Wealth Words from Proverbs 10

These Proverbs were in my reading for today and spoke to me as I have been considering my own financial goals. They come from Proverbs 10:

 

4 Lazy hands make a man poor,
       but diligent hands bring wealth.

The Work-Attitude-Wealth connection in the scriptures, especially in Proverbs is blatant. WAW (Isn't that Hebrew?) reminds us that our attitudes about work and our follow-through on those beliefs have everything to do with our prosperity. While it is important to work "smart," it is also important to work hard enough to overcome lethargy. Sitting around doing nothing will produce nothing. 

 

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
       but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

While the scriptures teach us not to love money or trust in riches, they also give us a realistic picture of what real wealth does for us: It gives us security and freedom from unexpected attacks. Most of us come to financial ruin through poor planning and inattention to the details of sound financial planning and implementation of good business principles. 

 

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life,
       but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

To balance this teaching, one must be reminded that wealth in the wrong hands, wages specifically, can be a cause of pain and punishment. For instance, Paul reminds us in  Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death, but that eternal life comes a s a gift from God. On the other hand, financial remuneration for wealth well-done by righteous people can enhance life and provide wonderful options. 

 

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
       but fools die for lack of judgment.

I left out a some verses on money and added this one on a different subject. however, it spoke to me this morning and relates to where I am in my business and ministry. what God has given to me specifically with which to bless others and earn a living is my ability to communicate with words. God grant that I may be a righteous man, rightly related to god and traveling in the right direction so that my words may nourish many. This is especially urgent since so many are falling by the wayside for lack of judgment. 

 

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
       and he adds no trouble to it.

Whatever God considers wealth in my life is what I desire to receive from Him and in cooperation with His purposes. That wealth will be a blessing with which I can bless others. Anything else will just be trouble.