Profit is frequently touched upon in the Bible, with various verses offering teachings on how profit should be realised and handled. Most of these verses carry moral undertones and teach followers the proper and righteous paths to wealth accumulation and how to keep their spiritual balance in that pursuit.
What Profit Does the Bible Speak of?
There are references in the Bible to both material and spiritual profit. Material profit refers to tangible earnings or gains from activities such as labor, entrepreneurship, or investments. Spiritual profit, on the other hand, concerns the fruits of spiritual endeavors like worship, charity, and spreading the gospel. The Bible teaches that while the pursuit of material profit is not inherently wrong, it should not outshine or compromise spiritual growth.
Why Are The Principles of Profit Important According to The Bible?
The principles of profit as taught in the Bible are essential as they offer guidance on tempering worldly desire for wealth with spiritual wellbeing. The overarching guidance is that material wealth should never become a person’s primary focus or replace their commitment to spiritual growth. This is because, while earthly possessions are transient, spiritual wealth has eternal value. Through these teachings, the Bible presents a balanced perspective on profit that encourages both material prosperity and spiritual development.
Who Does the Bible Say Should Profit?
In the Bible, everyone is encouraged to strive for profit but the manner and purpose of seeking this profit are critical. Laborers are owed their wages, entrepreneurs are entitled to the fruits of their efforts, and all are permitted to profit from their legitimate undertakings. However, the Bible sternly warns against the unjust enrichment that comes at the expense of others. It teaches the virtues of honesty, integrity, and fairness in all profit-generating endeavors and underscores the value of generosity and giving back to the community.
When Does the Pursuit of Profit Become Dangerous According to The Bible?
The pursuit of profit becomes a problem, according to the Bible, when it leads to greed, materialism, and neglect of spiritual wellbeing. Any attempt to profit that involves dishonesty, exploitation, or harm to others is strongly condemned. Devotion to riches can also become dangerous when it displaces worship, charity, and love for fellow humans. The Bible therefore warns against allowing the desire for profit to breed negative emotions, such as jealousy, anxiety, and dissatisfaction, or to erode moral standards.
Where Should the Profit Be Used as Per The Bible’s Teachings?
The Bible not only provides guidance on how to earn profit but also on how to use it. It encourages followers to enjoy their legitimately earned wealth but also to share it generously with those in need. Using profit to help the less fortunate, support the church and its missions, and promote the welfare of the community is seen as a noble application of material wealth. The Bible also underscores the importance of saving and investing for a secure material future. But it balances this with reminders of the insufficiency of wealth in ensuring eternal life, thereby directing followers towards the pursuit of spiritual profit as well.
Below is the full list of bible verses on profit (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Profit
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“17 Charge 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;18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Related Themes: Money Pride Money Homelessness Hope
Matthew 16:26
“26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Related Themes: Life Lust Success Peer Pressure Vanity
Acts 20:35
“35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Related Themes: Money Serving Others Charity Generosity Finances
Proverbs 14:23
“23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”
2 Corinthians 9:6
“6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Reaping Stewardship Money
Matthew 6:19-21
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Materialism Coveting
Isaiah 48:17
“17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
Related Themes: Direction Guidance Prosperity Abundance
1 Timothy 6:10
“10 For 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.”
Acts 4:34
“34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,”
Mark 8:36
“36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
James 1:27
“27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Holiness Benevolence Justice
Matthew 6:24
“24 No 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.”
Matthew 7:21-23
“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Related Themes: Salvation Hell Reverence Hypocrisy Forgiveness
Proverbs 16:8
“8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
Colossians 3:23
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Philemon 1:11
“11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:”
2 Corinthians 2:17
“17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Sincerity
Proverbs 11:4
“4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Obtaining Wealth Materialism Riches
Deuteronomy 8:18
“18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
Related Themes: Business Money Finances Sovereignty Prosperity
Jeremiah 7:8
“8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.”
Luke 12:33-34
“33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Homelessness Money Heart
