Business and Finance

Yes, though they must keep spiritual goals first in their lives. The Bible records successful men in both testaments, and it also teaches rules of professional and financial wisdom in both testaments. A church that preaches the whole counsel of God will cover these goals and subjects as well. Thus this church holds monthly men’s meetings to teach the Bible on such subjects.

See Also

Detailed study of Bible economics: Bible Economics.
Getting Ahead on the Job from men’s meetings: Getting Ahead on the Job.
A Christian work ethic to pass most worldlings: Christian Work Ethic
A transferable skill and financial prudence: Two Financial Concerns.

No, the Bible expects you to reduce risk in your life (Pr 6:1-5; 22:3), and insurance is a modern, witty invention that helps you reduce risk (Pr 8:12). The Bible commends the coney, a species of rabbit, for hiding itself from danger, rather than fighting or running (Pr 30:26), and insurance is an easy way to hide.

Jesus condemned the devil for seeking to get Him to presume on God’s promises, when He had alternatives (Matt 4:5-7), and insurance is an alternative God has given you to avoid risk. Though Christians believe that safety is of the LORD, they also make preparations for safety (Pr 21:31; Ps 127:1). If insurance is wrong, then so is savings, since it is money set aside for emergencies, but savings is clearly taught in Proverbs (Pr 6:8; 30:25).

See Also

Proverb commentaries about reducing risk: 6:1, 6:3, 6:4, 6:5, 20:16, 27:13.
Sermon about life insurance among other subjects: Birth Control, etc.
A Proverb commentary on Proverbs 21:31 about safety: Proverbs 21:31.

Usury is interest, especially exorbitant interest or interest charged to the poor that cannot afford it for legitimate needs (Ps 15:5; Pr 28:8). God commanded Israel not to charge its own people interest (Ex 22:25), but they could charge interest to the pagans around them (Deut 23:19-20). Therefore, you may invest or loan to those in the world and receive interest, dividends, or other increase from pagans, but you should be willing to loan your money to poor brethren for legitimate needs without interest, though you could charge interest if appropriate for a poor man’s unnecessary business venture.

Yes, a Christian can be rich. Some of God’s greatest men were rich e.g. Abraham, Job, David. But godly men do not seek to be rich, for they know the danger of money and make godliness their greatest priority (Matt 16:26; 19:23-24; Prov 23:4-5; I Tim 6:6-10). If while you are seeking God and His kingdom first, He makes you rich, do not fall in love with wealth (Ps 62:10). Instead, prove your eternal life by willingness to give it away (I Tim 6:17-19; Matt 25:31-46).