There is an old “saying” that many have used through the years to illustrate the connection wisdom and foolishness have to prosperity and poverty which goes like this: “A fool and his money are soon departed”. The actual phrase was used by a poet, Thomas Tusser, in a poem he wrote entitled, “Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry”, in 1557. I have not read the entire poem, but I can vouch for the counsel that to be a good husband would most assuredly include avoiding foolish expenditures, investments, or purchases. (And all the wives said, “Amen”.)
Wisdom and foolishness are important concepts when it comes to prosperity and poverty. In some ways, wisdom and foolishness are simply alternative ways to explore a person’s ability to make good decisions. As was mentioned in an earlier post, the ability to string together good decisions, especially over a lifetime, will certainly facilitate a life that prospers. So along with work (which was the first “stream” of prosperity) there must also be an attachment of the believer to wisdom (the second “stream” of prosperity).
When it comes to financial enlargement, the Bible indicates that the difference between wisdom and foolishness is the same difference between prosperity and poverty. Let’s look at some of these.
“Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored. (Proverbs 13:18)
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)
“There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.” (Proverbs 21:20)
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
Perhaps the greatest example of wisdom releasing prosperity is the story of Solomon. Let me stipulate quickly that Solomon is a paradox of the highest order. His sexual dysfunction (300 wives and 800 concubines are staggeringly dysfunctional) proved to be not only a problem, but arguably his undoing as a leader. This feature of his life was certainly not illustrative of wisdom. That said, Solomon’s initial request for wisdom caught God’s attention. The Lord responded,
“So, God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (I Kings 3:11-14)
Solomon understood that money was not the answer to everything (see Ecclesiastes especially), and he also understood that riches could be fleeting (Proverbs 23:5). However, Solomon also understood that the WISE use of money could be an incredible tool for Kingdom purposes.
Wisdom with your resources creates wealth and prosperity. This would include things like savings, stewardship (using coupons), investments, negotiating deals, and retirement preparation. If you doubt that these are not closely linked to prosperity, then just follow Dave Ramsey who is the household name for wealth through wisdom, especially debt avoidance. Why is it that wealthy people are often times the most frugal of people and impoverished people the most financially reckless? It reverts back to wisdom and foolishness.
How are you handling your finances?
The parables of the talents and minas are another great example of how God blesses the wisdom of His people by rewarding their stewardship of money. In fact, the servant who buried his money in the ground was rebuked for not at least getting it into an interest-bearing bank account. The miracle of compound interest over years can be used by everyone for the glory of God.
I have also taught that when we steward our money correctly and honor God with our finances, things under our stewardship will last longer. Tires run 80,000 miles instead of 50,000 miles. Appliances operate years beyond expectation. The life of lawn equipment eclipses the normal range. Clothes, computers, kitchen items, furniture, mattresses, pillows, and more are extended (much like the shoes of the wandering Israelites) to indicate that God is at work.
Now some people I know probably go overboard on using things that are obviously worn out, but I think you are getting the picture. Prosperity is not simply the unceasing flow of money into your life or household, but the stewardship of those monies before the Lord in natural and supernatural wisdom.
If God’s people would obey the Lord with their finances in all 5 streams, many would be amazed at what God could do over several decades of faithful stewardship.
That is why when I prosper, I am not ashamed…
No Comments