Jesus mentioned money directly and indirectly. He made several crystal clear wealth warnings. His language was often cloaked in parables. He never shied away from speaking about money, however. Here are 14 things that Jesus said about money. You might want to buckle your seatbelt.
Jesus boldly spoke about money. He was the Master of hot takes. Word mincing was not His thing. He was brash, occasionally hyperbolic, and brutally honest when speaking about money. The things Jesus said about money still resonate in the 21st century.
These Bible verses about money are in no particular order.
Things Jesus Said About Money — Matthew
#1 It Is Either God Or Money — Choose Wisely
Matthew 6:24 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.
Jesus boils our dedication down to God or money. We can only serve one. Money’s allure is supernatural.
#2 Faithful Stewardship Matters
Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
Faithful stewardship is expected from the King. We will not all be millionaires or billionaires. However, we can all practice faithful stewardship. The unfaithful servant was considered worthless and unprofitable.
#3 Radical Generosity is Encouraged
Matthew 26:8-10 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
We should constantly help the poor. However, we cannot help everyone. Poverty will never be eradicated on this side of heaven.
Sometimes a lavish gift is perfectly appropriate.
Things Jesus Said About Money — Mark
#4 Treasures In Heaven Can Be Established
Mark 10:21-22 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this, the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.
Jesus always used the Law when talking to the proud and self-righteous. He used grace with the humble and contrite.
How many pastors or preachers would allow this rich person a pass based on his money? I hope none.
Jesus was not establishing a doctrine of asceticism. This man loved money and that needed to be exposed to him.
He chose incorrectly.
#5 Money Can Be a Salvation Stumbling Block.
Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Camels are unable to squeeze through the eye of a needle. Jesus was being direct and not coy. This is extremely loud and clear about wealth being a salvation stumbling block. Take the warning seriously. Stop buying the prosperity gospel lie that this is “just a test” that’s easy to pass.
Here’s an article that I wrote about the prosperity gospel. All that glitters is not gold.
#6 Money Can Be a Salvation Stumbling Block.
Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
What is impossible, Jesus? A person affecting their own salvation is impossible — and it’s harder for the rich.
Perhaps the disciples were concerned because they were doing okay in the money department. Jesus made it clear that God can save anyone. All things are possible with God.
Things Jesus Said About Money — Luke
#7 Make Friends in High Places
Luke 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Jesus is encouraging His listeners to give generously and lavishly. He is comparing giving to the wasteful abuse of the unjust manager. The manager had every right to use and even abuse his master’s money. Every penny in our possession belongs to God. Jesus is giving us permission to be lavish with His money.
#8 Financial Faithfulness Will Be Tested
Luke 16:11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
Jesus seems to be telling us that we’re being tested with money. Is it possible that how we manage God’s resources is a type of test? Can we be trusted with “true” riches?
#9 Resist Worldly Kingdoms and Embrace the Eternal Kingdom.
Luke 20:25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Paying taxes is not super spiritual nor is it patriotic. Jesus was not validating Caesar’s reign with this statement.
Additionally, He was not reiterating the doctrine of tithing. Pastors who teach that, are intellectually dishonest and theologically lazy.
Here’s a fantastic article by the Mises Institute on this controversial subject.
#10 Sacrificial Giving is the Exception and Not the Rule
Luke 21:4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Well-meaning but misguided ministers often use Luke 21:4 as proof that sacrificial giving is the norm. It’s not and they are wrong. To get the full flavor of this verse begin reading at Luke 20:45 and continue through to Luke 21:6.
Jesus is warning about the financial abuse of widows. Money was being raised for the temple. Jesus was fully aware that it would be fully leveled in 70 AD.
Preachers, be cautious with how you receive money — Jesus is watching. The Macedonians had to beg Paul to receive their offering.
Are you imitating Jesus and Paul?
Bonus — Things Jesus Said About Money
#11 Giving Is Better Than Getting.
Acts 20:35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Bonus — Things Jesus Said About Money
#12 Tithers Can be Self-righteous and Annoying
Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
These hypocrites tithed at the Chia pet level. Jesus was calling out their hypocrisy not admiring their faithfulness.
#13 Justification Comes By Grace — Not By Giving
Luke 18:12-14 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus mentioned tithing two times in the Gospels. His tithing discussions were always negative. I find that interesting.
Revelation 3:17 For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
The Laodicean church became puffed up with pride. They were enjoying unprecedented prosperity and it went to their head.
We have a similar issue in the United States. Never confuse financial ease with God’s acceptance. This idea is one of the biggest blunders of the Word of Faith and prosperity gospel.
What is your favorite thing that Jesus said about money?