As a personal finance advocate and follower of Christ, I have always been drawn to what the Bible teaches about money, investing, and building wealth. With proper context, Scripture provides profound wisdom on these topics, offering guidance on how we should steward our financial resources with wisdom and integrity. Investing is not just about accumulating wealth for personal gain but about managing God’s resources wisely for His purposes.

Stewardship: The Foundation of Biblical Investing

One of the most fundamental biblical principles about wealth is stewardship. Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” Everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His blessings. This means that our financial decisions, including investing, should reflect His values.

Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates this beautifully. The master entrusts his servants with money, expecting them to invest and multiply it. Two of the servants faithfully increase what they were given, while the third, out of fear, buries his talent and is rebuked for his inaction. This parable teaches us that God expects us to use and grow the resources He entrusts to us, not squander them in fear or laziness.

Diligence and Hard Work

Proverbs 13:11 states, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” This verse underscores the importance of patience and diligence in financial growth. Investing is a long-term endeavor, requiring wisdom, discipline, and perseverance. Get-rich-quick schemes and speculative ventures often lead to ruin, while steady, disciplined investing leads to lasting prosperity.

The Bible also encourages hard work as a means of financial success. Proverbs 14:23 affirms, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Investing wisely requires effort—researching, planning, and being patient with the process. Hard work, when coupled with faith, is a biblical approach to wealth-building.

Avoiding Greed and Dishonest Gain

While the Bible encourages wealth-building, it also warns against greed and unethical practices. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Notice that money itself is not the problem—it’s the love of money that leads to corruption. Our motivation for investing and building wealth should be aligned with God’s purposes, not personal greed.

Proverbs 28:20 states, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Ethical investing and wealth-building require honesty and integrity. We should avoid unethical business practices, dishonest gain, or investments that exploit others. Honoring God in our financial dealings should always be our priority.

Diversification and Wise Planning

Ecclesiastes 11:2 offers sound financial advice: “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” This verse highlights the wisdom of diversification—spreading investments across different assets to manage risk. Modern financial experts echo this principle, encouraging diversified portfolios to safeguard against market fluctuations.

Proverbs 21:5 further supports careful planning: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Investing should be a deliberate, well-thought-out process rather than impulsive or reckless decisions. Long-term financial security comes from patience, wisdom, and strategic planning.

Generosity and Kingdom Impact

One of the greatest purposes of wealth-building is to be a blessing to others. Proverbs 11:25 teaches, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” God blesses us financially so we can bless others—whether through tithing, supporting missions, helping the poor, or funding initiatives that advance His kingdom.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 emphasizes generous giving: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” As we invest and build wealth, we should cultivate a generous heart, always remembering that our blessings are meant to be shared.

Trusting God Over Wealth

While wise investing and wealth-building are biblical principles, our trust should never be in our financial security but in God alone. Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Our ultimate security comes not from our investments but from God’s provision.

Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” While financial planning is important, our greatest investment should always be in eternal things—our relationship with God, our family, and the work of His Kingdom.

This is something I need to remind myself: wealth is not an end in itself but a tool for advancing God’s purposes.

The question I ask myself—and encourage others to ask—is: Am I managing my finances in a way that honors God? My goal is not just financial success but faithful stewardship, using wealth as a means to serve God and bless others. If we align our financial decisions with biblical principles, we will not only experience financial peace but also the deep satisfaction of knowing that we are living in obedience to God’s will.

My 2 cents.