Financial Success In A Biblical Perspective (Part 1 Of A Two-Part Series)

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The Bible isn’t just a book of religious ideas and teachings. It contains life lessons as well including money and possession matters. For this article, we’ll tackle how the good, old book sees (and we’ll be surprised by some of the points) financial success. Are you ready?

Peter Grandich, the author of the book Confessions of a Wall Street Whiz Kid and a Christian financial adviser to professional athletes and celebrities, said that the Bible is the ultimate guide to money issues.

“Money and possessions are the top two topics the Bible talks about,” he stated in a prepared statement. “In fact, money is referenced in it for about 800 times, and when tackling debt, the Bible is clear about it – it’s a negative.”

“There are over 2,000 references about finances in the book and the way the Bible talks about these, well, I can say that they’re the best pieces of financial advice out there, even for people who are not into religion,” he went on to say. And the author isn’t just speaking about it because he’s a firm Bible believer; it stemmed from his years of being a successful stockbroker in Wall Street and how, throughout this time, he was financially down, spiritually washed-out, clinically suffering from depression.

So, how does the Bible view financial success? Grandich shared golden nuggets of financial wisdom from the holy book.

Start By Acknowledging That Everything Comes From God

“God owns everything we have, everything that comes to our ways, our lives and even the world we live in,” he stated. “That should be the first and foremost thing in our minds: that whatever possession we acquire here on earth, it belongs to Him; He just gave us accountability for it.”

Investing Is Good

The Bible does encourage making financial investments, Grandich divulged. And we must do so wisely.

He cited the well-known Biblical parable of the master and his three servants as an example. While the master praised the first two servants who invested and doubled the money he entrusted to them, he severely chastised the third who just buried his treasure and dug it back up when the former arrived from his long trip abroad.

“The Bible isn’t teaching us to keep our money safe, but to use it wisely,” he said.

A worldwide poll published earlier this year showed that money only goes so far when it comes to providing happiness and life satisfaction. — John Smith Ph.D.

Having More Means Giving More

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The world teaches to acquire more, to get more. That principle is against godly teachings. It’s no wonder a lot of us suffer from mental disorders. One of the things contributing to these conditions is our selfishness, our want to get things for ourselves, our greed.

The Bible explicitly says not to store up treasures for ourselves here on earth. Storing treasures isn’t prohibited as long as we take to heart that it’s NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES. Earthly treasures are meant to be shared and giving charitably to others is highly encouraged.

…saving visibly and seeing savings accumulate, whether it is in a glass jar or in an online savings account every day supports habit formation. Visible signs of progress provide positive feedback and encourage the individual to continue. — Utpal Dholakia Ph.D.

Debt Might Not Be Prohibited, But It Should Be Avoided

There are Biblical passages about borrowing, and the book doesn’t outrightly say debts are no good. However, the Bible does give out these clear warnings to those who borrow money:

  • Loaning or credits shouldn’t be our way of living
  • Those who loan cash will always be a servant to the lender
  • Repay what we’ve borrowed rightly

The point is, by making some minor changes, I cut my expenses and still enjoy three daily pleasures. With just a little forethought and intention, it is possible to live well for less.— Nicole S. Urdang, MS, NCC, DHM0

Financial Success Isn’t About Acquiring A Lot Of Stuff

The world equates an individual’s financial achievements to the many material things he has – properties, cars, how much his bank account contains. These things are all superficial, according to the Christian financial adviser.

“Doing everything you can to acquire more material stuff is dangerous,” he said. “It’s because they’re passing. There will always be something new, and the human being tends to feel discontented with what he has when newer things come. And the cycle of wanting more could go on, could consume a person. For where you put your efforts in, there your heart will also be.”

“More stuff doesn’t mean happiness,” he said in finality.