By: Chris Roberts

What can we do to be wise with our money?

“Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?”

That’s some good advice from The Book of Proverbs (17:16). Money can be good or it can cause problems, stress, and worse. Being wise about money makes the difference. We have to keep money in proper perspective. The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom about finances:

Money comes through hard work:

“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” 10:4

Earn and save all you can:

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” 13:11

Facebook and Twitter should not distract you from working hard:

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” 12:11

Don’t count on Mom and Dad to always provide:

“An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.” 20:21

And don’t fall into a “get-rich-quick” scheme:

“A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” 28:20

Just in case you forgot the last one (it’s an easy temptation):

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” 21:5

And don’t overdo it, even in our driven, go-go-go world:

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.” 23:4

After all, money comes and goes:

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” 23:5

Money doesn’t save us:

“Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.” 10:2

In fact, money can be a stumbling block:

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” 11:28

Yet, money has its advantages:

“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” 10:22

Money provides some means of security:

“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.” 10:15

Money allows opportunity for friendship:

“Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him.” 19:5

But some things are more important than money:

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” 22:1

We should give to honor God:

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” 3:9

And don’t forget to give to those in need:

“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” 28:27

And we can never forget the true source of all that we have:

“The rich and the poor have this in common; The LORD is the maker of them all.” 22:2

Good stewardship begins when we are wise about money. May this advice help us to appreciate the Provider and the provision.

Question: What can we do to be wise with our money?

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