The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Wasteful Spending

Money can be a tricky subject. We all want to spend wisely, but sometimes it's easy to get carried away.

This article offers 50 Bible verses to help guide you on the path of mindful spending. These verses provide wisdom and insight, reminding us of the importance of being good stewards of our resources.

50 Bible Verses About Wasteful Spending

10 Bible Verses on Wasteful Spending Consequences

• "There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it." — Proverbs 21:20
• "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want." — Luke 15:13-14
• "Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." — Proverbs 23:20-21
• "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." — Ecclesiastes 5:10
• "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away." — Matthew 25:29
• "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death." — Proverbs 11:4
• "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance." — Isaiah 55:2
• "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." — Galatians 6:7
• "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!" — Proverbs 28:19
• "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." — 1 Timothy 6:9-10

10 Bible Verses on Avoiding Wasteful Spending

• "The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." — Proverbs 21:5
• "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." — Luke 14:28
• "The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender." — Proverbs 22:7
• "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:19-21
• "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." — 1 Corinthians 16:2
• "Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God." — Proverbs 30:8-9
• "For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it." — Ecclesiastes 7:12
• "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." — 2 Corinthians 9:6
• "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given." — Proverbs 19:17
• "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" — Matthew 25:14-30

10 Bible Verses on Wisdom Against Wasteful Spending

• "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." — James 1:5
• "For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." — Proverbs 2:6
• "Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." — Proverbs 4:7
• "If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success." — Ecclesiastes 10:10
• "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." — Colossians 3:23-24
• "How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." — Proverbs 16:16
• "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever." — Psalm 111:10
• "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise." — Proverbs 12:15
• "Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly." — Proverbs 13:16
• "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." — Ephesians 5:15-16

10 Bible Verses on Stewardship and Wasteful Spending

• "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." — 1 Peter 4:10
• "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." — Luke 16:10
• "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it." — Malachi 3:10
• "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." — Matthew 6:24
• "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." — 1 Corinthians 4:2
• "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations." — Proverbs 27:23-24
• "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15
• "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." — Romans 12:1-2
• "Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." — Proverbs 3:9-10
• "Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need." — Acts 4:32-35

10 Bible Verses on God’s View on Wasteful Spending

• "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" — Matthew 25:14-30
• "And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'" — Luke 12:15
• "A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him." — Proverbs 28:22
• "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow." — Isaiah 1:17
• "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." — 1 Timothy 6:17-19
• "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." — Matthew 6:24
• "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich." — Proverbs 10:4
• "Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind." — Ecclesiastes 4:6
• "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" — Luke 16:11
• "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber." — 2 Peter 2:1-3

What Does the Bible Say About Wasteful Spending

Wasteful spending is a topic that the Bible addresses with clear guidance and wisdom. The verses provided above offer a rich tapestry of advice, urging us to be mindful of how we use our resources. These teachings are not just about avoiding waste but also about living a life that honors God and benefits others.

One key theme is the consequences of wasteful spending. Verses like Proverbs 21:20 and Luke 15:13-14 remind us that squandering resources can lead to poverty and hardship. These passages encourage us to think carefully about our financial decisions and the long-term impact they may have.

Another important theme is the value of planning and diligence. Proverbs 21:5 and Luke 14:28 highlight the importance of being diligent and planning ahead. These verses suggest that careful planning and hard work can lead to abundance, while haste and carelessness can result in lack.

Wisdom is also a recurring theme. James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6 emphasize that wisdom comes from God and is essential for making sound financial decisions. Seeking wisdom can help us avoid the pitfalls of wasteful spending and lead us to more fruitful and fulfilling lives.

Lastly, the Bible speaks about stewardship. Verses like 1 Peter 4:10 and Luke 16:10 remind us that we are stewards of God's gifts. Being faithful in small things can lead to greater responsibilities and blessings. This perspective encourages us to use our resources wisely and for the benefit of others.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Wasteful Spending

Applying the Bible's teachings on wasteful spending to daily life is crucial for living wisely and honoring God. These verses offer practical guidance that can transform our financial habits and overall approach to resources.

Here are some practical steps to help you live out these biblical principles:

• Plan Your Budget: Create a monthly budget to track your income and expenses. This helps you avoid impulsive purchases and ensures you spend within your means.
• Pray for Wisdom: Ask God for wisdom in your financial decisions. A simple prayer each morning can set the tone for mindful spending throughout the day.
• Give Generously: Set aside a portion of your income for charity or church donations. This practice not only helps others but also reminds you of the importance of stewardship.
• Be Content: Practice gratitude for what you have. Avoid comparing yourself to others, which can lead to unnecessary spending.
• Involve Your Community: Join a financial accountability group at your church or community center. Sharing your goals and challenges can provide support and encouragement.

Remember, God is always with you, guiding your steps and helping you make wise choices. Faith-driven transformation is possible, and these small changes can lead to significant improvements in your life.

For more prayers and Bible verses, visit PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.