Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Spending, in a biblical context, refers to the use or allocation of resources, particularly money, for various purposes. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should manage their financial resources, emphasizing principles of stewardship, generosity, and responsibility.
Biblical Principles on Spending:1.
Stewardship: The Bible teaches that all resources belong to God, and humans are merely stewards of what He has entrusted to them. This principle is foundational in understanding spending from a biblical perspective. In
1 Corinthians 4:2 , it is stated, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." Believers are called to manage their resources wisely and faithfully.
2.
Generosity: Generosity is a key aspect of biblical spending.
Proverbs 11:24-25 highlights the blessings associated with generosity: "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." The act of giving is encouraged as a reflection of God's own generosity towards humanity.
3.
Avoiding Greed and Materialism: The Bible warns against the dangers of greed and the pursuit of material wealth. In
Luke 12:15 , Jesus cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Believers are encouraged to focus on spiritual riches rather than accumulating earthly wealth.
4.
Contentment: Contentment is an important attitude in managing finances.
Philippians 4:11-12 states, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need." Contentment allows believers to spend wisely without succumbing to the pressures of consumerism.
5.
Debt and Financial Responsibility: The Bible advises caution regarding debt.
Proverbs 22:7 notes, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." While not explicitly prohibiting debt, Scripture encourages living within one's means and being prudent in financial obligations.
6.
Planning and Saving: Wise planning and saving are commended in Scripture.
Proverbs 21:20 states, "Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them." Planning for the future and saving resources are seen as prudent actions that reflect good stewardship.
Examples of Spending in the Bible:·
The Widow’s Offering: In
Mark 12:41-44 , Jesus observes a poor widow who gives two small coins, all she had, to the temple treasury. Her sacrificial giving is commended as an example of true generosity and faith.
·
The Prodigal Son: The parable of the prodigal son in
Luke 15:11-32 illustrates the consequences of reckless spending. The younger son squanders his inheritance on extravagant living, leading to his downfall. This account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of irresponsible financial behavior.
·
The Good Samaritan: In
Luke 10:25-37 , the Good Samaritan spends his own money to care for a wounded traveler, demonstrating compassion and selflessness. His actions exemplify the biblical call to use resources to help those in need.
Conclusion:The Bible provides comprehensive guidance on spending, emphasizing stewardship, generosity, and responsibility. Believers are encouraged to manage their resources in a way that honors God, supports others, and reflects a heart of contentment and gratitude.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Spend.
2. (n.) The act of expending; expenditure.
Greek
1304. diatribo -- to rub hard, rub away, to spend time... Word Origin from dia and the same as tribos Definition to rub hard, rub away, to
spend time NASB Word Usage
spending (1),
spending time (2), spent (3), stayed
...1236. diago -- to carry over, to pass
... or intrans.), I spend time, pass time, live. Word Origin from dia and ago Definition
to carry over, to pass NASB Word Usage lead (1),spending...life (1)....
1159. dapanao -- to spend, spend freely
... 1159 -- properly, to spend (expend); (figuratively)spending one's money, time,
energy, resources, etc.; (passive) become spent, (consumed by); "to exert great...
4021. periergos -- overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a...
... 4021 (an adjective, derived from 4012 , "all around" and 2041 , "work") -- properly,
worked -around, which describes "over-doing" -- iespending () where it...
5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
... full number (1), made perfect (4), made...perfect (1), make...perfect (1), make
perfect (1), perfect (2), perfected (7), reach...goal (1),spending the full...
3915. paracheimasia -- a wintering
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paracheimasia Phonetic Spelling: (par-akh-i-mas-
ee'-ah) Short Definition: wintering Definition: wintering,spending the winter....
Library
The FaithfulSpending the Days of the Salutatory Passion in...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXXIX. The faithfulspending the
days of the Salutatory Passion in fasting? The faithful...
A Serious Persuasive to Such a Method ofSpending Our Days as is...
... THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN THE SOUL. CHAPTER XX. A SERIOUS PERSUASIVE
TO SUCH A METHOD OFSPENDING OUR DAYS AS IS REPRESENTED IN THE FORMER CHAPTER....
Whether Prodigality is a More Grievous Sin than Covetousness?
... the prodigal on the way to old age, which is opposed to prodigality, but he is easily
reduced to a state of want, since much uselessspending impoverishes him...
Whether Using Money is the Act of Liberality?
... Objection 3: Further, the use of money consists not only in giving it
but also inspending it. But thespending of money refers...
Whether There is a vice Opposed to Meanness?
... meanness is a vice by deficiency, as stated above [3396](A[1]), it seems that if
any vice is opposed to meanness, it would merely consist in excessivespending...
Whether Doing Good to Another is a Cause of Pleasure?
... by one's obtaining one's proper good, as stated above ([1279]AA[1],5; Q[31], A[1]).
But doing good pertains not to the obtaining but to thespending of one's...
Return of the Apostles. --Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand....
... iii., p. 566. [469] It appears possible, from John, vi., 5, that Christ only withdrew
to the east shore afterspending a great part of the day with the...
Some Time Ago, Macarius, a Man of Distinction from his Faith, his...
... faith, his learning, his noble birth and his personal life, had in hand a work against
fatalism or, as it is called, Mathesis, and wasspending much necessary...
The Eighth Commandment
... A usurer once asked a prodigal when he would leave offspending?... Time is a rich
commodity, because on wellspending present time a happy eternity depends....
Whether Prodigality is Opposite to Covetousness?
... More frequently, however, he inclines to intemperance, both because throughspending
too much on other things he becomes fearless ofspending on objects of...
Thesaurus
Spending (7 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Spend. 2. (n.) The act of expending;
expenditure. Multi-Version Concordance
Spending (7 Occurrences).
...Visiting (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:23 Afterspending some time in Antioch, Paul set out on a tour, visiting
the whole of Galatia and Phrygia in order, and strengthening all the disciples...
Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... a present to my lord Esau from thy servant Jacob." Jacob's family were then transported
across the Jabbok; but he himself remained behind,spending the night...
Farewell (13 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:33 Afterspending some time there they received an affectionate farewell
from the brethren to return to those who had sent them. (WEY)....
Tour (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 18:23 Afterspending some time in Antioch, Paul set out on a tour, visiting
the whole of Galatia and Phrygia in order, and strengthening all the disciples...
Expense (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Cost; use of money, resources or time;
spending or consuming; disbursement; expenditure. 2. (n...
Affectionate (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:33 Afterspending some time there they received an affectionate farewell
from the brethren to return to those who had sent them. (WEY)....
Spendeth (4 Occurrences)
Spends (2 Occurrences)
Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... Afterspending a night in solemn meditation and prayer in the lonely mountain-range
to the west of the Lake of Galilee (Luke 6:12), on the following morning...
Resources
Should a Christian use a credit card? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Jesus eating with sinners? | GotQuestions.orgI am a Christian in debt. What should I do? | GotQuestions.orgSpending: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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