Proverbs 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it. AMP
The Bible teaches us to plan diligently and to work hard rather and avoid get-rich-quick schemes. This involves creating a budget, saving regularly, and living below our means.
Live in a modest home inviting God’s help to find the right place and a great deal for your family! Drive a modest car. Wear modest clothing.
Studies show that the majority of Americans spend $11-20 on Starbucks per week. Imagine how much money you could save if you just make coffee before you leave and eat at home or take your lunch rather than eating out. Eating out costs on average somewhere between $8-$15. Bringing your lunch costs on average between $2-$4. You’ll save between $6-$13 per meal. Do this three times in a week and you’re saving about $30/week = $120/month.
Warren Buffett has said that he advised his wife to invest all her money in the S&P 500 after his death. I’m not suggesting you invest in SPY, but we have, and I want to use it as an illustration. SPY is the ticker symbol of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) which is actually not a stock. It trades like a stock but actually is a portfolio of stocks that track the S&P 500 index.
The average annual return over any 20-year period ranges from 7% to 14% so let’s just use the 10.5% average.
Over 10 years that results in approximately $25k
Over 20 years that results in approximately $100k
Over 30 years that results in approximately $300k
See our the resource tab on our website for budgeting tools and free workshop sessions explaining financial strategies. Make it a point to apply the wisdom of Proverbs as you:
Plan and Budget: Set financial goals, create budgets, and stick to them.
Invest Wisely: Be patient and consistent with your investments.
Avoid Debt: Minimize debt and manage it wisely if necessary.
Focus on Financial Independence: Prioritize saving money instead of trying to flaunt spending.
The golden rule of the upside-down world is he who has the gold makes the rules. So the person that is in control is the person who controls the assets, and the borrower is what slave of the lender. Now we are a nation that prides itself on freedom, but we suffer great financial slavery.
Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. AMP
Debt is your master when you want to spend time with your family, but your job requires you to travel extensively. You can't afford to take a day off because you need every paycheck to make all your payments. When your financial obligations dictate your schedule, it causes you to miss important family moments and adds stress to your life.
The more self-absorbed you are the more problematic your life will be: money, marriage, friendship, career.
We all come from some sort of family history when it comes to how money was generated and distributed. Address your history and embrace your destiny. History is where you discover your past. Destiny is where you discover your future.
Proverbs 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor. AMP
The United Nations reported $10 billion would solve the world’s water problem, realizing this is the #1 killer in the world. $30 billion solves world hunger for the entire planet. If North America tithed for just one year, 10% of their income would be $150 billion!!! A TRANSFORMED WORLD IS ON OTHER SIDE OF CHURCH’S OBEDIENCE.
Blessings come with generosity, and this is why God has always included giving tithes and offerings as a part of worship.
Proverbs 26:13 The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work, I will be killed]!” AMP
ANY AREA OF YOUR LIFE THAT LACKS HOPE IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A LIE!
Proverbs 24:3 Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built, And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation]. AMP
Direction not intention determines our destination. If you want to go to Tulsa you’ll never get there by driving West on I-40 or South on I-35. You’re hoping for Tulsa but you’re going to Texas. It is direction not intention that determines our destination!
GP2RL: Consider a budget, evaluate your debt and make a commitment to take one step to fight against it. Read Proverbs 29-3 noting principles of personal finance.
Verses in Proverbs 21-28
that could have a “$” written in the margin:
Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.
Proverbs 21:6 Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
Proverbs 21:17 He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves and is devoted to wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.
Proverbs 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it. AMP
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the lazy kills him, For his hands refuse to labor; 26 He craves all the day long [and does no work], But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].
Proverbs 22:1 A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor have a common bond; The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Proverbs 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor. AMP
blessings that come with generosity and the importance of helping those in need.
Application: Encourage regular giving
Proverbs 22:13 The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!”
Proverbs 22:22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless], Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held],
Proverbs 22:26-27 Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances], Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay [another’s debt when he defaults], Why should his creditor take your bed from under you? AMP
Proverbs 22:28 Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property] Which your fathers have set.
Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work? He will stand [in honor] before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.
Proverbs 23:4-5 Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth; Cease from your own understanding of it. 5 When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies to the heavens. AMP
Proverbs 23:10 Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property] And do not go into the fields of the fatherless [to take what is theirs],
Proverbs 23:21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.
Proverbs 24:3 Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built, And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation]. AMP
Proverbs 24:27 Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward build your house and establish a home. AMP
Proverbs 24:31 And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, And nettles were covering its surface, And its stone wall was broken down.
Proverbs 24:33-34 “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],” 34 Then your poverty will come as a robber, And your want like an armed man.
Proverbs 26:
Proverbs 26:10 Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.
Proverbs 26:13 The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”
Proverbs 26:15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity]; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
Proverbs 27:18 He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored.
Proverbs 28:3 A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
Proverbs 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich.
Proverbs 28:8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest) Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
Proverbs 28:15-16 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.
Proverbs 28:19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
Proverbs 28:20 A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings, But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:22 He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
Proverbs 28:25 An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.