12 Things Jesus Taught about Finances

Before we look at what Jesus taught about finances, you need to to trust him as Lord and savior. You need to be right with God. The Bible says Jesus Christ conquered sin when he died in your place according to the scriptures and he conquered death when he was raised from the dead on the third day.

Jesus taught with wisdom and authority. He wants you to live a godly life that brings honor and glory to God in everything including finances by practical application of godly principles.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God and fit him fully for all branches of his work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 PHILLIPS)

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25 MSG)

When Jesus had finished these words the crowd were astonished at the power behind his teaching. For his words had the ring of authority, quite unlike those of the scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29 PHILLIPS)

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1) Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness

Everything that we have is a gift from God. He already owned it. He gave it to us. Therefore, we need to manage it in a way that will glorify him.

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25, 33)

If you have a family, then you have another dimension to the question of finances. God has provided you a partner who is perfectly suited for you. You are made complete in each other. He has designed your marriage relationship to function in oneness.

Therefore, it is vitally important that you handle finances together. That means agree on where to work. Agree on where to live. Agree on how to spend your finances. It is always a good idea to require unanimous consent and allow the power of veto by either person for major decisions.

What’s the rush? There is no opportunity so good that it is worth damaging your marriage. There is nothing so special that it is worth damaging your marriage. It is more important to work together in a way that strengthens your marriage. Then, together, defeat the odds, fight the battle, and win the war. Yes, including finances.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; (Ephesians 5:25)

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Colossians 3:19)

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10)

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

If you can’t love your spouse, God says to love your neighbor. If you can’t love your neighbor, God says to love your enemy. So, in the worst-case scenario, love your spouse at least as much as God says you should love your enemy, and work together with them.

The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 7:12)

If you really keep the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (James 2:8)

but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)

2) Trust God’s protection and providence in your life

God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to work things out for our good. He has promised to protect us in the valley of the shadow of death. So, no matter what you’re going through right now, God’s got this. Yes, including finances.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

“… Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.” (1 Chronicles 29:11B-12 NLT)

You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NIV)

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1 NIV)

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3) Understand true wealth is more than finances

You have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life. You have been promised an eternal home with God. The worst that could happen here will just hasten the journey home. How can those riches be compared to how much money you make, or how much finances you have in the bank, or how much money your stuff is worth?

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (John 10:10 MSG)

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

“No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money (Mammon).” (Matthew 6:24 NIV)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20 NIV)

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

And he went on to say to them all, “Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be.” (Luke 12:15 GNT)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith. (Proverbs 15:16)

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4) Give back to God through prayer, worship, and tithing

Don’t rob God! If you don’t pray, you are robbing God of relationship. If you don’t worship, you are robbing God of praise. If you don’t tithe, you are robbing God with your finances. He deserves your relationship, praise, and effort. Short changing God on any of these is robbery.

“The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.” (Exodus 23:19 AMP)

 “… Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Then all the nations will call you blessed for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:7B-12 NIV)

“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law – justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things.” (Matthew 23:23 NLT)

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 NIV)

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5) Obey government and pay your taxes (like Jesus did)

It’s kind of amazing how many ways people have tried to figure out to wiggle out of paying taxes. Most governments need an entire bureaucracy that does nothing except track down and punish cheaters. When the Pharisees tried to find a way to trap Jesus, they asked him about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus told them to be honest with their finances and pay their taxes. You should too.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. And when they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went their way. (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:19-26)

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:3-7)

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6) Set aside commitments first (be a good steward of your finances)

God wants you to be a good steward of your finances. Set aside the money you have decided for tithing, retirement, and savings first. Set aside money for yearly expenses: taxes, insurance, and even trips home to family. What’s left is your monthly income.

If there is only one thing you remember from this entire study, let it be this. Add up all your yearly expenses and divide by your pay period. If you get paid weekly, divide by 52 and do this weekly. Then, set aside that much money every period. Setup a separate savings account for this money. Deposit the finances directly into that account. Never look at that money. Never steal from it. Only use those finances for yearly expenses. This will save you from all kinds of grief.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10 NIV)

Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:2 GNT)

7) Develop a budget and track your finances (plan your life and live your plan)

Jesus taught budgeting your finances. This is the part that poor people with poor ways hate the most. Thinking about it ahead of time.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30 NIV)

Therefore shall the word of the LORD be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isaiah 28:13)

I have put this section after tithing, taxes, and other commitments because your budget cannot allocate those funds. Your monthly income minus your commitments is your monthly budget. This is the part of your finances that you can control. What do you want to do with it?

Some of your budget goes to fixed expenses, like rent or mortgage, that you can’t change. Possessions, like cars or furniture, that you can’t change. Services, like food, lawn care, cleaning, detailing, and maintenance, that you can’t change. Or, can you change these things?

Have you considered how much money you would save every year if you could cut out a little bit per day? Per week? Per month? Or, more? It’s staggering! And, if you can do that 2 or 3 times, the savings start to multiply into some serious finances. Do you really need another fancy coffee? Do you really need another fancy dinner? Do you really need another fancy car? Do you really need another fancy apartment? Before you sign up for another service, even if it’s only $8 per month, consider the total cost and be honest about your need.

Feel the burn! It’s kind of funny how everything in life is about pushing past resistance to achieve greatness: diet, exercise, sports, health, wealth, and fame. No pain, no gain! What is the resistance to your finances you need to push past? It’s usually pride and greed. Why aren’t you willing to push past the pain? It’s usually laziness. Be honest with yourself.

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8) The Bondage of Debt is a Curse (money makes a great servant but a terrible master)

There are all kinds of arguments about what is debt and what is investment. Is a new car loan an investment or a debt? Is a home mortgage an investment or a debt? But, you don’t know what a day may bring. Most “investments” can turn into “debts” in the simplest of calamities. Why live with your finances on the edge?

My son, if you guarantee a loan for your neighbor
     or shake hands in agreement with a stranger,
you will be trapped by your words;
     you will be caught by your words.
Do this, my son, to get out of it,
     for you have come under the control of your neighbor.
     So go, humble yourself, and pester your neighbor.
Don’t give sleep to your eyes
     or slumber to your eyelids.
Get yourself free like a gazelle from a hunter,
     like a bird from the hand of a fowler. (Proverbs 6:1-5 CEB)

“The borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7 KJV)

The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives. (Psalm 37:21)

“But if you refuse to listen to the Lord your God…” “The foreigners will lend money to you, not you to them. They will be the head, and you will be the tail!” (Deuteronomy 28:15, 44 NIV)

Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses’ Teachings. (Romans 13:8)

• The Financial Peace Planner: A Step-by-Step Guide to Restoring Your Family’s Financial Health by Dave Ramsey — may be the most valuable purchase you ever make. Dave Ramey’s practical regimen, based on his own personal experience with debt, offers hard-won advice and much needed hope to people who find themselves in serious debt and desperate for a way out. This book comes in a workbook format, allowing you to frequently monitor your progress and, most importantly, to face your situation honestly. Loaded with inspirational insights that come from personal experience, this set of books will be life changing for any debt-ridden readers.

IMHO, some of Dave Ramsey’s advice is too simplistic; it only works in some contrived circumstances. Some of his stunts are too showy; real life is messier than that, more complicated than that, and nobody is that stupid. However, he has written many good basic concepts in a breezy, understandable style, that will make an immediate difference in your life.

But, somehow, he gets many people to feel they are following him without obeying him. They buy the books. They pay for the seminars. They claim the name. But, they don’t make the necessary changes in their finances. This does not help them; instead, it usually makes things worse.

It’s astonishing how many people I have counseled, in horribly dire, ongoing financial conditions, of their own making, who claim they follow Dave Ramsey, have read all his books, and attended every one of his seminars.

Maybe that’s following, but it’s not obeying. I guess that proves you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Don’t be that guy! Remember, faith without works is dead.

9) Always be ready to help others (the freedom of lending is a blessing)

Jesus took time out of his busy schedule at the last supper to wash the disciples feet. Then, he asked them if they understood what he had done. They didn’t. So, he had to explain that even though he was almighty God, the only-begotten son of God, the creator of the universe, and the king of the world, he came to serve others with everything he had. He told you to do the same.

If you fully obey the Lord your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12 NLT)

… The Lord Jesus himself said: “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35B NLT)

While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous. (2 Corinthians 8:2)

But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14)

If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor.  (Ephesians 4:28 GNT)

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10) Live below your means (modestly, simply, and minimalist)

A budget doesn’t have to be complicated. Debt doesn’t have to be crushing. You can have a comfortable stress-free life that gives you time and finances to pursue your goals if you live below your means.

There are 2 ways to end up with more money than you started with each month. Earn more money by working more and working harder. Or, spend less money. Jesus recommended the later. But, it wasn’t very popular then and it’s not very popular now.

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22; Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30)

And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:19-20; Luke 9:57-62; Luke 14:25-33; John 6:60-65)

• The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley — The bestselling The Millionaire Next Door identifies seven common traits that show up again and again among those who have accumulated wealth. Most of the truly wealthy in this country don’t live in Beverly Hills or on Park Avenue-they live next door.

If you habitually spend less per month than you make, you will never have to worry. If you habitually spend less per year than you make, you will save a bundle. But, be careful what you do with your savings.

Then he used this illustration. He said, “A rich man had land that produced good crops. He thought, ‘What should I do? I don’t have enough room to store my crops.’ He said, ‘I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones so that I can store all my grain and goods in them. Then I’ll say to myself, “You’ve stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! I will demand your life from you tonight! Now who will get what you’ve accumulated?’ That’s how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God.”  (Luke 12:16-21 GWT)

11) Work to your full potential (get paid fairly on time)

If you have a job, you should negotiate a fair wage, and you should be paid on time. If not, you should negotiate a better job. Or, you should get a better job.

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.” (Matthew 25:14 NIV)

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20:1-16)

Slaves, always obey your earthly masters. Don’t obey them only while you’re being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. Be sincere in your motives out of respect for your real master. (Colossians 3:22)

“You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain. (Deuteronomy 25:4)

If you need more money to repay past debts or to meet future goals, find something extra that you can do. Have you considered how much money you would make every year if you could earn an extra little money per day? Per week? Per month? It’s staggering! And, if you can do that 2 or 3 times, the earnings start to multiply into some serious finances.

But, be very careful about get-rich-quick schemes that don’t count the full cost. If it seems too good to be true, it’s probably too good to be true. For example, if you use your personal car as a taxi or a delivery vehicle, it takes gas, it inflicts wear and tear, and it requires maintenance, which cut into your profit. Beware of taxes, which can eat up all your profits, unless you’re careful. Keep records and keep track. It’s too easy to deceive yourself.

Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty. (Proverbs 21:5 TLB)

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. (Proverbs 13:11 NLT)

12) Take care of your family (finances and spiritual)

When a man leaves his father and mother to be joined unto his wife in marriage, a new family unit is started that must be maintained. This means spiritual, mental, physical, food, clothing, lodging, health, safety, and finances.

But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. And there is a difference also between the wife and the virgin. She that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:32-34)

But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children (2 Corinthians 12:14b)

And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? (Luke 11:11-12)

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