The last 100 years or so have seen thousands of books written about how to handle money. But the Bible–a book that dates back through millennia–contains plenty of advice that is amazingly relevant in a complex global economy today. Of course, as is often the case, many people misconstrue Biblical teachings about money–or simply ignore them altogether–if they don’t say what we want to hear. But the fact remains that Biblical advice about money is just as reliable as the best offerings from more recent times, for both believers and nonbelievers. The two main areas where this is best illustrated are addressed in this article.

Making The Most Of Your Money

Many Christians spend considerable time working with their investments. They read the Wall Street Journal, carefully watch business news networks, or frequently research certificate of deposit rates. These people may be criticized as being greedy, but that’s not accurate.There’s a thin line between greed and the desire to simply use money wisely. The underlying issue is really about why you want to make more money. Is it to fund sinful purposes like gambling or binge drinking, or are you just trying to make sure that you can provide for your family?

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the point that not only does God permit wise investments, he encourages it. Remember that the story illustrates the different ways that the servants put their talents to use. Two of them invest the money and reap a return; the third hides the money away and neither loses nor gains. The master admonishes his unwillingness to make the money work for him, saying, “…you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.” (ESV)

So it’s clear right there in the New Testament (among other places) that God wants us to grow our money, not just hold it. The important thing is that we are using the increase for positive purposes, like educating our children or helping those in need.

Meeting Obligations To The Government

There may have never been a time when more attention has been paid to the separation of church and state. The Affordable Care Act’s provisions for birth control; placement of religious objects on government property; and a Kentucky county clerk’s refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples has drawn many eyes to this aspect of constitutional and case law.

Somewhere in this swirl of debate has been mentioned the issue of paying taxes. Some believers have gone to the extreme of saying they owe no financial obligations to an earthly authority, while others have used the Bible to justify their stance on these divisive issues.

Mark 12:17 addresses taxation directly, with Jesus being asked if Christians should pay taxes to a secular government. His reply: “Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him.”

This is another clear-cut explanation from the Bible that the teachings of Jesus align with common sense and obedience to earthly law. You pay your taxes. Your government says so, and God is fine with it too. No excuses!

It’s long been accepted that the Judeo-Christian ethic has driven many of the laws in the U.S. But for those less familiar with the Bible, there is a lower awareness of just what other parts of life are well-guided within its pages. Common sense, honesty, and fairness are infallible, and thousands of years have proven it.