Proverbs about money
Proverbs treats money as a test of the heart: honor God with it first, gain it honestly and slowly, give it freely, and stay out of debt where you can. Its best line on money is a prayer to have neither too much nor too little (Proverbs 30:8 to 9).
9Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase; 10so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
“First fruits” means God gets the first share, not the leftovers. The picture of full barns is a farmer’s promise of God’s care, not a formula for getting rich.
24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. 25The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
Generosity does not empty you. “He who waters shall be watered”: open hands tend to stay full.
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
Honest money gathered little by little lasts. Quick money gained dishonestly drains away.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
A blunt observation: debt makes you serve someone else. It is a warning to weigh before borrowing.
4Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. 5Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
Chasing wealth wears you out, and riches can vanish as fast as a bird takes off.
8Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
The prayer to keep: enough. Too much can make us forget God; too little can tempt us to steal.
Try this week
Write down every purchase for seven days, then pray Proverbs 30:8 over the list and pick one thing to give away.
With your kids
The same wisdom, for children 4 to 10: Day 14: Be kind to people in need; Day 22: A good name.