Cheating with money is a topic addressed multiple times in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of honesty, integrity, and righteousness in financial dealings. These verses offer wisdom and insights on living a life that honors God through truthful management of resources. Below are Bible verses that discuss the avoidance of deceit and corruption in financial matters, reminding us of the spiritual implications of our economic interactions.
Bible Verses About Cheating With Money
1. Proverbs 11:1 – Dishonest Scales
“The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.” – Proverbs 11:1
Cross-References
Proverbs 20:23 – “The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.”
Deuteronomy 25:13-16 – “Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light.”
Leviticus 19:35-36 – “Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or volume.”
2. Proverbs 10:2 – Ill-Gotten Treasures
“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 10:2
Cross-References
Ezekiel 7:19 – “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean.”
James 5:1-3 – “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.”
3. Exodus 20:15 – Command Against Stealing
“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 5:19 – “You shall not steal.”
Leviticus 19:11 – “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
Proverbs 30:8-9 – “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches…”
4. Luke 16:10 – Faithful in Little
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10
Cross-References
Matthew 25:21 – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!'”
1 Corinthians 4:2 – “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
John 12:6 – “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief…”
5. Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth from Dishonesty
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” – Proverbs 13:11
Cross-References
Proverbs 28:20 – “A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.”
6. Leviticus 19:13 – Fraud
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” – Leviticus 19:13
Cross-References
Jeremiah 22:13 – “‘Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high…'”
Malachi 3:5 – “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages…”
James 5:4 – “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.”
7. Deuteronomy 25:16 – Abomination of Dishonesty
“For the LORD your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” – Deuteronomy 25:16
Cross-References
Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him…”
8. Proverbs 16:8 – Better little with righteousness
“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” – Proverbs 16:8
Cross-References
Proverbs 15:16 – “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.”
Philippians 4:11-12 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
1 Timothy 6:6-7 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
9. Zechariah 5:3-4 – The Curse of Dishonesty
“This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished.” – Zechariah 5:3-4
Cross-References
Proverbs 3:33 – “The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.”
Isaiah 24:6 – “Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt.”
Jeremiah 23:10 – “The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched and the pastures in the wilderness are withered.”
10. 1 Corinthians 6:10 – Inheriting the Kingdom
“Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:10
Cross-References
Galatians 5:19-21 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery…”
Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral …. will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”
11. Titus 1:7 – An Overseer’s Integrity
“Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.” – Titus 1:7
Cross-References
1 Peter 5:2 – “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them…”
1 Timothy 3:3 – “Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
Acts 20:28 – “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.”
12. Micah 6:10-11 – Dishonest Gain
“Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed?” – Micah 6:10
Cross-References
Ezekiel 22:13 – “I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made…”
Hosea 12:8 – “Ephraim boasts, ‘I am very rich; I have become wealthy.'”
13. Proverbs 22:16 – Oppressing the Poor
“One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.” – Proverbs 22:16
Cross-References
Isaiah 3:14-15 – “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.”
Jeremiah 5:28 – “Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless…”
James 2:6 – “But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?”
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14. Proverbs 20:17 – The Sweetness of Deceit
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” – Proverbs 20:17
Cross-References
Job 20:12-14 – “Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue…”
Proverbs 9:17-18 – “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
Hosea 10:4 – “They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.”
15. Jeremiah 17:11 – Wealth Without Justice
“Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools.” – Jeremiah 17:11
Cross-References
Proverbs 21:7 – “The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.”
Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 – “I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners…”
Psalm 73:18-20 – “Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.”
16. Proverbs 21:6 – Fleeting Wealth
“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” – Proverbs 21:6
Cross-References
James 5:1-2 – “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.”
Luke 16:11 – “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
17. Ezekiel 22:12-13 – Greed and Exploitation
“In you, people accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors…” – Ezekiel 22:12-13
Cross-References
Amos 5:11 – “You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain.”
Isaiah 1:23 – “Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts.”
18. Job 27:16-17 – Ill-Gotten Wealth
“Though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay, what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver.” – Job 27:16-17
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 2:26 – “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…”
Psalm 49:16-17 – “Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases…”
Zephaniah 1:13 – “Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished.”
19. Exodus 23:8 – Bribery
“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” – Exodus 23:8
Cross-References
Isaiah 33:15 – “Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion…”
20. Habakkuk 2:6 – Riches by Extortion
“Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?” – Habakkuk 2:6
Cross-References
Ezekiel 22:27 – “Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.”
Proverbs 1:19 – “Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.”
21. Isaiah 5:8 – Greed
“Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land.” – Isaiah 5:8
Cross-References
Micah 2:2 – “They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them.”
Luke 12:15 – “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
22. Matthew 6:24 – Serving Two Masters
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
Cross-References
Luke 16:13 – “No servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other…”
1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
23. James 5:1-4 – Wealth’s Worthlessness
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.” – James 5:1-2
Cross-References
Luke 6:24 – “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”
1 Thessalonians 4:6 – “And that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.”
24. 2 Kings 5:26 – Hidden Gain
“But Elisha said to him, ‘Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes — or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?’” – 2 Kings 5:26
Cross-References
1 Timothy 6:9 – “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires.”
Acts 8:18-20 – “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.”
25. Amos 8:5 – Dishonest Scales
“Skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales.” – Amos 8:5
Cross-References
Hosea 12:7 – “The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud.”
Micah 6:11 – “Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?”
26. Proverbs 28:8 – Unjust Gain
“Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.” – Proverbs 28:8
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 5:13 – “I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners…”
Proverbs 13:22 – “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
Luke 19:8 – “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor…'”
27. Matthew 23:23 – Neglecting Justice
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.” – Matthew 23:23
Cross-References
Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?”
Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”
Luke 11:42 – “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice…”
28. 1 Samuel 8:3 – Corrupt Leaders
“But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.” – 1 Samuel 8:3
Cross-References
1 Samuel 12:3 – “Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord…”
Deuteronomy 16:19 – “Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe…”
Isaiah 5:23 – “Who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.”
29. Psalm 37:21 – Wicked Borrowing
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalm 37:21
Cross-References
Proverbs 3:27-28 – “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
Romans 13:8 – “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…”
Ezekiel 18:7 – “He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.”
30. Nehemiah 5:10-11 – Usury
“I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses…” – Nehemiah 5:10-11
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 23:19 – “Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else…”
Exodus 22:25 – “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”
Psalm 15:5 – “He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe…”
31. Proverbs 17:23 – Bribes Pervert Justice
“The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.” – Proverbs 17:23
Cross-References
Proverbs 21:14 – “A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.”
Micah 3:11 – “Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.”
32. Nahum 3:1 – City of Blood
“Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!” – Nahum 3:1
Cross-References
Habakkuk 2:12 – “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice!”
Ezekiel 24:9 – “Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed!'”
Isaiah 1:21 – “See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her…”
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Final Thought
Handling money with integrity and avoiding cheating is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the importance God places on righteousness, justice, and fairness. While financial gain may seem tempting when achieved through deceitful means, the spiritual cost is profound. The Bible teaches that true wealth and prosperity come from a life lived in alignment with God’s principles. Whether through proper stewardship of resources or treating others fairly, believers are called to exemplify honesty in all financial interactions.
These verses serve as reminders that the pursuit of ill-gotten wealth leads to destruction, while treasures gained through integrity have eternal value. The teachings caution us against the fleeting nature of dishonest acquisitions and the everlasting consequences of our earthly actions. In a world where money is often idolized, these scriptural insights guide believers toward a righteous path, helping to maintain a balance between material needs and spiritual devotion. Embracing these scriptural guidelines, we are reminded that our true richness lies in our faith and integrity, not in monetary wealth