Is Saving Biblical?

There are at least three passages that are frequently referenced when I hear Christians talk about saving. I’ve heard some use scripture to say we should save and I heard some use scripture to say we should not save. The one says, planning for the future is exercising wisdom and the other says planning for the future reflects a lack of trust in God, our Provider. Let’s reason through some of these things today.

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In Genesis 41:29-36, we see Joseph interpret Pharaoh’s dream. He tells Pharaoh, there are coming seven years of great plenty followed by seven years of famine. He doesn’t just interpret Pharaoh’s dream, but the man of God, counsel’s Pharaoh to seek out a wise man to execute a plan to store up a fifth of the grain over the years of plenty, that they may have food during those years of famine. Pharaoh recognized the wisdom in this man and put Joseph over the charge to execute that plan.  Though not the only scripture regarding saving, it is one of the clearest examples.

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In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells us, “Do not lay us for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

That’s the issue right there. Is your heart and affections wrapped up in your money and possessions? Is that the seat of your treasure? How would you respond to the loss of your savings, to the loss of your land, your home, your job? Some people commit suicide, fall into depression, or have a mental break-down. Conversely, does the accumulation of these things bring you joy? If we truthfully affirm yes to either, that’s exactly what Jesus is warning us against. That’s not a 

healthy relationship with your material possessions. And that is sin.

This passage does not say, don’t save. It does say, don’t make your savings your treasure- because whether you own it to be true or not, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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In Matthew 6:31-32, Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

In the KJV, it reads, “Therefore take no thought…” and I’ve heard it explained literally, don’t even think about it; simply trust God. But is that consistent with other scripture? Does the bible tell us not to think, not to plan, and not to make provisions? Or does it tell us not to worry or be anxious; but to move forward acknowledging God in all our ways? 

Joseph saved for years of famine, but he was not anxious or worried about it. He exercised wisdom, but ultimately, His complete trust was in God- as should be our case

Conclusion

Saving is a biblical principle. But, just like many good things, it can be used in wrong ways. The reality is people (Christians) do store up treasures on earth. Sometimes, things do make us happy and then when taken away, make us sad. Sometimes, we do worry about whether we’ll be okay next month or wonder how things will go in our next season of life. We wonder, we worry, we get anxious. That a part of this flesh and is exactly why daily time in the Word of God and presence of God is so important. Every day, we need a mental reset, we need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, and need to be set free by the truth. Every day, we need to evaluate what we are doing and why, own when we are wrong, and align our feet to walk in light.

Saving is is reflective of wisdom and godly stewardship.