A Scriptural View of Wealth

8/4/2019 A Scriptural View of Wealth

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A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF WEALTH

1. How we view wealth will impact our entire life.

a. Our view of wealth affects our personal decisions, how we spend time and

money, and how we plan for the future (LUK 12:14-21). b. Our view of wealth determines how we judge people and situations (PSA 49:16-

18; PRO 19:4, 7; JER 44:15-18).

c. Our view of wealth impacts our personal relationships (PRO 15:17, 27).

d. Our view of wealth reveals our spiritual condition (MAT 6:19-24; 1TI 6:9-10).

e. The following quotes are sadly true and show how most modern Americans viewwealth.

i. Its not that I want to be a multi-millionaire, although like everyone else,I do. Ill settle for being comfortable very comfortable. Id like to own anice home and a vacation property, help my children get an education, andretire in relative affluence at a reasonable age. And I want to accomplishall of this without substantially sacrificing my present standard of living. Ithink these goals are shared by most Americans. David Chilton, TheWealthy Barber , p. 11.

ii. We all share pretty much the same goals an annual vacation, a nice car,a comfortable home, early retirement, the ability to give our children whatthey need and wantand baseball season tickets. These are the averageAmericans goals. Ibid. , p. 28.

iii. The average Americans goals are outright heathen (MAT 6:31-32).

2. We begin by defining terms relevant to this study.

a. Wealth 1. The condition of being happy and prosperous; well-being. 2. Spiritualwell-being. 3. Prosperity consisting in the abundance of possessions; worldlygoods, valuable possessions, esp. in great abundance: riches, affluence.

i. Prosperous Having continued success or good fortune; consistentlysuccessful; flourishing, thriving.

1. Success 1. That which happens in the sequel; the termination(favourable or otherwise) of affairs; the issue, upshot, result. 3.( good success) The prosperous achievement of something

attempted; the attainment of an object according to ones desire;now often with particular reference to the attainment of wealth or position.

2. Good fortune Good luck; success, prosperity.

ii. Well-being The state of being or doing well in life; happy, healthy, or prosperous condition; moral or physical welfare (of a person or community).


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iii. Riches Abundance of means or of valuable possessions; wealth.

iv. The Hebrew word translated wealth in DEU 8:17-18 is chayil and means aforce, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,valor, strength.

b. Treasure Wealth or riches stored or accumulated, esp. in the form of preciousmetals; gold and silver coin; hence in general, money, riches, wealth.

c. Revenue 1. Return to a place. 2. The return, yield, or profit of any lands, property, or other important source of income.

3. The definition of the word wealth in both English and Hebrew shows that wealth involvesmore than an abundance of material possessions and is thus not limited to them.

a. By definition, one may be wealthy who does not have an abundance of worldly possessions.

b. Since being prosperous is having continued success and since success is theachievement of something attempted or the attainment of something desired,

being prosperous depends upon what ones goals are.c. Hence, by definition a poor man could be wealthy, prosperous, and successful.

d. Observe that the Hebrew word for wealth also entails virtue, that is, character.

e. This broader view of prosperity is clearly seen in 3JO 1:2.

i. Even Exactly, precisely, just.

ii. True prosperity accords with the prosperity of the soul.

iii. If you prosper and are in health even as your soul prospers, what wouldyour condition be?

4. Scripture clearly presents a view of wealth that extends beyond the abundance of material possessions so that one may be wealthy in the Scriptural sense while being poor inmaterial possessions.

5. Scripture does indeed speak of wealth and riches in terms of material possessions (GEN13:2; JOS 22:8; 2CH 32:27-29; JER 41:8; EZE 27; ZEC 14:14; MAT 2:11; REV 18:9-17).

a. This kind of wealth is substantial.

b. This kind of wealth can be weighed.

c. This kind of wealth can be stored.

d. This kind of wealth can be used to eat, or to wear, or to make things for other uses.

e. This kind of wealth is not fiat as our debt-based currency is.

6. Material riches are fleeting, corruptible, and uncertain (PRO 23:4-5; 27:24; MAT 6:19;1TI 6:17).


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a. Hence, they are not to be trusted to secure the future (PSA 62:10).

b. Trusting in riches characterizes the wicked of this world (PSA 52:7).

c. He who trusts his riches shall fall (PRO 11:28).

d. Trusting in riches makes it hard to enter the kingdom of God (MAR 10:24).

e. Placing ones hope and confidence in material wealth is classed with idolatry(JOB 31:24-28).

f. Therefore, do not trust your wealth to secure you in old age!

7. However, Scripture also speaks of wealth and riches as extending beyond material possessions.

a. There is God Himself, Who is the believers shield and exceeding great reward(GEN 15:1; PSA 16:5-6; 23:1).

b. There are the exceeding riches of Gods grace in His kindness (EPH 2:7).

c. There are the unsearchable riches of Christ, which we preach (EPH 3:8).

d. There are the riches of the full assurance of understanding (COL 2:2).

e. There are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid in Christ (COL 2:3). Theseriches are durable (PRO 8:18).

f. There is the wealth of love or charity (1TH 3:12; 2TH 1:3).

i. To abound in: To be plentiful, wealthy, or copious in; to possess to amarked extent, so as to be characterized by; to have wealth of.

ii. Charity builds and binds relationships, which are a source of wealth (1CO8:1; COL 3:14; PHI 4:1; 2CO 8:13-15; ECC 4:7-12).

1. Relationships provide a good return on ones investment.2. Relationships provide security against times of failure.

g. There is being rich in good works (1TI 6:18).

h. There is being rich in faith, which the poor of this world can be (JAM 2:5).

i. The return on faith is fullness of joy and peace and abounding hope (ROM15:13).

ii. Faith gives us access into Gods all sufficing grace (ROM 5:2; 2CO 8:8).

i. There is the fellowship of the gospel and of the church, which money seeking

Jews lost (ROM 11:12). j. There are the riches of the reproach of Christ (HEB 11:26). The return Moses

would receive on the reproach of Christ was greater than the return on thetreasures in Egypt!

k. There is the treasure of the fear of the Lord (ISA 33:6).

l. There is the great gain of godliness with contentment (1TI 6:6).


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m. Our Lord spoke of the true riches in contrast to material wealth (LUK 16:11).

n. With such riches as these, one may be poor in this world and yet rich in Godsestimation (REV 2:9).

o. Without these true riches, one may be rich in this world and yet be poor in Godsestimation (REV 3:17; LUK 12:21).

8. These immaterial riches are to be valued, desired, and sought above material riches.

a. Our Lord teaches that our life does not consist in the abundance of things we possess (LUK 12:15).

b. The word of God, truth, and wisdom are to be prized and sought above material possessions (PSA 19:10; PRO 3:14-15; 8:10-11).

i. So valuable is truth that we should be willing to spend other things to haveit (PRO 23:23).

ii. Wisdom yields a better return than gold and silver (PRO 8:19).

iii. They will teach you how to gain substance (PRO 8:20-21). More aboutthis later.

c. Good character and loving favour are to be chosen over material riches (PRO22:1).

i. Loving relationships are to be valued over money.

ii. Good character assures a better investment even if it is small (PSA37:16).

d. Our Lord taught us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and allthings needful will be added (MAT 6:33).

i. Consider the return on this investment!ii. This investment is backed up by the full faith and credit of God Himself

Who can certainly deliver as promised (1CH 29:11-12).

e. We are to be willing to let go of earthly perishable treasure to gain heavenlyimperishable treasure (LUK 12:33-34).

f. A little with the fear of God is better than great treasure and trouble with it (PRO15:16). The fear of God is superior to the great treasure!

g. Quietness is to be preferred above abundance of things if in having thatabundance our life is full of travail and vexation of spirit (ECC 4:6).

i. Travail Bodily or mental labour or toil, especially of a painful or oppressive nature; exertion; trouble; hardship; suffering.

ii. Vex To trouble, afflict, or harass (a person, etc.) by aggression,encroachment, or other interference with peace and quiet.

h. The wisest man learned that having lots of things does not equal wealth-filledliving (ECC 2:1-11).


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i. He viewed all that he had acquired as vanity.

1. Vanity That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value or profit.

2. Imagine all of Solomons possessions being worthless and of novalue.

ii. Solomon sought the good life in abundant possessions and discovered it isnot there.

iii. The conclusion of Solomons pursuit is that fearing God and keeping Hiscommandments fulfill a mans life (cp. ECC 2:3 w/ ECC 12:13).

i. We are straightly warned against aiming to be rich in this world. We are told toflee these things and to pursue spiritual things instead (1TI 6:6-11).

9. Time is a valuable commodity that we need to redeem (EPH 5:15-17).

a. Redeem - To buy back (a thing formerly possessed); to make payment for (a thing

held or claimed by another). To regain, recover (an immaterial thing). b. We should spend other things to secure time.

c. Time is a commodity that once lost cannot be regained.

d. We should budget our time just at we should budget our money (PSA 90:12).

e. Possible areas where time can be recaptured are:

i. Television viewing.

ii. Overmuch indulgence of novels, magazines, newsletters, etc.

iii. Computer games.

iv. Internet usage.1. Much time can be wasted learning via the Internet.

2. Consider the Internet in the light of 2TI 3:7.

3. More truth can be gained just reading and meditating upon your Bible (PSA 119:98-100; ECC 12:9-13).

4. Focus on the resources God has ordained for your growth rather than trying to drink from every well of information (EPH 4:11-16).

v. Childrens activities outside the home. Do they really need all that activityto be happy and well-adjusted children?

vi. Things and gadgets that eat up time in use and maintenance.

1. Timesaving devices have a way of becoming time-consumingdevices.

2. Take e-mail as an example. It is easier and faster than regular mail.But because it is easier and faster, we get more mail to sift through.


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3. Greater means of communication mean more communicating,which requires time.

10. Lets look at a practical application of what we have learned thus far: Consider a familythat is burdened with debt. Both parents have to work to pay for all the things they are

buying. Their budget and schedule are extremely tight with little elasticity. They arestressed to their limits. Mother is burdened with guilt because she is not staying homewith the kids. Relationships are strained. Then they decide to sell the house, pay off their debts with the equity, simplify their standard of living to live on the husbands income,and rent a modest home.

a. Many would say they are throwing money down a hole.

b. By Gods standards they are buying time, which means they are walking as wisewhich means they are in the center of the will of God, which is the best and safest

place to be.

c. How this scenario is judged depends upon ones view of wealth.

d. Factoring in a Scriptural view of wealth, relate this scenario to PRO 13:7.11. Meditation in Gods law is essential to wealth-filled living (JOS 1:8; PSA 1:1-3).

a. Recall that wealth is the condition of being prosperous, which is having goodsuccess.

b. Meditate - To muse over or reflect upon; to consider, study, ponder.

i. Muse To be absorbed in thought; to meditate continuously in silence; to ponder.

ii. Reflect To turn ones thoughts (back) on , to fix the mind or attention onor upon a subject; to ponder, meditate on .

iii. Consider To contemplate mentally, fix the mind upon; to think over,meditate or reflect on, bestow attentive thought upon, give heed to, takenote of.

iv. Study To apply the mind to the acquisition of learning, whether bymeans of books, observation, or experiment. To think intently; to meditate(of, on, upon, in ); to reflect, try to recollect something or to come to adecision.

v. Ponder To weigh (a matter, words, etc.) mentally; to give due weight toand consider carefully; to think over, meditate upon.

c. More is needed than merely hearing or reading the word of God.

d. Meditation allows us to absorb the word of God into our thought processes so thatScripture directs us through the day and night (PRO 6:20-24; PSA 119:11).

e. Lack of meditation is more owing to a lack of love for the law, than to a lack of time (PSA 119:97).


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f. Meditation requires quiet, undisturbed time (JOB 37:14; PSA 46:10 w/ DEU4:39).

i. Israel rejected the strength to be found in quietness (ISA 30:15-16).

1. They would choose the fast lane instead.

2. Israel endeavoured to secure itself by relying on Egypt.3. Are we in the fast lane because we are making the same choice?

ii. Many disquiet themselves in the pursuit of more and more things (PSA39:6).

iii. If the Lord is leading us and we are bearing His yoke, we will findquietness (PSA 23:2; MAT 11:29).

g. Too much noise, too much pleasure, and too many cares crowd out time needed tomeditate (ISA 5:12-13; LUK 8:14; 10:38-42).

h. The word of God needs to be in our heart. Otherwise, the accumulation of thingswill result in our forgetting the Lord, Who saved us (DEU 6:4-12; COL 3:16).

i. Understand that the command to give oneself wholly to the study of Scripture is acommand to a preacher (1TI 4:13-15; 1CO 9:14).

i. If not called to preach, you must pursue another occupation (2TH 3:10-12).

ii. But maintain a standard of living that does not demand that you work tothe exclusion of building up spiritual wealth through meditation (JOH6:27).

j. Meditation taps into the wealth of understanding contained in the testimonies

(PSA 119:99).k. Understanding Gods words by Gods means of understanding them enriches the

life to the point of celebration (NEH 8:7-12).

l. Now we are to understand all the rest of Scripture through the revelation given toPaul, who is the pattern of believers and the apostle to the Gentiles (1TI 1:16;ROM 11:13; EPH 3:1-10; 1TI 4:6; 2TI 1:13; 2:2).

i. Get a good grasp of Pauls teaching before trying to unravel the prophetsand the book of Revelation.

ii. If someone wrests Pauls teaching, he will wrest the other scriptures aswell (2PE 3:15-18).

1. It is a mark of unlearned and unstable souls that they occupythemselves with those parts of the Scripture that are hard to beunderstood.

2. In wresting Scripture, we fall from our own stedfastness rather than growing in grace and knowledge.


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m. Accumulating information from the Bible without using Gods method of understanding will not enrich you.

i. It is like a man who makes a lot of money but is still broke because hedoes not know how to handle money (PRO 13:23).

ii. Consider the scribes and lawyers of Christs day who devoted themselvesto the study and interpretation of the law and yet were blind guides thatrejected the Messiah (MAT 23:13, 16; LUK 11:52; ACT 13:27).

n. We must beware that we be not cheated out of this rich investment of wisdom andunderstanding (COL 2:1-4, 18; 2JO 1:8).

12. Consider how television can rob us of true wealth.

a. Television isolates us from one another. We receive from the set rather thangiving and receiving from one another.

b. Television is a powerful medium for mind control.

i. Just listen to people in the world and note how much their perceptions of and reactions to people and situations are programmed by television.

ii. News reports are generally edited and programmed in such a way as tomold your opinion of the events.

iii. Most of what is pumped to us by means of television is ungodly anddeceptive.

iv. To what extent does television help or hinder our obedience to PHI 4:8:Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things arehonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any

virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.v. Is watching a lot of television compatible with meditating in Gods law

day and night?

vi. Connect the following warnings to television.

1. PRO 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth toerr from the words of knowledge.

2. 1CO 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt goodmanners.

c. Advertisements on television and elsewhere constantly emphasize the possession

and enjoyment of things , which can distort a true view of wealth.i. Advertising exists only to purvey what people dont need. Whatever

people do need they will find without advertising if it is available. This isso obvious and simple that it continues to stagger my mind that the adindustry has succeeded in muddying the point. Jerry Mander, Four

Arguments for the Elimination of Television , p. 126.


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ii. Remembering that the mere possession of things is vanity, consider the prayer of PSA 119:37 with respect to television: Turn away mine eyesfrom beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

d. Television will fill your mind with the very things that our Lord teaches us willchoke the word of God (MAR 4:19).

e. In order to keep our attention, television manipulates technical events.

i. Technical events are such things as zooming the camera back and forth onan image; taking the camera before, behind, over, under, and around theimage; changing the size of the image; instant shifting from one scene toanother scene in another place or time; superimposing words over animage; putting music in the background at a tempo and level to achieve adesired effect.

ii. These technical events do not represent life as we actually live it.

iii. Dr. Matthew Dupont saysthese technical effects help cause

hyperactivity among children. They must surely also contribute to thedecline of attention span and the inability to absorb information thatcomes muddling along at natural, real-life speed. Ibid. , p. 304.

iv. What excitement does a lecture offer to one addicted to fast action ontelevision or in computer games?

v. Hence, people without television can become more easily bored.

f. In order to take in the information it offers, television does not require the power of concentration that reading or listening to a speaker requires.

i. Like anything else, the ability to concentrate increases with exercise.

ii. Instead of having to focus our attention, television reaches out and grabs itwith its manipulation of technical events.

iii. Inability to concentrate limits ones capacity to acquire truth.

iv. God calls us to hearken diligently unto Him (ISA 55:2).

1. Hearken To apply the ears to hear; to listen, give ear.

2. Diligently With constant and earnest effort to accomplish what isundertaken; persistent application and endeavour.

v. The process of gaining knowledge described in PRO 2:1-9 does not usually take place in watching television.

g. If we did not have television, would we have more time? Would we be morecreative? Would we get more sleep? And would more time, more creativity, andmore sleep enrich or impoverish our lives?

h. The extent to which television interferes with personal relationships, corrupts our thinking and character, and competes with the absorption of truth, to that extent itrobs us of true wealth.


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2. If it was a choice between something else or an opportunity tolearn about the Lord Jesus Christ, which would have chosen?

v. Paul not only counted all things but loss, but he actually suffered the lossof all things for Christ.

1. Paul's entire reputation among the Jews went down the tubes andhe became one of their most wanted criminals.

2. Rome imprisoned him and finally condemned him to death (2TI4:6).

3. Paul was indeed Christ's disciple in that he chose Christ aboveeveryone and everything, even above his own life also (LUK 14:26-27, 33).

vi. Paul suffered the loss of all things that he might win Christ.

1. Note the contrast of losing and winning.

2. There are all things to be lost and there is Christ to be won.3. This winning is not gaining Christ as our Saviour, but rather it is

gaining His knowledge, power, and fellowship (PHI 3:10).

vii. We must esteem our losses but dung if we would win Christ. If we stillvalue what we gave up, this will obstruct our growth in the knowledge of Christ, our power, and our fellowship with Him.

d. The recognition of what we have if we have the Lord counteracts covetousnessand brings contentment (HEB 13:5).

i. Covetousness - Strong or inordinate desire.

ii. Content - Having one's desires bounded by what one has (though that may be less than one could have wished); not disturbed by the desire of anything more, or of anything different.

iii. The commandment thou shalt not covet forbids desiring what God hasnot given us (DEU 5:21).

iv. Covetousness, which is the desire for what one does not have and may nothave, stands in contrast to contentment.

v. Covetousness is a gross error and a hateful sin.

1. The covetous man has the wrong idea of what it is to have a life(LUK 12:15).

2. Covetousness is idolatry (EPH 5:5).

3. Covetousness will destroy you and cause you to err from the faith(1TI 6:8-11).

vi. If you have the Lord, you have everything truly needful and desirable(PSA 23:1). The recognition will affect your desires (PSA 73:25-26).


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e. The less fascinated we are with material things, the less prone we will be to spendour lives, our energies, and our money in the accumulation of them.

14. With a Scriptural perspective on wealth, we are now ready to examine what the Scriptureteaches about the accumulation of material riches.

a. Material things are not evil.

i. They are a gift God richly gives us to enjoy (1TI 6:17).

ii. The problem arises when we view them as a source of trust or the ultimategood of life.

b. Wisdom, which is set forth in Scripture, leads us in such a way that we can bothgain and retain material wealth (PRO 8:20-21).

Consider what wisdom teaches us about gaining and retaining material wealth.

1. First, consider what wisdom has to say about how not to get material wealth.

a. Do not be hasty to get rich as this will lead to moral downfall and poverty (PRO28:20, 22).

i. PRO 20:21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but theend thereof shall not be blessed.

ii. This raises a red flag on all ventures that promise great gains with littleeffort!

iii. This reveals the folly of trying to strike it big by gambling.

1. The entire appeal of gambling is getting riches hastily.2. It is foolish to invest in something in which the overwhelming

odds are against you. It is a fact that the only consistent winner inthe gambling industry is the house. The few winners only serve asadvertisement to draw in more suckers.

3. People who do occasionally win big money usually lose it quickly.

4. If you lack the self-discipline to work, save, and accumulategradually, you will lack the self-discipline to retain what you win.

5. PRO 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but hethat gathereth by labour shall increase.

a. Vanity That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that whichis of no value or profit.

b. Gain by labour is placed over against gain by vanity.

c. How hard is a gambler really working?

d. Easy come. Easy go!


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e. This verse also has something to say to bankers who getrich by creating money out of nothing when they issueloans.

6. That prostitution and liquor have been long time bedfellows of gambling should tell you something about gambling (JOE 3:3).

iv. Be patient with the process of wealth building (JAM 5:7).

b. Do not defraud others to enrich yourself (MAR 10:19; 1TH 4:6).

i. Defraud To deprive (a person) by fraud of that which is his by right,either by fraudulently taking or by dishonestly withholding it from him.

ii. Fraud The quality or disposition of being deceitful.

iii. Examples of defrauding are:

1. Overcharging for goods and services (ISA 56:11). This issometimes done when people are desperate for a commodity or

service.2. Using false measurements to get more for less (AMO 8:5).

3. Not paying employees a fair wage or not paying them at all (COL4:1; JER 22:13; JAM 5:4).

4. Receiving pay for work not performed.

5. Appropriating company property and time for personal use (TIT2:9-10, purloin- To make away with, misappropriate, or takedishonestly; to steal, esp. under circumstances which involve a

breach of trust).

6. Not telling a cashier when you are undercharged or given too muchchange.

7. Not paying debts (PSA 37:21).

8. Not paying due tribute, custom, fear, or honour (ROM 13:7).

9. Not honouring God with our substance (MAL 3:8-9).

iv. The rule of MAT 7:12 covers all of the above cases.

v. Those who resort to deceit to get gain dig their own grave (PRO 21:6).

vi. Such a means of gaining wealth only brings self-destruction (PRO 21:7).

c. Do not practice extortion to get gain for yourself (1CO 6:10).i. Extort To obtain from a reluctant person by violence, torture,

intimidation, or abuse of legal or official authority, or (in weaker sense) byimportunity, overwhelming arguments, or any powerful influence.

ii. Examples of extortion would be:


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1. Lawsuits as in the case of the woman who sued McDonalds because she spilled hot coffee on herself.

2. The Pharisees, who used their religious position and influence tosqueeze money out of the people (MAT 23:14, 25).

3. People who expect others to give them something for nothing because they are family.

4. A pastor who expects his brethren to do work for him at no charge just because he is the man of God.

2. The fear of the Lord is an essential ingredient in gaining and retaining wealth (PSA112:1-3; PRO 15:6; 22:4; 28:10).

a. When you are out there trying to make a buck, always keep your sights on theChief Paymaster (EPH 6:5-9; PSA 75:6-7).

b. The fear of the Lord will preserve the true and durable riches when material richesfail.

c. Gain at the expense of right is not profitable in the long run (JER 17:11).

i. PRO 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousnessdelivereth from death.

ii. PRO 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues withoutright.

iii. 1TI 4:8 godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the lifethat now is, and of that which is to come.

d. There are people in this world who have attained wealth and power without thefear of God (PSA 73).

i. These are the servants of Satan, who have fallen for Satans promise of that which will promote their own self-interest.

1. Satan tempted our first parents to self-assertiveness and so will hetempt us (GEN 3:1-6; 2CO 11:3).

2. Self-interest was at the heart of the temptations Satan presented toChrist in the wilderness (LUK 4:1-13).

a. Satan offered Christ instant gratification of need, themiraculous, the world, power, glory, and the spectacular.

b. Christ countered these temptations with the word of God,worship, service, and trust.

ii. Therefore, do not be allured into thinking that if you do as these wickedrich do that you will achieve what they achieve.

1. This parallels the faulty reasoning of king Ahaz (2CH 28:22-23).


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ii. Riches and strength (ability) come from God (1CH 29:12). Hence, it is theLord that maketh rich (1SA 2:7).

b. Inherent in the ability to get wealth is not only the physical strength to work, butthe knowledge of what to do, which is skill by definition (EXO 35:30-35; 2CH2:13-14).

c. Since your ability or your skills are a major factor in your acquisition of andretention of wealth, the development of your ability will tend toward the increaseof your wealth.

i. Hence, invest in your skills!

ii. If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it away fromhim. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.Benjamin Franklin

iii. PRO 24:3-4 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding itis established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all

precious and pleasant riches.4. Material wealth is gained through work (PRO 13:11; 14:23; 28:19; 1TH 4:11-12).

a. Your job, in which you put your ability to use, is one of your best investmentsyielding the greatest return. As a rule your job earns you the most money.

b. Diligent work coupled together with the blessing of the Lord makes one rich(PRO 10:4, 22).

i. Diligent - Of persons: Constant in application, persevering in endeavour,industrious; not idle, not negligent, not lazy.

ii. Our ability must be constantly applied. They who give up too soon

because they do not get rich fast enough end up in want.c. Whatever your job is, be the best you can be at it considering that in all labour

there is profit (ROM 12:11; COL 3:23; PRO 14:23; 17:2). Consider the exampleof Joseph (GEN 39:1-5, 20-23; 41:39-40).

d. Consider the following scenario: Here is a man who is paid every two weeks. Hehas trained himself to live on 90% of his income from his job. He takes 10% of the cash he earns and stashes it in a safe place. This cash is not put into stocks.

Neither is it put into an interest bearing account. It is simply stashed away for safekeeping. Although this fund is earning no gains in the stock market neither is it suffering losses there and although it is earning no interest, yet it is steadily

increasing every two weeks. If this man earns $1000.00 every two weeks, his fundis increasing $100.00 every two weeks. How many other investments yield steadyreturns that good? Of course, as that man gets raises, the fund will increase

proportionately.

e. Jim Ruma pointed out to me three advantages to the investment of your job.


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i. There is the advantage of knowledge. You know a lot about your job. Youknow what you are investing in.

ii. There is the advantage of closeness. You are near your investment tomonitor it yourself.

iii. There is the advantage of control.

1. You can work more and earn more if you need to.

2. With a marketable skill, you can move to another job to improveyour working environment and/or the return on your investment.

f. Do not limit yourself to investing only in your job. Discover and develop other talents that you might have.

i. This opens up other possible sources for income.

ii. Should one source of income dry up, it makes sense to have other possibilities.

iii. Paul, our pattern, could preach and make tents (TIT 3:14).5. Wealth is gained though giving according to Gods word.

a. Christians are to give for the support of the ministry of the word of God (GAL6:6; 1TI 5:17-18).

b. Christians are to give for the needs of the poor, especially the poor saints (LUK 12:33; GAL 6:10; ACT 11:27-30; ROM 15:26-27; 1CO 16:1).

i. Alms Charitable relief of the poor; charity; originally and especially as areligious duty, or good work.

ii. This does not require us to go about looking up hardship cases, but tominister to those that come within our knowledge, ability, and judgment(LUK 10:29-37; 11:41; PSA 112:5).

iii. Giving to the poor is to be regulated according to need (DEU 15:7-8; 1JO3:17; JAM 2:15-16).

iv. While priority is to be given to giving to saints in need, this does notexempt giving to others we may encounter in need, even to our enemies inneed (LUK 6:31-35; ROM 12:20).

c. Giving of our substance is a sacrifice to God that honours Him (HEB 13:15-16;PHI 4:18; PRO 3:9-10).

d. Giving is so important that it should be a main objective in the earning of alivelihood (EPH 4:28).

e. Giving to the poor is not designed to exempt them from working for income if they are able (2TH 3:10), whereas giving to a minister is designed to exempt himfrom having to work another job (1CO 9:6-14).

f. 1CO 16:1-3 sets forth the apostolic order to the churches for giving.


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i. We are each to lay in store by us every first day of the week.

ii. The amount we lay aside is to be according to our prosperity (DEU 16:16-17). This results in proportionate giving.

iii. The intent of this law is that funds will be available for needs.

g. This is a no-risk investment in heaven backed up by the full faith and credit of God Himself and one that will yield a generous return (PRO 3:9-10; 19:17; MAL3:10-12; LUK 6:38; 12:33; 2CO 9:6-11).

h. Failure to make this investment will result in loss of other investments (HAG 1:3-11).

6. Material wealth that we save is material wealth that we retain.

a. When we speak of saving wealth we are speaking of storing it rather thanspending it.

b. Store sb. That with which a household, camp, etc., is stored (furnished,

supplied, stocked); food, clothing, and other necessaries, collected for future use .c. Working and storing are the normal means whereby men provide for themselves

(LUK 12:24).

d. PRO 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; buta foolish man spendeth it up.

i. Recall that treasure is wealth or riches stored or accumulated , esp. in theform of precious metals.

ii. Hence, a wise man has wealth that is stored, i.e. saved.

iii. It is the fool that spends it all.

iv. To save money you must spend less!e. Mark emphatically that the wealth is stored for future use.

i. Stored wealth enables us to be prepared for times in the future when things break down and must be repaired or replaced; or when we break down andcannot work; or when our work becomes less productive, as happens to afarmer in a drought or to a factory worker in a recession.

1. It is a dying world. Things will break down and have to berepaired or replaced (PSA 102:25-26).

2. Scripture teaches that we will get old and break down. It calls that

time the evil days (ECC 12:1-5).3. We live in a cyclical world. There will be times of loss (ECC 3:6).

4. Prudent people look into the future, behold the approaching evil,and take precautions against it (PRO 22:3).

ii. Stored wealth enables us to have to give to others that may be in need inthe future (2CO 8:13-15; 1TI 6:17-18).


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1. Our Lord taught us the wisdom of counting the cost of a givenventure before undertaking it (LUK 14:28-30).

2. Don't even think about building or buying a house if you don'thave an income to sustain it (PRO 24:27).

j. Here are tips for cutting spending and thus saving money.

i. Remember LUK12:15: And he said unto them, Take heed, and bewareof covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of thethings which he possesseth. When you are not covetous, you will spendless!

ii. Adopt as a rule that if you cant afford to pay for it now, you will dowithout it.

iii. Shop less. The more you shop the more you buy.

iv. Do not go to the grocery store hungry.

v. Limit the amount of money you take when you go shopping. Do not take acredit card along.

vi. Train yourself not to buy on impulse. Dont be rushed into buying. Think it over and pray about it first. Impulses have a way of passing.

1. PRO 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

2. PRO 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a citythat is broken down, and without walls.

3. When you do not control your impulses, you are defenselessagainst all kinds of advertisements and gimmicks.

4. How many advertisements play on impulses of fear, or greed, or sex?

vii. Cut out or greatly limit eating out.

viii. Do not indulge emulation, which is a work of the flesh (GAL 5:19-21).

1. Emulation - The endeavour to equal or surpass others in anyachievement or quality; also, the desire or ambition to equal or excel.

2. In other words, do not try to keep up with the Joneses.

ix. Purchase according to your needs, not your vanity.1. Live modestly and purchase modestly.

2. A more modest house or car costs less in insurance andmaintenance.

3. Avoid unnecessary services on your phone or computer.


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x. Avoid costly vacations. Brainstorm ways to have cheap entertainment.

xi. Do not be too proud to accept or buy used things.

xii. Avoid the use of paper products such as paper plates, cups, pampers, etc.

xiii. Do not be afraid to negotiate purchases.

xiv. Be diligent and maintain what you own (ECC 10:18). For example, leakyfaucets use more water, which increases the water bill.

xv. Here are tips on clothing.

1. Purchase basic styles of clothing rather than faddish clothing thatwill soon be out of style.

2. Select a few basic colours and buy outfits that can be combined. Itlooks like you have more clothing than you do.

3. Do not let children play in dress clothes and shoes.

4. As much as possible buy home-washable fabrics.

xvi. Do not be wasteful.

1. Waste and sloth are kinfolk (PRO 18:9). Lazy people waste a lot of money.

2. Our Lord commanded the disciples to gather the remainingfragments of food that He had distributed that nothing be lost(JOH 6:12).

3. As examples, eat leftovers and monitor the use of utilities.

xvii. In the battle to conquer runaway spending, seek counsel (PRO 20:18).

k. Observe the following spiritual issues that are connected to the above tips onspending: covetousness, emulation, pride, fear, slothfulness. Spiritual problemslurk behind uncontrolled spending!

l. Warning! While we are to provide for the future, we must not let it interfere withour faith in God (MAT 6:19-34).

i. Although we should gain and store material wealth against a time to come,our Lord here teaches us to not to set our affection upon that wealth or totrust in it (PSA 62:10; 1TI 6:17).

ii. Recall that treasure is wealth that is accumulated and wealth is thecondition of being prosperous, which is having continued success.

1. Your concept of success will determine your concept of wealth.

2. If a life filled with obedience to God is your concept of success,then you will have treasure when you obey God.

3. Furthermore, since treasure is accumulated wealth, your treasurewill be what you most want to hang on to and increase.


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4. Oxford English Dictionary states the transferred sense of treasureto be anything valued and preserved as precious.

5. What you esteem as treasure is where your heart will be. For example if your heart is not in your church or in your marriage, itis because these are not treasures to you. They are not what youmost want to hang on to and maximize.

iii. Neither are we to be so anxious and stressed over providing for the futurethat we leave off faith and the service of God.

1. Take thought To trouble oneself, grieve, be anxious or distressed.

2. If God sees fit to deny you a store of material wealth, He can stilltake care of you.

a. PSA 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof;the world, and they that dwell therein.

b. It belonged to God before it was yours. It belonged to Himwhile it was yours. It belongs to Him when it is no longer yours. While you may lost control over it, He never does!

c. Whether you have material wealth or not is a variable.Gods care for you is a constant!

3. Do the best you can, leave it with God, and dont worry about it.

4. Worrying today does not remove tomorrows problems. It onlyrobs today of needed resources to cope with the evil that itcontains.

iv. Let us, therefore, be ambitious of the wisdom of Solomon, in which he

was outdone by none (wisdom to do our duty in our places), rather thanthe glory of Solomon, in which he was outdone by the lilies. M. Henry

7. In order to retain material wealth, you need to avoid debt incurred through borrowing,most especially debt that involves compound interest.

a. Debt - That which is owed or due; anything (as money, goods, or service) whichone person is under obligation to pay or render to another.

b. Owe - To have to pay. To be under obligation to pay or repay (money or the like);to be indebted in, or to the amount of; to be under obligation to render (obedience,honour, allegiance, etc.).

c. ROM 13:8 teaches us to owe no man any thing, but to love one another. Doesthis absolutely forbid all debt altogether?

i. If all debt is absolutely forbidden, then we could never hire anyone or anything because to do so is to incur a debt (JOB 7:2; MAT 20:1-8; ACT28:30; ROM 4:4).


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1. Hire sb. Payment contracted to be made for the temporary use of anything. (In O.E., esp. for money lent; usury, interest). Paymentcontracted to be made for personal service; wages.

2. Hire v. 1. To engage the services of (a person) for a stipulatedreward; to employ for wages. 2. To procure the temporary use of (any thing) for stipulated payment.

ii. Scripture allows borrowing, which incurs an obligation to pay back (EXO22:14-15; 2KI 4:3).

iii. Even Paul pledged in writing to pay in the future any debts that Onesimushad incurred to Philemon (PHM 1:18-19).

iv. Our Lord became Surety for a debt we owed and came into this world to pay it (HEB 7:22 with MAT 26:28).

v. The context of ROM 13:8 is that of paying due tribute, custom, fear, andhonour (ROM 13:7).

1. Due That is owing or payable, as an enforceable obligation or debt.

2. This verse is violated when due payments are not made (PSA37:21; PRO 3:27-28; 1TH 4:6).

vi. When due payments are not made, personal freedom and property can beexploited by the lender.

1. The further behind you get on due payments, the more time andeffort it takes to recover yourself, which is the loss of personalfreedom.

2. Conversely, it is a fact that the less you owe, the less your personalfreedom and property are at risk.

vii. Since love can never be fully paid, love is a debt we always have.

d. While Scripture allows borrowing, it is quite clear that borrowing is inferior tolending and incurs servitude (PRO 22:7; DEU 15:5-6; 28:43-44).

e. Consider the laws with respect to debt in Israel under the Old Testament (LEV25:35-38; DEU 15:7-8; 23:19-20; 24:6, 10-13, 17; 15:1-5).

i. Neither usury nor increase could be charged on money or victuals lent tothe poor.

1. Victual collect. Whatever is normally required, or may naturally be used, for consumption in order to support life; food or provisions of any kind.

2. This was a loan to the poor of that, which was necessary to sustainlife.

ii. One could not pledge the tools of his livelihood as collateral for a loan.


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iii. The privacy of a persons home could not violated in securing a pledge for a loan.

iv. If the pledge was a poor mans raiment, it could only be held during theday.

1. The poor man had to be allowed to sleep in it at night.

2. Taking a pledge of a poor man was permitted, but not required(EXO 22:26-27).

3. A lender was allowed to take a pledge. The poor must not think that they have a right without responsibility to a rich mans wealth.

v. A widows raiment could not be taken for a pledge. Special protection wasgiven to women without a husband to provide.

vi. All debts incurred against brethren were to be released every seven years.

vii. Hence, there were no debts extending beyond seven years. Only short-

term loans were permitted.viii. The reason for these laws was that the children of Israel were Gods

servants, whom He brought forth out of Egypt (LEV 25:55).

1. As Israel obeyed Gods laws as His servants, they wouldexperience freedom from poverty, which drives men to borrow,and from servitude (DEU 15:4-6; 28:1, 11-13).

2. Since the borrower is a servant to the lender, God was placingstrict limits upon that servitude so as to maximize Israels freedomas His servants.

ix. With respect to foreigners, loans were permitted with usury and needednot be released every seven years.

1. The ungodly are already slaves to sin by nature; the true slavecannot be weaned from slavery, and it is foolishness to treat him asa free man. The godly are free men by nature; in times of distress,they need relief to regain their freedom. Rousas John Rushdoony, The Institutes of Biblical Law , p. 479.

2. Recall that spiritual problems, servitude to sin, lurk behindrunaway spending. The same is true with respect to a lot of

borrowing!

f. Consider the expense of borrowing money at compound interest. I am indebted toSteve Bergstrom of Wealthstudy.com for this information.

i. If you borrow $100.00 for 10 years at 6% interest compounded annually,here is how you figure how much interest you will pay:

D = P (1 + R) n


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i. Consider the following facts about incurring debt through borrowing.

i. When you pay for something with money borrowed at interest, you end up paying far more for the item than its original price.

1. Review the above section on compound interest to get an idea of what you are actually paying for the item bought on credit.

2. Get an amortization schedule for your house payments and realizehow much you are actually paying for your house. The interest onyour house note is front-ended so that the early payments areapplied predominantly to the interest whereas the latter paymentsare applied predominately to the principal.

3. When you borrow money to be repaid in the future, this is a drainon your future earnings. This is the opposite of storing wealth,which a wise man does.

ii. Debt must be serviced. Payments for debt come from somewhere else:

savings and investments. Example: Case 1 $1 to live + $1 to save = $2.00.Case 2 $1 to live + $1 to pay debt + $1.00 to save = $3.00. The person inCase 1 can do with $2 what it takes the person in Case 2, $3 to do. Debtcosts you money. Jim Ruma, Winning Money Management Battles .

iii. If you have to borrow money to meet your true expenses , you are living beyond your means.

iv. Money paid on your credit card debt over and above the minimum payment due is yielding a great return. The same is true regarding moneyapplied against the principal on your mortgage. If you pay extra on yourhouse payment, be sure to designate that the extra be applied to the

principal! v. Spending money you choose to spend is financial freedom. Spending

money you have to spend, i.e. payment of debt, is servitude.

j. If you are under a burden of financial debt consider the following counsel.

i. Accept the consequences of your foolish ways and do not fret against theLord because you were foolish (LEV 26:40-42; PRO 19:3).

ii. Deal with the spiritual issues that led to your runaway spending and borrowing through confession and repentance (PRO 28:13; MAT 6:12).

iii. Brainstorm ways to pay off the debt. If you really want to do something

youll find a way; if you dont youll find an excuse. Anon iv. Seek godly counsel (PRO 12:15; 15:22).

v. Eliminate unnecessary expenses and apply the difference against the debt.

vi. Put credit bills in a priority list of smallest balance remaining first andadd more money to those at the top of the list. This allows you to see


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results and this encourages you to continue. Jim Ruma, Winning MoneyManagement Battles.

vii. If you are in arrears with your creditors, be humble and cooperative withthem and strive to work out a payment plan (MAT 18:23-27).

viii. Consider selling possessions to pay off debt (2KI 4:1-7). What you lose inthings will you make up for in freedom!

8. What about investing material wealth so as to gain more wealth?

a. The purpose of this study is to give you principles from the word of God for youto keep in mind in using your own judgment in investing.

i. God has endowed mankind with the faculty of judgment, the ability tomake decisions.

ii. God does not spell out every move we need to make. He gives usinformation in His word, which we can apply in making decisions. Bymaking decisions according to that information we may know that our decisions are according to His revealed will for our lives.

b. It is hoped that this segment will help to explain why certain things in thefinancial world happen the way they do.

c. Invest v. To employ (money) in the purchase of anything from which interest or profit is expected; now, esp. in the purchase of property, stocks, shares, etc., inorder to hold these for the sake of the interest, dividends, or profits accruing fromthem.

d. Forms of the word invest do not occur in Scripture. But the concept of usingmaterial wealth to gain more material wealth, which can be discerned in thedefinition of invest , does occur in Scripture.

i. JAM 4:13 mentions the process of buying, selling, and getting gain. Thisis employing wealth to make more wealth, which is investment.

ii. Our Lord Himself taught two parables likening the kingdom of heaven to aman giving money to his servants that they might get gain with it (MAT25:14-30; LUK 19:11-27).

1. The faithful servants took their masters money (talent/pound) andtraded with it so as to gain more money. This is investment.

2. The lord told the slothful servant that he should have put hismoney into the bank that he might get his own with usury. This isalso investment by definition.

3. Notice that it was the slothful servant who was told that he shouldhave gained by usury. It takes more work to gain by trading,something a slothful servant would not be prone to do.

4. Note! These are parables used to describe our Lords kingdom,which is a spiritual entity.


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a. A parable is a comparison, a similitude; any saying or narration in which something is expressed in terms of something else.

b. Our Lords parables always employed comparisons thatwere true to the actual experiences of human life.

c. Hence, our Lord used the experience of actual investing of material wealth to teach a spiritual lesson about Hiskingdom.

d. The overall lesson is to utilize the gifts God gives us in away that increases them (1PE 4:10-11; 2PE 1:5-8; 3:18).

e. Therefore, if one has increased his spiritual gifts throughobedience to God, he is a good and faithful servant even if he is as poor as Jobs turkey (see REV 2:9).

f. But that our Lord would use the investment of material

wealth to make His similitude shows that investing materialwealth to realize gain is not inherently wrong.

e. Gods word does not forbid other investments of material wealth provided that:

i. You are first giving to God His due honour.

ii. You are rendering to all others their dues.

iii. You do not trust in your investments to secure you.

iv. Your investment does not involve you in disobedience to God.

1. Bear in mind that we cannot go out of the world (1CO 5:9-10).

a. Therefore, to some extent we are all involved in this worldsystem that is riddled with evil.

b. We are allowed to use this world, but we are not allowed toabuse (misuse) it (1CO 7:31).

c. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego heldgovernment jobs in which they helped managed the affairsof the wicked government of Babylon, which increased itswealth by subjugating and pillaging others (DAN 2:48-49).

d. It is one thing to work in a system in which one is forced tolive, and another to design the system itself.

2. It is a matter of the degree of involvement in this world andwhether that involvement involves you in direct disobedience toGod.

3. For example, that you have an account in a bank that is an integral part of the fraudulent Federal Reserve System does not involve youin direct disobedience to God.


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a. To some extent we all use that system and to the extent weuse it we enable it.

b. Even if we only deal in cash, we are dealing in FederalReserve notes.

c. But to design such an oppressive system and to foist it uponmankind would involve one in direct disobedience to God.

4. Be sure that any investment you make does not violate your conscience (ROM 14:22-23).

f. Consider the following before you consider investing your wealth.

i. Do not concern yourself with investing your wealth until you are firstmeeting you true expenses.

ii. Consider paying off all debt before concerning yourself with investing.Unpaid debt puts whatever wealth you have accumulated at risk.

iii. When you are meeting your true expenses and you have no debt, then youhave true disposable income to consider for investment.

iv. Weigh the extra stress a given investment may place upon your time andenergy.

1. These are resources that are part of your overall wealth that need to be conserved as well.

2. If we become so consumed with investing material wealth that weneglect the spiritual investment of obedience to God, then we

become like the rich fool of LUK 12:16-21.

3. Recall that the parables of Christ that likened the kingdom of heaven to investing are teaching spiritual lessons.

g. If you want to preserve your investments you need to minimize risk.

i. Consider the following definitions with respect to risk.

1. Risk - sb. 1. Hazard, danger; exposure to mischance or peril. 2.The chance or hazard of commercial loss, spec. in the case of insured property or goods.

2. Risk v. To hazard, endanger; to expose to the chance of injury or loss.

3. Hazard sb. 1. A game at dice in which the chances arecomplicated by a number of arbitrary rules. 2. Chance, venture; achance. 3. Risk of loss or harm; peril, jeopardy.

4. Hazard v. To put (anything) to the risk of being lost in a game of chance or other doubtful issue; to stake; to expose to hazard or risk.


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violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a manand his house, even a man and his heritage.

4. PRO 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth himinto the way that is not good.

a. Entice - To stir up, incite, instigate (to a course of action);also to provoke (to anger); to allure, attract by the offer of

pleasure or advantage; esp. to allure insidiously or adroitly.

b. Insidious - Full of wiles or plots; lying in wait or seeking toentrap or ensnare; proceeding or operating secretly or subtly so as not to excite suspicion; sly, treacherous,deceitful, underhand, artful, cunning, crafty, wily.

c. Adroitly - Possessing address or readiness of resource,either bodily or mental; having ready skill, dexterous,active, clever.

d. Not all the violent of this earth appear terrifying!5. It is a comfort to know that the schemes of these wicked people are

destined to fail (PRO 22:16).

iii. Consider description of the city of Jerusalem in EZE 22.

1. It was a bloody city full of violence and crime.

2. It was religiously defiled. Idols were made and idolatrousceremonies observed while the things of the true God were

profaned.

3. Parental authority was not respected.

4. A propaganda machine to promote bloodshed was at work.

5. Sex perversion was rampant.

6. Bribery was practiced.

7. Greedy gain was made from usury and increase. Profit marginswere disproportionate.

8. Extortion was practiced.

9. Dishonest gain was made. Business practices were not fair.

10. Oppression and robbery were widely practiced from the

government on down.11. The less fortunate in the society were subjected to pressure and

taken advantage of.

12. These horrible social ills could be traced to a conspiracy among thereligious leaders who encouraged the political leaders in pursuingdishonest gain.


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13. How safe was an investment in this economy considering it had become dross (scum)?

14. This same description fits our nation. Do you suppose there is aconspiracy at work encouraging these very conditions here?

iv. The nation of Tyre was the a mart of nations in its day (ISA 23:3; EZE27:1-25).

1. The king of Tyre was none other than Lucifer himself (EZE 28:11-18).

2. Satan, whose goal is to exercise lordship over everything, is quiteinvolved in the commerce of this world.

3. The allure of riches is one of Satans prime pieces of bait.

v. Mystery Babylon is a commercial market (REV 18:9-19). But remember that Mystery Babylon is a whore (REV 17:1-5).

1. Mystery Babylon is much more than a commercial market. She is asystem of antichristian religion that embraces governments,cultures, and markets. The market is a subset of the larger entity.

2. Solomon tells us that one of the characteristics of a whore is thather ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them (PRO5:6). This could explain the unpredictability of Wall Street.

3. The danger of being involved with a whore is that strangers befilled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of astranger (PRO 5:8-10). How many have lost their wealth andlabour to Babylon?

vi. The warning here is that there are wicked people in this world that arelying in wait to deceive you so that they can increase their wealth and power with the fruits of your labour.

1. Realize that the masses are deceived and are, therefore, suckers for these people to exploit (REV 12:9).

2. Therefore, beware of the hype. Beware of the lure of quick andeasy big money.

a. Remember the warnings in Scripture about hasting to berich!

b. Remember! They that will be rich fall intoa snare (1TI6:9). A snare is a trap!

c. Keep your focus upon the Lord and His word and not uponthe money (PRO 23:4-5).

vii. Before you invest in a company, know the ethic and financial practice of the company.


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1. This is necessary to minimize risk.

2. Remember PRO 24:4: And by knowledge shall the chambers befilled with all precious and pleasant riches.

viii. Warning! Considering the high risk of investment in the stock market, donot put money in the stock market that you need to live on. Let it bemoney you can afford to lose.

i. Jim Ruma has submitted the following outline of pointers for taking risk.

i. Risk

1. Definition The price you pay for being wrong

2. Not all risk can be or should be avoided.

ii. Risks NOT to take

1. Undefined You have no idea how serious or benign the outcomewill be if you are wrong (PRO 14:8, 15; 19:2).

2. Cant be controlled

3. No clear benefit if you are right

4. High certainty that the worst will happen

iii. Risks that MAY be taken

1. Defined You know exactly the value of the outcome

2. Controlled A risk mitigation plan has been developed (see below)

3. Outcome benefit is worth the risk Example: Should I ask Bettyto marry me? She may say no and I will be hurt and highlydisappointed. However, if she says yes , I will be exceedinglyhappy and blessed. The outcome benefit here far exceeds thedownside risk.

iv. Risk mitigation factors

1. Time Having more time allows for more planning to understandall the factors and to possibly change them.

2. Resources Money, machines, and manpower applied to a problem can lessen risk.

3. Knowledge More information allows you to assess the need totake the risk and how to avoid possible bad consequences.

4. Backup plans Alternate plans of action can be developed to proceed in a different manner or to adjust the original plan should possible bad consequences begin to occur.


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b. To retire from a specific job is one thing. To retire from work is another.

3. This section is designed to rebuke those who have retired from work in order to spendmost of their time in leisure.

4. The modern concept of retirement is consumptive, selfish, and contrary to the will of Godfor mankind.

5. The modern concept of retirement can be discerned in Christs parable of the rich fool(LUK 12:16-21).

6. Man was created a working being (GEN 1:28; 2:15, 19).

a. Man was to replenish the earth and subdue it, dress and keep the garden, andname every living creature.

b. Man's work would occupy his mind and body, and it would involve relationshipswith persons, animals, and things.

c. Man will even work in the new heavens and the new earth (ISA 65:17, 21-23).

d. Work is not the curse. The curse is the sorrow and frustration of work (GEN3:17-19).

7. Work does not have to be for money to be good, profitable work. Consider the work of ahousewife or of volunteers.

8. Scripture clearly rebukes slothfulness and idleness.

a. Sloth - Physical or mental inactivity; disinclination to action, exertion, or labour;sluggishness, idleness, indolence, laziness.

b. Idle Of actions, feelings, thoughts, words, etc.: Void of any real worth,usefulness, or significance; leading to no solid result; hence, ineffective,

worthless, of no value, vain frivolous, trifling. Of persons: Not engaged in work,doing nothing, unemployed.

c. Sluggard - One who is naturally or habitually slow, lazy, or idle; one who isdisinclined for work or exertion of any kind; a slothful or indolent person.

d. If we would not be idle, we must not only engage in work, but in work that isuseful and productive.

e. The man who aims at retiring from work is disinclined for work and is, therefore,a sluggard by definition.

f. Slothfulness and idleness are destructive (ECC 10:18).

g. Slothfulness is wickedness (MAT 25:26).h. Slothfulness does not lead to wealth-filled living either in terms of material wealth

or of immaterial wealth (PRO 6:6-11).

i. The leisure-filled life is not a wealth-filled life materially or spiritually (PRO21:17).

j. The abnormality of idleness leads to other abnormalities (EZE 16:49-50).


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13. God's program of retirement is stated in REV 14:13: And I heard a voice from heavensaying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea,saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

14. What about the time when age has taken its toll and one is unable to work as much as before or one is unable to work at all?

a. We should work as long as we can for all the reasons given above.

b. We should provide for this time by storing material wealth and investing in lovingrelationships.

c. When we are unable to care for ourselves, then it becomes the duty of our children to care for us.

i. This is inherent in the commandment of children to honour their father andmother (EXO 20:12; MAT 15:3-6).

ii. It pleases God that children requite their parents (1TI 5:4, 8, 16).

1. Requite To repay, make return for, reward (a kindness, service,etc.).

2. The investment you made in caring for your family yields thereturn of their care of you when you can no longer care for yourself.

iii. But let parents remember that they ought to lay up for the children rather than the children for the parents (2CO 12:14). Do not expect your childrento care for you exclusively at their expense.

d. When there is no family to requite, the church takes over the care of the widows(1TI 5:3, 5-6, 9-10).

i. The church that has widows indeed to care for should maintain a fund as achurch for that maintenance.

1. This is a continual maintenance.

2. Deacons were ordained to supervise such a ministration (ACT 6:1-6).

ii. These verses are not dealing with temporary assistance until a person canresume supporting himself.

iii. Nor are these verses dealing with assistance that may be individuallyrendered.

iv. Provision is only made for those who have invested in the service of Godand others.

v. No such fund is provided for widowed men. Men are the primary breadwinners and should make provision for themselves and their wivesagainst this time.


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e. This may be the time when the abundance of our brethren becomes the supply of our want (2CO 8:13-15). To keep things equal, be sure that when you haveabundance, your abundance is a supply of the want of others.

15. With the decline of personal initiative and diligence in work has come increasingdependence on government, which has led to more government control (PRO 6:7; 12:24).

16. Here are a prayer and a promise for old age:

a. PSA 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strengthfaileth.

b. ISA 46:3-4 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the houseof Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from thewomb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you:I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

17. Since it is God Who will carry us in old age, our chief investment should be in Hisservice as this lays a good foundation against the time to come (1TI 6:17-19).

Review of the Key Points

1. How we view wealth will impact our entire life. Our view of wealth affects our decisions,how we spend time and money, how we plan for the future, and how we judge people andsituations. Our view of wealth impacts our personal relationships. Our view of wealthreveals our spiritual condition.

2. Wealth 1. The condition of being happy and prosperous; well-being. 2. Spiritual well- being. 3. Prosperity consisting in the abundance of possessions; worldly goods, valuable

possessions, esp. in great abundance: riches, affluence.3. Scripture clearly presents a view of wealth that extends beyond the abundance of material

possessions so that one may be wealthy in the Scriptural sense while being poor inmaterial possessions.

a. There is God Himself, Who is the believers shield and exceeding great reward.

b. There are the exceeding riches of Gods grace in His kindness.

c. There are the unsearchable riches of Christ, which we preach.

d. There are the riches of the full assurance of understanding.

e. There are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid in Christ.

f. There is the wealth of love or charity. Charity builds and binds relationships,which are a source of wealth (ECC 4:7-12).

i. Relationships provide a good return on ones investment.

ii. Relationships provide security against times of failure.

g. There is being rich in good works.


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b. PRO 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure andtrouble therewith.

3. Two things are necessary to accumulate material wealth: (1) there must be the wealth toacquire and (2) there must be the ability to acquire and retain that wealth.

a. God gives both wealth and the ability to get it.

b. Since your ability or your skills are a major factor in gaining and retaining wealth,the development of your ability will tend toward the increase of your wealth.

4. Material wealth is gained through work. Your job, in which you put your ability to use, isone of your best investments yielding the greatest return.

5. Wealth is gained though giving according to Gods word.

a. This is a no-risk investment in heaven backed up by the full faith and credit of God Himself and one that will yield a generous return.

b. Failure to make this investment will result in loss of other investments.

6. Material wealth that we save is material wealth that we retain.a. When we speak of saving wealth we are speaking of storing it rather than

spending it.

b. Store sb. That with which a household, camp, etc., is stored (furnished,supplied, stocked); food, clothing, and other necessaries, collected for future use .

c. PRO 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; buta foolish man spendeth it up.

d. Mark emphatically that the wealth is stored for future use.

i. Stored wealth enables us to be prepared for times in the future when things break down and must be repaired or replaced; or when we break down andcannot work; or when our work becomes less productive, as happens to afarmer in a drought or to a factory worker in a recession.

ii. Stored wealth enables us to have to give to others that may be in need inthe future.

iii. Stored wealth provides an inheritance that we can leave to our children inthe future.

iv. Provide - To foresee. To exercise foresight in taking due measures inview of a possible event; to make provision or adequate preparation (1TI5:8).

e. Therefore, saving is a vital part of meeting our expenses.

f. In order to save wealth we must live below our income.

g. Spiritual problems lurk behind uncontrolled spending!

h. Warning! While we are to provide for the future, we must not let it interfere withour faith in God.


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7. In order to retain material wealth, you need to avoid debt incurred through borrowing,most especially debt that involves compound interest.

a. While Scripture allows borrowing, it is quite clear that borrowing is inferior tolending and incurs servitude (PRO 22:7).

b. The Christian is a servant of Christ and as such is to seek freedom if possible.

i. Burdening financial debt drains financial resources that could be appliedto the service of God in Christian giving.

ii. Heavy financial debt puts heavy demands on your time to come by themoney needed to service the debt. This can also interfere with the serviceof God.

iii. The extra effort needed to service heavy financial debt also drains physical, emotional, and mental energy, which cannot then be applied toGods service.

iv. The time and effort needed to service heavy financial debt also cuts intotime needed to build relationships in the family and among brethren.

8. What about investing material wealth so as to gain more wealth?

a. Gods word does not forbid other investments of material wealth provided that:

i. You are first giving to God His due honour.

ii. You are rendering to all others their dues.

iii. You do not trust in your investments to secure you.

iv. Your investment does not involve you in disobedience to God.

b. Consider the following before you consider investing your wealth.

i. Do not concern yourself with investing your wealth until you are firstmeeting you true expenses.

ii. Consider paying off all debt before concerning yourself with investing.Unpaid debt puts whatever wealth you have accumulated at risk.

iii. When you are meeting your true expenses and you have no debt, then youhave true disposable income to consider for investment.

iv. Weigh the extra stress a given investment may place upon your time andenergy.

c. If you want to preserve your investments you need to minimize risk.

i. To lose what you have acquired by making a bad investment decision is asore evil for you and your family (ECC 5:13-14).

ii. Remember the warning that there are wicked people in this world that arelying in wait to deceive you so that they can increase their wealth and

power with the fruits of your labour.


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1. Realize that the masses are deceived and are, therefore, suckers for these people to exploit.

2. Therefore, beware of the lure of quick and easy big money.

iii. Warning! Considering the high risk of investment in the stock market, donot put money in the stock market that you need to live on.

iv. If because of these warning someone should pull out of the stock marketand the stock market should then go up, then has that person made a baddecision? It all depends on your view of wealth. If wealth for you is onlymoney, then the decision was bad. If you have a Scriptural view of wealth,then you need to weigh the non-financial wealth that was gained by

pulling out of the market, gain such as peace of mind, more time for family, more time for Bible study, more time for fellowship with brethren.

v. If you judge the rightness or wrongness of a decision solely on financialgrounds, then you have missed the main point of this series!

Gods Retirement Plan

1. The modern concept of retirement is consumptive, selfish, and contrary to the will of Godfor mankind.

2. Man was created a working being.

3. Scripture clearly rebukes slothfulness and idleness.

4. What about the time when age has taken its toll and one is unable to work as much as before or one is unable to work at all?

a. We should work as long as we can.

b. We should provide for this time by storing material wealth and investing in lovingrelationships.

c. When we are unable to care for ourselves, then it becomes the duty of our children to care for us.

d. When there is no family to requite, the church takes over the care of the widows.

5. Since it is God Who will carry us in old age, our chief investment should be in Hisservice as this lays a good foundation against the time to come (1TI 6:17-19).

Conclusion

PRO 30:7-9 sums up this study quite well:


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Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, anddeny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal,and take the name of my God in vain.

1. Our foremost concern and pursuit should be for truth.

a. Truth will make you free (JOH 8:32).

b. Truth is the most valuable possession (PRO 23:23).

c. Truth will truly enrich your life (PRO 3:13-18). The things that wisdom impartsare the very things that people seek in and with money and possessions.

2. If we are delivered from vanity, we will not make being rich in this world our aim in life(PSA 39:5-6; PRO 23:4-5).

3. We should desire food convenient, that is, suitable for us. The passage defines foodconvenient as food that is neither too little nor too much. It is just enough.

4. We should pray for God to so order our material concerns that they never interfere withour relationship with God.

a. If we have too much, we might deny Him.

b. If we have too little, we might take His name in vain.

5. This is a prayer for God to supply what we need.

a. The compares with what our Lord taught us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread.

b. This prayer agrees with Gods promise as expressed in PHI 4:19.6. The wealthy man is not the man who has the most. He is the man who needs the least.

a. When we recognize how few and simple our needs in the world really are, thenwe can begin to live truly wealth-filled lives.

b. PSA 23:1 says it all: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

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A Scriptural View of Wealth