Bible verses are often taken out of context. Sometimes it is intentional and other times it’s accidental. Financial Bible verses, specifically, are often abused, misused, and taken out of context. The misuse and abuse are usually intentional. Certain ministers and people have ulterior motives and agendas to shoehorn financial Bible verses into a narrative of greed.
Here are eight of the most commonly abused or misused financial bible verses.
#1 I Can Do All Things — Financial Bible Verses
Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Tim Tebow helped reestablish the popularity of Philippians 4:13 while playing football. He often would don that verse on the eye black worn for games.
Mr. Tebow seems to be a super awesome brother in Christ. He’s neither a theologian nor a biblical scholar — he was a football player.
Hobby Lobby sells tons of painted items with bible verses such as Philippians 4:13 prominently displayed.
What gives? Why do I believe that this verse is abused, misused, or taken out of context?
Paul wrote this epistle while in jail. His financial life had taken a hit. His comfort level was being tested on a daily basis. Paul was not declaring that he could leap a building with a single bound, preach to millions, or win a football game.
He was declaring that through Christ he was content. Content in financial frustration and sleeping in a cold jail cell. He was content despite hunger and loneliness and abandonment.
Philippians 4:13 is a much deeper Bible verse than it’s given credit.
Are you content when money is tight?
#2 Plans To Prosper You — Financial Bible Verses
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When things are going south this financial Bible verse is pulled out of muck and mire. It’s used as a talisman of financial hope!
Certainly, God wants to prosper us! How could He want to do anything else?
This verse is often taken out of context. How?
God was judging the people of Judah for sinning against Him. The prophets were falsely prophesying stating that all would be well. Jeremiah was one of the few truly speaking on behalf of God.
He warned them that captivity would last seventy years. They should get comfortable because they were going to be there for quite some time.
Verse eleven was simply a word of comfort. He still loved them and the judgment was necessary.
It’s a bit sketchy to quote verse eleven without everything prior to it.
Does God want us prosperous? Are His plans for us good? Is our future hopeful? Yes, but it’s all on His terms. Prosperity is not nearly as important as holiness.
Without holiness, none will see the Lord. Plenty of broke people will make it to heaven.
#3 The Eye Of A Needle — Financial Bible Verses
Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, 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.
This verse is a favorite of the Word of Faith and prosperity gospel preachers. They often misuse and abuse this financial bible verse. It’s also taken out of context.
How?
Jesus is making a clear warning about the potential dangers of money. It’s often ignored or minimized by some preachers. They often read into the text something that is not mentioned.
It goes something like this:
“The eye of the needle was the entry point into a walled city. It was too small for loaded camels to go through. Before they went through the “eye” all of the goods were unpacked. The camel went through unloaded. Then everything was reloaded.”
This verse is treated like a secret mental test. If you’re rich you have to temporarily and mentally absolve yourself from riches. Once you’re born again you get your stuff back.
That’s a dangerous and inaccurate interpretation of the text.
Heed the warning.
#4 Double For Your Trouble — Financial Bible Verses
Job 42:10 Again I tell you, 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.
Lovers of money carelessly use this verse. Job endured many difficult situations.
Are you a parent who has buried a child? That wound never fully heals.
Money doubling doesn’t heal it. Increasing the number of cattle doesn’t make the pain go away.
Anyone who boldly declares, “God gave Job double for his trouble” has deep issues. Their love for money is out of control and they could use our prayers.
#5 Cursed With A Curse
Malachi 3:10 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
Storehouse tithing is taught in many churches. That’s the idea that Christians must give ten percent of their income to the church.
Malachi 3:8-12 is often used as a tithing proof text but it’s used incorrectly.
The tithe mentioned in Malachi three is the tithe of the tithe. Farmers and ranchers would bring their tithe (animals and crops) to the Levites. The Levites would then present a tithe of the tithe to the priests. Food items were kept in the storehouse.
The storehouse is not the church. Tithing always involved food. The tithe is not money.
With the destruction of the temple, tithing is impossible even for farmers and herdsmen. Plus, non-farmers did not tithe.
If you desire to give ten percent of your income to your church do it. Ten percent is a nice round number. The math is easy. For some, it’s a huge amount.
Just don’t deceive yourself into thinking that you’re tithing.
You’re not.
#6 Jesus Became Poor, So You Could Become Rich
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
I’ve heard this verse used incorrectly on many occasions. Regrettably, I’ve used it incorrectly in my time as a pastor, too.
What is Paul really saying in this verse?
I suggest that he’s encouraging radical generosity (article of mine on generosity). He’s provoking us to give in a manner that could make our lives financially uncomfortable.
Jesus made Himself poor and will we do the same?
#7 Prosper In All Things
3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
John simply greeted the readers of this letter with a strong blessing. He did not develop a doctrine of 100% prosperity in every situation for every Christian.
This verse is not a promise from God. God provides prosperity opportunities. They usually involve work and sacrifice, though.
He has given us the power to get wealth and will teach us to profit. God is not our secret weapon or a Genie in a bottle.
#8 Jehovah Jireh
Genesis 22:14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
The faithfully misguided continue to remind God that He is the Lord-Who-Provides.
Yet, we miss the point of the verse.
Abraham and Isaac are a harbinger of future sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.
God provided the ultimate sacrifice. Only Jesus could pay our sin debt.
This Bible verse has everything to do with salvation and nothing to do with money.
Financial Bible Verses Misused Or Out of Context
There are probably many more Bible verses that are taken out of context for financial purposes. We don’t need to abuse or misuse the Bible to fit our narrative.
There are plenty of Bible verses that speak positively of wealth. Jesus, Paul, and Solomon issued dozens of financial warnings.
We don’t need to choose between capitalism and socialism. That’s a false dichotomy. There are other available options.
Prosperity destroys the fool. So don’t be a fool.
We all must deny ourselves, pick our crosses daily, and follow Jesus. That includes money.