Money and Wisdom: Biblical Stewardship, Tithing, and Financial Freedom

Written By Brian Jones

Money is a powerful tool. It can be used to build up or to tear down, to bless or to burden. While many wrestle with financial stress, uncertainty, or even guilt, the issue often goes beyond just numbers in a bank account. Every money problem is, at its core, a heart problem. And when it comes to finances, wisdom—not wealth—is the goal. Click the video link above for the full message.

The Default Mode: Foolishness Over Wisdom

Many people struggle financially not because they lack income, but because they lack wisdom in how they handle money. Wisdom isn’t about how much money is in the account; it’s about how it’s managed. Proverbs 21:20 offers a stark contrast: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”

Financial foolishness often looks like:

  • Eating out when there’s no money for it, despite having food at home.

  • Buying a car with a high monthly payment and a small down payment.

  • Putting a vacation on a credit card with no plan to pay it off.

If these choices sound familiar, it’s not just a financial issue—it’s a heart issue. These habits often stem from entitlement, laziness, or a desire for comfort and escape. The good news? Wisdom is possible, and financial stewardship can be learned.

Stewardship vs. Ownership

The Bible repeatedly reminds believers that they are not owners but stewards of what has been entrusted to them. In Luke 16, Jesus tells a parable of a manager who was irresponsible with his master’s resources. He mismanaged funds and, upon realizing he would be fired, made a desperate move to reduce the debts of others to gain favor.

Interestingly, the master commended the manager—not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness. Jesus then gives a thought-provoking takeaway: “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9, NIV).

This statement shifts the perspective on money. Wealth is not the goal; it’s a means to an eternal end. The manager realized that money could be used to influence relationships and impact the future. If even a dishonest man could recognize the power of wealth in relationships, how much more should those who follow Jesus?

Financial Changes Begin With Desperation

For most, financial transformation doesn’t come from passive good intentions—it comes from a moment of desperation. As long as debt, overspending, or financial stress are seen as normal, they will continue. True change happens when someone decides: Enough is enough.

Financial expert Dave Ramsey often says, “You can wander into debt, but you cannot wander out. You have to get mad.”

Desperation, when channeled correctly, leads to action. That might mean creating a cash flow plan, cutting unnecessary expenses, or temporarily taking on extra work. It’s not about legalism—it’s about intentionality. Money is already flowing somewhere; the question is whether it’s being directed wisely.

The Myth of Wealth and Wisdom

Some people associate wisdom with poverty, believing that to be spiritual means to have little. Others assume that wealth itself is a sign of wisdom. Scripture debunks both ideas.

  • Proverbs 21:20 teaches that the wise have stored resources—not because they are poor, but because they are intentional.

  • In Luke 12, Jesus tells the story of a man who stored up wealth for himself, only to lose everything when his life was demanded of him. “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21, NIV).

  • Wealth does not make a person wise, just as poverty does not make someone righteous. What matters is the posture of the heart.

Three Steps to Stewardship

For those looking to take a step toward financial faithfulness, three simple but powerful actions can make a difference:

1. Tithe: Returning What Was Never Ours

Tithing is not about generosity—it’s about obedience. Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven.” It’s the only time in Scripture where God invites people to test Him. Tithing acknowledges that all resources belong to God and aligns the heart with His provision.

2. Give: Moving Beyond the Minimum

Generosity begins where tithing ends. Some hesitate to give, assuming they need more financial stability first. Yet, the New Testament model isn’t just tithing—it’s radical generosity.

Acts 2:45 describes believers who “sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

The early church was known for giving above and beyond because they recognized that money was a tool for the Kingdom.

3. Get After It: Intentionality in Financial Health

A vague plan leads to vague results. Whether it’s tackling debt, increasing savings, or re-evaluating spending, intentional financial steps lead to long-term stability. Some practical ways to “get after it” include:

  • Creating a detailed cash flow plan (instead of a restrictive budget).

  • Tackling debt using a strategy like the debt snowball method.

  • Setting giving goals to expand generosity over time.

Financial stewardship isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. When money is managed wisely, it no longer controls emotions, decisions, or security.

Security in Christ, Not Cash

At the core of financial wisdom is this truth: Money is not security.

Some believe that if they just had a little more money, they would feel safe. Yet, financial status fluctuates. Markets change. Jobs come and go. The only true security is found in Jesus.

Psalm 62:10 offers this caution: “Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.”

Whether in abundance or lack, the goal remains the same—using resources in a way that honors God and impacts eternity. Wealth will fade, but the Kingdom impact lasts forever.

Further Reading

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Brian Jones
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