What Does the Bible Say About Money? 4 Wealth Principles from David

Many of us have a picture that comes to mind when we hear about David in the Bible. Maybe we think of the shepherd boy in the pasture, the young man who defeated Goliath with a sling and a stone, or the Psalm writer who expressed his faith through music and poetry. But there is another side of David that we can learn from: his approach to preparing and stewarding the resources God had entrusted to him.

While Solomon is often remembered as one of the wealthiest men in the Bible, David also demonstrated a thoughtful approach to wealth and stewardship. We can see this clearly as David prepared for the construction of the temple, even though he knew he would not be the one to build it.

1 Chronicles 22:2-5 reads, “and he appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance beyond measure, and cedar trees in abundance; for the Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.” Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.”

There are several principles we can learn from David’s approach to wealth and stewardship.

Wealth Principle #1 – Preparation

David understood the importance of preparing ahead of time. He gathered the materials needed to build the temple while he was still alive, even though Solomon would ultimately be the one to complete the project.

His preparation was intentional and abundant. David understood what needed to be accomplished and made sure the necessary resources were available to move the work forward. In the same way, thoughtful financial planning involves preparing today for needs and opportunities that may come in the future.

Wealth Principle #2 – Have Kingdom-Minded Priorities

David understood that his wealth was not simply for his own enjoyment. His resources were ultimately being used toward something greater than himself: building a place of worship to honor God.

David described the temple as needing to be “exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious.” He understood the significance of the work and made it a priority to provide the resources necessary to accomplish it.

Our financial priorities can reveal what we value. When we view wealth as something God has entrusted to us, our financial decisions can become an opportunity to support the people, purposes, and causes that matter most.

Wealth Principle #3 – Intentionality

David didn’t simply accumulate resources without a purpose. He had a specific vision for what those resources would accomplish, and he intentionally directed them toward that goal.

We can see this in the details of the passage. David appointed the masons to prepare the stones, gathered iron for the nails and joints, and secured cedar for the temple. The resources he prepared had a specific purpose within the larger plan.

Good stewardship requires more than simply accumulating wealth. It involves understanding what resources we have, what they are intended to accomplish, and using them intentionally. 

Wealth Principle #4 – Legacy-Focused 

David also cared about what would happen after he was gone. He knew that he would not build the temple himself, yet he prepared the resources that would allow Solomon to complete the work.

That is an important picture of legacy. David invested in something he would not personally see completed, but his preparation would benefit the generations that followed him. He understood that the decisions he made during his lifetime could continue to have an impact after he was gone.

Financial stewardship can work the same way. Wealth can provide for our own needs while also creating opportunities to support family, future generations, charitable causes, and other purposes that extend beyond our lifetime. 

Stewardship Application

David’s example reminds us that wealth is a tool, not the ultimate goal. He prepared resources, prioritized what mattered, used his wealth intentionally, and thought about the impact his decisions would have after he was gone.

As Christians, we can approach our own finances with that same mindset. The resources we have are ultimately gifts from God, and we have the opportunity to steward them wisely and intentionally. Financial planning can help us align our resources with the purposes and priorities God has placed in our lives.

If this sounds like the type of relationship you want to have with your money, schedule a call with us to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about money?

The Bible teaches that our relationship with money is a matter of the heart. Wealth itself is not the issue; what matters is how we view, use, and steward what God has entrusted to us.

What does the Bible say about wealth?

The Bible emphasizes using wealth wisely and intentionally rather than pursuing it for its own sake. David’s example shows how wealth can be used to serve God, others, and future generations.

What is biblical stewardship?

Biblical stewardship means recognizing that God has entrusted resources to us and managing them wisely and intentionally according to His purposes.

What can we learn from David about wealth?

David’s example highlights four principles of biblical wealth stewardship: preparation, kingdom-minded priorities, intentionality, and a focus on legacy.

What does the Bible say about leaving a legacy?

David’s preparation for the temple shows how our resources and decisions can benefit others and have an impact beyond our lifetime.

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