Honoring the Lord with our wealth is a concept that is emphasized in the Bible, particularly in Proverbs 3:9 which says “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce”. But what does it actually mean for us today to honor God with our money and possessions? Here are some key principles from Scripture to guide us:
Giving Generously to God’s Work
One of the most direct ways we can honor God with our wealth is by giving generously to support His work and ministry. As Proverbs 3:9 indicates, we should give God the “firstfruits” – in other words, giving to God should be our priority when we receive income. Tithing a portion of our income to the local church is a biblical model for supporting the preaching of the gospel and caring for those in need (Malachi 3:10). We can also give free-will offerings above and beyond the tithe to support missionary work, Christian charities, and others who are actively ministering in Jesus’ name. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) so we shouldn’t just give out of duty or obligation, but with joy and eagerness to fund kingdom work.
Using Wealth to Bless Others
In addition to funding Christian ministry, part of honoring God with our wealth includes generously blessing others – especially the poor and needy. 1 John 3:17 says “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” We are called not just to avoid evil with our money, but to actively use it for doing good and meeting needs. Whether through donating to a food bank, supporting a family in crisis, giving to a charity, or helping a stranger with an unexpected expense, we can honor God through small and large acts of generosity. Such giving should be done humbly and quietly as Jesus instructed (Matthew 6:2-4).
Investing in Eternity through Wise Stewardship
Since all we have belongs to God, we honor Him by being wise stewards who make eternally-focused financial decisions. Every spending, saving, and investing choice we make either builds God’s kingdom or serves only earthly desires. Proverbs 13:22 says “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” When we apply biblical financial principles like living below our means, avoiding get-rich-quick schemes, and providing for our families, we make wise investments in eternity. Our money may run out but the spiritual fruits of good stewardship last forever. We can also directly invest in eternity by funding evangelism, Bible translation, discipleship materials, and other ministries that reap eternal rewards.
Having a Generous Heart Towards God
More than just our money, God wants our heart. We honor Him when we realize all blessings flow from God’s gracious hand. Like David, we recognize: “Both riches and honor come from you…Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly?” (1 Chronicles 29:12,14). Everything we have belongs to God. When we grasp this truth, stinginess and selfishness lose their grip as we freely offer back to God our time, talents, and treasures. We desire to generously honor Him because our heart overflows with gratitude for His lavish generosity towards us.
Using Wealth Ethically to Bless Our Communities
The way we conduct business and handle wealth daily can bring honor or dishonor to God’s name. Deceptive business practices like dishonest weights and measures are called detestable by God (Proverbs 20:10). When we operate with ethics and integrity in the marketplace – not greedy for profits by any means – our communities are blessed and God is honored. Doing work heartily as serving the Lord, not men, causes even mundane tasks to carry eternal weight (Colossians 3:23). Our motives for acquiring wealth also matter greatly to God. Paul instructed Timothy to teach the rich not to fix their hope on uncertain riches, but on God who richly supplies us with all things (1 Timothy 6:17). When our desire is to bless others and aid the spread of the Gospel, money turns from an idol to a useful tool in honorable hands.
Avoiding the Love of Money Through Contentment
While money itself is morally neutral, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Honoring God requires resisting greed, envy, covetousness, and discontentment with whatever wealth we have. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Hebrews 13:5). When God has first place in our heart, money loses its power over us. We become truly content in God alone. While still desiring to be wise stewards, we rest in His goodness no matter our account balance. Any pursuit of wealth as a means to find happiness apart from God dishonors Him.
Holding Wealth Loosely and Heavenly Minded
Since earthly wealth is fleeting (1 Timothy 6:7), we honor God when we hold it loosely and remain heavenly minded. Those entrusted with much wealth should rejoice not in riches, but that their names are written in heaven (Luke 12:16-21). In God’s upside down kingdom, some who are financially poor are rich in faith and will inherit the kingdom (James 2:5, Matthew 5:3). We can only serve one master ultimately – God or money (Matthew 6:24). When our lives reflect our true citizenship in heaven and hope of eternity, earthly wealth loses its grip on our hearts. We live to glorify God and freely use money as a means to that end. We deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24).
Trusting in God, Not Wealth, for Our Security
Since riches can disappear instantly or fail us when we need them most, it is foolish and dishonoring to trust in them versus God for our security. “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” (1 Timothy 6:17). We honor God when we look to Him as our strong tower and ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 61:3, Psalm 46:1). When we steward wealth wisely but place our faith in God to meet our needs, we declare His surpassing greatness and worth. We live with open hands – acknowledging He could take it all away tomorrow. Our security is found in God alone, not earthly wealth.
In summary, honoring God with our wealth encompasses generously supporting His work, blessing others, stewarding eternity, ethical business practices, contentment, heavenly mindedness, and trusting God not riches. It requires hearts surrendered in love to God over any idol. The way we handle money either testifies to the Lordship of Christ in our lives or reveals divided loyalty. As John Piper said: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. You show me a man’s checkbook stubs, and I’ll show you a man’s heart.” May our wealth in all its forms be freely offered to bring glory and honor to God.
