Money Trouble In The Bible (8 "Uh Oh" Moments in The Bible)

Money trouble is a legitimate issue. We’ve all run face-first into money trouble at one time or another. Why? Original sin corrupts and infects everything. Money, in and of itself, is not wicked. Yet, it still is a stumbling block for millions.

Money trouble is often self-inflicted. Character flaws such as lying, envy, covetousness, and a sense of entitlement can derail our money mission. Avoiding money trouble requires focus, discipline, and persistence. It’s not easy but it is possible.

Here are eight Biblical examples of money trouble. Let’s learn what we can and move along without incident.

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

Ananias and Sapphire conspired against the Holy Spirit. Typing that sentence seems extremely odd. How could one believe that they could hide something from the Spirit of God?

We do it all of the time. At least we try to get away with things but it never works.

Begin reading in the fourth chapter of Acts. A man named Joseph sold some land and brought the proceeds to the Apostles (Acts 4:36-37). It’s my belief that this act of generosity inspired Ananias and Saphira. Unfortunately, it inspired them to conspire and test the Holy Spirit.

They sold the land and kept back part of the money. They were not required to give the entire amount to the Apostles. Offerings, even in the book of Acts, are acts of grace.

The problem was that they lied about the amount. Ananias and Saphira thought that they were only lying to the Apostles. Peter informed them that they were lying to God.

Judgment, even after Calvary, was swift and final for them.

How we give is serious.

Here’s an article that I wrote about Rich People In The Bible. Joseph and Ananias and Sapphira are mentioned. Money is rarely the root cause of bad things — sin is the root cause.

The Sin Of Achan

Joshua 7:20-21 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

God warned the children of Israel about taking anything from Jericho. Achan disregarded God’s warning. Covetousness overwhelmed obedience.

God judged the entire nation because of his disobedience. The battle of Ai resulted in the death of thirty-six warriors. It was a battle that Joshua should have easily won.

Judgment then came to Achan. It too was swift and final.

God requires absolute obedience. Partial obedience is rebellion. He’s a link to one of my most popular articles. It’s titled Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice.

Cain And Abel

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith, he was commended as righteous when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

Sadly, the first known offering resulted in tragedy. God is not required to accept offerings that are not given in faith. Actually, He’s not required to “do” anything. He’s God.

Giving offerings is a key part of the Christian faith. Generosity is virtuous.

The Holy Spirit is constantly softening our hearts as we’re conforming to the person of Christ. Here’s a helpful article on the concept of giving. It’s titled 23 Bible Verses About Offerings. Sometimes offerings are given with impure motives.

The Rich Young Ruler

Mark 10:22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.

Oh, the rich young ruler. At least he was honest. He’s often misunderstood and maligned.

Hopefully, his life got on track.

This man was zealous for the law. He ran to Jesus and asked what he must do to be saved. Jesus saw through his duplicity. Money was his prized possession, not God.

Jesus didn’t let him off the hook. The rich young ruler violated commandments one and two by elevating money over God.

We cannot serve God and money.

Elisha and Gehazi

2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?

God performed a mighty miracle through Elisha. The recipient, Naaman, was so appreciative that he offered a gift to Elisha. Elisha flatly refused the gift.

Elisha’s servant Gehazi wanted the gift. Gehazi followed Naaman and told him that Elisha had changed his mind. Naaman gave Gehazi everything he requested.

Elisha confronted him for his greed. Naaman was healed of leprosy. Gehazi was judged with leprosy.

Sometimes we must turn down gifts.

Most preachers don’t know this lesson.

The Church In Laodicea

Revelation 3:16-17 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Prosperity is more difficult to manage than adversity. The church in Laodicea was material prosperous but spiritually poor.

The American church must navigate this sticky situation. I’d rather not be called wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Balaam And The Talking Donkey

Jude 11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Balaam loved money and was trying to get the fees of divination. Balak hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. God specifically told Balaam that the Israelites were blessed and that he could not curse them.

Balaam tried to wear God down and get Him to change His mind.

Finally, God used a donkey to rebuke Balaam.

When God says “No!” He means it.

Self-Made Millionaires Don’t Exist

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 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, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

I have an involuntary eye roll when I hear the term “self-made millionaire” used. It’s semantics but I still despise the term.

We’ve all received help along the way. Babies need to be fed, burped, and changed.

More importantly, God has given us the ability to produce wealth. It’s best to give Him the glory and the credit.