Godly Principles of Building Wealth

Wealth. It’s a loaded term that often brings up mixed emotions, especially for Christians.

On one hand, scripture warns us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). On the other hand, many godly Biblical figures like Abraham and Job were blessed with great wealth.

So what gives? Is it okay for Christians to intentionally build wealth, or should we avoid it altogether?

I used to struggle with this question myself. As someone eager to build assets and create financial stability for my family, I worried whether my goals aligned with my faith.

It wasn’t until I dug deeper into scripture and studied the principles of Biblical financial stewardship that I found clarity.

In this post, we’ll unpack what the Bible really says about money, wealth, and our responsibility as Christians when it comes to building and managing God’s provision.

You’ll discover that not only is intentional wealth creation permitted – when done correctly for the right reasons – it’s actually an act of Biblical stewardship.

5 Key Points on Wealth From a Christian Worldview

Let’s clarify some key points on wealth building from a Biblical perspective:

• Wealth itself isn’t the problem. As evidenced by many godly men and women of faith, wealth in and of itself isn’t an issue. The real problem comes when we love money more than God or trust in it over relying on Him.

• How we manage money matters. While wealth may be neutral, how we handle our finances is incredibly important. The Bible calls us to be faithful stewards, utilizing resources wisely and generously for God’s glory.

• There is dignity in work. Scripture praises hard work and cautions against laziness. When we apply ourselves to our vocation with excellence, we can experience the fulfillment of providing for ourselves and others while also building wealth.

• Wealth building requires strategy. Making intentional financial decisions is key. This could involve saving, budgeting, investing, developing streams of income, and acquiring assets. The Bible commends wise planning and avoiding waste.

• Generosity is non-negotiable. As we build wealth, sharing our blessings with others, especially those in need, is not optional. God calls us to manage money with an open hand, not a closed fist.

Biblical Perspectives on Money & Wealth

To build wealth according to God’s principles, we need a solid foundation regarding what scripture teaches about finances.

Here are 8 key Biblical concepts to understand:

• Money is a tool, not life’s goal. Money facilitates transactions, enabling us to provide and care for ourselves and others. But it should never become the central aim (Matthew 6:24). Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).

• God owns it all. Since the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1), that includes our money and assets. We are managers, not owners, of what God entrusts to us during our lifetime.

• Trust God, not wealth. Scripture continually warns against putting one’s confidence in riches over relying on God (Psalm 52:7). Those who trust in wealth will fall, but those trusting God will flourish (Proverbs 11:28).

• Wealth requires responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). If God blesses us financially, we now carry the responsibility to be good stewards of those resources.

• Invest wisely. Like the servants in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), we should invest and develop what God entrusts to us, not waste or hoard His provision due to poor money management or fear.

• Generosity matters. God cares greatly how we manage money, repeatedly emphasizing justice for the poor and the need to be generous with others (Proverbs 14:31). Our giving reflects where our heart is (Matthew 6:21).

• Work has dignity. Idleness and laziness are severely reprimanded in scripture, while hard work and industriousness are praised. God expects us to labor and provide for ourselves and our families with His empowerment.

• Avoid greed. The Bible consistently identifies greed and covetousness as idolatry, promising that the greedy will not inherit God’s kingdom (Ephesians 5:5). We must seek contentment in God rather than indulge in endless material appetites.

9 Practical Tips for Managing Money God’s Way

With the right Biblical financial foundations laid, let’s explore some practical strategies for managing money wisely as a Christian pursuing wealth creation:

• Knowledge is crucial. Stewarding money God’s way requires we educate ourselves on personal finance principles while also studying relevant Biblical texts on money and wealth. Financial literacy paired with spiritual wisdom enables prudent decisions.

• Perspective matters. Adopting an eternal outlook on money significantly reduces anxiety over finances. Since real treasures await us in heaven (Matthew 6:20), earthly market fluctuations can be viewed more calmly.

• Budget wisely. Creating a reasonable budget aligned with scriptural priorities helps monitor expenditures and cash flow while also enabling us to live below our means. Tracking spending reveals where adjustments may be needed while freeing up funds for intentional saving and giving goals.

• Subtract savings first. Applying the Biblical principle to “honor the Lord with your wealth” (Proverbs 3:9), it makes sense to pay ourselves first through automated savings contributions rather than hoping leftover funds remain by month’s end. Even small consistent saving builds stability and capital for future Kingdom investments.

• Minimize debt. The Bible warns, “the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). When possible, avoiding unnecessary debt preserves freedom and provides security against potential future calamities.

• Give generously. Setting aside a percentage of income for giving reminds us that everything we have belongs to God and allows us to invest in eternity by supporting Kingdom work. Our generosity reflects where our heart is (Luke 12:34).

• Work diligently. Applying consistent effort in our vocation not only enables provision for our needs but allows us to bless others. All honest work has dignity when done unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Idleness has no place.

• Develop multiple streams. Exploring several sources of income diversifies resources in the event of disruption to one stream while also providing more capital to steward generously. Paul humbly and creatively employed tent-making alongside ministry to avoid being a financial burden.

• Invest wisely. While certain risk comes with any investment, allocating funds across a range of Biblically aligned options promotes steady growth over time. Prioritizing Kingdom goals when possible offers a chance to participate in eternal rewards.

Wealth Building From a Position of Financial Freedom

While wealth creation does require capital, becoming debt-free opens up more discretionary margins to invest and build assets.

Here are 5 tips for achieving financial freedom:

• Pay off consumer debt aggressively. High-interest credit card, auto, and personal debts drain resources that could be saved or invested. Create a debt payoff strategy. Consider consolidating or leveraging balance transfers wisely.

• Build emergency savings. Having 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses available in savings helps weather unexpected crises without incurring new debt.

• Downsize fixed costs. Finding ways to reduce fixed monthly obligations increases the margin for discretionary spending and wealth-building contributions. Look for savings on housing, transportation, utilities, phone plans, subscriptions, and insurance options.

• Increase income. Asking for a raise, finding a promotion, developing a side income stream, or improving a skill to warrant higher pay not only provides more capital for investing but enables faster debt repayment.

• Leave a margin. Resist the temptation to overextend your lifestyle or take on payments at the upper limit of your budget. Maintaining a margin of savings and discretionary income allows flexibility to capture occasional wealth-building investment opportunities.

Kingdom Perspectives on Wealth

While wise money management does require forethought and strategy, we must keep an eternal perspective, remembering that life does not consist of an abundance of possessions. 

Here are 5 principles for staying grounded spiritually amidst wealth-building efforts:

• Wealth building starts in the heart. More than making careful financial moves, lasting success requires nurturing the inner traits that enable wise stewardship – generosity, integrity, patience, self-control, diligence, and contentment.

• Invest in the eternal as well as earthly. Regularly assessing that our budgets and bank accounts reflect care for others and God’s Kingdom work ensures we don’t become overly consumed with temporal wealth accumulation alone. Giving should be part of any financial plan.

• Wealth enables ministry, not replaces it. Increased assets provide increased capacity to fund Kingdom work. Success should motivate even greater generosity, not an excuse to focus exclusively on self.

• Spiritual riches over material. While wise stewardship does produce stability and prosperity, our heart must remain rooted in eternal riches – things like deep intimacy with Christ that wealth can never buy (Revelations 2:9).

• Trust God’s provision, timing, and purposes. Perhaps the greatest key to lasting financial peace is trusting that God will provide what we need when we need it to fulfill His purposes in our lives. He owns it all and promises to care for His children.

Key Takeaways on Godly Wealth Creation

To recap, here are the key principles I’ve gleaned about Biblically-aligned wealth building:

• Wealth itself isn’t inherently good or bad – it’s a tool.
• Our heart posture and motivations matter greatly.
• Generous giving should always accompany wealth accumulation.
• Work diligently in ethical enterprise.
• Steward money wisely through budgets, saving, and strategic spending.
• Remain eternally minded amidst temporal wealth gains.
• Trust God to care for needs while creating the capacity to bless others.

FAQ About Christian Views on Money

If you still have questions about the Biblical perspective on wealth and finance, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Q. Does being wealthy mean I’m greedy?

A. No. Scripture commends many faithful followers of God who acquired great wealth. The issue isn’t affluence itself but rather greed, which is an obsessive desire for more that eclipses concern for God and others.

Q. Is it okay to enjoy luxuries and vacations if I’m wealthy?

A. Yes, in moderation. God calls us to celebrate life with joy and cheer (Ecclesiastes 8:15). The chief problem comes when pursuits of pleasure dominate our time, identity, and affections over pursuing Christ. Steward resources wisely for needs before funding extravagant wants.

Q. Should I avoid risky investments?

A. Not necessarily. While scripture commends caution and avoiding hasty pledges (Proverbs 11:15), some prudent risk-taking allows for growth. Men like Abraham and Jacob benefited greatly from courage and divine blessing in their ventures. Seek wisdom and assess risks thoroughly with trusted advisors.

Q. How much should I give?

A. Scripture teaches proportional giving – a percentage rather than a fixed dollar amount (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). The 10% tithe was an Old Testament standard for Jews under the law. Christians should prayerfully determine their own sacrificial level of giving as God guides (2 Corinthians 9:7), from the heart, generously (2 Corinthians 8:3).

Q. Should I enjoy my job?

A. Absolutely! God designed meaningful, creative work before the fall. Loving our vocation cultivates excellence while also reducing the temptation to over-identify with wealth as our sole source of meaning and fulfillment.

I hope these Scriptural insights on wealth provide guidance and encouragement as you seek to build assets and create financial margins in accordance with your faith!