Financial Wisdom

Personal Finances is a very real part of our lives. Money is wrapped into everything we do! It is something we think about several times a day, or more! There is much about the use of our money that affects us physically, emotionally, and relationally.

In the early part of my life I can remember being very concerned about the “morals” of money. I knew that when our morals aren’t right, nothing goes good because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10) But what I also have discovered is that God’s word is integrative. Our moral principles and our day-to-day lives actually run on parallel tracks. What I mean by that is that our body, soul, and spirit are almost inseparable. What goes on in our head, our heart and our spirit will also affect our body…therefore it also touches our finances!

I’m so glad that God in His Word has given us the answers about everything we will face in this life…even our finances. God has given specific practical principles for every era that always work. You might be surprised to learn that there are over 1,500 verses concerning money (or its equivalent) in the Bible! One day I started searching out everything the Bible says about having good financial health. During this time I discovered some amazing things. For example, did you know Jesus talked about finances more than any other single subject! This means that there is more scripture dedicated to money principles than about Heaven, Hell or the Trinity. Money is so much a part of who we are. Someone once said, “ Don’t tell me how you live, let me see your checkbook and I’ll tell you how you live.” How we spend our money is the single most accurate biography of our lives.

Financial Wisdom is a collection of money principles from the book of Proverbs. Solomon (the human author) is known in biblical history as the wisest man who as ever lived. This book was likely written in the latter years of Solomon’s life. God used the personal experiences from Solomon’s life in the area of business, faith, family, finances and more.

As we begin this discussion perhaps a basic guiding parameter is needed in order to start making winning financial choices. The number one question we must ask ourselves is- “Is it wise? Is it Biblical?” Sometimes we wrongly surmise “God’s word is really good when it comes to morals, but if I really want to know how to win financially I need to go to a secular financial counselor.” Financial counselors can give some good advice at times that works. The wonderful thing about God’s principles however are that God’s ways work all the time! The story has been told of the angel who appeared at a faculty meeting and told a Dean in this particular institution that in return for his unselfish service he would be rewarded with the choice of wealth, wisdom, or beauty. Without hesitating the Dean chooses wisdom, “It is done,” the angel said. In a cloud of smoke, the angel disappeared. One of the faculty members ventured out and whispered, “Dean now that you have infinite wisdom, say something.” The Dean looked out at each of them and said, “I should have taken the money!” You too may appreciate Bible wisdom but think that what you really need is money! I believe that God has some great wisdom for us that is very practical and profitable at the same time.