A Biblical Approach to Finances: Savings Attitude

Throughout this whole series, we've been focused on first discussing what the Bible says about certain topics and then we provide other details on it. If you've missed any of the previous posts, you can find them all here:

This month, our focus is shifting towards savings. Does God want us to save? What should our attitude be towards saving? Let's take a look at what the Bible says for this before we jump into more specifics like types of savings funds. This blog is going to be a bit different than others in this series, as it's going to mainly have a bunch of Bibles verses related to savings – more on actual savings will come next month.

Does God want us to save?

1 Timothy 6:17-19 "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

We've mentioned this before in previous parts of this series, we ultimately need to focus on God who gives us the riches we have. We are to use the riches God gives us for His good. The money we have shouldn't just be used on ourselves. We shouldn't let God's blessing on us end with us!

While this doesn't specifically mention God telling us to save money, it does give us a good perspective on our money in general. However, there are many verses that can be tied into our attitude towards savings.

Our Attitude Towards Saving

Proverbs is a book of wisdom. We've used many verses in the book of Proverbs when talking about our finances in previous posts. You're going to see that a lot of these verses are again from the book of Proverbs. I'm going to share six points about savings:

It is wise to save and foolish to use up

"Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." - Proverbs 21:20

We should be self-motivated

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is establish; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." - Proverbs 24:3-4

God requires us to think well

"Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls." - Proverbs 27:23-27

We are to be good stewards

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." - 1 Corinthians 4:2

I talked more about stewardship in this blog:

It is our responsibility

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." - 1 Timothy 5:8

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous." - Proverbs 13:22

We cannot lose perspective

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." - Proverbs 23:4-5

"And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” - Luke 12:16-21

Take some time this month to read through all of these verses. Do you need to shift your attitude towards saving?