Overview
Scripture distinguishes between legitimate earnings and money obtained through sin, idolatry, or unrighteous means. Believers are instructed to refuse such money and handle it according to God's standards of holiness. The principle appears throughout Scripture that money earned through sin cannot be brought into God's house or used for His purposes.
Key Scriptures
"But the money from the guilt offerings and the money from the sin offerings was not brought into the house of the LORD, for it belonged to the priests." (2 Kings 12:16, ESV)
"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, NIV)
"The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV)
Application
Believers should examine the source of their income and refuse to profit from activities that dishonor God, dedicating only righteously-earned resources to His kingdom work.