The Bible Talks More About Money Than Hell

Thursday, December 21st, 2006 | money, preaching, teaching, tithe, tithing

Over the past several years as a Christian I have heard many sermons. I have started to notice a trend, teachers often cite the “fact” that the Bible talks more about “money” than hell (or whatever else). I am sure you have heard the same or similar statements, if not, you probably will in the future. Usually there is a number associated with this bit of trivia - somewhere around 2,000 times. The point the teacher is usually trying to make is that God thinks money is a very important issue and it is usually tied to a sermon about tithing.

Anyways, on my way into the office this morning I got to thinking about this and thought to myself - I have read the Bible, it’s not that big of a book and I do not remember it being filled with over 2,000 discussions on money (or finances, etc.). I wonder where they got this number and what the number actually represents.

I was hoping to be able to type in a few keywords into Google and find a site that listed all of 2,000 verse that discuss money - I was shocked to find none. Instead, I found more sermon related notes with the same similar quotes. I did, however, find this site, which claims there are “roughly 2,350 verses concerning money.” It goes on to say that this number is “twice as many as faith and prayer combined” and that “fifteen percent of everything Jesus said related to money and possessions.” Bingo - “He spoke about money and possessions more than heaven and hell combined.”

Of course this still does not help me - as I said earlier, I have read the Bible and even in just the New Testament I did not find Jesus speaking more about money than any other topic. To be perfectly honest I do not really recall Jesus speaking more about any topic - well perhaps the Kingdom of Heaven or Him being the Messiah (in round about ways).

As I read the previous website I noticed the bottom, they have provided us with a list of topics concerning money and then verses that support those topics. I quickly realized that this number of 2,350 is exaggerated and over-inflated. They actually have a topic called “Funding the Great Commission” and list two of the parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven (the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Leaven). They also have a topic called “Tithing” which lists the Parable of New Wine in Old Wineskins.

Well, I am pretty sure that the neither the Bible nor Jesus talked about money half as much as some teachers claim they do. I also found this site which pretty much puts this topic to rest. What do you all think?

Next time your teacher tells you this, ask them for the evidence - if they have any, send it my way.

God Bless,
Lew A

P.S. Jesus never said “Go therefore and fund the making of disciples of all the nations…” - check out this blog for more things Jesus never said.

3 Comments to The Bible Talks More About Money Than Hell

Alan Knox
December 21, 2006

Lew,

I think you may be on to something here. It is true that Jesus talks about money and possessions often. However, I don’t think he talks about these because they are important to him. He uses money and possessions in order to speak to people in ways that they understand. Was Jesus interested in money and possessions? No, he was interested in people. He spoke of money and possessions because the people could understand the connection to their life.

-Alan

Heather
December 23, 2006

Visiting from Alan’s blog … :)

Great points made here … reminds me of “God will never give you more than you can handle” — show me where it says that in the Bible, yet people say it everyday, even from pulpits.

We (and I am including myself) need more understanding of God and His Word.

Blessings!!

Lew A
January 2, 2007

Heather,

Sorry for the late reply - I must have forgot my manners from all of the holiday travel. Thank you for the comment. It is funny that you brought up that “verse” - it was brought up in one of our Sunday morning meetings a few weeks ago. As you probably know, it comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Obviously people (including us and those who put themselves in a leadership position) need to put down the “popular” sayings and pick up the Bible.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a God-filled New Year.

Lew

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