The Bible on Today's Economic Woes

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

Here's a piece that discusses the Bible and how it addresses many of the money woes we face today. In particular, I found these quotes to be compelling:

"If you are able-bodied, you need to work earnestly, avoid the slavery of debt and give freely to God and others."

"If you look at where we are as a nation, if we followed that biblical principle, we wouldn't be in this situation," he said.

Obviously it's a bit more complicated than that, but he does have a point. Think of how much better off so many people would be (and how much better off our nation would be), if we all simply worked hard (growing our careers), avoided debt, and gave as we should. Of course I'd add in spend less than you earn, which is also in agreement with the Bible.

These simple principles are why I say the Bible will make you rich. But, of course, you have to follow them. And not following basic money principles can put people in a tough financial situation -- a scene we're seeing played out over and over and over again these days.

Comments

[Not religious]

I have been a subscriber of your RSS feed for a little over a year now. When a post is good, I even click on it and see the relevant ads and click on one.

I know that you write religious/money articles, but today I have had enough. It's not what was in your latest article. It is that I am wasting my time reading it. I subscribed for financial advice, not religious advice. Why keep subscribing when there are other bloggers writing about something I am interested in?

Sorry, and thank you for your posts about finance

[Tarah]

Wow. I guess "Not Religious" can't handle when other people are. FMF, this is your blog and you can write like you want to. I can't believe this guy had the gall to say that. Last time I checked, we had freedom of religion, not from religion.

[Noah]

@Tarah: Yes, from government intervention. People are free to come or go as they please. He has every right to comment on something unuseful for him, and FMF has every right to continue to post as he wishes. No one is wrong, they simply don't have anything to offer the other.

[Noah]

And for the record, I find your blog worthwhile enough to (usually) get over the heavy-handed religious stuff on Sundays. Actually your stuff is fine, although you've had some pretty awful guest Sunday speakers on ocassion.

[mbhunter]

This is a history lesson. The Bible played a much larger role than it does now. Kids used to learn the alphabet through scripture references. In regular schools. Try to find that now. The law used to be biblically based as well; now it has no base except legal precedent, which changes with time.

It should read:

If you look at where we were as a nation, if we had continued to follow that biblical principle, we wouldn't be in this situation.

[JimL]

FMF, thank you for including the religious portions as relates to finances. I find it to be unique and refreshing versus the other financial websites that can found aplenty on the internet. Keep it up.

[poor boomer]

What does the Bible say to people who have been laid off and can't find a job?

[Mark Framness]

There are a number of books in the Bible that if read as coming from the ancient seer Oombalago the Experienced channeled by Srytcal the Stoned at Burning Man, would be taken for real sage advice -- because it is good advice, it is just that people hear the Bible & close their minds & ears.

Much of what is in the Bible is about proper management of one's resources and when that management turns what one has into wealth the Bible reminds us not to forget those less fortunate than us.

You think if Bernie Madoff followed Biblical advice he would be in the straits he is in now?

The Bible is not just about Sunday, it is about how to live and conduct one's self properly with respect to our neighbors, ourselves, and our God. Don't worry, many truly religious people miss that point as well.