Bible encourages industry, wise investments, generosity, and trusting God’s provision.
As you make money decisions big and small, filter them through biblical values – not cultural attitudes. Work hard, give generously, save diligently, invest ethically, and purpose to glorify God with your finances. He promises to meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!
