As an avid reader, I’ve consumed many books over the years on the topics of money, personal finance, and investing. So this week, I’m sharing with you my must read personal finance books. 

Today, I’m sharing with you the most read book of all time that has a lot to say about money - the Bible. 

If you are a Christian, the Bible should be your guidebook when it comes to your relationship with your money. Even if you’re not a Christian, the Bible has much wisdom to teach us about money. 

First of all, it seems clear that God is teaching us through his Word that simply having money is not evil or wrong. It’s the love of money, or greed, that is the problem. So it’s no wonder that greed is one of the 7 deadly sins. 

In Matthew chapter 6, verse 24, Jesus himself says: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Jesus’ teaching is clear. Our love for God cannot be divided. If the love of money is edging it’s way into our lives, then we are edging God out at the same time. 

I think Dave Ramsey’s view on money best summarizes what our relationship to money should be - he says that our money is not actually ours. Our money and wealth belongs to God. We are called to be stewards of God’s wealth and be responsible with the wealth He has blessed us with.

Which means first and foremost providing for our families and our own well-being, and yes, it’s okay to be wealthy and have money. It’s not how much we have, it’s what we do with our money (with God’s money) that matters. Building wealth, then, isn’t a race to see who can die with the most toys. 

Using God’s wealth appropriately requires us to be generous and responsible, and even to make sacrifices in being generous with those who are in need everywhere around us. So I encourage you to read what the bible has to say about money. And examine your own behaviors with your money. Are you living beyond your means? Spending too much? Deeply in debt? Do you give to those around you in need? If you are living just for yourself, trying to accumulate more and more, that is in clear contrast to what God asks of us in His biblical teachings. 

That’s it for today. Thanks for listening! My name is Ashley Micciche and this is the One Minute Retirement Tip. 

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