In the context of the Bible, the concept of expense is often intertwined with themes of stewardship, generosity, and the wise use of resources. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should manage their financial resources, emphasizing the importance of using wealth in a manner that honors God and serves others.

Stewardship and Responsibility

The Bible teaches that all resources ultimately belong to God, and humans are merely stewards of what He has entrusted to them. This principle is evident in passages such as Psalm 24:1, which states, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." As stewards, believers are called to manage their resources wisely and responsibly.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of using one's resources effectively. The servants who wisely invested their master's money were rewarded, while the one who buried his talent out of fear was reprimanded. This parable underscores the expectation that believers should use their resources to produce a return that aligns with God's purposes.

Generosity and Giving

Generosity is a recurring theme in the Bible, and believers are encouraged to give freely and cheerfully. 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 New Testament further emphasizes the importance of giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This passage encourages believers to give willingly and joyfully, trusting that God will provide for their needs.

Caution Against Materialism

While the Bible acknowledges the necessity of money and resources, it also warns against the dangers of materialism and the love of money. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul cautions, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This warning serves as a reminder that the pursuit of wealth should not overshadow one's devotion to God.

Jesus also addressed the issue of materialism in the Sermon on the Mount, advising His followers not to store up treasures on earth but to focus on heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21). He taught that where one's treasure is, there the heart will be also, highlighting the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material gain.

Practical Guidance on Expenses

The Bible offers practical advice on managing expenses and living within one's means. Proverbs 21:20 states, "Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them." This proverb suggests that wise individuals save and manage their resources prudently, while the foolish squander them.

Additionally, the Bible encourages believers to plan and budget. In Luke 14:28, Jesus uses the example of building a tower to illustrate the importance of counting the cost: "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?" This principle can be applied to financial planning, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and foresight in managing expenses.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on expense encompasses stewardship, generosity, caution against materialism, and practical financial management. By adhering to these principles, believers can honor God with their resources and contribute to the well-being of others.

The Life of Mr. David Black.
... could be obtained, for Mr. Black was charged by a macer to enter his person in ward,
on the north of the Tay, there to remain on his own expence during his ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr david.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... the Wants and Necessities to which he exposed himself: he went away sorrowful;
griev'd to hear that he could not be made happy by Him at less expence, end that ...
/.../sermon ii luke x the.htm

The Preface
... some of the failings of our ancestors set forth before us, as examples for our caution
and imitation; wherein by the experience, and at the expence of former ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

The Life of Mr. George Buchanan.
... liberal arts, and especially the principles of the Aristotelian philosophy, in those
schools which he was then building with a great deal of care and expence. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george 2.htm

The Life of Mr. James Guthrie.
... June 1st, the day on which he was executed, upon some reports that he was to buy
his life at the expence of retracting some of the things he had formerly said ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 3.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Shields.
... in a Scot's woman's house at Port-Royal, in Jamaica, a little after he left Caledonia.
A kind country woman Isabel Murray, paid the expence of his funeral. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 4.htm

Preface.
... Black suicide; though nations, which consult. Their gain, at thy expence,
resound applause. ... A Thebes, a Babylon, at vast expence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/preface.htm

The Life of Mr. William Vetch.
... him to a friend's house between Newcastle and Newburn, where he left Argyle and
went to Newcastle, and bought three horses for him at his own expence, the earl ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr william 3.htm

The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts.
... To Nature just, their cause and cure explore. Not short Heaven's bounty,
boundless our expence; No miser, Nature; men are prodigals. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the complaint or night thoughts.htm

By Far the Ablest of These Seven Essays is from the Pen of the " ...
... now that" it is "withdrawn from public life," has ceased to be a "social influence."
(p.298.) And when he would exalt the last century at the expence of the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/vi by far the ablest.htm

Expence (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Expence (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:24 these having
taken, be purified with them, and be at expence with them ...
/e/expence.htm - 6k

Instructed (80 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:24 these having taken, be purified with them, and be at expence with them,
that they may shave the head, and all may know that the things of which they ...
/i/instructed.htm - 29k

Expels (3 Occurrences)

/e/expels.htm - 7k

Expend (2 Occurrences)

/e/expend.htm - 7k

Purification (25 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:24 these having taken, be purified with them, and be at expence with them,
that they may shave the head, and all may know that the things of which they ...
/p/purification.htm - 18k

True (305 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:24 these having taken, be purified with them, and be at expence with them,
that they may shave the head, and all may know that the things of which they ...
/t/true%20.htm - 33k

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