Proverbs 22
The financial a$pect$ of thi$ chapter $tood out to me today.
vs 3:
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
I know this applies to more than money, but this is SO true of financial hazards!!
vs 4:
Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor in life.
Confession: One of the fastest ways to get my dander up is to make me watch a television preacher (hype-er) asking for seed money on your way to personal wealth and happiness “God wants it for you, take Him at His word, send in that initial gift and watch Him work” – GIVE me a break (or a bat)!
What brings wealth and honor in life? Humility and the fear of the Lord (also known as the beginning of wisdom) I want whatever wealth comes my way to be what the Lord entrusts to me, with honor.
vs 7b:
The borrower is servant to the lender.
You know how true this is if you’ve ever fallen behind in paying back a loan, or have wanted to give to a special cause but can’t because your money’s already committed—even the money you haven’t earned yet. There’s a reason “loan” and “shark” are used in the same breath so often.
vv 26-27:
Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
Dave Ramsey, founder of Financial Peace University has excellent, biblical principles and methods to break free of debt which has a strangle-hold on the United States more than anywhere else in the world. The lending business is no game, it’s not benevolent or gracious, and when push comes to shove, it will do both.
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it (vs 3). I hope you’re the former not the latter in verse three. The heartache you’ll save yourself and your family will be worth it – not to mention the money poured down the drain called “consumer interest”.
Solomon knew. He was financially free as far as we know. When we’re not in debt –to anyone– we’re free too. Completely free. It’s true of a person, a family, a church, a company, and though difficult to imagine, it would be true of our country too.
Want to give away your freedom? Borrow money.
Something to think about.
—PLR—
6 Replies to “Proverbs 22”
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Thank you for this.
I too will confess…I’m with you 100% on the televanglist comment. I feel a king-sized soap box coming on, so I’ll stop it right here.
Even though I’m only in my mid-40’s, I’ve got retirement on my radar. I’ve got the usual: car payments, mortgage, two kids in college, yadda, yadda…and I know I’m going to have to eliminate my debt over the next few years if I stand any chance of retiring at all. I’m just becoming familiar with Dave Ramsey and I’ll be applying his principals to do that.
Good topic. Blessings,
David.
Dave,
Thanks for stopping by!
I respect Dave Ramsey’s approach to things more than I can put in words here. I dug a deep hole for myself and my family because … well, because it was easier to trust VISA than God when emergency needs came up, to be flat-honest.
Had I known and applied 25 years ago what I now know, my wife wouldn’t have to work unless she wanted to, I wouldn’t be working two jobs to dig out of debt, my kids wouldn’t have student loans, our house would be paid for, and we’d be able to support ministry endeavors the way we’d like to. I’m pursuing the debt-free trophy like an olympian and I gotta tell you, it feels GREAT!
Ramsey says our great grand-parents thought it was a sin to be in debt, our grand-parents only borrowed to buy a house, our parents a few more things, and we borrow for everything. It’s time to send that pendulum the other way!
The faster you can eliminate that debt the more you’ll love it.
Go hard for it – go hard!
Phil—
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m on it!
Sorry, one quick question…are you using his Financial Peace University program or something else?
Thanks!
Yes, I’m using FPU. Ramsey agrees with Burkett and Blue and Crown on most things, he’s just more intentional and more aggressive (my opinion) which means the results come sooner.
I’m 50 and have made some mistakes through the years. I’m pedalling hard and Ramsey has a way of cheering us on!
I listened to the CD series in the car on the way home from work each day for two weeks straight – He made the difference for me.
What’s more, my 24-yr old daughter has these principles in-hand at half my age; she is going to be so much free-er than I am. Gotta love that.
Phil—
Thanks again, Phil. I have a 22-year old son just graduating college and an 18-year old daughter just beginning college and I’d like them to have this knowledge out of the gate as well.
Blessings,
David.