Money is a form of power. And like all forms of power, it can be used to serve or to harm, to heal or to destroy. It’s like fire—it can cook food or burn a house down. Money, in itself, is neutral. It only does what the one who possesses it wants it to do.

In my years of teaching personal finance and biblical stewardship, I’ve seen two common reactions to money—either people idolize it, or they demonize it. And both extremes miss the point.

Some people hate money, not because money has done anything wrong, but because they associate it with the wrongs committed by people who have it. We’ve seen corruption, greed, and exploitation—especially here in the Philippines, where abuse of wealth is a very real and painful part of our national history. So we blame money, when in fact, it is the hearts of people that are corrupt, not the pesos in their wallets.

What the Bible Really Says About Money

Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 10:19, which some versions translate as:

“A feast is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.” (ESV)

That last line—“money answers everything”—is often misused. But understanding it requires us to read it as the wisdom literature it is. The writer of Ecclesiastes (traditionally believed to be Solomon) is not making a theological declaration about money being the solution to all of life’s problems. He’s making an observational statement—a reflection on life under the sun. In practical, earthly matters, money really does answer a lot of things.

If you want to throw a party, money can pay for the food and the wine. If someone needs medicine, tuition, or shelter—money can meet those needs. That’s the context. The Hebrew word for “everything” (k?l) in this verse can also mean “all kinds of things” or “both” within a limited scope, not everything in the absolute sense. It’s not saying money is the ultimate answer—it’s saying money is a functional answer to material needs.

What It Means for Us Today

Here’s the takeaway for us: Money is not the enemy. Misplaced trust in money is.

Money doesn’t make you moral or immoral—it just amplifies who you already are. If your heart is surrendered to God, money becomes a tool for compassion, generosity, and justice. If your heart is driven by greed or fear, money becomes a weapon for manipulation, deception, or pride.

Let’s consider two examples from Scripture:

1. Money Used for Good: The Parable of the Good Samaritan

In Luke 10:25–37, Jesus tells a story about a man who was attacked and left for dead. Two religious leaders passed by and did nothing. But a Samaritan—an outsider, culturally despised—stopped, bandaged the man’s wounds, placed him on his animal, brought him to an inn, and paid for his care.

“And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’” (v. 35)

Notice: the Samaritan had compassion—but also the means to help. Money enabled him to do good. In our modern context, that could be you paying for someone’s medical bills, feeding a hungry family, or helping a student stay in school. In short: faith without works is dead—and helping others often costs money.

James puts it bluntly:

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15–16, ESV)

For us Pinoys, we know this well. Every time a calamity hits—a typhoon, a fire, or a health crisis—our bayanihan spirit kicks in. And in those moments, money is one of the fastest ways to show mercy.

2. Money Used for Evil: The Bribery of the Guards

In Matthew 28:11–15, after Jesus rose from the dead, the guards told the chief priests what happened. The religious leaders, afraid of the truth, did this:

“And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, ‘Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” (vv. 12–13)

They used money to perpetuate a lie—one that tried to suppress the truth of the resurrection. That same money that could have fed the poor was used to manipulate and control.

The problem wasn’t the silver. It was the hearts of the men who gave it.

So What Does This Mean for Us, Mga Kapatid?

In the Philippines, we live in a nation where money is both a dream and a danger. We long for it—because many of us have experienced poverty. But we also fear it—because we’ve seen what it can do when abused.

So how should we view money biblically?

1. Understand Money’s Limits

Money can pay for medicine, but it can’t guarantee healing.
It can build a house, but it can’t make it a home.
It can fund a church building, but it can’t buy the Spirit’s presence.

Let’s stop blaming money for what it was never meant to do. And let’s stop expecting money to do what only God can.

2. Use Money as a Steward, Not an Owner

The biblical view is that we don’t own anything—we are stewards.

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 24:1)

If we see ourselves as stewards, we’ll stop hoarding and start giving. We’ll stop being controlled by money and start controlling it for kingdom purposes.

3. Let God Form Your Heart Before He Fills Your Hands

Some of us are praying for breakthrough, promotion, or financial blessings. But if God gave us more money before shaping our character, it could destroy us. Money is a magnifier. It reveals who we really are.

So let God form your heart before He entrusts you with more in your hands.

Money is a Servant, Not a Savior

At the end of the day, money is not the villain. It’s also not the hero. It’s just a tool.

The question is: who’s holding it—and what’s in their heart?

As Christians, especially in a culture like ours where financial struggle and aspiration collide daily, let’s not blame money. Let’s redeem it.

Use it to bless. Use it to build. Use it to advance the kingdom.

But never use it to replace the God who gave it.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. – Matthew 6:24, ESV

When we talk about personal finance, we usually focus on skills: budgeting, investing, saving, and so on. These are all important and I’ve taught them for years. But there’s a deeper, often overlooked issue that needs to be addressed—the issue of sin.

Yes, sin can mess up your finances. And I’m not just talking about corruption or theft. I’m talking about everyday decisions, attitudes, and patterns that flow from a broken heart and disordered priorities. If we’re honest, many of our financial problems are not just math problems—they’re heart problems.

But here’s the good news: the Gospel doesn’t just save your soul—it can also redeem your wallet.

Let’s unpack that.

1. Greed Destroys, Contentment Restores

The Bible is clear about the danger of greed. It’s one of the most subtle but deadly financial sins. It tells us, “You never have enough,” and pushes us to spend beyond our means or pursue money at any cost.

1 Timothy 6:9–10 (ESV) warns us:

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation… For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”

Greed leads to debt, discontentment, anxiety, and broken relationships. But the Gospel reminds us that Christ is enough. In Him, we are already rich—not because of our bank accounts, but because we’ve received every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

When we live in that truth, contentment becomes our default posture—and that’s when we start making wiser financial decisions.

2. Pride Blinds, Humility Opens Your Eyes

Pride makes us think we’re in control, that we know better, that we don’t need help. It keeps us from seeking financial advice, from being honest about our spending, or from living within our means.

I’ve seen many people suffer financially not because they lack income, but because they refused to submit to wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) says:

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

But the Gospel humbles us. It reminds us that we are sinners in need of grace. And that includes our finances. When we walk in humility, we begin to listen, to learn, to repent—and to grow.

3. Envy Consumes, Gratitude Grounds You

In our social media world, it’s easy to compare lifestyles, gadgets, vacations, and investments. Envy sets in, and before you know it, you’re spending money you don’t have just to keep up with people you don’t even know that well.

But envy will never be satisfied. The Gospel, on the other hand, produces gratitude. It reminds us that every good gift comes from above (James 1:17) and that our worth is not defined by what we own, but by who owns us.

Gratitude grounds us in reality and helps us use our money for what truly matters—not for show, but for stewardship.

4. Laziness Keeps You Stuck, Discipleship Gets You Moving

Let’s be honest: some financial struggles are due to a lack of diligence. Laziness may not always look like sleeping in—it can also look like procrastinating, avoiding responsibility, or refusing to grow.

Proverbs 10:4 (ESV) says:

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

The Gospel doesn’t just call us to believe—it calls us to follow Jesus. And following Him includes diligence, responsibility, and stewardship. Discipleship shapes our work ethic, our discipline, and our desire to honor God with how we earn and handle money.

The Gospel Changes Everything, including Your Finances

When Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21), He revealed a profound truth: Your money always follows your heart.

If your heart is ruled by sin—greed, pride, envy, laziness—your finances will reflect that.
But if your heart is ruled by Christ, your finances can be redeemed. Not just balanced—but transformed. You begin to give generously. Save wisely. Spend purposefully. And invest in eternity.

That’s not just financial freedom—that’s Kingdom stewardship.

Remember…

We don’t just need better money habits—we need a new heart.

And that’s exactly what the Gospel gives us.

So if you’re struggling with your finances, don’t just ask, “What should I do?” Start by asking, “Who am I becoming?” Let Jesus deal with the sin behind the spending. Let Him reorder your desires and transform your perspective.

Your wallet may follow your heart—but thanks to the Gospel, both can be made new.

In my years of teaching personal finance, I’ve discovered that the best financial wisdom isn’t new—it’s ancient. The Bible, though written thousands of years ago, remains incredibly relevant when it comes to managing money wisely. True financial freedom isn’t just about wealth—it’s about stewardship, purpose, and aligning our finances with God’s design.

Here are my Top 10 Bible-based Tips to Achieve Financial Freedom, drawn from Scripture and seasoned with practical application:

1. Put God First Through Tithing

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
— Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)

Tithing is not just about giving—it’s about trust. When we set aside the first part of our income for God, we declare that He is our source. I’ve seen it in my own life and in others: when we put God first, provision follows. Financial freedom begins with surrender.

2. Live Below Your Means

“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
— Proverbs 21:20 (ESV)

You don’t need to earn millions to experience freedom—you just need to spend less than you earn. Avoid lifestyle inflation. Simplicity is a spiritual and financial strength.

3. Avoid Debt Whenever Possible

“The borrower is the slave of the lender.”
— Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)

Debt limits your freedom. While some forms of debt may be strategic (like a business loan or a modest home mortgage), consumer debt often comes from impatience. Learn to delay gratification. Freedom comes when you owe no one.

4. Build a Diligent and Honest Work Ethic

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”
— Proverbs 14:23 (ESV)

Financial freedom isn’t achieved through shortcuts or quick fixes. God honors diligence, excellence, and integrity in our work. If you want to prosper, do your work well—as unto the Lord.

5. Save and Invest for the Future

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.”
— Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

The ant stores food in the summer for the winter (Proverbs 6:6–8). Likewise, we should set aside resources for emergencies, opportunities, and retirement. Saving is wisdom in action.

6. Practice Contentment

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
— 1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)

You can have a high income and still be poor—if your desires always outpace your earnings. Contentment guards your heart and your wallet. It shifts your focus from what you lack to what you already have.

7. Embrace Kingdom Principles Over Worldly Wealth

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

The world tells us to chase success, status, and accumulation. But God’s kingdom teaches us to chase righteousness, stewardship, and generosity. When you live for God’s kingdom, provision becomes a by-product—not a pursuit.

8. Be Generous and Cheerful in Giving

“God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

Financial freedom includes the freedom to give. Giving breaks the grip of greed and reminds us that what we have is not ours—it’s God’s. Be intentional in giving to your church, to missions, and to those in need.

9. Involve God in Your Planning

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
— Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Financial planning isn’t unspiritual—it’s wise. But invite God into your planning. Ask Him to guide your budget, business, and career. When we commit our plans to Him, we gain not just wisdom—but peace.

10. Trust God as Your Ultimate Provider

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

At the end of the day, financial freedom isn’t about how much you’ve accumulated—it’s about how much you trust. God is our source, our sustainer, and our security. Rest in that truth, especially when the numbers don’t make sense.

Financial freedom isn’t just about money—it’s about purpose. It’s about aligning our resources with God’s will so we can live fully, give freely, and leave a legacy of faith and wisdom. I’ve met wealthy people who are still in bondage, and I’ve met ordinary earners who live in true freedom—because they follow God’s design.

So let’s stop chasing riches and start pursuing righteousness. Because where God’s principles are applied, financial freedom follows.