12 Things Jesus Said About Money

Money has power—but Jesus had even more to say about how we should relate to it. In fact, money was one of His most frequent teaching topics. Why? Because how we treat money often reveals what we value, what we fear, and what we serve.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt the tension between wanting to live faithfully and needing to pay the bills. You’ve asked questions like: Is it wrong to want wealth? Does God care how I spend my money? Or maybe you’ve even worried that spiritual people shouldn’t care about money at all.

• Read our blog on 20 reasons God’s grace is sufficient

But here’s the thing—Jesus never condemned money. What He did do was challenge the heart behind it.

Let’s explore 12 things Jesus said about money, and why His words still matter so much today.

1️⃣ “You cannot serve both God and money.”

📖 Matthew 6:24

Jesus didn’t say you shouldn’t try to serve both—He said you can’t. One will always take the throne of your heart.
This was a wake-up call for me. Every time I obsess over finances, I have to ask myself: Am I worshipping security instead of God?

2️⃣ “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

📖 Matthew 6:21

This verse flipped everything for me. It’s not just about budgeting—it’s about values.
If your treasure is tied up in stuff, fame, or power, then your heart will follow. But if you give generously, your heart starts to value eternal things.

3️⃣ “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

📖 Mark 12:17

Jesus wasn’t anti-government or anti-tax. He taught that we should be responsible with our civic duties, but also remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God.
This taught me balance—being financially faithful both in the world and in the Kingdom.

4️⃣ “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

📖 Acts 20:35

Even though this verse is quoted by Paul, he attributes it to Jesus. And it’s one of the most freeing truths I’ve learned.
Generosity doesn’t just help others—it transforms the giver. I’ve never regretted giving. Not once.

5️⃣ “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

📖 Luke 12:15

Jesus saw how easily wealth can blind us. This verse reminds me that my worth isn’t my wallet. I am not my possessions.
Greed never leads to peace—it only leads to wanting more.

6️⃣ “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”

📖 Luke 12:33

This one hits hard. Jesus wasn’t saying wealth is evil—but He was challenging us to hold it loosely.
Radical generosity isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a sign of trust. Every time I’ve let go of something I thought I needed, God showed me I didn’t.

7️⃣ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven.”

📖 Matthew 6:19–20

This is a reminder that everything here is temporary—cars rust, money loses value, trends fade.
But when we invest in people, kindness, love, and justice—those are eternal dividends.

8️⃣ “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.”

📖 Luke 21:3

Jesus watched people give money at the temple—and He praised the woman who gave two small coins.
Because giving isn’t about how much you give, but how much it costs you. She gave from her heart. I’ve learned that sacrificial giving speaks louder in heaven than comfortable tithing.

9️⃣ “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”

📖 Luke 6:24

Jesus wasn’t shaming wealth. He was warning about spiritual complacency.
When we rely too much on our riches, we stop seeking God. Comfort can be the enemy of spiritual growth if it makes us self-sufficient.

🔟 “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

📖 1 Timothy 6:10 (taught in Jesus’ spirit through Paul)

Notice—it’s not money that’s the problem. It’s the love of money. That subtle obsession, the greed, the envy—it leads us astray.
Jesus consistently taught that money makes a terrible master, but a powerful servant.

11️⃣ “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor… then come, follow me.”

📖 Mark 10:21

Jesus said this to the rich young ruler—and it broke the man’s heart. Why? Because he loved his stuff more than his Savior.
This passage challenges me to ask: What would I refuse to let go of if Jesus asked me today?

12️⃣ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

📖 Luke 16:10

This is about stewardship. If I can’t handle $100 well, how can I expect God to trust me with more?
Faithfulness starts small. Jesus values integrity in the everyday decisions—how I budget, spend, tip, give, and save.

Final Thoughts: What Jesus Teaches Us About Money

Jesus didn’t avoid talking about money—He highlighted it. Not to make us feel guilty, but to liberate us.
To free us from greed.
To unhook our hearts from anxiety.
To turn our wallets into tools for love.

What we do with money is spiritual. It’s not just math. It’s discipleship.

So, the next time you check your bank account or decide where to give, remember this:
Money reveals what you love. And Jesus wants to shape that love into something eternal.