The Truth About Treasure: What the Bible Really Says About Money
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
We don’t talk about it nearly enough in church, but let’s be real, money has a loud voice in our everyday decisions. It affects how we live, how we give, how we dream, and sometimes, how we sleep at night. But what happens when faith and finances collide? What does the Bible really say about money?
Welcome to Week 1 of our four-part series: “Faith & Finances: Walking with God in a Wealth-Driven World.” Each week, we’ll explore the relationship between your Christian walk and your wallet, because God is just as interested in your financial wholeness as He is in your spiritual growth. When it comes to finances—and especially when we consider what the Word of God says about money—there’s enough depth to fill volumes. And while I don’t claim to be an expert in this field, I want to offer a high-level view of biblical principles with the hope that you’ll be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to dig deeper, study the Scriptures for yourself, and invite God to guide you in every financial decision.
So let’s begin by getting to the root of it all: What does Scripture say about treasure, money, and the heart behind it all?
Money Isn’t the Problem—Misplaced Trust Is
Let’s start by busting a myth: Money itself isn’t evil.
We often misquote 1 Timothy 6:10, which says:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...” (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul wasn’t condemning wealth—he was warning against the worship of wealth. In the early church, believers faced the temptation to pursue financial gain at the cost of their faith. This letter to Timothy was a clear reminder: it’s not what’s in your hand, but what’s in your heart that determines your relationship with money.
When money becomes our idol, our identity, or our security blanket, it takes the place only God should have.
God’s People Were Never Meant to Live in Lack
Here’s a truth that might surprise you: Many of the Bible’s most faithful servants were also very wealthy.
Abraham was blessed with “very much livestock, silver, and gold” (Genesis 13:2, NASB).
Joseph managed Egypt’s entire economy and was second only to Pharaoh (Genesis 41).
Lydia, a successful businesswoman, helped fund early church efforts (Acts 16:14-15).
Wealth in itself was never portrayed as sinful. What mattered was how it was gained, how it was used, and who it ultimately honored.
In Deuteronomy 8:18, Moses reminded the Israelites:
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth...” (NIV)
That verse came during a time when the Israelites were entering a season of promise and prosperity—God knew their hearts might be tempted to forget Him once their needs were met. Sound familiar?
Jesus Talked About Money… A Lot
Did you know that Jesus spoke more about money and possessions than about heaven and hell combined? Why?
Because he understood something that we often forget: money reveals our priorities.
In Matthew 6:21, Jesus said,
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIV)
This wasn’t just poetic language—it was a challenge. He was asking: What do you value most? Where do you invest your time, your resources, your attention?
Riches Can Be a Tool or a Trap
Let’s be honest—wealth can either bless or blind. It can help you build the kingdom, or it can build a wall between you and the King.
Remember the rich young ruler? (Mark 10:17-27) He had all the money, but when Jesus invited him to leave it behind and follow, he walked away sad. He couldn’t let go.
That story isn’t about God demanding poverty—it’s about God demanding priority.
When wealth becomes your Master, it enslaves you. But when God becomes your Master, wealth becomes a tool for transformation.
Where Do We Go From Here?
So what does this mean for us today?
It means we need to stop viewing money as something outside our faith. Instead, let’s invite God into our finances—into our budgets, our jobs, our giving, our planning.
It’s not about becoming rich for the sake of riches. It’s about becoming faithful with what we have, so we can be entrusted with more (Luke 16:10-11).
Let’s end the silence around money in our faith circles. Let’s talk about it, study it, and most importantly, surrender it to God.
Reflection & Meditation
This week, take time to reflect:
🔍 What beliefs about money have I inherited that don’t align with Scripture?
📝 What might change if I trusted God with every dollar, not just my tithe?
And hey—this is just the beginning. In Week 2, we’ll tackle the “poverty mindset” that’s quietly sabotaging many believers’ faith and finances. You don’t want to miss it.
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Quick Challenge: Scripture Fill-In-the-Blanks
Let’s see how well you remember one of today’s key verses! Fill in the blanks below from Matthew 6:21 (NIV):
“For where your __________ is, there your __________ will be also.”
Take a moment to say it out loud after you fill it in. Then, ask yourself:
💭 Where am I placing my treasure today?
Want to make it stick? Try writing this verse on a sticky note and placing it on your mirror or phone screen this week.
Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts
If you’ve ever wrestled with money—whether it’s not having enough or worrying about losing what you have—then Redeeming Money by Paul David Tripp is a book you can’t afford to miss. Tripp offers a refreshingly honest and deeply biblical perspective on how money isn’t just a financial issue; it’s a heart issue. With clarity and compassion, he demonstrates how our perception of money is often influenced more by fear, pride, or cultural biases than by faith. And yet, God wants to transform not just our bank accounts, but our hearts, redeeming how we see, handle, and trust Him with our finances.
This book beautifully aligns with the themes from our blog, The Truth About Treasure, reminding us that money is neither our enemy nor our savior—it’s a tool, a test, and a reflection of where our treasure truly lies. Tripp doesn’t give you a budgeting plan—he gives you something far more valuable: spiritual insight and heart reorientation that leads to lasting peace.
Ready to dive deeper into a God-centered approach to finances? Grab your copy of Redeeming Money today!
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the source of all provision and for caring about every detail of my life, including my finances. Teach me to see money not as my master, but as a tool to serve You and bless others. Help me walk in wisdom, with a heart fully surrendered to Your will and a spirit of joyful stewardship. Draw me closer to You each day, and deepen my trust in Your perfect plan for my life.