The following is a list of twenty myths that Christians believe about money and what the bible has to say about them.
This a longer post than usual. At the average adult reading speed it will take 4-5 minutes to read.
1) Money is the root of all evil
This is one of the most misquoted verses. It actually says that the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” 1 Tim 6:10
2) I don’t have to give to the poor
“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” Prov 21:13
“Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Luke 3:11
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” Prov 28:27
3) The amount I give has nothing to do with income
“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people.. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income” 1 Cor 16:1-2
“If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” 2 Cor 8:12
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.” Deut 16:17
4) Money has nothing to do with honor
Paul’s first letter to Timothy has a whole chapter talking about financially providing for widows and elders and he uses the word honor in reference to their financial provision:
“Honor widows who are truly widows.” 1 Tim 5:3
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”” 1 Tim 5:3,17-18
“Honor the Lord with your wealth.” Prov 3:9
5) How much blessing I receive has nothing to do with how much I give
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Cor 9:6)
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Prov 19:17)
“Those who honor me I will honor” 1 Sam 2:30
6) My heart can be into God while refraining to give him my treasure
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21
7) How I handle money has nothing to do with whether I can be trusted with true riches
“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” Luke 16:11
8) Preachers shouldn’t get paid
“Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” 1 Cor 9:13-14
“If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” 1 Cor 9:11
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”” 1 Tim 5:17-18
9) There’s nothing in the bible about giving regularly
“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” 1 Cor 16:1-2
10) I need to give God 10% of my income
Tithing (giving 10%) is part of the law and Rom 6:14 and Gal 5:18 say that we are no longer under the law.
11) I don’t get to decide how much to give
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor 9:7
12) I shouldn’t give when that’s all I have
“In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 2 Cor 8:2
Jesus said, “this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44
13) If I give then I won’t have enough
“I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent … And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:18-19
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work…He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” 2 Cor 9:7-8,10,11
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Prov 3:9-10
14) I should give God what’s left over after my other expenses
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce” Prov 3:9
15) Giving isn’t something I can get better at
“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Cor 8:7 NIV
16) If I have an abundance, I shouldn’t be expected to help the needy
“Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.” 2 Cor 8:14
“…begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.” 2 Cor 8:4
“For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.” Rom 15:26
17) God doesn’t give me money specifically to be used for giving
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Cor 9:10
18) It’s not the church’s job to supply the needs of the saints
“Contribute to the needs of the saints” Rom 12:13
“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.” 1 Cor 16:1
“There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” Acts 4:34-35
19) I can be in the faith and not provide for my family
“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 Tim 5:8
20) I can serve both God and money
“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Luke 16:13
