Solomon on Wealth
According to the website nerdwallet.com, the average US household credit card, if you have a credit card, debt is $15,863. As late as July of this year, the average mortgage debt is $156,584 and the average student loan debt is $33,090.
It is clear that Americans have an issue with money and debt. We need help, we need advice in how to lower our debt, how to manage debt wisely, and how to use our money in a spiritual way.
So, when we look for advice on how to deal with money, there is no better source than the word of God and no better person than King Solomon.
WEALTH IS A BLESSING:
Proverbs 10:22 – “It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.”
Material possessions are a blessing from the Lord. But, they do not usually “drop out of the sky.” Louis Pasteur once said, “Chance favors only the prepared mind.” To alter that a bit, “Financial security favors only the prepared mind.” Prepare yourself with knowledge and skills and God can use those to bless you with what you need and, frequently, more than what you need.
GOOD WAYS TO USE OUR WEALTH:
Proverbs 3:9-10 – “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.”
WEALTH CAN BE DANGEROUS:
Proverbs 23:4-5 – “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”
We can abuse wealth by trusting that simply because we are wealthy, God is pleased with everything we say and do. That is false. Or, we can allow work (if not wealth itself) to consume us to the degree that we have no time, energy, or interest in doing the Lord’s work. “If you’re too busy to spend time with God, you’re busier than God ever meant you to be” (McGrath, 135).
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WORK HARD:
Proverbs 10:4-5 – “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.”
AVOID DEBT:
Just because a Christian is in debt does not mean that he/she has been careless with their money. Debt can happen because of greed. It can happen when we fail to take wise steps to prepare for the unexpected. Debt can happen when we are lazy and careless with how we use our money. And, certainly it can happen when catastrophe happens beyond our ability to manage it.
Otherwise, Solomon warns us to stay out of debt – Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”
Rather than getting into debt, we ought to have self-control, delay gratification and set aside money until we have saved enough to pay cash for what we intend to buy. We should also keep our living expenses as low as we can until we set aside money for emergencies.
Debt should also be repaid according to the terms of your agreement with the lender, as soon as possible. In Romans 13:7-8, Paul teaches us that we ought to pay what we owe.
HELP OTHERS:
Proverbs 19:17 – “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.”
God, through Solomon, can help you get control of your finances. Listen to Him.
–Paul Holland
