What Does the Bible Say About Frugality?

“And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.”

“And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.”

“And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.”

“And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.”

“And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.”

“And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.”

“And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.”

“So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.”

“And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”

“So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.”

“And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.”

“And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

“And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”

“A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.”

“The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”

“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. pleasure: or, sport”

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

“Be not among winebibbers ; among riotous eaters of flesh: of flesh: Heb. of their flesh”

“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”

“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”

“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.”

“And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.”

“And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?”

“For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.”

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth . to give: or, to distribute”