God is Correcting My Pride

 

“Love Moves God to Correct My Pride”

Prov. 3:12; 29:23; Jam. 4:6  

SUBJECT:  CORRECTIONS ADVERSITY COMPELS US TO MAKE

THEME: Nothing compels us to make spiritual changes like troubles. Understanding God’s design to develop and transform us encourages us to respond favorably toward our troubles. Clearly God desires that we humble ourselves to his will.  When troubles come, examine your heart for prideful attitudes and correct them to continue spiritual growth.  

RELEVANCY: When we become complacent, the Lord may permit troubles to come our way to jostle us forward in our spiritual walk. God doesn't only seek to get our attention; He also compels all of us to engage in periodic self-examination so we may face up to our own sin and the smudges on the heart that we acquire during our lives. 

When adversity comes your way, take a look inward to see what you may need to correct in your life so that you truly stay on course with what the Lord has for you. We most move forward. We must keep growing in the Lord. Trouble is God’s tool to encourage us along.  Therefore, we need to understand HOW to respond to it for spiritual benefit.  

INTRODUCTION:

Have You Ever Been on a Journey in Which You Needed to Make a Mid-course Correction?

Pilots make course corrections often as they maneuver through air traffic patterns and avoid potential storms. Road construction crews and detours sometimes force us to make course corrections when we travel by car.

The same principle holds true for life's journey. There are times when we need to make course corrections to arrive safely and soundly at our next spiritual destination point and ultimately to Heaven. Adversity may be the detour, storm, or obstacle that compels us to make such corrections.

 Anytime you read your Bible, you should pray, “Show me, Lord, how this affects my life,” or “Reveal to me, Lord, how I need to change my life in order to conform to Your commandments and Your will.”

In this message we will concentrate on correcting our attitude of pride.  

MESSAGE:

I.  WHAT MOTIVATES THE LORD TO CORRECT OUR PRIDE?

Proverbs 3:12, For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

A.  THE LORD IS MOTIVATED TO CORRECT US BECAUSE HE LOVES US.  

Hebrews 12:5-6, And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: [6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

As we enter this message on God's use of TROUBLES to bring about mid-course corrections in our lives, we also need to recognize anew that the Lord corrects us because He loves us. Proverbs 3:12 is important to remember.

The readers also seemed to have forgotten the encouragement found in Proverbs 3:11–12, which presents divine discipline as an evidence of divine love. Thus they should not lose heart (cf. Heb. 12:3) but should endure hardship (hypomenete, lit., “persevere”; cf. vv. 1–3) as discipline and regard it as an evidence of sonship, that is, that they are being trained for the glory of the many sons (cf. 2:10 and comments there). All God’s children are subject to His discipline, and in the phrase everyone undergoes discipline the writer for the last time used the Greek metochoi (“companions, sharers”), also used in 1:9; 3:1, 14; 6:4. (Lit., the Gr. reads, “… discipline, of which all have become sharers.”) ^[1]

    1. Good Parents Guide a Child's Behavior. 

Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This is perhaps the best-known verse in Proverbs on child training. The other verses on child-rearing (13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13–14; 29:17) are all on discipline. The Hebrew word for train (ḥānaḵ) means to dedicate. It is used of dedicating a house (Deut. 20:5), the temple (1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chron. 7:5) ….^[2]

They are continually teaching the child what is:

       A.  Right Behavior.

God wants us to know what is good, acceptable, and beneficial.

Only in Proverbs 22:6 is the verb translated “train.” Ḥānaḵ seems to include the idea of setting aside, narrowing, or hedging in. The word is sometimes used in the sense of “start.” Child-training involves “narrowing” a child’s conduct away from evil and toward godliness and starting him in the right direction.^[3] 

       B.  Wrong Behavior.

 God wants us to know what is bad, unacceptable, and harmful.

I remember getting poor grades in elementary school and having to live through one of my Dad’s lectures about getting a good education. It was like torture enduring one of my father’s ‘discourses’ on correct behavior, and wholesome living standards. But he helped me realize that I needed to take full advantage of the education opportunities I had available to me. He reassured me that I would never regret getting a good education. Because he loved me, he constantly reassured me of the value of a solid education. As a result, I made some serious adjustments in my attitude toward school and eventually went on through high school and college to graduate with honors. My parents’ loving correction played an important role in my life as they guided me. Likewise, God is a good heavenly Father and He labors to bring about correction in our lives because He loves us.

    2. Good Parents Prepare a Child for Life and Society.

Proverbs 22:15, Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Mischief and self-will are native to the heart of a child, but by applying the board of education to the seat of learning you can rid him of these vices. Matthew Henry counsels:

Children need to be corrected, and kept under discipline, by their parents; and we all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father (Heb. 12:6, 7), and under the correction we must stroke down folly and kiss the rod.^[4]

        A.  Children Are Naturally Wayward.

Foolishness here implies that children love mischief, waywardness and are self-will; this is bound up in their very nature with the strongest of chains.  But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. They are sinners and need punishment.

        B.  Children Must Be Corrected.

Sensible correction overcomes this natural tendency, by expediently punishing misbehavior whenever it appears, and imparting wisdom and instructions (Prov 13:24 and 19:18; and comp. Prov 23:13; 29:15).  The current theories that children are not naturally bad, but only maladjusted, and that education should lead them to self-expression, find no support in Proverbs. (C. Stanley)

         C.  Children Require Prudent Love.

Proverbs 13:24, He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Correction is to start young and be administered often.  If a Parent Doesn't Do this for a Child, That Child Grows up to Be Wild in Behavior. That wildness or stubbornness makes him:

              1. Miserable in himself.

              2. Undesired by others.

              3. And alienated from those who might bless or help him the most.

Proverbs 29:17, Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Proverbs 19:18, Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.                

A few years back I had a little niece. Though she is beautiful, was perhaps the most unrestrained child I knew at the time. Whenever they would visit, we would literally rearrange certain furniture items, we would take certain little what-nots and place them out of her reach. We would close off certain areas of the house to make sure that she could not get in to terrorize that room. It was nearly awful; we sighed with relief when they left for their home. I deeply loved my family, but we could not handle their little wild daughter. What she needed was a lot of love in the form of more old-fashioned discipline and correction. This would have made her much easier to live with.   

As a child, my neighbors did not properly restrain their boys. That family was postured for trouble and hardness filled their path. They were seemly the wildest kids in the neighborhood; always in trouble at school and with the law as young adults. These young people were boundless…mean spirited… and loved to fight!   If there was trouble to be found, they had a ‘gift’ to find it. They were expelled from school, spent time in reformed school as children, and as adults they were in and out of jail and prison. After a while no one wanted them around their children… they were so wild and unrestrained.  Folk discouraged others from associating with them because trouble seemed to live with them all the time. Those parents failed to prepare these children for the Lord Jesus and a profitable role in society.  

     3. Good Parents Prepare a Child for the Future.

Hebrews 12:10-11, For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

They should not think that their sufferings were unique. Many of the witnesses described in chapter 11 suffered severely as a result of their loyalty to the Lord, yet they endured. If they maintained unflinching perseverance with their lesser privileges, how much more should we to whom the better things of Christianity have come.^[5]

In like manner, God desires for us to be disciplined and mature adults in the faith. This is to ensure that we experience inner peace and harmony, enjoy relationships with other believers, and receive the blessings that God desires to give to us through other people. Often the race that is set before us involves trouble and pain.

         A.  Trouble and Pain Is Often Necessary for a Child of God’s Growth.

Hebrews 12:1-2, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.                                                                                                                                        

God often disciplines and matures our faith through troubles and pain. When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. When we become complacent, the Lord may permit troubles to come our way to jostle us forward in our spiritual walk. This is a common experience for every believer. Understand that we're not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. Through their troubles they learned to trust the Lord more fully. Troubles, suffering, and even pain is the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweeter.

         B.  Sometimes Trouble and Pain Is Necessary to Get a Child of God’s Attention.

Often the words that we say, and the things we try to teach go unheeded by our children.  We can’t seem to get their attention with the warnings and admonitions we frequently give.  Then it becomes necessary to reinforce what we are trying to teach them with some more painful lessons to get their attention.

God had to get the attention of the Philistines through sending several waves of trouble, disease and hardship.

1 Samuel 5:6-9, But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. [7] And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. [8] They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. [9] And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

Although the Philistines had just witnessed a great victory by Israel's God over their god, Dagon, they didn't act upon that insight until they were afflicted with plagues. Similarly, today many people don't respond to biblical truth until they experience pain. Are you willing to listen to God for truth's sake, or do you turn to him only when you are hurting?

Conclusion: 

Realizing that God Has a Desire to Correct Our Attitude of Pride Should Focus Our Self Examinations and Identify Some Changes We Need To Make.

If we begin to walk just one degree away from the truth—in pride, we will soon find ourselves a long way from the path of righteousness in which the Lord desires us to walk daily.

When troubles comes your way, take a look inward to see what you may need to correct in your life so that you truly stay on course with what the Lord has for you.

---

^[1] Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 810.

^[2] Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 952–953.

^[3] Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 953.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 848.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 2202.

Strength to Overcome Poor Relationships

“The Strength to Overcome Poor Relationships”

                               Eph. 4:31-32; Phil 4:6-7, 11-12; Rom. 12:18                                                       

SUBJECT: GOD’S STRENGTH IN FRUSTRATIONS

THEME: You Can Overcome the Frustrations by the Wisdom and Strength of the Lord.  

RELEVANCE: Why is this important to us? We need to understand the source of our frustrations is generally Satan (these are spiritual battles) and trust the Lord to help us overcome these hindrances. When dealing with the frustrations of poor relationships, God provides guidance on managing conflict, setting boundaries, and guarding your heart against bitterness.

INTRODUCTION:

After multiple attempts ...is it time to give up on a person or relationship you once cherished? It may be shocking to many, but even the Lord Jesus recognize that divisions or separations were certain for his committed followers (Matt. 10:34-42; Luke 18:28-30). So, generally relationships might be frustrated for the Kingdom of God sake. 

MESSAGE:

FRUSTRATIONS COULD BE ROOTED IN POOR RELATIONSHIPS.

While a pervasive and long-standing feeling of frustration is nearly always something that resides within a person, there are also times when it is natural to feel frustration on a short-term basis. God seeks to comfort us in such frustrating times. (C. Stanley)

Psalm 34:17-19, The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God promises and reassures us believers when facing hardship or uncertainty that He will comfort, support, and actively provide strength, help, and security for us. Such passages afford some ease as we work through our frustrations before the Lord.  

Generally, frustrations in relationships often stem from unmet expectations, poor communication, and unhealed attachment wounds. When these needs are not addressed, underlying feelings of being unheard or unappreciated can manifest as recurring arguments, emotional withdrawal, or lingering resentment. Perhaps it would be helpful to ask ourselves a few questions….

1. WHAT LIES AT THE ROOT OF MY FRUSTRATIONS?

Uncovering the root cause is a great place to start when tackling these challenges. Understanding the exact source of tension is the first step toward resolving it. Common triggers of frustration:

1.     Sometimes there are Unspoken Needs and Expectations. Disappointment frequently takes root when an expected behavior or level of support is not realized, but never explicitly communicated. 

2.     Perhaps You’ve used Destructive Communication Patterns. Research has identified four highly destructive behaviors that cause relationship breakdown: criticism, defensiveness, contempt (such as eye-rolling or mocking), and stonewalling.

3.     Maybe there are Unhealed Suffering and Attachment Wounds (Anxious-Avoidant Trap, People-Pleasing, and Hypervigilance). Individuals with a history of insecure attachment or unresolved past trauma often perceive a partner’s words through a distorted filter, interpreting communication as an attack or a reason to shut down. (See Psychology Today, Better Help, Psycho Wellness and Impossible Psych Services)

B.  WHAT ARE WE TO DO WITH FRUSTRATING RELATIONSHIPS?

The Bible provides profound wisdom for dealing with the frustrations of poor relationships, offering guidance on managing conflict, setting boundaries, and guarding your heart against bitterness.

1. Prioritize Managing Frustrations Related to Anger—Master Yourself

James 1:19-20, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 15:1, A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

When tensions are high, responding with gentle kindness rather than reactive anger de-escalates the situation. This demands great spiritual discipline and commitment. 

2. Set Healthy Boundaries Regarding Toxic Relationships

Proverbs 22:24-25, Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

1 Corinthians 15:33, Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Setting healthy, Bible-based boundaries is about stewardship, not selfishness. Scriptural boundaries protect your heart and help you love others without enabling sin. Using the King James Version (KJV), you can establish limits by guarding your inner peace, practicing honest communication, and following the example of Jesus. (From Gospel Coalition)

·        Proverbs 4:23, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Taking space from toxicity or sin is not selfish; it is guarding the life God entrusted to you—stewardship.

·        Philippians 4:8 requires us to focus our thoughts on what is true and pure. You are allowed to set boundaries on the information and negative conversations you allow into your mind.

·        Galatians 6:5, For every man shall bear his own burden. While you should help others in a crisis (Galatians 6:2), boundaries mean letting others carry the weight of their own daily responsibilities and consequences. 

3. Go Deeper in Your Ability to Forgive, Release Resentment, and Let Go of any Changes God Alone Must Make. Ephesians 4:32, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Proverbs 19:11, The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

You are responsible for your own actions, reactions, and the pursuit of peace, even when others make it difficult. Letting go of bitterness and replacing it with forgiveness is foundational to future progress in the Lord. 

4. Overcome Conflicts Patiently with Emotional Control and Refuse to Retaliate.

Ephesians 4:31-32, Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

When frustrations arise in relationships, God provides wisdom to help navigate them. Ephesians 4:31-32 emphasize overcoming conflict through patience, forgiveness, and gentle communication rather than returning insult for insult.

Romans 12:19, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:21, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Peter 2:23, Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Believers are instructed to leave justice to God rather than taking matters into our own hands.

C.  HOW CAN WE FIND REAL INNER CONTENTMENT?

The Bible teaches that we can experience a continual feeling of inner contentment regardless of our outward circumstances. Beloved, it is futile and unfair to look to mere people to supply what only God can! Look to the Lord instead. The apostle Paul was sitting in a Roman prison, facing all kinds of persecution and ridicule from others, when he wrote,

Philip. 4:11-12, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Notice that Paul says he “learned” contentment. This holy skill does not develop naturally; it's a spiritual discipline built through experience. This is the secret to his spiritual resilience! How may we realize such contentment? 

   1.  By Focusing on the Sovereignty of God Rather than on the Will of People.

   2.  By Praising and Thanking God Rather than Criticizing Others.

   3.  By Putting Trust in God to Deal with the Future Rather than Continually Looking at the Past.

   4.  By Trusting in God to Make All Things Right Rather than Distrusting Human Ability.

It was when Paul turned his attention to Christ and away from his circumstances and detractors that he received such strength. His contentment did not rest in a denial of the outside world or the facts related to his situation. His contentment flowed from his trust in Christ Jesus for now and forever.

Whether your inner restlessness comes from unresolved issues in your past, is related to people or situations over which you have no control, or is a God-given restlessness intended to draw you deeper into the Lord's will, the answer to frustration comes as you trust God.

D. HOW MAY WE EXPERIENCE GOD-GIVEN PEACE?

John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Philip. 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Beloved, this “peace of God” …this profound, divine calmness that comes directly from God, rather than from comfortable circumstances or human efforts belongs to us when we meet God’s conditions of righteousness and prayerfulness. Also “keep” means to ‘guard’ or ‘protect’. It pictures peace acting like a sentry or guard, standing watch over our emotions and thoughts so that fear and worry cannot take over. This is God’s promise to the sincere believer.

Seek God’s Peace Regularly in Relationships where Possible.

Romans 12:18, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Child of God, actively pursue peace and harmony with everyone, but realistically acknowledges that reconciliation requires cooperation and that believers should never compromise God’s truth to avoid conflict.

We must acknowledge a fundamental reality: it takes two people to maintain a peaceful relationship. God does not guarantee that everyone will like us or that conflict will never happen. God does require us to be willing to resolve disputes and maintain a peaceful spirit whenever the other person is also willing to cooperate.

The responsibility to create peace rests heavily on your actions and attitudes. You are called to control your own temper, forgive offenses, let go of pride, and avoid being the instigator of drama or division. Your goal should be to ensure that if a relationship breaks down, the fault does not lie with your behavior or unwillingness to reconcile. (From Got Questions)

This basic attitude applies to everyone—not just fellow Believers, but also strangers, difficult people, human enemies, and even those opposed to Christ! Brother this requires real courage! But always remember, pursuing peace does not mean sacrificing moral, ethical, or biblical principles just to avoid an argument. Sometimes you must agree to disagree; but there is zero permission to behave carnally!

God Understands

 A young grocery chain executive parked his car on the edge of a treacherous two-hundred-foot cliff at the edge of the Pacific Ocean some twenty-five miles south of San Francisco. Devil’s Slide, it was called, and to Bill Mansdoerfer it seemed an appropriate place to plan suicide.

 The next morning alone in his home, burdened with sin and guilt, the desire to take his life gripped him again. In the midst of writing a suicide note, on impulse, he went to the hi-fi and turned it on. It was turned to KEAR.

 What happened next has been described by doubters as a mere coincidence but to Bill Mansdoerfer it is looked upon as a miracle, a divine appointment. From the radio he heard:

God understands your heartache,

He knows the bitter pain;

O, trust Him in the darkness

You cannot trust in vain.

God understands your sorrow,

He sees the falling tear,

And whisper, “I am with thee,”

Then falter not nor fear.

 The song was being sung by Flo Price and it was written by Dr. Oswald J. Smith.

 Comments Bill, “If that had been a preacher, I would have turned him off, but that song … it broke me.”

 Bill telephoned KEAR’s Station Manager. Without any preliminaries, he blurted out, “Thank God, your station is on the air. You just saved my life.”

 That broadcast and phone call resulted in more than that. During the next six months, the station kept in touch with Bill, and finally offered him a job as Public Relations Director. Today he not only is the Station Manager of KEAR, but as Director of Communications and Operations, he is a vital part of the six-station family radio network.” —People’s Magazine

Child of God, when ONLY God understands…you can know the rest of the saved will eventually know also…perhaps even when we are finally in eternity. If His ‘knowing’ is all we have then that is enough for us for now. Reasonable explanations may seem logical to you, but not necessarily to someone focused on questioning your sincerity. Sometimes …a ‘peaceful’ break is inevitable. The Lord can be trusted to give us the strength we need when the relationship fails to met God's reasonable requirements. 

 

“Smart” Money Matters

“Smart” Money Matters

 

The Bible addresses the subject of money and possessions around 2,300 times with verses portraying financial management as a matter of stewardship rather than ownership—smart management of the Lord’s assets. I am not a fan of ‘name it and claim it’ theology because its roots do not respect the Bible’s teachings. So, the following thoughts are practical realities I have witnessed, and the scriptures obviously convey to us.

Our focus needs to be on God-given wisdom in the form of long-term stewardship to avoid the modern emphasis on get-rich-quick schemes. People fall for these modern tricks basically because we are greedy for financial gain. Yes, real wisdom is essentially practical and not merely theoretical and certainly not designed to feed our greed. God advocates building wealth gradually through diligent labor, avoiding reckless debt, and prioritizing practical wisdom over pure financial increases. These timeless principles emphasize enduring money management, generosity, and financial discipline over ridiculously ‘quick’ money, convenient ‘easy’ payment plans and living from ‘paycheck to paycheck.’

We will only consider actionable “smart money” maneuvers for wealth management for God’s glory:

1. Choose Hard Work over Quick Riches Schemes

The Bible glorifies hard work and fair wages, warning against an “entitlement mindset” or acquiring wealth dishonestly.

• Proverbs 13:11, Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. God highlights the multiplied dangers of get-rich-quick schemes and certain ‘advantages,’ contrasting them with the slow, steady growth of patient labor.
• Wealth gained by dishonesty comes in haste or without exertion. This would include the money won by gambling, sweepstakes, or stock market speculation. This kind of wealth has a way of leaking out of a man’s hands. Wealth gained by honest labor accumulates instead of dwindling.^[1]
• Proverbs 10:4, He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

·        Proverbs 14:23, In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Proverbs heavily condemn get-rich-quick schemes and overnight windfalls, advocating instead for slow, steady accumulation—compounding interest. Slow and steady wealth creation relies on the power of compounding and consistent, disciplined habits over decades rather than high-risk “get-rich-quick” schemes. This long-term strategy focuses on automating your finances, investing in diversified funds, and avoiding the trap of lifestyle creep.

• The attitude: Dishonest money gains will dwindle away, but income saving and gathering money little by little will compound and grow. (see Proverbs 13:11)
• The action: Focus on patient, intelligent effort and consistent savings rather than financial windfalls. “Money can grow by being accumulated honestly little by little.”^[2]

2. Employ Saving Strategies and Plan for the Future

Proverbs advise storing up resources for future needs and emergencies rather than spending everything immediately. God discourages hasty, impulsive expenditures and encourages calculating costs beforehand, living within our means, and saving to meet anticipated requirements.

• Proverbs 21:20, There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Smart money involves planning for the future, planning expenditures—budgeting, building reserves, and resisting the urge to spend everything immediately.
• The contrast here is between the cottage of the wise man where there is a plentiful supply of all good things, and the home of a foolish man where sin, waste, and extravagance lead to scarcity.
• We are reminded of the alcoholic who used to sell his furniture and other household goods in order to buy whiskey. After his conversion to Christ, someone said to him, “You don’t really believe that stuff about Jesus’ turning water into wine, do you?” His answer was, “I don’t know about turning water into wine, but I know that in my house He turned whiskey into furniture!”^[3]

·        Proverbs 23:4-5, Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. God advises against exhausting oneself in the pursuit of wealth, noting that sudden riches can vanish quickly.

Financial preparation and foresight are frequently praised in God’s word, comparing prudent financial habits to the instinctive preparation of an ant (Prov. 6:6-8). Such instincts move the ant to hardwired behaviors of survival, maintenance, and future planning without central leadership.

• The attitude: healthy saving strategies are employed habitually, and hasty waste is routinely avoided. (see Proverbs 21:20)
• The action: Save a portion of your income for investing instead of immediately consuming every resource you acquire.

Planning and ‘diversification’ are expressed in Ecclesiastes 11:2 which advises spreading our resources, much like modern variation strategies, to protect against unforeseen disasters and unpredictable future hardships. Also invest a fixed dollar amount on a regular schedule (like every month), regardless of market fluctuations. This allows you to buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when they are high.

3. Select Honesty and Integrity over Debt Bondage

‘Avoid debt’ is God’s counsel in Proverbs 22:7. Warning us that the borrower is slave to the lender, discouraging the accumulation of burdensome debt.

• Proverbs 22:7, The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. The Bible recognizes debt as a form of financial bondage and encourages us believers to live within our means.
• Money is power, and it can be used for good or for evil. Too often the rich use it for evil, and perhaps that is why it is called the mammon of unrighteousness.
• The borrower is a slave to the lender. Debt is a form of bondage. It requires the payment of exorbitant interest rates. It keeps a man’s nose to the grindstone. It limits his mobility and his ability to take advantage of opportunities.^[4]
• Proverbs 11:1, A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. Business and financial dealings must remain honest and completely free of deception. It is vital we keep our priorities on the Lord! Again, deceptive business practices, involving rigged measurements and exploiting unsuspecting buyers highlights God’s hatred of cheating and taking advantage of others for personal gain.

These are stark warnings against the loss of financial freedom that comes with borrowing and manipulation. Greed is often at the root of deceptive ploys and tactics.

• The attitude: Recognize the affluent reigns over the broke, and the borrower is a financial slave to the creditor. (see Proverbs 22:7)
• The action: Live strictly within your means and avoid unnecessary debt to maintain control over your financial life—avoid using credit or credit cards to extend your income.

4. Cultivate Generosity and Contentment as Guiding Principles

As believers we want to remain cognizant that everything belongs to our Creator-God as the central concept. He owns all things, and believers are simply managers of His resources.

Contentment then involving the pursuit of riches is discouraged (Heb. 13:5); instead, scripture promotes contentment and trusting God for security rather than money (Matt. 6:24; Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:10). While being wealthy is not a problem, depending on our wealth as a means of security is! Materialism is not the answer, dependence on God is.  

Proverbs 11:25, The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

God tells us that wealth is a blessing meant to be shared, which often leads to deeper contentment and further blessing.

• The attitude: A generous person will prosper in the Lord; when we have given to refresh others, we will be compensated accordingly as needed. (see Proverbs 11:25)
• The action: Practice regular giving to break the blinding power of money and keep a healthy perspective on wealth. This is exemplary living that may include financial sacrifices to the Lord at times (2Cor. 8:1-5).

Believers are urged to give cheerfully and support the poor, the church’s ministers, missions, and other churches (2Cor. 8:6-24; 9:6-15).

5. Prioritize Godly Wisdom over Amassing Material Wealth

• Proverbs 16:16, How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. The foundational premise of biblical money management is that the pursuit of wisdom, integrity, and a “good name” yields much higher returns than plain money could ever secure.
• Fearing God is necessary because His sovereign presence hovers over all of life to determine the success or failure of human plans and programs. Fearing God is meaningful because those who do so can count on His care in any circumstance they meet. “The Lord’s eyes” is a shorthand way to express the dependability of His presence and the versatility of His care. That presence and that care, according to our catalog of the proverbs, find Yahweh at work…. ^[5]

While we acknowledge that hard work and smart money management naturally lead to material prosperity, we are warned against making mere wealth our primary focus.  

• The attitude: It is more beneficial to get God’s wisdom than the finest gold, to have God’s perspective rather than mere earthly treasures! (see Proverbs 16:16)
• The action: Do not wear yourself out to become rich; know when to practice restraint. Seek God’s guidance daily, practice regular generosity, and view money as a temporary tool to honor Him, rather than the ultimate goal of life.

Ecclesiastes 5:10; Proverbs 11:28 and Proverbs 28:20, also teach those who “love money” will never have enough; those who trust in their riches will fall, and those eager to get rich will not go scot-free. These guidelines are still relevant though nearly forgotten in this get-rich-quick, social media driven, fast credit, debt driven culture. Yes, God speaks to these subjects on wealth, possessions, and giving. We must not view ‘money’ as a naturally wicked topic; scripture treats it as a compelling, morally neutral compass that reveals our heart’s priorities and acts as a spiritual discipline. Many college bills, new cars, credit card debts, and social media influencers would disappear if we gave God’s wisdom even a little serious attention.

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 823.

^[2] Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 933.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 846.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 848.

^[5] David A. Hubbard and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Proverbs, vol. 15, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1989), 236.