Bible gives apt advice about how we should spend our money. Greed towards money is lethal so, we should approach our wealth with the virtue of humility. Many people treat money as their center of life. But as much as possible, let us not treat money as a center of attraction.
We should never choose money over the people around us. While we can purchase material things with an extra buck in our pockets, the family and friends God has blessed us with cannot be bought. They are a precious gift that no amount of money can afford.
Proverbs 30:8 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
Job 42:10 “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.“
Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
1 Chronicle 29:14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Psalm 119:14 “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.“.
Psalm 62:10 “if riches increase, do not set your heart on them”
Luke 16:14 “The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”
Another virtue that humility gives us is clarity. When we humble ourselves, our hearts do not settle for measly material things. An aspect we should answer is whether or not we are humble with the wealth God gives us. If we understand that money does not equate to eternity and when we appreciate things that aren’t from the shelves of the malls around us then, we are spending our money correctly.
Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” …Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong”.
1 Corinthians 13:3 “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not to love, I gain nothing.“
The Bible also tells us to keep a moderate attitude in spending of money. We show our gratitude to God when we understand that He is sufficient for us to feel secure, satisfied, and joyous. Also, lead a simple life. Purchasing luxurious items can separate us from the opportunity to help other people. Another way of practicing humility is through acts of charity. Our hearts should always remember that we can be somebody’s blessing.