The idea of making money while you sleep sounds like a modern internet marketing scheme, but it’s actually an ancient biblical principle. From Abraham’s vast herds that multiplied without his daily labor to Solomon’s trading ventures that generated wealth across multiple kingdoms, Scripture is filled with examples of people who created systems that produced ongoing income beyond their direct work effort.
Today’s buzzword “passive income” might be new, but the concept isn’t. The Bible talks extensively about investments that yield returns, assets that appreciate over time, and business systems that generate revenue with minimal ongoing effort. Think about Jesus’ parables of talents and minas, which explicitly reward those who multiply their resources through wise investments rather than just working harder.
Many Christians struggle with the idea of passive income, worried it might conflict with the biblical work ethic or seem greedy. But Scripture actually encourages creating multiple revenue streams, building assets that work for you, and developing systems that provide for your family’s future needs. The key is doing it with integrity, wisdom, and proper priorities that keep God first and service to others at the center.
Bible Verses About Creating Multiple Passive Income Sources
1. Ecclesiastes 11:2 – Invest in Seven Ventures, Yes, in Eight
Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
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2. Matthew 25:27 – You Should Have Put My Money on Deposit
Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
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3. Proverbs 31:16 – She Considers a Field and Buys It
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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4. Luke 19:23 – Why Then Didn’t You Put My Money on Deposit?
Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?
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5. Proverbs 21:5 – The Plans of the Diligent Lead to Profit
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
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6. Genesis 26:12 – Isaac Planted Crops and Reaped a Hundredfold
Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.
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7. 1 Kings 10:14-15 – Solomon’s Gold Income
The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents, not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the territories.
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8. Proverbs 27:23-24 – Know the Condition of Your Flocks
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
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9. Matthew 25:16-17 – The One Who Had Received Five Bags of Gold
The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.
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10. Proverbs 13:11 – Whoever Gathers Money Little by Little Makes It Grow
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
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11. Genesis 30:43 – Jacob Grew Exceedingly Prosperous
In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
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12. 2 Kings 4:7 – Go, Sell the Oil and Pay Your Debts
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
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13. Proverbs 31:18 – She Sees That Her Trading Is Profitable
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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14. Luke 14:28 – Suppose One of You Wants to Build a Tower
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?
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15. 1 Chronicles 29:12 – Wealth and Honor Come from You
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
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16. Proverbs 6:6-8 – Go to the Ant, Consider Its Ways
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
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17. Genesis 41:34-36 – Store Up Grain Under Pharaoh’s Authority
Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country.
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18. Proverbs 14:23 – All Hard Work Brings a Profit
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
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19. 2 Corinthians 9:6 – Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
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20. Deuteronomy 8:18 – He Gives You the Ability to Produce Wealth
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
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21. Proverbs 24:27 – Put Your Outdoor Work in Order
Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
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22. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 – Command Them to Do Good, to Be Rich in Good Deeds
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
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23. Genesis 13:2 – Abram Had Become Very Wealthy
Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
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24. Proverbs 13:22 – A Good Person Leaves an Inheritance
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
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25. Matthew 6:19-21 – Store Up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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26. Proverbs 27:18 – The One Who Guards a Fig Tree Will Eat Its Fruit
The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
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27. Luke 12:15 – Life Does Not Consist in an Abundance of Possessions
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.”
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28. Proverbs 11:24-25 – One Person Gives Freely, Yet Gains Even More
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
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29. Genesis 24:35 – The Lord Has Blessed My Master Abundantly
The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
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30. Proverbs 28:19 – Those Who Work Their Land Will Have Abundant Food
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
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31. 2 Chronicles 1:12 – I Will Also Give You Wealth, Possessions and Honor
Therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.
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32. Isaiah 55:10-11 – So Is My Word That Goes Out from My Mouth
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
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33. Malachi 3:10 – Test Me in This
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
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34. Job 42:10 – The Lord Restored His Fortunes
After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
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35. 3 John 1:2 – I Pray That You May Enjoy Good Health and Prosperity
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
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Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Creating Multiple Passive Income Sources
Scripture consistently endorses the principle of creating multiple revenue streams and building assets that generate ongoing returns. The parable of the talents explicitly rewards those who multiply their resources through investment rather than just preservation. Solomon’s diverse business ventures, from trading to real estate to agriculture, show how biblical wealth builders diversified their income sources across multiple industries and asset classes.
What I find remarkable is how the Bible anticipates modern investment strategies. Ecclesiastes 11:2’s advice to “invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight” sounds like modern portfolio diversification theory. The Proverbs 31 woman operates multiple businesses simultaneously, from real estate investment to textile production to trading. These aren’t side hustles; they’re sophisticated business systems designed to generate wealth with efficiency.
The Bible also emphasizes that passive income should serve greater purposes than just personal enrichment. Wealth building is connected to generosity, family provision, and kingdom advancement. The goal isn’t financial independence for its own sake, but creating resources that enable greater service and stewardship. When we build multiple income streams with proper motives and biblical wisdom, we’re following patterns established by Scripture’s most successful entrepreneurs and stewards.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the creative abilities and opportunities You’ve given me to generate income and build wealth. Help me to see beyond just trading my time for money and to develop systems and investments that can work while I rest, creating resources for my family’s future and Your kingdom’s advancement.
Grant me wisdom to identify opportunities for passive income that align with my skills, values, and circumstances. Show me how to invest in assets that will appreciate over time, create businesses that can operate with minimal daily oversight, and develop streams of revenue that honor You and serve others.
Help me to approach wealth building with the right motives, not driven by greed or the desire to get rich quick, but by stewardship principles that honor You. Give me patience to build sustainably over time and discernment to avoid schemes that promise unrealistic returns.
I pray for favor in my investments and business ventures, that they would prosper according to Your will and timing. Use the resources I’m able to generate to bless my family, support those in need, and advance Your kingdom purposes in the world.
Keep my heart focused on You as my true source and security, never letting wealth become an idol but always remaining a tool for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.