This is part of a series, studying the book of Proverbs during the month of July, 2011. For more details click here.
Theme
At some point in your life, you noticed a headline, a poster, or even a person screaming out to you how YOU CAN GET RICH QUICKLY!!!! Why take years and years, working for the man, when, in just a few short steps, you will be on your way to more money than you could ever spend. Try googling "get rich quick" and look at the results. Go ahead - I'll wait right here....
My search returned 20,700,000 results in .20 seconds. "Just send me $249, and I will show you every step required to make your first million in just 90 days!" "Click here to learn how to make $60,000 in the next 24 hours!" "I'll sell you my secret to amass wealth beyond your dreams! Call me now!"
Do these programs work? For some, maybe - but the odds are astonomically against you. Some if not most are an absolute waste of time and money. If getting rich was so easy, wouldn't every one have a fat bank account and not need to work?
Of course, there is definitely someone getting rich - the person who concocted the scheme. The money just flows in to them, as the greed of consumers takes advantage of the clever marketing. They get rich until the law catches up with them, and they end up living out their life in a 8x8 cell (Bernie Madoff comes to mind.)
Oh, and that Nigerian prince who wants to share his millions with you in exchange for a bit of help? Probably not really Nigerian or a prince. Sorry to shatter that dream too.
There is something simplistic about crafting a plan, working that plan, and then seeing the fruits of your blood and sweat and tears. There is growth in learning which ideas work, which don't, and which ideas are still to be discovered. Some of the most successful and wealthiest people are those who invented or created new things (think Apple, Google, Facebook, etc.)
The thing about prosperity is that it doesn't include just amassing wealth. What if you live a life devoted and pleasing to God? Think of the peace of mind that comes from being surrounded in His grace. There's a type of prosperity that only a few seek and find. But for those who do, it's a life full of riches in Christ Jesus.
And don't get me started on the lottery....
My search returned 20,700,000 results in .20 seconds. "Just send me $249, and I will show you every step required to make your first million in just 90 days!" "Click here to learn how to make $60,000 in the next 24 hours!" "I'll sell you my secret to amass wealth beyond your dreams! Call me now!"
Do these programs work? For some, maybe - but the odds are astonomically against you. Some if not most are an absolute waste of time and money. If getting rich was so easy, wouldn't every one have a fat bank account and not need to work?
Of course, there is definitely someone getting rich - the person who concocted the scheme. The money just flows in to them, as the greed of consumers takes advantage of the clever marketing. They get rich until the law catches up with them, and they end up living out their life in a 8x8 cell (Bernie Madoff comes to mind.)
Oh, and that Nigerian prince who wants to share his millions with you in exchange for a bit of help? Probably not really Nigerian or a prince. Sorry to shatter that dream too.
There is something simplistic about crafting a plan, working that plan, and then seeing the fruits of your blood and sweat and tears. There is growth in learning which ideas work, which don't, and which ideas are still to be discovered. Some of the most successful and wealthiest people are those who invented or created new things (think Apple, Google, Facebook, etc.)
The thing about prosperity is that it doesn't include just amassing wealth. What if you live a life devoted and pleasing to God? Think of the peace of mind that comes from being surrounded in His grace. There's a type of prosperity that only a few seek and find. But for those who do, it's a life full of riches in Christ Jesus.
And don't get me started on the lottery....
Key Verse For Me
Proverbs 21:5 - Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Quote
If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it. - John D. Rockerfeller
Related Scriptures
Ephesians 6:5-8 - Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
Prayer
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
-Count Your Blessings, Johnson Oatman, Jr.
So what verse(s) stick out to you and why?