What the Bible says
Jesus does not tell a worried heart to try harder; He points it to the Father. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26). He adds, “for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32), and so we are to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
Money is a poor master. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24), and “the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). Jesus warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
The Bible’s answer is contentment rooted in God’s presence. “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Paul had learned, “in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11), for “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). And he promised, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Above all, remember the riches of the gospel: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). One who has received so much can give freely, “for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7), and can trust the God who “is able to make all grace abound toward you” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
14 verses, King James Version
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve God and mammon
24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Christ became poor that we might be rich
9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
1 Timothy 6:17
Trust not uncertain riches but the living God
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Psalms 37:25
The righteous are not forsaken
25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Matthew 6:31–33
Seek His kingdom first
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Philippians 4:11–13
Contentment in plenty and in need
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:19
God meets His people’s needs
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 13:5–6
Content, because He will never leave
5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
1 Timothy 6:6–10
The love of money is a trap
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Luke 12:15
Life is more than possessions
15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Matthew 6:19–21
Treasure in heaven
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Proverbs 30:8–9
A prayer for daily bread and a humble heart
8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
2 Corinthians 9:8
Grace to give and do good
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Proverbs 21:5
Diligent planning, not hasty schemes
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Read aloud by Anthony.