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What Does the Bible Say About Money

1 Timothy 6:17-19

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Does the Bible address money? Absolutely. Jesus spoke about money in about 15% of His teachings, and Paul also offers clear instructions about wealth. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul reminds us that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” It’s not money itself that is the problem—it’s the idolatry of money.

When money becomes our ultimate hope or source of security, we stop trusting God. As Paul instructs Timothy, pastors are to help their congregations see money rightly—not as a source of arrogance, but as a resource entrusted to us by God.

4 Truths About Money From 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

1) It Won’t Last Forever

Our money and possessions are temporary. They age, break down, or get spent. And when we die, we can’t take anything with us.

Paul warns, “Tell the rich not to be haughty or arrogant, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches” (v. 17). Wealth is fleeting—it can be lost, stolen, or destroyed. Instead of trusting in riches, Paul calls us to trust in God.

This doesn’t mean we should be pessimistic about life, but realistic. Our ultimate hope is not in something temporary, but in God’s eternal kingdom. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Everything we have is from God. You may think, I worked hard for what I have—it’s mine. And yes, hard work is good! But consider:

• Why do you work hard? If your goal is just to accumulate wealth or power, you’re aiming too low.

• Who gave you the ability, opportunity, and resources to work hard? It’s the Lord.

As Colossians 3:23reminds us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

God is the provider and sustainer. He gave us everything in the past, He provides for us today, and He will continue to provide in the future.

2) God Is the Wealthiest

In verse 17, Paul describes God as the one who “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”Everything belongs to Him. As Psalm 50:10-11 declares, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.”

God’s wealth isn’t limited to material riches. He has lavished us with the greatest treasure of all: His grace. Through Jesus, we have redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life. As Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us.”

Even if you lose everything in this life, you are still rich because of Jesus. This gospel perspective frees us to hold loosely to our possessions and trust fully in God.

3) Be a Steward

Paul calls us to “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (v. 18). Generosity is not about obligation—it’s about reflecting God’s character.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 reminds us, “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.”

Generosity means sacrifice. It’s choosing to give rather than accumulate. It’s saying no to temporary wants so you can say yes to eternal investments.

Be generous with your church, your neighbors, and those in need. Let your generosity point others to Jesus, the One who gave everything for us:

• He became poor so we could have heavenly riches.

• He took our sin so we could be forgiven.

• He died in our place so we could have eternal life.

4) Invest the Right Way

Paul encourages us to “store up treasure…as a good foundation for the future” (v. 19). He echoes Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Investing in eternal things means prioritizing the gospel:

• Supporting missions and ministries.

• Serving in your church and community.

• Using your time, talents, and resources to point others to Jesus.

This is wise stewardship that glorifies God and leads to true life.

Final Thoughts: A Gospel Perspective on Money

Money matters because it reveals where our hearts are. Are we trusting in riches or in the God who richly provides? Are we accumulating wealth for ourselves or using it to further God’s kingdom?

Let’s remember that our ultimate treasure is Jesus. He is our provider, sustainer, and Savior. Even if we lose everything, we have the riches of His grace and the hope of eternal life.

May we honor God with our wealth, be generous to others, and invest in what truly matters.

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The Enduring Dangers to True Preaching

My brother-in-law recently reminded me of a book I read some time ago, Preachers and Preaching by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He pointed out how Jones was able to point out dangers regarding preaching in his day which exist today. This book is a collection of lectures he delivered at Westminster Theological Seminary in 1971. He was given the freedom to lecture on any topic, and he chose the ministry of preaching because of its unparalleled importance in Christendom.

Lloyd-Jones writes:

“To me the work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called.”

Over the six weeks of lectures, Lloyd-Jones explored the vital role of preaching as the ministry of the Word—a ministry that is as needed today as ever. He also addressed dangers that threatened preaching in his day, which remain pressing concerns for the church now.

Lloyd-Jones boldly claimed:

“If you want something in addition to that I would say without hesitation that the most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching; and as it is the greatest and the most urgent need in the Church, it is obviously the greatest need of the world also.”

He identified three major dangers to preaching that are as relevant today as they were in the 1970s.

1. The Loss of Belief in the Authority of Scripture

Lloyd-Jones observed that many preachers lacked confidence, humility, and trust in God’s Word. A diminished view of Scripture had hollowed out truth, leaving sermons to focus on ethical speeches, moral uplift, or socio-political commentary rather than the gospel. He writes:

“But as the belief in the great doctrines of the Bible began to go out, and sermons were replaced by ethical addresses and homilies, and moral uplift and socio-political talk, it is not surprising that preaching declined.”

This danger is just as present today. Some pastors hesitate even to call it “preaching,” opting for terms like “giving a talk,” as if “preaching” is too harsh or outdated. However, preaching is distinct from mere speech because it proclaims the truth and life found in the gospel. The preacher heralds the good news of what Jesus has done as the Redeemer of sinners.

Yes, the message of the cross is offensive—it is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). But preachers must not shrink back from declaring it. Sadly, some ministries are driven by the latest headlines, allowing cultural issues to dictate their direction. Others avoid the reality of sin, reducing sermons to moral encouragement rather than gospel proclamation.

2. The Danger of the “Great Pulpiteer”

Lloyd-Jones warned against the professional orator who prioritizes style over substance. He writes:

“You see, the form became more important than the substance, the oratory and the eloquence became things in and of themselves, and ultimately preaching became a form of entertainment.”

This is not to say preachers shouldn’t strive to grow as communicators. Clarity and accuracy are essential, and preachers should work to avoid distracting habits or filler words. But style must never overshadow the truth of the gospel.

The warning against “itching ears” in 2 Timothy 4:3 remains relevant today. There are many skilled communicators who can stir emotions or elicit reactions, but true preaching relies on the Holy Spirit. The faithful preacher focuses on understanding the text, preaching first to his own heart, and proclaiming the gospel unapologetically.

3. The Danger of Not Knowing What Preaching Really Is

Lloyd-Jones criticized preaching that feels like a recited paper or lecture rather than a proclamation. He writes:

“They paid great attention to literary and historical allusions and quotations and so on.”

This approach results in sermons that are more academic than life-giving. Preaching is not a mere intellectual exercise; it is a dying man addressing dying men, pointing them to the One who brings life. It is proclaiming the gospel to spiritually blind people, directing them to the Light of the World who gives sight.

When preaching loses this focus, it becomes shallow and diluted, lacking the depth that convicts and transforms.

I am deeply grateful for the wisdom of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and his collection of lectures on preaching. Though these dangers were identified decades ago, they are just as real and relevant for the church today. May we heed his warnings, hold fast to the authority of Scripture, and proclaim the gospel boldly, for it remains the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).

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Does this Offend You?

Does this Offend you?
Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

 
A little bit of controversy has come up from this poster from a local mall which promoted our church’s Southern California outreach . Harvest, my church has done this outreach for last twenty-nine years.
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Different news outlets have reported on this where you can read more here. We as a church were first asked to modify it due to different complaints and one “threat” which the church complied because of the Bible that Pastor Greg Laurie is holding (Even though it is a Bible, the poster depicts more of a black book).  Eventually, we were asked to remove the banners completely from the mall.
The Bible has been a staple in our American culture with families having one in their living rooms to finding a Gideon’s Bible in every hotel room. Times have changed! The Bible which points people to the freedom from sin found in Jesus Christ alone is not valued but considered offensive. We should not be surprised by this. Continue reading “Does this Offend You?”

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Devotion to One

Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
I remember being a freshman in high school and receiving as a gift from one my Christian friends a copy of My Utmost for His Highest. At the time of my receiving this devotional, I had no idea of the impact it has had, nor much about the author. Years later, as I come across the different pages from that devotional, I see nuggets of truth to be mined. I see why this devotional has lasted so long. I am thankful for Oswald Chambers and also for his wife and daughter, who transcribed much of his writings.
What is interesting about Oswald Chambers is that he was little known in the Christian world at the time of his life. Over thirty different titles are attributed to him, yet he only penned one in his lifetime. His most famous work, My Utmost for His Highest, which has sold millions of copies and is written in several languages, is really a result of Oswald’s wife, Gertrude (who was called Biddy by friends), and their daughter, Kathleen. Though the impact of Oswald’s work during his life may have been limited (he lived only to 43), he is a world changer as he has impacted many believers with his writings. Continue reading “Devotion to One”

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Convicted with Truth-John Knox (1514-1572)

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One of the most colorful and impactful figures who led the Scottish Reformation is John Knox.
It has been said that Martin Luther was the hammer of the Reformation, John Calvin the pen, and John Knox the trumpet.[1] Martyn Lloyd Jones would call Knox the first English Puritan as Knox desired for the church to be pure and would pave the way for puritanism.[2]
This remarkable man may have been somewhat forgotten through the ages as his gravesite is in parking stall #23 of St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland.
This defender of truth who fought against religious idolatry in Scotland and England was born in 1514. Knox went to school and was part of Roman Catholicism. It was through his study of John 17, Jesus’ high priestly prayer, that Knox was converted. He was like a sponge absorbing the water of God’s Word. He couldn’t get enough and he devoted himself for over two years to meticulously studying the Bible.
Continue reading “Convicted with Truth-John Knox (1514-1572)”