What Is The One Thing That Will Keep You From Being Wealthy

If there was one thing or attitude that is keeping you from being wealthy, wouldn't you want to know what it is so you can avoid it?

We have attitudes or behaviors that help us live a successful life, and because we are complicated human beings, we have attitudes and behaviors that undermine our quest for success.  We have to challenge ourselves to turn from things that keep us from blessing.  There is one thing that keeps us from success, and the Bible tells what it is.

"Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich." Proverbs 21:17.

Here are four short observations about what the Bible says.

FIRST: WHO
This verse does not single out the rich, the poor, or the middle class.  What is says it says to everybody, we see that because it starts with the word, whoever.  So no matter who you are, the statement applies to you.

SECOND: LOVES PLEASURE
Pleasure is not bad, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying life and the blessings God gives us. The danger is for those who live for pleasure or are consumed by it or motivated by it.  It could be the one who has a "live for the weekend" attitude.

THIRD: THE RICH BECOME POOR
If you are rich, then loving pleasure will make you poor. Perhaps as you pursue fun, you miss out on business opportunities. Perhaps you spend more than you should on pleasurable pursuits and business suffers from inattention.  Perhaps you lose your focus on good financial decisions. There are many reasons, but whatever they may be, loving pleasure will take your wealth away.

FOURTH: THE POOR WILL NEVER BECOME RICH
This scripture was written in ancient times when wine and olive oil cost huge amounts of money.

• Possessing them signified status. 
• Wine and olive oil can refer to the freedom to consume.  
• Wine and olive oil gives us an image of one who loves food and drink. 

There is nothing wrong with being well thought of and admired, or of having nice things or of being able to provide food and shelter for yourself and those you love. But if status, possessions, and self-gratification are your focus, then you will never be rich.

Jesus reminded us who we should love, "He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:36-40,

Thank you for visiting and reading my post I hope it is an encouragement to you.  Use the search box above or see the sidebar for more.

(c) Adron 7/28/18

What Should You do When You Get Wealth? Psalm 62:10

What would you do if you had a million dollars?

We all say something like, "If I only had a million dollars I would do..." and then we describe something that fulfills a dream, a longing, or creature comfort.  But what does the Bible say you should do if you did inherit or win a million dollar? Here is a suggestion from the Bible.

"Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 62:10.

WHAT?
Do not set your heart on it. That sounds lofty and ideal but what does that mean?
To set your heart on something means:

• That thing is the object of your affection.
• You dream about it.
• You see that thing as the fulfillment of your hopes.
• That thing is essential to you.
• It begins to define you.
• Your identity and the thing you set your heart on start to become one and the same. 
• It becomes your motivation and the basis of your choices.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT
The list above is not bad if your heart is set on something wise and healthy, like family, God, church, and community. But to set your heart on wealth for the sake of wealth or to serve only yourself is not wise. Our hearts should be set on loving God, family, and serving our community. To set our hearts on wealth puts wealth in competition with God, creates selfishness, puts at risks the best things in life and opportunities to serve and know God, ultimately you risk eternity and the blessings of heaven.

THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY
This Bible verse is not just a proverbial saying. The Holy Spirit moved the patriarch to pen these words so this is not merely some advice that you can take it or leave it.

Scripture addresses the issues of your heart in many places because God has a right to it and everything you are and have. As a loving Father, God cares for our wellbeing and knows a heart set on wealth for the sake of wealth is unsatisfactory to meet our deepest need. Even Jesus affirmed this when he said,  "Where your heart is there your treasure will be also." Matthew 6:21.

DEVOTION
The scriptures do not say to refuse wealth or deny your inheritance. It does not say we should choose to become destitute. Our hearts were made for better things than gold, silver, houses, and vacations. Our hearts were made for God and will only find fulfillment in serving Him.

So, if some wealth comes your way affirm to God that He alone has your devotion and demonstrate your devotion to Him by acts of charity, tithing, and service.

(c) Adron 3/2/18

Can Wisdom Make You Wealthy? Proverbs 17:16

Is there a relationship between being wise and being rich?

"Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they do not intend to understand it?" Proverbs 17:16.

FOOL
The Bible says a fool is anybody who turns away from God. The fool in this verse does not seek God in the handling of his resources.

MONEY
Not only money but gifts, blessings, talents and any attribute may be applied here.

WISDOM
A spiritually wise person is one who seeks God's mind on a matter and applies it to the situation.

A practically wise person takes time to learn and uses knowledge to make the best decisions.

Wealth requires both types of wisdom.

Wealth is a trust from God and we must be wise in order to administer that trust. We can use money to increase our measure of wisdom; we can improve ourselves and then become better servants of God and of his people.

DO NOT INTEND
The foolish person ignores wisdom and fails to make good choices; they do not take the time to think things through and seek the counsel of godly people or search the Word Of God for direction. The fool squanders wealth without regard for God's purposes, he consumes wealth, his paycheck is earned and then spent.

BUY WISDOM GET WEALTHY
You may think of this verse saying, "So if you have a lot of money but you are a fool and don't use it wisely what good is it?"  Of course, the answer is none; if you have much money or just a little you must seek wisdom; it does not guarantee you will get wealthy but it will always be the better option.

How To Avoid Finical Disaster. Advice From The Bible, Proverbs 15:22

Opportunities come and they promise to pay off big but how do you know if it is a good choice?

"Plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22

LACK COUNSEL
Why do we lack counsel?
     * We want to be independent.
     * We are pressured to sign now.
     * We think we are smart.
     * We believe without checking out the facts.
     * We can't wait.
     * There is something we are trying to hide.

MANY ADVISERS
Many advisers give us many advantages. They give different perspectives that may present clearer insight than what we have on our own. We are forced to slow down and think more clearly. We experience dialogue that helps to articulate the good and the bad. We distance ourselves from those pressures that would control our decisions. We bring in the sum of other's experiences that broaden our understanding.

It is logical and makes a lot of sense. You can't know everything and everybody knows something different than you do so their knowledge fills in your gaps.

This pattern is followed by successful people; they form a team of other successful people and benefit from the pool of combined knowledge and experience.

WHO
We need to develop friendships and relationships with a variety of people, ideally successful people. Our advisers should be people with a good reputation, that are respected and above reproach.