Money is a tool, not a goal. God uses money to shape our hearts and reach the nations. God warns us throughout Scripture about the dangers of making money a goal and our hope. Giving money the spot in our hearts that’s reserved for God could lead to a momentarily full bank account, but it will certainly lead to a spiritually famished heart.
Here are twelve verses God provides to warn us about money:
1. 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
2. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. – Proverbs 11:28
3. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. – Matthew 13:22
4. Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. – Luke 12:15
5. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. – 1 Timothy 6:8-9
6. 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. – 1 Timothy 6:17
7. Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. – Psalm 62:10
8. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. – Proverbs 28:11
9. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. – Proverbs 23:4
10. But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” – Luke 12:20
11. The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” – Mark 10:24
12. Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 5:10