Particularly in times of financial uncertainty, such as those we face now, many feel the need to seek out financial advice from “experts,” relatives, or acquaintances whose counsel they value. This is a wise move. In Proverbs 11:14, Solomon said, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” A multitude of counselors is recommended for obvious reasons—human counselors, even those with the best of intentions, can give bad advice. There is a great need today for financial wisdom that is completely trustworthy. The only source for wisdom that will always work is God’s Word.

Christians are not immune to life’s problems. As more and more people in our society struggle with financial difficulties (often of their own making), such problems become more widespread among God’s people. We are in desperate need of a restoration of principles of financial management and behavior that were once common. Going back to the Source of all wisdom is the best place to start. The financial wisdom freely available to us in God’s Word is both abundant and incredibly rich and detailed. When we need wisdom regarding marriage or parenting or dealing with depression, we should, and often do, think first of turning to the Lord. It is vital that we also learn to go to Him first when we face financial difficulties. We should all be determined to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and not to lean on our own (or some other human’s) understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Much of what the Scriptures have to say about wealth is found in the writings of Solomon. Solomon’s name is synonymous with wisdom. We are told in 1 Kings 4:29-34 of how God blessed Solomon with “wisdom and exceedingly great understanding” such that he was said to be “wiser than all men.” He was also blessed with great wealth (see 1 Kings 10:14-29). Furthermore, he was a prolific writer and was inspired of God. For all of these reasons, Solomon’s writings should be among the first places we go when we need financial advice.

We will now briefly consider four passages that indicate the breadth and depth of financial wisdom that Solomon’s writings offer us. The relevance of this wisdom to us today is readily apparent.

The promise of quick riches is most alluring when we are in the middle of financial difficulty. When we realize what a mess we have made of things, the desire to get out of our mess is strong, and rightly so. Solomon warns us that looking for the quick way out will not work. “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20). It takes great faith to patiently and diligently follow God’s plan for turning our financial circumstances around. The get-rich-quick schemes are marketed in ways that are slick and seductive. The Christian must learn that punishment awaits those who fall for these false promises.

There are many passages in Scripture that show us that God expects us to be good stewards (i.e., managers) of the blessings with which he has entrusted us. Our Lord Himself asks in Luke 16:11, “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [i.e., riches], who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Solomon makes this point in a very clear and practical way in Proverbs 27:23-27. “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field; you shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household, and the nourishment of your maidservants.” Most of us are not farmers today, but the message should be clear. God’s people should make diligent effort to know the state of their financial assets and should spend time attending to them. When we do, those assets will take care of our future needs and will help us provide for those who depend on us. If an Israelite paid no attention to his flocks and herds, they would soon be gone. If we pay no attention to our money, it will quickly leave us.

Most competent financial advisors will emphasize the importance of diversification in making financial investments. This is sound advice, and it is not a new idea. In Ecclesiastes 11:6, Solomon says, “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” In the morning, the Israelite could work outside sowing his seed. In the evening, he is encouraged to keep working, probably on some sort of inside work. This might suggest that we should encourage our children to obtain and cultivate multiple skills (and develop them ourselves, if we haven’t already). We see this in the apostle Paul, who generally worked as an evangelist, but could also support himself through his skill as a tentmaker when necessary. With regard to financial investments, we never know “which will prosper,” so diversification is advisable. Putting all our “eggs” in one basket, financially, is a dangerous practice.

 In Proverbs 24:27, the wise man says, “Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.” A man’s fields provided his income. If he did not prepare his fields and get his seed planted, he would have no revenue. Imagine what the people of Solomon’s day would think of a man who failed to plant his crop at the proper time because he was busy building a nice home. How much pleasure would the nice house be as he starved during the winter? You can live in a tent or a lean-to, but you must eat! Today, we often see people who want a beautiful home and comfortable—perhaps extravagant—lifestyle before they have the income to support it. Young people, particularly, often want a lifestyle equal to, or better than, that of their parents, even though their parents may have spent many years reaching that point. Often, debt is the typical approach these young people use to achieve this lifestyle. We need to remember that God does not promise us instant success and wealth. In fact, as we have seen, that is most definitely not His plan! The time for us to reap rewards is after our income is secured by our labors.

Just as with other areas of life, the Scriptures can supply the wisdom we need in order to become effective managers of the financial blessings God has given us. In his book Your Money Counts, Howard Dayton has estimated that the Bible contains more than 2,350 verses on money and possessions, as compared to just over 500 verses on prayer and just under 500 verses on faith. Of course, money is not more important than prayer or faith, but God knows that people struggle with questions about wealth. God does not want His children to be consumed with the cares and worries of this world. He left us a way to avoid the constant financial struggles and stress that so many around us contend with. How terribly sad it is that those who are supposed to be His disciples (i.e., followers) often ignore His plan for financial peace and security! Let us all strive to be better followers of our Master’s financial wisdom.

Stan Bullington, Ph.D., has taught economic analysis for engineers for over twenty years. He is the author of Solomon on Wealth.