Bible Verses About Money

Scripture speaks honestly about money — its dangers and its right use. These verses about money free us to trust God and give generously.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

Ye cannot serve God and mammon — the claim is about capacity, not permission. Mammon is treated as a rival master rather than a neutral tool.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” — 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

The love of money is the root of all evil — the love, not the money, and the verse says some have erred from the faith while coveting. Precision matters in a verse this often misquoted.

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” — Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

The borrower is servant to the lender — stated flatly, without moralising about debt. It describes a power relationship.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

Lay not up treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt — the reasoning is about durability. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, follows as a diagnosis.

“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” — Proverbs 13:11 (KJV)

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Method is described as determining whether money lasts.

“If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” — Luke 16:11 (KJV)

If ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Money is treated as a test of something larger.

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” — Proverbs 3:9-10 (KJV)

Honour the LORD with thy substance and with the firstfruits — firstfruits means the first of the harvest, before the outcome is certain. The timing is the offering.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” — Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, and prove me now herewith. It is the one place in Scripture where God invites a test.

“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” — Proverbs 11:28 (KJV)

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Trusting rather than having is the fault named.

“Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” — Psalm 62:10 (KJV)

If riches increase, set not your heart upon them — the instruction assumes the increase may well happen. It legislates the heart, not the balance.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” — Proverbs 28:20 (KJV)

He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent — speed rather than wealth is what is condemned. The book is consistent on this.

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” — Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV)

It is he that giveth thee power to get wealth — said to a people about to become prosperous in a new land. The warning is against the sentence beginning My own hand.

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” — Proverbs 21:20 (KJV)

There is treasure to be desired in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up. Saving is commended without romanticising poverty.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” — Luke 14:28 (KJV)

Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost? Jesus uses ordinary financial prudence as an image for discipleship.

“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” — 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (KJV)

That they do good, be rich in good works, ready to distribute — instructions given specifically to the wealthy. Wealth is treated as an assignment.

“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” — Proverbs 27:23-24 (KJV)

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, for riches are not for ever. Knowing what you actually have is the practical counsel.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about money?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on money: Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:10, Proverbs 22:7, Matthew 6:19-21, Proverbs 13:11, Luke 16:11, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10, Proverbs 11:28, Psalm 62:10, Proverbs 28:20, Deuteronomy 8:18, Proverbs 21:20, Luke…

What is a good Bible verse about money?

Matthew 6:24 is the passage most often quoted on money, with 1 Timothy 6:10 and Proverbs 22:7 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these money verses?

You can read all of these verses about money — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.