The Biblical Money Code
It began, I think, with Billy Graham and his televised sermon in which he declared that Jesus was not a Communist, that Jesus was for private property. The Bible does affirm property rights (Genesis 47:27, Exodus 22:8, 1 Chronicles 27:31) The Bible doesn’t advocate the government owning everything or the elimination of personal property rights, but it does call the church to make sure that those who have extra give to those who are in need. Acts 4:32 says, “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.” Acts 2:44-45 says, “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”
Thus Billy Graham took Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth" to a whole new level. From Graham's validation of property and wealth arose eventually what I have called for some years Economic Calvinism, the belief that wealth is a sign of favor from God and that poverty is a display of God's displeasure, with the inference that the rich are saved and the poor are damned. We have seen what follows from this politically as the disciples of this heresy move Congress to cut taxes for the rich, God's chosen.
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There is however a Biblical Money Code. It is not vague. It does not need to be ripped out of context. It is quite clear:
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. - Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. - Matthew 6: 24 (NLT)
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. - 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NLT)
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” - Mark 10:23-25 (NLT)
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. - Matthew 6: 33 (NLT)
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” - Hebrews 13: 5 (NLT)
Trust in your money and down you go!But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. - Proverbs 11: 28 (NLT)
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Grandich is co-founder, with former New York Giants player Lee Rouson, of Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co., a firm that specializes in offering guidance from a Christian perspective to professional athletes and celebrities.
He says the answers to all sorts of money issues can be found in the good book.
“I get my financial guidance from the Bible,” said Grandich, author of Confessions of a Wall Street Whiz Kid, in a prepared statement. “Money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible – money is mentioned more than 800 times – and the message is clear: Nowhere in Scripture is debt viewed in a positive way.”
Grandich, who says his years as a highly successful Wall Street stockbroker left him spiritually depleted and clinically depressed, says the Bible is an excellent financial adviser, whether or not you’re religious.
“The writers of the Bible anticipated the problems we would have with money and possessions; there are more than 2,000 references,” he says. “Our whole culture now is built on the premise that we have to have more money and more stuff to feel happy and secure. Public storage is the poster child for what’s wrong with America. We have too much stuff because we’ve bought into the myth fabricated by Wall Street and Madison Avenue that more stuff equals more happiness.” He adds, “That’s the total opposite of the truth, and the opposite of what it says in The Bible.”
What’s Grandich’s No. 1 most important biblical rule of finance? “God owns everything. You may have bought that house, but He gave you the money to buy it, so it’s His.”
He shares other pearls of wisdom found in Scripture.
Do put money aside for investing: One of the most revealing parables is Jesus’ story about a wealthy master who left three servants in charge of his financial affairs when he went away on a long journey,” Grandich says. When he returned, two of the servants had multiplied the coins for which they were responsible. The third buried his to keep it safe. That last servant ended up out on his ear. The story is a lesson: We must invest our money – and invest wisely.
Debt’s not prohibited, but it should be avoided: The Bible clearly warns that the borrower will be a servant to the lender, but it also instructs us to lend money. That suggests that there are times when it’s OK to borrow, but it should not become a way of life. The Bible also instructs us to repay what we’ve borrowed.
The more you make, the more you should give. This is a hard one for people caught up in buying bigger and better things, but there are numerous references to charitable giving. The Bible says that it’s quite all right to buy the bigger house – but the more you make and spend on yourself, the more you need to give to others. That doesn’t include tithing, another very clear demand: God expects you to give 10 percent of your wealth to your place of worship.
Don’t focus on acquiring possessions. There are many, many warnings that accumulating stuff is dangerous. Material things are fleeting and they’ll do you no good in the long run. What you put your effort into, that’s where your heart will be.
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How to Invest Money According to the Bible
The Bible shows us when to buy a home, when to sell a home, when to buy a business, when to sell a business, how to succeed in your career, and even what career to select. When you learn these three amazing secrets from the life of Abraham you will never be the same again.
1. Recognize God's will.
- Recognize that God wants to make you rich (3 John 2, Proverbs 10:22).
- Recognize that Jesus died to make you rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
- Recognize that God will supply your needs (Philippians 4:19).
2. Recognize that the number one way to prosperity is that God will lead you and that you must follow your conscience (Proverbs 4:23, Romans 8:14-17, Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Genesis 12:4 and Genesis 13:2). You have fantastic talents and abilities, and God can show you exactly what you must do. You might be laid off but get a raise in your new job. On these occasions God gives a witness on what career to pursue -- and you can prosper by following your conscience (and leadership of the Holy Spirit). In the times that you have a witness, get alone and pray seriously each day, for several days before, to be sure that God was witnessing to your conscience. Notice that Abraham obeyed the leading of God in Genesis 12:4. Proverbs 4:23, "Above all things keep your heart [listen to the "small still voice" within you] for out of it are the issues of life." Read Galatians 3:13-14 and Romans 8:16-17.
3. Be a specialist in your career: Manage the money you make and learn the investment cycles. Now for the three types of money in the Bible and the three secrets to prosperity: after Abraham followed God (Genesis 12:4), God prospered Abraham in Genesis 13:2 with cattle (his career), silver (the money he made) and gold (investments).
- The cattle represents your career and notice that this comes first in The Bible. The secret to your career is to become a specialist. Proverbs 13:15 says that "good understanding gives favor". You must get your college degree and stick with the same career to become a specialist. Proverbs 12:8 says that a man shall be commended for his prudence, not for his hard work. You must learn to "work smarter, not just harder." Notice that in Proverbs 24:27, God wants you to establish your career before you get married. 54% of the divorce in America is over lack of money. Deuteronomy 8:18, "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."
- The silver represents managing the money you make and the Bible secret is to live on a budget. Proverbs 21:17 says that "he who loves pleasure will be poor". You must balance your bills with your income. Also use credit wisely because proverbs 22:7 says that "the borrower is slave to the lender".
- Next is the gold and this represents an investment. The Bible has a lot to say about investment cycles. Forty years in the Bible is considered to be a generation. Every 40 years a terrible recession hits America and home prices collapse as in the 1890's, 1930's, 1970's and 2010's. These collapses are all caused by the government lowering interest rates, causing cheap money, easy loans and a housing bubble. We see this in Genesis 41 where Joseph told Pharaoh that they would have 7 lean years. The 7 lean years, called the "winter recession" in the Bible, happens every 40 years in America. There is another type of recession in the Bible, such as when the government is aggressively lowering interest rates, or recessions that are mild like the "aerospace recession" and the "dot com bubble". Once again there are other influences in the Bible -- for Elijah prayed, and it did not rain for 3.5 years.
4. Associate with people that inspire you and teach you to prosper (Proverbs 13:20). It is important to note that Lot who traveled with Abraham also prospered in his career due to the law of association. Lot did not manage the money he made; all of his workers were drunk and fought with Abraham's men, and the two had to go different paths. Lot lost everything in Genesis 19 because Lot did not learn to follow his conscience, be a specialist, manage the money he made nor learn investment cycles. This goes to show that you can be blessed by the law of association but unless one matures spiritually, one will always be driven with circumstances (Abraham ignored circumstances Romans 4:19).
5. Major verses that show economic and housing cycles in the Bible are Genesis 41, Proverbs 22:2-3, Ecclesiastes 3:2,6 and the Early Church that sold their homes before a huge recession under Claudius Caesar.
- Proverbs 22:2-3,
"Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty". - Ecclesiastes 3:1,3,6,
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away". - Besides the economic cycles, the Bible also talks about housing as being the inheritance of fathers in Proverbs 19:14. One could apply the 7 years up and 7 years down economic cycle in Genesis 41 to real estate (8 is completion) and find out that real estate was 8 years up from 82 to 90, 8 years depressed from 90 to 98 and 8 years up from 98 to 2006. Bingo, when foreclosures rose in 2006 one might have sold a home at the top and have been waiting until approximately (2006+8=2014) to get back in.
- By the way, in 2014 the last of the foreclosed homes that wouldn't sell may be almost given away by the banks with $1,000 down. At the end of the last cycle in 1997-98, that is what the banks did to get rid of the homes that wouldn't sell.
- Another suggestion, when at the 40 year recession, the real estate depression tends to last another 2 years so be sure to buy a home before 2016 (2006 + 8 + 2 = 2016). From 2016 onward, home prices may soar.
- 2010-2019 might be an entire decade of recession, this happens every 40 years. Real estate might be depressed the first half of the decade 2010-2015, but Soar the second half. The reason that the economy will struggle even after the construction recovers is that the government will raise interest rates (to slow the inflation in housing prices), but airlines, auto manufacturers and retail will be struggling with higher interest/and debt payments. That would be if it is a repeat of the 1970's (remember major cycle are generational change conjectured to be 40 years: 1850's, 1890's, 1930's, 1970's, 2010's, and the 2050's).
As prices begin going up, jumping, you could take the advice of the Bible in Ecclesiastes 3 that speaks of a time to hold. The time to hold is when banks do not own foreclosures, this is the time that demand is greater than supply and prices will soar, so hold on and don't sell before prices rise significantly.
Beware of following your emotions and not your conscience. Paul always followed his conscience (Acts 23:1) and so did Jesus (Mark 2:8). People that follow their emotions will be poor (Proverbs 22:17). If you follow your emotions you will get elated at a market top and buy, then get depressed at a market bottom and sell. Emotions cause you to buy high and sell low. We need to walk by faith and not by emotion (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Those to whom God has given wealth have a responsibility to give back to God and to His kingdom work as God leads them. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.” They should cheerfully seek to help those in need as God gives them opportunity. 1 John 3:17 says, “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” The love of God and giving to those in need go hand in hand. As Proverbs 14:31 says, “He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.” Remembering the needy is honoring to God, and it helps open the door for gospel proclamation (Matthew 5:16).
Those who invest financially in the kingdom bountifully can also expect to reap bountifully. Malachi 3:10 says, “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’” We need to be careful not to use this verse as a guarantee that the more money we give, the more money God will give us. We need to understand that reaping bountifully is not about making more money, though God may well entrust us with more that we might give more, but it is about reaping an eternal inheritance of rewards as souls are saved and as people glorify God as a result of the good work of giving (Matthew 5:16).
The church is a place where those who have much are able to supply the needs of those who lack what they need. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 says, “For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.’” Just as the Israelites of old received precisely what they needed from God (if they took too much manna, it would rot), so too does God delight when those who have ample supply give to those who are in need in His body. That way, everybody has what they need.
It is good and right for those who have financial resources to leave their children an inheritance. Proverbs 13:12 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” This teaches children and grandchildren the value of saving and wise investing, and it can put them in a better position to give to God and have more time to use in His service. This is not about one’s ego, family trusts, “generational wealth,” or something of that nature. Rather, it is simply an opportunity for generosity toward one’s children and grandchildren, for wealth doesn’t go with us when we die. Gifts and an inheritance doesn’t spoil children, but parents who don’t teach their children the value of honest labor and how to give to others spoil children.
Wealth should not be used as an excuse to draw attention to self. Matthew 6:2-4 says, “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
There is clear wisdom in saving money, but a fool spends everything he has. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.” The prodigal son took all of his inheritance and “swallowed it up” on frivolous and sinful activities. He ended up eating with the pigs. Some people spend too much and don’t bother to save for a rainy day. This is unwise, for a person must learn to put some money aside for emergencies or unexpected expenses. Saving also enables one to invest and to make a return on that investment. While too much spending can lead to bankruptcy and poverty, saving can lead to increased wealth and prosperity.
Gold and silver and precious stones are recognized in the Bible as wealth. Proverbs 3:14-15 uses gold, silver, and precious stones to emphasize the value of wisdom. Genesis 2:12 speaks of gold with an implication of its value, and Revelation 21:21 says heaven has streets of gold. Gold and silver will change in market value, but they always have intrinsic value. In an age where paper promises and even many currencies are only as good as the good faith and solvency of the counterparty (which is in many cases insolvent), this is something worth understanding.
Those who are able to work should do everything that they can to be able to find work. A welfare system or a church family that doesn’t encourage people to work for their food and one that promotes laziness is not good. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 says, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.” And 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12 says, “But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”
Seeking a financial balance of having enough but not too much is a healthy approach. Proverbs 30:7-9 says, “Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.” There is wisdom in the church members helping to meet the needs of those who are poor so that they are not tempted to try to get money or food the wrong way.
Contentment is something we must learn by faith because it is a great profit in this life and in the next. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” Hebrews 13:5 echoes this passage, saying, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.”