Thursday - Proverbs 22 - Of Business, Money & Possessions

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ANY of the verses in this chapter apply to how we handle ourselves in relation to our business dealings... money, possessions, debt, poverty, wealth, our work ethic, etc. God is the maker of every human, whether he is rich or poor. Implication?  We are expected to respect people based upon who made them, not based upon their "price tag" as set by this present world (Proverbs 22:2).

Of course, that doesn’t mean money is irrelevant.  Wise men look at the future and make plans in order to be ready.  They prepare for foreseeable hard times (Proverbs 22:3).  Although we walk by faith, not by sight (Matthew 6:34), we are also called upon to live our lives with our eyes wide open (Matthew 10:16 & 1^st Corinthians 14:40).

Along with honesty and diligence in business (Proverbs 22:28 & 29), humility before God (not ambition or intelligence or even opportunity) is the shortest route to lasting financial freedom (Proverbs 22:4 & 19).  A proud and brash disposition is therefore a great inhibition to any kind of prosperity (Proverbs 22:5, 8 & 22-25).  And, if we want our children to make sound financial decisions when they are adults, then we must teach them and empower them while they proceed through their years of growth.  Maturity doesn't just dawn on them naturally (Proverbs 22:6).

One more thing: borrowing money is like selling yourself to another man to serve as his slave.  Debt-free living should be every wise man's goal (Proverbs 22:7, 26 & 27).  Instead of either lending or borrowing, we should all strive to simply be givers – especially to those around us who have apparent needs (Proverbs 22:9, 16, 22 & Ephesians 4:28).