Financial Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man
devours all he has.
(Proverbs 21:20 NIV)
Principle: Live Below Your Means
He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is
secure. (Proverbs 11:15)
A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for
his friend.
(Proverbs 17:18) (cf. Proverbs 6:1-5; 20:16; 27:13; 22:26-27)
Principle: Co-Signing Loans is a Foolish Risk
In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty. (Proverbs
14:23)
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless
pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:19-20-RSV)
Principle: Success is the Byproduct of Hard Work and Faithfulness, Not
“Get-Rich-Quick” Schemes
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be
rich. (Proverbs 21:17)
Principle: It Takes Self-Discipline to Prosper
One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who
will pity the poor. (Proverbs 28:8)
Principle: Wealth Is Only Good When Gained and Used Honestly and Honorably
One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should
give, and only suffers want. A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters
will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a
blessing is on the head of him who sells it. (Proverbs 11:24-26 RSV)
Principle: To Gain More You Must Be Willing to Give
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of
the sinner is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22)
Principle: A Wise Man Plans and Saves for the Future, But Righteousness is Our
True Security
Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your
increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow
with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Principle: To Gain More You Must First Give to God
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
(Proverbs 22:7)
Principle: Debt is a Form of Slavery
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast
but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and
fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4-5 NIV)
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
(Proverbs 11:4)
He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like
foliage. (Proverbs 11:28)
Principle: There Are More Important Things Than Money
Joel
Ellis