Wealth

Solomon didn’t take a survey, but as he observed wealthy people, he noticed that some held tight to their money, sharing it with no one. Others squandered their money on risky business schemes. Both left shallow legacies.

This passage drives home two truths about money: The Rockefeller Principle and the Heart Principle. One addresses amounts, and the other addresses our attitude. Let’s look at them one at a time. 

God owns it all, and everything we have is a gift from him. Satisfaction comes when we are content with what God gives and steward his gifts in a way that honors him. 

God is not worthy of our leftovers. We should worship him with the firstfruits—the best—of our time and money. This proverb reminds us that God blesses obedience.

Giving is not about amounts; it is about our attitude.

When we learn to do things God’s way we move from whining to thanksgiving because “God keeps [us] occupied with joy in [our] heart[s].”

In today’s passage, the psalmist prays that God will cause his people to flourish.

Our passage today gives us clear instruction regarding pride.

That’s what happens when wealth is our security. We start believing in the god of money and begin the long slippery slide to the bottom of the slope.