11 Quotes from the Bible about Saving Money
When you read the Bible, you are likely looking for guidance. You want to read the stories, learn about God and all of the wonderful things he has done for us, and how you can apply it to your life. What may be surprising, though, is that the Bible discusses how and why you should save money.
The Bible clarifies that one should practice saving money while still placing hope and trust in the Lord. Saving money will ensure that you are prepared without debts. Saving will also provide financial security for your family and children and open the opportunity to give to others.
What Does the Bible Say About Saving Money?
The Bible makes it clear that a good steward of the Lord will practice money-saving exercises. He will put away a portion of his income in a savings account, not because he does not have faith in the Lord to provide, but so that he can maintain financial security for himself and his family.
The Bible also describes how saving money is a respectful act to the Lord. Since the Lord provides the money, it is the believer’s job to take good care of it, including saving for the future.
Does the Bible Say Anything About Budgeting and Finance?
Another thing the Bible is clear about is budgeting. A budget is imperative for security, described in Luke 14:28-30 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, “This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.”
The Bible shares that followers of Christ should avoid debt, as debt can be a form of modern slavery. Diversify your investments to improve your financial goals and security, as described in Ecclesiastes 11:2 – “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”
Last but not least, plan for your future – including financially. A solid plan will ensure that you provide security for yourself and your family while also allowing the opportunity to give. A secure plan will also keep you focused on the Lord.
11 Quotes from the Bible about Saving Money
To understand what the Bible says about saving money, you need to pay attention to certain memory verses. Sometimes, the Bible provides clear and concise verses directed towards money. Other times, believers need to look below the surface and dissect what the memory verse is truly saying about their finances and saving money.
Proverbs 21:20 “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”
At first glance, this Bible verse could be construed as a verse talking about food. But there is a far deeper meaning behind this Proverb. Here, the Lord explains that someone wise will store his necessities – including anything of value, such as money.
However, a fool won’t think twice about his valuables. Rather than saving for a rainy day, the fool gulps down his food and olive oil – also meaning that he throws his money around like it is nothing. In the end, the fool is left with nothing and scrambling while the wise is prepared.
Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
The Bible talks immensely about diligence from the beginning to the end, including this verse from 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
The Lord makes it clear throughout the Bible how he wants his followers to behave. Diligence is one of these key factors, and it can be applied to your financial future.
This Proverb makes saving money a bit clearer. It says that diligent individuals, who work hard, are dedicated, and save for their future, will have a prosperous and secure life. On the other hand, those that are hasty with their work and finances will not have the same security.
1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”
This is one of the best verses for understanding what the Bible has to say about saving money. The verse is clear: out of every paycheck, set aside a partial amount of it so that you do not need to fear debt.
Remember – the Lord does not want his people to live in debt. This is depicted throughout the Bible through many memory verses, including Romans 13:7: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Proverbs 30:24-25 “Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;.”
This Bible verse can leave some believers puzzled. It is not as blatant as some of the other verses that depict saving money. You have to dissect this verse a little further to fully understand its meaning.
Essentially, this memory verse is saying to live like the ant. Although the ant is small, they know the importance of storing up their food. The same should be true for humans. Although you may not have the most important job, you still need to save for your financial future.
Genesis 41:34-36: “Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”
Even at the beginning of the Bible, the Lord clarifies that saving up is important for security in the future. And, if you continue to read this story, you will find that the rest of the earth came to Joseph for food because the famine became so severe. With this verse, we can understand the utter importance of saving. Not just for yourself, but to help others, too.
Matthew 6:19: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
This is an important verse to read. Why? Because God shows here that, while saving money is important for well-being, becoming greedy and saving for the wrong reasons is not the way. One must remember that there is more to life than money. Don’t dwell on being the richest man. Instead, be rich on heaven and earth.
1 Timothy 6:17: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
It is important to never save money out of fear. By doing so, you are showing a lack of trust in God. That said, it is important to keep your faith in Christ while saving your money. Always believe in Him, whether you have $5 in savings or $5,000.
James 1:16-17: “Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
It is important to never save money out of fear. By doing so, you are showing a lack of trust in God. That said, it is important to keep your faith in Christ while saving your money. Always believe in Him, whether you have $5 in savings or $5,000.
Luke 12:47-48: “The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Again, money is a gift from the Lord, just like everything else. God makes it evident that his children should practice good stewardship of these gifts, including money and other things of value.
By saving money and being smart with it, you are once again able to demonstrate stewardship and respect for what the Lord has given you. On the other hand, being foolish with money indicates irresponsible and greedy behavior, which are two things the Bible does not promote.
Proverbs 13:22: "A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just."
It is evident throughout the Bible the importance of children, raising them right and treating them how they ought to be treated. One of the favorite verses about raising children comes from Matthew 18:10: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
But there is more to raising children than teaching them about the Lord and how to be a good believer. There is also the financial aspect. As this Proverb indicates, being financially stable and saving money that can be passed on to your children is recommended.
2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion.”
Last but not least, the Bible shares that believers should continue to give, even while saving money. In fact, saving money can provide you with the financial stability to give more, making saving another predominant theme one can learn from the Bible.
Final Words
The Bible is littered with memory verses that teach the importance of saving money. It is important to make a financial plan and set aside a part of your paycheck each month. Therefore, you will have security and be able to give. However, do not become greedy or save out of distrust in the Lord. Focus on Him, believe in Him and be a good steward of His gift (money) by saving wisely.
