22 Bible Verses about Frugality

When they had eaten enough, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.”

Let them gather [as a tax] all [of the fifth of] the food of these good years that are coming, and store up grain under the direction and authority of Pharaoh, and let them guard the food [in fortified granaries] in the cities.

That food shall be put [in storage] as a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine and hunger which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land (people) will not be ravaged during the famine.”

There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],
But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

So he went and did in accordance with the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.

And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he would drink from the brook.

So he set out and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks [for firewood]. He called out to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a jar, so that I may drink.” As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar. See, I am gathering a few sticks so that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it [as our last meal] and die.” read more.
Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. Just make me a little bread from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son.

A gracious and good woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].

The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.

He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.

A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],
But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat,

For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.

She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up twelve full baskets of the leftover broken pieces.

And they all ate and were satisfied, and they gathered up seven full baskets of the broken pieces that were left over.

But she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even the pet dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

But there were some who were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii [a laborer’s wages for almost a year], and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

The thief [who has become a believer] must no longer steal, but instead he must work hard [making an honest living], producing that which is good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with those in need.

Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].