Category Archives: Proverbs

Control Debt, Control Spending, Ethics, Generate Income, Greed, Optimizing Life, Proverbs, Saving

Take A Lesson From The Ants

Many times, Biblical wisdom regarding finances is wrapped up and integrated in scripture that speaks broadly to how we should (and should not) live our lives. I like to review and share these passages as they are in that it is very reflective of real-life experiences. Often the issues associated with finances are integrated and inseparable from other issues which influence them. For example, earning money is tied to not being lazy. Similarly, treating people God’s way may be a part of your financial decisions as opposed to “getting more money at all costs” such as taking advantage of others or lying to them.

The wisdom in Proverbs 6 is as relevant today as it was when it was written. Please read it slowly and thoughtfully. Avoid reading so fast that you can not dwell on the message contained here. Allow God to speak to you for your life and the lives of those you may be able to help.

Proverbs 6

6 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt
    or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement
    and are caught by what you said—
3 follow my advice and save yourself,
    for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.
Now swallow your pride;
    go and beg to have your name erased.
4 Don’t put it off; do it now!
    Don’t rest until you do.
5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter,
    like a bird fleeing from a net.

6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
    Learn from their ways and become wise!
7 Though they have no prince
    or governor or ruler to make them work,
8 they labor hard all summer,
    gathering food for the winter.
9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
    When will you wake up?
10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
    scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

12 What are worthless and wicked people like?
    They are constant liars,
13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye,
    a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.
14 Their perverted hearts plot evil,
    and they constantly stir up trouble.
15 But they will be destroyed suddenly,
    broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

16 There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
    a lying tongue,
    hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
    feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
    a person who sows discord in a family.

20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
    and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21 Keep their words always in your heart.
    Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
    When you sleep, they will protect you.
    When you wake up, they will advise you.
23 For their command is a lamp
    and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
    is the way to life.
24 It will keep you from the immoral woman,
    from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.
25 Don’t lust for her beauty.
    Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,
    but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap
    and not have his clothes catch on fire?
28 Can he walk on hot coals
    and not blister his feet?
29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife.
    He who embraces her will not go unpunished.

30 Excuses might be found for a thief
    who steals because he is starving.
31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole,
    even if he has to sell everything in his house.
32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool,
    for he destroys himself.
33 He will be wounded and disgraced.
    His shame will never be erased.
34 For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious,
    and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation,
    nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.

Such a clear and relevant passage, rather than add to it, I encourage you each to read it again, slowly… thinking about each line and how it may apply to you or those you may be able to help.

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

Control Debt, Control Spending, Ethics, Generate Income, Investing, Plan Carefully and Seek Wise Advice, Proverbs, Saving, Stewardship

Victory Comes Through Wise Counsel

We are all at different experience levels and have different gifts in regard to many aspects of life that affect our finances. We have a certain perspective that contains some bias based on our prior experiences and personality. We will better understand a situation well if we approach it from multiple perspectives including wise counsel from those we trust.

Proverbs 11:14

  14Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

I remember a great example where my family was walking from a van to the entrance of some entertainment we were going to on vacation. I was focused on the destination, where is the gate, where do I buy tickets, and “marching” quickly with purpose. Yes I was focused on my goals. My wife, however, also interested in our shared goal, had a very different perspective. As I promptly walked passed a beautiful flower display she gently tugged at my arm and showed it to me. I am glad she did. We were approaching the same situation and had the same goals, but very different perspectives while doing so. Together we had a better view then individually.

This same concept is true for controlling debt, controlling our spending, behaving according to the ethics and guidelines that God has lined out for us in the Bible, making decisions with regards to generating income, saving, investing and stewarding our finances. Seek wise counsel from people you can trust or from professionals. To seek counsel does not mean you must follow it. It simply provides more background and understanding and perspective to help you make wise decisions and achieve victory on your goals. Of course, we should be cautious as to who we trust and how we weigh the opinions and insight of others. To listen to the counsel of a fool is to join him in his folly.

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

Ethics, Optimizing Life, Proverbs, Treasures In Heaven

How Can I Share Generously and Yet Increase What I Have?

It makes no sense by our logic. How can we possibly scatter what we have to share with others and yet increase all the more? How can it be that someone who withholds what they are due to pay someone results only in want?

Our sinful, selfish nature often encourages us to hold tightly to whatever we have, regardless of whether we are due to pay it to someone else. It certainly wants us to believe that we can’t possibly share generously with others… “scatter”.

We are to trust in God’s ways rather than the world’s ways. Obey and watch Him bless our lives through our obedience. Rebel and you will experience hardship and lose your joy. Happiness found in the moment will only vanish all too quickly.

Proverbs 11:24-28

      24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

      25The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.

      26He who withholds grain, the people will curse him,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

      27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.

      28He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

Reflecting on the scripture… consider that when we find contentment, purpose, and peace through Christ we will have plenty regardless of our bank account balance. When we clutch tightly to every dollar as if our life depends on it… even when it is due to someone else… we will never have enough. There are always more things to buy or more money to accumulate.

When we bless others through our generosity, we will find greater joy in our lives and prosper in what we do. When we help others, God and others will help us. When we withhold what we have that others need we will be cursed, but when we provide what others need we will be blessed indeed.

Whether we seek favor of others or seek evil, we will find it. Let us not trust in riches as they may come and go like leaves on a tree. One season brings riches and the next takes them away. Instead put our faith in God who created all things.

Take time to consider how you may apply these truths from scripture in your own life. Pray that God will help you. Identify at least one or two you need to work on in specific situations and make a simple plan to get started addressing it this week. Do not delay or make excuses to come back to it “someday when things are not so tough or busy”. Someday may never come. Don’t delay.

Matthew 6:31-33

31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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

Control Spending, Optimizing Life, Proverbs

The Greater Treasure

As we go forth in pursuit of our daily activities and priorities in life, such as providing for our families, let us not be deceived that monetary wealth is the greatest treasure. There are greater treasures… such as godly wisdom. Often when we pursue God, and thus godly wisdom, we will also find sufficient or even abundant finances. This may have more to do with how we view our finances and how we spend and not always how much we can earn. Of course, succeeding financially is not the primary reason we should pursue a relationship with our Creator, but a godly perspective on finances should come along with the relationship. Often we already have sufficient or abundant finances, but don’t recognize it because we lack true wisdom even in understanding “wants” vs. “needs”. There is always more money and always someone else with more stuff. We need not compare ourselves to them, but rather look first to God and find our peace and rest in Him.

Proverbs 8

     1Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?

      2On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

      3Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

      4“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.

      5“O naive ones, understand prudence;
And, O fools, understand wisdom.

      6“Listen, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

      7“For my mouth will utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

      8“All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

      9“They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

      10“Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.

      11“For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

      12“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.

      13“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

      14“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.

      15“By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.

      16“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.

      17“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.

      18“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.

      19“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.

      20“I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,

      21To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

      22“The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.

      23“From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

      24“When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no springs abounding with water.

      25“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills I was brought forth;

      26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.

      27“When He established the heavens, I was there,
When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

      28When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became fixed,

      29When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the water would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

      30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,

      31Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.

      32“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed are they who keep my ways.

      33“Heed instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.

      34“Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.

      35“For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the LORD.

      36“But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.”

Not sure how to get started in pursuit of godly wisdom? Fear the Lord and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all that you need will be added to you.

Proverbs 9:10

      10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Matthew 6:31-33

31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

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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 .

Control Debt, Proverbs

He Who Is Guarantor For A Stranger Will Suffer For It

Surely as God’s people we are called to be generous and giving to help one another. However, that does not mean we are to stop being wise. We must thoughtfully consider to whom we lend money or for whom we guarantee their debt.

Proverbs 11:15

15He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

This scripture warns about strangers. It is very likely that it is not only referring to people we never met before but also people we do not know very well. Perhaps we know their name and see them at work or in church, but we do not really know them. It seems unlikely one would need to highlight not being a guarantor for what we consider today in our culture as a total stranger… someone we never met before. Not many would ever consider this risk.

Of course the obvious risk is that we do not know them well and they may not have the character or means to pay back what they borrow. If we become guarantor for them then we are at risk to lose the money they took as we pay for their debt. Out of a good heart and desire to help, many get themselves in financial trouble.

Notice that it does not say “Do not give to a stranger”. If the sum of money is such that you would be willing to give it… go ahead, if you feel that is appropriate. You understand the financial impact with no expectation you will be paid back. This mindset helps us use wisdom. We will be less likely to extend ourselves as responsible for major expenses we really can not afford in our effort to help others.

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

Ethics, Proverbs, Treasures In Heaven

The Integrity of the Upright Will Guide Them

All the riches in the world will not deliver you on the day you perish. Each of us will stand before Yahweh for judgment and go either to heaven with Him, or to hell apart from Him. The decisions we make in this life have far greater affect on where we spend eternity than most people ever take time to consider. Oh… and studies show that five out of five people perish. The thing about life is no one gets out of it alive. Let us take heed to submit to Yahweh through Jesus Christ. Our actions should reflect our faith in Him as Lord.

Proverbs 11:1-6

      1A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight.

      2When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.

      3The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.

      4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.

      5The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

      6The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

Our actions should reflect our faith. If we truly accept Jesus as the Christ, we should reject a false balance or other “cheating” in finances. We should remain humble and guide ourselves with integrity. If we truly submit to Christ, than that will be reflected in our behaviors.

Of course we must remember that it is not our “works” that saves us but rather we are saved by Yahweh’s grace through our faith in Christ. However, genuine faith is naturally demonstrated in our actions and attitudes.

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

Ethics, Generate Income, Optimizing Life, Proverbs

How We Pursue Our Finances Matters

Do not be so enthusiastic in your pursuit of profit that you neglect God’s instruction. Our Father constantly reminds us in the Bible that His ways are best. We should take care and heed His advice. Yes we are to work diligently, but we must first commit to working righteously, that is to say “do things God’s way rather than the world’s way”.

Proverbs 10:2-5

      2Ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness delivers from death.

      3The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger,
But He will reject the craving of the wicked.

      4Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

      5He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.

We are to seek first the kingdom of God in determining how we live our lives. We are called to be diligent in our pursuits rather than lazy, proactive rather than putting things off to another day.

Take some time to reflect on how this applies to your life. Pray God would lead you and help you make any necessary changes in your life.

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

Control Debt, Generate Income, Plan Carefully and Seek Wise Advice, Proverbs

Parental Counsel from Solomon

For those who do not know Solomon, he was a man uniquely gifted with wisdom by God. He wrote proverbs a few thousand years ago now and his observations and counsel are as valid today as they were then.

Here is some of his advice from Proverbs 6.

We should be very cautious when we pledge, with our money or resources to back it up, on behalf of someone else who is struggling to manage their money. (If they were not struggling, they would not need our help.) Do not risk in this way anything you are not willing to lose if circumstances do not work out.

Proverbs 6:1-5

      1My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,

      2If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,

      3Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.

      4Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;

      5Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

We must be diligent and take personal responsibility for our future needs. Do not rely on someone else or make excuses to put off getting started. The most important aspect of completing a journey is beginning it properly and at the right time. In this way we prepare wisely for our future and will also be better prepared to help others along the way.

Proverbs 6:6-8

      6Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,

      7Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,

      8Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.

Sloth, or laziness, is a sure way to end in poverty and need. There are other ways to find poverty, but sloth is one that almost assures it.

Proverbs 6:9-11

      9How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?

      10“A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”—

      11Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.

God considers those who are wicked and perverse to be worthless. They may feel like they are “winning” and “being successful” at their wicked endeavors, but in the end they will face God’s judgment. Often there deceitful ways catch up with them in this life as well, bringing calamity without healing.

Proverbs 6:11-15

      12A worthless person, a wicked man,
Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth,

      13Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,
Who points with his fingers;

      14Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil,
Who spreads strife.

      15Therefore his calamity will come suddenly;
Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.

Be wise in the ways of God rather than man. Seek to reflect on this wisdom from Solomon and apply it in your life. Do not just read it and say… “that is true, someone needs to hear that”. Instead, prayerfully ask God to help reveal to you any areas that you need to address personally in your life… and go start to fix them. Then consider if there are others you know that need help in this area. They will learn more from your example than from your words.

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

Ethics, Greed, Optimizing Life, Proverbs

Resist When Sinners Entice You

There are right ways to increase your wealth and wrong ways. The truth of what is right and wrong is not determined by whether or not you gain money but rather by the standards God has provided us in His written word. It is better to be poor in finances and walk with God than to be rich in finances and live without Him.

Proverbs 1:8-19

The Enticement of Sinners

      8Hear, my son, your father’s instruction
And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

      9Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head
And ornaments about your neck.

      10My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.

      11If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait for blood,
Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

      12Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

      13We will find all kinds of precious wealth,
We will fill our houses with spoil;

      14Throw in your lot with us,
We shall all have one purse,”

      15My son, do not walk in the way with them.
Keep your feet from their path,

      16For their feet run to evil
And they hasten to shed blood.

      17Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net
In the sight of any bird;

      18But they lie in wait for their own blood;
They ambush their own lives.

      19So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence;
It takes away the life of its possessors.

Many people profess that they can help you on a path to having more money. Not all of the paths are righteous according to God’s standards. Choose carefully with the Bible as your guide. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you make the right choices, even when the situation seems dire and there may seem to be no easy way out.

It is better to be poor and dwell with God than to be rich and dwell without Him. Even in matters of life and death, it is better to choose the path that leads to heaven than the one that leads to hell… no matter what earthly wealth you may be promised in order for you to take the wrong path.

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

Guiding Framework, Proverbs, Treasures In Heaven

In Whom Do You Put Your Trust for Finances?

If we are honest with ourselves, most of us would admit that at one time or another in our lives we have struggled to put our faith in God regarding how we should approach our personal finances. We may place our faith in a stock broker or career counselor or in our own ability to work hard in order to find our way, but often we overlook the wisdom God has provided in His written word, the Bible.  If we put our faith in God and seek and then follow the wisdom He has revealed through scripture we will surely not regret it!

Proverbs 3

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;

10So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,

12For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.

14For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.

15She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.

16Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.

As I reflect on this scripture today, I would always encourage you to click through to read the whole chapter of scripture… that is why I provide the link. However, I have pulled out a portion of it to comment on in this article.

A key decision we must make as we approach any element of our lives, including finances, is the following question…

“In whom do I place my trust for wisdom in this area of my life?”

Increasingly I have come to the conclusion that our trust should first and foremost be put in God and His word for all aspects of our lives, even the details of our lives associated with personal finance. Yes, we can also study and consult with others, but we must have a good standard against which to judge their specific advice. Scripture in the Bible and Proverbs in particular provides a very helpful absolute standard that can serve as our guide for evaluating our decisions.

By following God’s wisdom we will find wealth greater than silver, gold, or jewels and yet also find great advice to help us increase in our finances as well.

Answer for yourself today… “In whom do I put my trust for my personal finances?” Prayerfully consider this question and do not quickly answer. Consider how you work to generate income, how you manage spending, and how much you give to provide for the needs of others. If someone were trying to convict you of being a Christian in a court of law… would there be enough evidence, based on how you manage your finances, to convict you?

Humbly consider what changes you should make to submit more fully to God’s wisdom and guidance in regard to your finances.

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