Reaping Eternal Riches: Love of Money Bible Verses for Christians

It may surprise you, but more verses in the Bible talk about money than about having faith in God. In fact, over 2,300 love of money Bible verses mention wealth, possessions, contentment, investing, and more. This is because money can become the ultimate distraction from a God-centered life.

In this article, we'll go through several Bible verses about the love of money to understand why it’s called the “root of all evil” and illustrate how God wants Christians to approach money in a more meaningful way.

What Does the Bible Say About Love of Money?

Love of money Bible verses can be found in several passages. That said, we can summarize most quotes about money and God with the Parable of the Minas from Luke 19:11-27:

• A rich man entrusted ten minas to his servants for them to “put the money to work” while he was away. He divided the money by the ability of each servant, and each of them handled the money differently.
• The first servant got five minas from the master. While the master was away, he doubled the money and presented ten minas. The master responded, “Well done, my good servant!” and rewarded the servant with more money and responsibilities.
• The second servant received a little over two minas from the master. When the master checked up on him, he saw that the servant also doubled the money to five minas for his master. Pleased with the result, the master also rewarded the servant.
• The third servant, however, was afraid of losing money. He held onto the money, buried it in the ground, and confessed to the master that he’d rather keep the money than use it to gain more. The master was disappointed and stopped trusting the servant.

What is the moral of the story? Take the responsibility of stewardship seriously – the first two servants did just that and were rewarded for their efforts. Unfortunately, the third servant did the opposite, and the master took away the little that was entrusted to him. 

In the same way, God entrusts every person with worldly riches today. Christians are expected to use their resources wisely, meet God's expectations, and not be attached, bound, or controlled by money.

The parable ends with a Scripture about the love of money, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away” (Luke 19:26).

Is it Bad to Love Money?

Money is neutral. It’s neither good nor bad. However, anything we love more than God becomes an idol, and money has enormous potential to distract us from God by becoming the “hero” in our lives.

Here’s a Bible verse about how the love of money is the root of all evil (NIV): “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

When we make money into an idol, we become lovers of evil, as the Bible verse explains. Once Christians live for the love of money, they can no longer serve God. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). In short, idolizing money is removing God from the picture.

“Money Answers All Things” Verse

Rather than treating money as the answer to your life’s worries, look to Scripture, which says, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Earning a fortune is an all-too-real temptation, which is why Luke had to command Christians to keep their guard up. Contrary to how the world may seem to work, money is not the answer to living a great life. In fact, pursuing money only distracts us from what is truly valuable in life, leaving us greedy and forever unsatisfied. 

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10a). In other words, chasing money is a futile path that won’t give you the solution you need, leaving you empty and still wanting more.

Bible Verses About Stealing Money

More than pursuing worldly riches, another major concern is when people steal for the love of money. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 10:2 that “ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value” and only righteousness will “deliver us from death” or make life worth living. This warning also connects to one of the ten commandments: “Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight” (Leviticus 19:13).

Instead, Christians are to focus on earning honest money for the good of others. “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28). God encourages having a healthy desire for resources in this Bible verse.

“A Drunkard Worker Will Never Be Rich”

Thieves aren't the only ones called out for their love of money in the Bible. Scripture also talks about every other person who does wrong things, driven by greediness, materialism, and pride. "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

There is hope, however, because God has forgiven every single person – giving all wrongdoers a second chance in life. The verse continues, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Today, Christians are to be rich in a different way. “Command [those who are rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

“A Good Man Leaves an Inheritance for His Grandchildren”

Scripture acknowledges that most individuals tend to only think of themselves, highlighting the things they'll do for the love of money. in this Bible verse: "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…" (2 Timothy 3:2).

Christians are to think of the future, using their money wisely to leave good things behind for future generations. "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous" (Proverbs 13:22). Once Christians weigh what they want now against what they truly want later, they'll realize how temporary satisfaction pales compared to a legacy of generational fulfillment.

Bible Verses About God Owning Everything

"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" (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

As Christians, we believe everything comes from God, including our money. If it weren't for the wisdom and strength entrusted to us, we wouldn't be able to earn a living, gain great fortunes, and enjoy what life offers us today. If this perspective is clear, using money in light of God's desires will come naturally. For example, you might find yourself offering a large portion of your income for tithes without any hesitation.

David from the Bible says it beautifully when he thanked God for all the riches He has given him, saying, "Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all" (1 Chronicles 29:12). He owns everything; Christians are "money managers" for Him.

Bible Verses About Making a Covenant with God

Lastly, the Bible emphasized that instead of chasing money, we should seek God and store treasures that’ll last forever. Make that promise to Him, just as He has made the promise to sustain us.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Christians are to find their value in God, who so richly provides us with everything we need to live a fulfilling life (1 Timothy 6:17). Instead of worrying about what you’re going to eat and drink tomorrow, cling to God’s promise that He’ll continue to help us – spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Love the Source of Money Instead of Money Itself

We’ll end with a Bible verse about money from the KJV: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

In other words, God promises to never leave or quit on anybody. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about – even small sparrows and the number of hairs on your head are loved, known, and protected by God. (Luke 12:6-7)

After all, gaining the whole world means nothing if we lose our souls in the process (Mark 8:36). Breaking your back for the love of money, as Scripture tells us, greatly pales in comparison to the riches we store in God.