Timeless Wisdom From ProverbsSample

Solomon was the wealthiest man of his day, so he knew firsthand the benefits of money. But he also understood that money can be easily lost (Proverbs 23:4–5), can increase stress (Ecclesiastes 5:12), and can rob us of joy (Ecclesiastes 5:13). Given the benefits and limitations of wealth, he offered a reasonable goal: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8–9, NASB95). The financial goal of every Christian should be to have enough money to do what God has called us to do.

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon revealed how to accomplish that goal. First,adjust your spending below your income. Proverbs 21:20 (NASB95) says, “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.” The fool spends every penny he earns.

Second, be careful of debt. In Proverbs 22:7 (NASB95), Solomon observed, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Today, millions of people are slaves to MasterCard and Visa. But God doesn’t want us to be a slave to anyone except Himself.

Third, consistently save part of your income. In Proverbs 6:6–8 (NASB95), Solomon wrote, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” Even an ant has the common sense to take some food during the summer and fall and store it away for the winter. Today is the best time to start saving for future needs.

The final principle of financial freedom is to devote part of your income to God. Solomon said, “Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine” Proverbs 3:9–10 (NASB95). This isn’t a promise that if you give to God, you will be wealthy. But more often than not, God blesses those who give.