Solomon says, “Be Wise & Wealthy.”
Learn the Process of Wealth & Make it Grow
The Book of Proverbs in the bible is full of incredible wisdom about many aspects of life. When read, pondered, and applied, we have access to great power that can only come from God. Solomon’s wisdom was unparalleled and attracted people and wealth from all over the known world. His wisdom came directly from God and he shares it with us as a testimony of his life. What can Solomon teach us about wealth?
INCOME PRODUCTION
13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Honestly gather little by little to learn the process of wealth and to make it grow. People’s abilities create wealth; we invest according to our abilities to make it grow. The greater our abilities, the more wealth grows, and the lower risk is.
24:27 Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
Production should come before consumption. Consumption should be a result of production. Consuming more than we produce creates poverty and cannot last long before the means of consumption are destroyed. We in essence kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. If we can focus on maximizing production and redirecting consumption that encourages more production, we have created a wonderful wealth creation system. Those who produce have the freedom and power that so many think they have by excessive consumption.
28:8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
Lend fairly and give generously to increase wealth. When someone is desperate, they will pay any price to survive, whether they can afford it currently or not. Those who take advantage of this situation are promised failure in the end. The wealth accumulated from unrighteous means will eventually find those who create wealth righteously. This is a great example of free market capitalism. People who are less than honest in their practices will take advantage of others, but eventually their intentions come to light. Those who practice honestly build a good reputation and attract more business.
6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Properly gather and store provisions for when needed. The best way to gather resources is to use our God given abilities to provide a good or service for others in exchange for income or benefits. When that income is received, we need to store it where it will be the most beneficial for our needs.
11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
28:27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
Give freely to gain more. Sharing our blessings increases our capacity to receive more blessings from the Giver. More blessings need bigger storage containers that can deploy more resources to serve more people.
11:26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
Sell, for modest gain, to help others. Hoarding is a selfish act that God warns against. Are the tools and processes we use for financial management encouraging hoarding or deploying?
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Resources worked and managed wisely produce abundance. Taking excessive risks and long shots are imprudent, unnecessary, and dangerous. It is best to start with our current resources and abilities; learn how to maximize the use of them before expanding to seek abundance.
27:23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; 24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. 25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. 27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.
Know the condition and proper care for your resources so they will continue to produce for your family. We must invest in things that we know and can understand so that we can monitor their condition and nurture their growth so they will continue to provide for our families and beyond.
RISK MANAGEMENT
22:3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
27:12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
See danger and take precautions. Manage risk appropriately. Just like growing wealth, risk management is based on our abilities and wisdom. The wise reduce or eliminate risk when possible, which increases success over time. Without proper risk management, we become gamblers who are out of control and suffer consequences.
DEBT
22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Those who have resources can lend how they see fit and those who lack resources borrow according to the lender’s requirements. As borrowers we have an urgent priority to pay our debts as quickly as possible, which affect our decision making, prioritizing things that are not the most important. We spend our precious time focused on paying debts than truly living and being generous. As lenders we have the freedom to deploy our wealth wherever we see fit, including to friends, family, business and/or ministry endeavors, etc. We also have the responsibility to lend fairly and generously, not taking advantage of others misfortune. Which scenario would be preferred?
LEGACY
13:22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
Plan for multi-generational wealth. Think long range. How can the things we are doing for our families be taught to manage easily and passed on efficiently? How can we build wealth whether we are here or not and encourage our families to do the same? Inheritance also includes much more than possessions. Are we encouraging personal responsibility, self-control, productivity, and righteousness for our families?
19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Wealth is created by human hands. Family transfers wealth. God created people and gives us abilities to create wealth and be productive. Be thankful for true riches that are only from God, including relationships, and learn to manage them responsibly, like other valuable resources, to maximize their potential. Visa versa, we will be nurtured by others to grow to full potential as well.
20:21 An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
Inheritance is a process, not a product. It should be passed on appropriately when the heir is ready. The process should encourage responsibility, self-control, and productivity in managing the inheritance. It is ideal to begin the teaching process as soon as the person is able to learn the process, starting slowly and nurturing their abilities to grow.
CONCLUSION
As we ponder the wisdom of King Solomon and his ability to create wealth, we should also be thinking through our current situation and how we can adjust our lives to align with his advice.
What financial tools are we currently using to build and manage wealth?
Where are we storing our wealth?
Do they meet the criteria laid out by King Solomon?
If so, how; if not, why?
It has been my experience that very few financial assets have the capability to function according to biblical wisdom. I am open to hearing ideas that I may not be aware of, but there is one I wish I would have been taught by my parents and grandparents. (repeated in some of my other blog posts) It was created hundreds of years ago by like-minded people coming together in agreement to pool their resources for mutually beneficial needs. Its capabilities were fully discovered, implemented, and taught for many decades by R. Nelson Nash. He eventually wrote a book titled Becoming your Own Banker: Unlocking the Infinite Banking Concept. This 92-page book may be the most valuable book about personal finance other than the Bible. His second book is a great addition, titled Building your Wearhouse of Wealth. Mr. Nash’s work is true to God’s wisdom laid out in His written word for us to be good stewards of God’s blessings.
If you want to apply God’s wisdom practically and simply to your finances, I encourage you to read these books and begin to learn for yourself.
