Category Archives: Greed

Generate Income, Greed, Optimizing Life, Treasures In Heaven

Love and Trust in Money? or God?

Have You Ever Felt the Weight of Trusting in Money?

Have you ever found yourself placing your trust in the promises of wealth? It’s a common narrative in our world—a story where financial success seems synonymous with security and self-sufficiency.

But here’s the twist: this path, often paved with high salaries and apparent confidence, may not be the steadfast foundation we perceive it to be.

Join me in exploring a truth that resonates beyond the material façade—a truth that transcends the transient nature of riches. Let’s delve into a profound Psalm, inviting a perspective shift that redirects our trust from the fleeting promises of wealth to the unwavering embrace of our Heavenly Father.

In the pursuit of wealth, the danger lies not in money itself but in our relationship with it. As Matthew 6:24 warns, we cannot serve both God and wealth. The love of money, described in 1 Timothy 6:10, can lead to various evils and griefs, steering us away from our faith.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

In contrast, true peace and joy emerge not from accumulating riches but from building a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates, our Shepherd guides us to green pastures and quiet waters, restoring our souls. In Him, we find comfort, abundance, and an unwavering source of peace.

Psalm 23

1The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.

3He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness  for His name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Let this be our parting wisdom: prioritize the pursuit of a rich spiritual life over the relentless chase for material wealth. Treasure the moments of prayer and study, allowing God’s guidance to lead you in paths of righteousness. Embrace Psalm 23 as your guide, trusting that goodness and lovingkindness will follow you all the days of your life.

May your wealth be a tool for God’s work, and your journey toward financial wisdom be guided by His grace.

In stewardship and faith,

John Golda
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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way and use it for His glory rather than your own. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Ethics, Greed, Optimizing Life

Setting the Ethical Compass: A Guiding Light in the Business Realm

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the question isn’t just “can we?” but rather, “should we?”

The compass guiding our ethical decisions extends beyond the realm of laws written by men; it finds its true north in the unchanging standards defined by God.

Proverbs 22:1 reminds us that a good name is more valuable than great wealth, emphasizing the enduring importance of ethical conduct. Proverbs 22:5 cautions us about the thorns and snares on the path of the perverse, urging us to guard ourselves against unethical practices. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 echoes the sentiment, underlining the accountability we hold before God for every hidden act, be it good or evil.

As we navigate the complex terrain of business decisions, let’s not wait until the moment of choice to define our ethical standard. By proactively establishing a framework based on God’s principles, we pave the way for decisions that honor not just legality, but the higher calling of morality and compassion.

Consider this:

Will your pursuit of profit overshadow the well-being of those you serve?

Will you uphold truth and integrity, or succumb to the allure of deceptive gains?

The answer lies not just in the legality of actions but in the reflection of a well-defined ethical standard based on God’s word.

Let’s be architects of a business culture that echoes Proverbs 22:1 – valuing a good name over immense wealth, and recognizing that favor far surpasses silver and gold.

May the grace and peace of the Lord be with you. Remember, the compass of integrity points beyond legality; it aligns with the timeless standards set by God.

Before you close , I invite you to reflect on the ethical standards you hold.

Share your thoughts, discuss, and seek wisdom in the company of trusted friends or family.

Let your journey towards God’s standards of excellence be a shared endeavor, fostering growth, and understanding.

May our businesses reflect not just prosperity but a commitment to ethical principles that withstand the test of time. 🌐💼

👇 Share your reflections below and engage in meaningful conversations with those you trust. Let’s build a community of ethical leaders! 👇

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way and use it for His glory rather than your own. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Greed, Optimizing Life

Traversing Life’s Banquet: A Proverbial Feast of Wisdom 🔍

In life’s grand banquet, not everyone offering a seat at their table is to be taken at face value. Some extend invitations with a smile while harboring hidden resentments. As we navigate this complex social feast, Proverbs 23 serves as a profound guide, offering insights into discerning conduct, financial prudence, and the pursuit of godly wisdom.

Key Lessons from Proverbs 23:

  1. Dining with Discernment:
    • Before sitting at the table of influence, carefully consider what is before you. Proverbs 23:1 urges us to approach relationships and engagements thoughtfully, recognizing that not every offered delicacy comes with pure intentions.
  2. The Illusion of Wealth:
    • The pursuit of wealth can be deceptive. Verse 4 advises against wearying oneself solely for material gain. The transience of wealth is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of a balanced perspective on financial pursuits.
  3. Guarding Against Selfishness:
    • In the company of those whose hearts are not aligned with generosity, exercise caution. Verse 6 warns against partaking in the offerings of a selfish individual whose outward hospitality may mask inner motives. Genuine intentions should accompany shared meals.
  4. Discipline and Wisdom:
    • The passage underscores the value of discipline and the pursuit of wisdom. Applying one’s heart to discipline and ears to words of knowledge (verse 12) sets the foundation for a wise and discerning life.
  5. Living in the Fear of the LORD:
    • Proverbs 23:17 emphasizes the importance of living in the fear of the LORD. This reverence shapes our conduct and decisions, guiding us away from envy and towards a future anchored in hope.
  6. Avoiding Excess:
    • Caution against indulgence is prevalent throughout the chapter, from advising moderation in wine and food consumption (verses 20-21) to highlighting the consequences of lingering too long over excess (verse 30).
  7. The Value of Truth and Wisdom:
    • The chapter concludes with a powerful call to acquire truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. This pursuit, likened to buying precious commodities, is a lifelong investment that brings joy to parents and, ultimately, to the individual.

Practical Application: Navigating Life’s Banquet

  1. Discernment in Relationships:
    • Thoughtfully assess relationships, ensuring alignment with values and intentions. Not everyone extending an invitation has pure motives.
  2. Financial Prudence:
    • Be cautious of the deceptive allure of wealth. Weigh the true cost of pursuing material gain and seek a balanced perspective on financial pursuits.
  3. Generosity Over Selfishness:
    • Choose companionship marked by genuine generosity. Avoid partaking in the offerings of those whose hearts are not aligned with selflessness.
  4. Commitment to Discipline and Wisdom:
    • Embrace discipline and actively seek wisdom. Apply your heart to continuous learning and align your life with godly principles.
  5. Living in Reverence:
    • Foster a life anchored in the fear of the LORD. Let this reverence guide your decisions, leading away from envy and towards a future filled with hope.
  6. Moderation and Avoiding Excess:
    • Exercise moderation in all aspects of life, from consumption to indulgence. Steer clear of the pitfalls associated with excessive behaviors.
  7. Investing in Truth and Wisdom:
    • Recognize the value of truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Make a deliberate investment in acquiring these precious commodities for a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

Closing Reflections: A Life Aligned with Wisdom

As we navigate life’s banquet, let Proverbs 23 be a compass guiding us through the intricacies of relationships, financial decisions, and the pursuit of wisdom. Seeking God’s counsel in every aspect of our lives ensures that our actions align with His principles. In claiming to follow Christ, let our lives be a harmonious testimony to His teachings, illuminating the path for others to discover the grace and wisdom found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 🌟📖🍽️

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way and use it for His glory rather than your own. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Ethics, Greed

Do You Serve Money or Does It Serve You?

We can learn a lot about someone’s character by observing them in times of grief or opportunity. In Genesis 23, we see the godly character of Abraham as he seeks to bury his wife, Sarah. He serves God rather than money. Money is a tool for him. We should learn from his example.

      1Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4“I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6“Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead.” 7So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. 8And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he owns, which is at the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site.” 10Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth; even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11“No, my lord, hear me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people I give it to you; bury your dead.” 12And Abraham bowed before the people of the land. 13He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.” 14Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15“My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.” 16Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.

      17So Ephron’s field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over 18to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.

Reviewing Abraham’s actions at this difficult time reveals some important points to consider that can impact your finances:

  • The Hittites had great respect for Abraham even though He distinguished himself as a man who followed God and was a foreigner in their land. They worshipped other gods.
  • Abraham showed respect for the Hittites despite their different beliefs. This does not mean he agreed with them or participated in their false religion.
  • Abraham was not afraid to openly ask for help.
  • Abraham, though wealthy, was not greedy. He refused the opportunity to take advantage of the offer of receiving the land for free. He did not even haggle. Further, he avoided any possible appearance of wrong by conducting business in the open with witnesses.

As Christians, we can strive to follow Abraham’s example in dealing with non-Christians. For those who are not openly hostile and seeking to kill Christians, we can conduct business with them and show them proper respect. We treat them as someone God loves and someone whom we would love to reach with the good news of the gospel.  However, we do not hide our faith. We openly live so as to show that we follow and serve God. Our behavior and attitudes should differentiate us clearly from those who do not follow God.

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Greed, Optimizing Life, Treasures In Heaven

Why Does God Want My Money?

“Why does God want my money?” Many will ask themselves this when they do not want to obey His instructions about money. They would rather keep it all and decide for themselves how much to give, if at all, and to whom. It is a trick question, really. God does not want your money… He wants your heart.

Matthew 6:19-21  19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The point is that God warns us we cannot have two masters. We cannot serve both God and money.

Luke 16:13  13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

He wants us to choose Him over money.

Matthew 6:33  33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

God knows that helping us to consciously choose to put Him first will put us on the right path in life. We will not only please Him but find more joy in life as well and live with the right priorities. Many who choose to serve money find ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 6:9-10  9But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

“Does God really care how much I give?” Yes. Once again, whether you use your money to honor God or to serve yourself is quite telling as an indicator of your heart.  If you are trying to calculate the bare minimum you can give God and “get by” you are missing the point. He wants your heart. God especially does not like when we lie to Him or cheat Him, claiming before Him or before men to bring a certain amount and then refusing to do so. Yes, He gets angry.

Malachi 3:8-10  8“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9“You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11“Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts. 12“All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.

Acts 5:1-11

1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4“While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

      7Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

Perhaps the better question is not “Why does God want my money?”  but rather “Why am I unwilling to trust God with the money He provided me?”

Prayerfully consider your finances and ask God to help you obey Him. What changes should you consider with your finances so that you are in obedience to His word?

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Diversification, Greed, Plan Carefully and Seek Wise Advice, Speculative Investment

Are You Gambling or Investing?

Are you a gambler or an investor? Consider your entire portfolio that you invest. Do you understand how you will succeed if one particular asset or asset class (e.g. the stock market) goes up, goes down, or stays flat? If the success of your financial investing strategy requires any one asset to move in a particular direction, then what happens if it does not do that? You are essentially gambling your money on an asset increasing in value.

Let’s consider someone investing in the US stock market.

  • A gambler may make a disproportionately large bet on the stock market or an individual stock going in a specific direction. For example, he hopes or believes it will increase in value. He may make a big gain if things go his way, but if the market crashes he loses much money.
  • An investor avoids the greed of chasing the maximum gain, that brings with it high risk. Instead, he plans a strategy that is diversified across multiple assets or asset classes (e.g. diversified group of stocks, bonds, cash, perhaps some silver or gold). If the market crashes he is positioned to use some of his cash position or bonds to buy stocks after he is confident the crash has bottomed out and stabilized. When stocks recover, he comes out with a profit. Later, he rebalances his portfolio back to target by selling some of the stocks he picked up when values had fallen. If he suspects a certain investment has potential for high gain, he considers investing a smaller portion of his portfolio to capture the gain with less overall risk… this is called speculative investment.

If you have not done so in a while, it is a good time to consider your investing strategy. The global economy is trying to recover from struggles through many years and yet stocks are already priced at or near all-time highs due in part to heavy interference by national governments (e.g. “the Federal Reserve” keeping interest rates low artificially, thus driving people into the stock market at higher risk).

Do you know if your portfolio is prepared for either outcome (e.g. stock markets decline or rally higher)? or are you betting that it will work out in one particular outcome and unprepared for the other?

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Blessing or Curse, Ethics, Generate Income, Greed, Optimizing Life, Proverbs

A Light to Guide My Path

We have probably all experienced a time when we are in true darkness. Perhaps camping in the woods on a very cloudy night? Maybe just in our house when the power goes out at night or we wake up at night and walk around the house without turning lights on so as not to disturb our family. Sometimes we can start to remember our way around if it is familiar circumstances… but how well do we do when there are unexpected obstacles (e.g. toys left out in pathways, etc.) or imagine if someone rearranged all the furniture! Usually we will not do well. We will trip or fall or gather bumps and bruises. It is really hard to get around without being able to see where we are going… to recognize clearly what are the obstacles that could hurt us and which is the safe path to travel.

That is why God has given us the Bible! What a glorious gift to His people to have His written instruction book for life. If we choose to use it, it serves to light up our path so we can safely find the right path for living and avoid the traps and obstacles that could hurt us.

Psalm 119:105

105Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Proverbs in particular serves to provide timeless wisdom for us in how we should deal with our fellow man and also with God whether or not we are focused on finances or more broadly at life in general. It reminds us of what is good and what is bad. Remember, true goodness is that which is identified by God as right, not that which is identified by man as right. Man often gets it wrong. That is why God wrote it down!

Read Proverbs often, and not as if you are trying to win a race for reading quickly but rather pausing and considering how each verse is relevant not only in life today, but specifically how it may apply to your life. Then allow yourself the humility to admit where you are wrong and work to change your behavior and attitude. Those who are too proud to admit they are wrong, never get the benefit of learning to do better.

Proverbs 16

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

       1The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

      2All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the LORD weighs the motives.

      3Commit your works to the LORD
And your plans will be established.

      4The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.

      5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

      6By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

      7When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

      8Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.

      9The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.

      10A divine decision is in the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.

      11A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.

      12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.

      13Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.

      14The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

      15In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

      16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

      17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who watches his way preserves his life.

      18Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

      19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

      20He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

      21The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

      22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.

      23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

      24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

      25There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

      26A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.

      27A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.

      28A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

      29A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.

      30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

      31A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.

      32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

      33The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.

Many like to believe they are in control of their own life, but we are not in control of our lives. We can influence our path and choose how we react to the unexpected. Truly, the most impactful thing we can do is to submit to God and seek to follow His instructions for how to live our lives. We can seek relationship with Him, obey Him, and then trust in Him even through the tough times.

I recognize I have not focused this article on what is specific to finances, but if you read the scripture carefully, it speaks volumes in regards to how we work hard to earn money, treat people while we earn money, submit to God as priority over our money, recognize God’s sovereignty over our situations, etc. There is much to harvest and all we must do is humble ourselves in submission to the Lord and seek His wisdom and then seek His help to apply it in our lives.

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Generate Income, Greed, Optimizing Life

Choose Your Line of Work Wisely

The first step in a robust financial plan for your life is a careful consideration of how you will generate income. You cannot save or invest what you do not yet have.

It may seem simple, but many get it wrong. It is not as simple as targeting something that pays a lot of money or something that you love with a passion or an area where you have talent.  The best choice combines a balance of all three.

If you pick two of these three you may have mixed results. In my case I selected something I was good at and something that paid well… but not something I really enjoyed or thought had special value. You may end up satisfied with your pay, but will you be satisfied with your life? Happiness and joy matter in my personal guiding principles.

My recommendation is to carefully consider your options. Do not quickly select based on money alone… that is greed. If you pursue money and serve money you will never have enough. Likewise, do not select based on what you like alone. If you have no talent in that area you will not provide a reliable income. Instead choose something you enjoy, that you have some skill in, and that can also pay the bills. Then work hard at it to optimize the income for you in that field.

One other piece of advice I would recommend is to spend time in prayer and ask God what He wants for Your life. If you get a clear answer from Him, then it overrules the other considerations. Put your trust in Him and pursue where He leads you. Where you can, test what you think you hear from Him against the scriptures. He will not contradict Himself.

Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Ethics, Generate Income, Greed, Optimizing Life, Plan Carefully and Seek Wise Advice, Proverbs, Treasures In Heaven

God’s Word Provides Warnings and Advice We Should Heed

Our Father loves us dearly. He has provided us with His word to guide us, His Spirit to fill us and help us, and the death of His Son to make a way to forgive us. Let us never take that for granted, being complacent in our own way of living according to the ways of the world. The world if sinful and not righteous. Let us take His fatherly advice and change how we are living to be more like He instructs for us in financial matters and in all aspects of our life.

Proverbs contains insight we should watch out for and apply in our lives. Its insight is timeless and speaks to our conduct in pursuit of financial matters and wealth and integrity and many other such considerations.

Proverbs 19

On Life and Conduct

1Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries his footsteps errs.

3The foolishness of man ruins his way,
And his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth adds many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will not escape.

6Many will seek the favor of a generous man,
And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good.

9A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will perish.

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Laziness casts into a deep sleep,
And an idle man will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of conduct will die.

17One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD,
And He will repay him for his good deed.

18Discipline your son while there is hope,
And do not desire his death.

19A man of great anger will bear the penalty,
For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.

21Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the LORD will stand.

22What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,
But will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

26He who assaults his father and drives his mother away
Is a shameful and disgraceful son.

27Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice,
And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And blows for the back of fools.

Take time and dwell on each verse. Which one or two strike you the most as relevant in your life. Pray the Lord helps you to deal with this area of your life and continue your transformation to be more like Him!

Do not misunderstand the point about poverty and riches relating to “friends”. It is a warning that if you are rich, many will claim to be your friend and try to use you. The poor know who truly are their friends and brothers. They stick with them even when there is nothing in it for them.

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way and use it for His glory rather than your own. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .

Greed, Speculative Investment

Big Gains Typically Come with Big Risk

Do not be greedy for high gains by placing large “bets” on stocks or other investments or pursuing “get rich quick” schemes. Keep in mind a short-term “bet” is very different than a longer-term investment. If quick bets worked without a lot of risk, the person offering the “can’t miss” opportunity would not be trying to get you involved. Instead, they would use their own scheme to get rich and then go about their early retirement or pursuit of more money.

Speculative investment is fine as a diversification but be prepared for any investment to go up or down, no matter who recommends it.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .