"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment and equity;
To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion –
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck." (Proverbs 1:1-9)
The Proverbs were written as a guidebook to those seeking knowledge, discretion, wisdom and instruction.But, there are many authors who have sat down to write words of instruction over the centuries.Why should we look to the Bible, the Word of God, for wisdom?Further, why should we regard Solomon's words as having any more value than any other wisdom teacher, canonical or otherwise?
I believe there are three reasons why this wise king should be considered our teacher.
(1) The Lord saw enough value to make sure his writings were included in the canon of scripture.
(2) Solomon is considered even within the text of the Bible itself as the wisest man who has ever lived.
(3) Solomon reached a level of riches and success that neither was unparalleled nor will ever be equaled.
In, "Secrets of the Richest Man Who Ever Lived", Dr. Mike Murdock tells us of his research into Solomon's financial stature.To quote Dr. Murdock:
"In 1929, the Illinois Society of Architects did an extensive and meticulous study of the temple built by Solomon.Though the research was done almost seventy years ago (sic), the experts placed its value at $87 Billion.When you figure in a 7 percent inflation rate per year, that places the value of the temple alone worth more than $500 Billion.My friend Malcolm Burton has said that this amount is four times more than our nation spends on military defense each year.And that is just the beginning.It does not include Solomon's palace, his real estate holdings, and other valuable possessions too numerous to mention!Today (1998), the temple alone would be valued at more than $500 Billion."
In his book, "The Richest Man Who Ever Lived," Steven Scott provided context regarding Solomon's financial accomplishments, as well:
"Solomon was born around 974 B.C. and was installed as King of Israel by his father, David, shortly before David died. Solomon was twelve years old. Solomon was terrified of ruling Israel, afraid that he didn't have the wisdom to do so. According to the Old Testament, God appeared to Solomon and asked him what he wanted. Solomon answered, asking only for wisdom and knowledge so that he could rightly judge the great people of Israel (I Kings 3:9; II Chronicles 1:10). God then told Solomon that because he had not asked for riches, wealth, honor, the life of his enemies, nor a longer life for himself, He would give Solomon more wisdom, knowledge, riches, wealth, and honor than any king before him or any king that would come after him. What was promised was delivered. Solomon's wisdom, success, and wealth increased beyond imagination.
In terms of wealth, some have suggested that in today's dollars, he may well have been a "trillionaire." In addition to his gold reserves worth hundreds of billions of dollars in today's market, he owned 4,000 stalls for his horses and chariots, and kept 12,000 horsemen on his payroll. Rulers of nations throughout the world sought his advice, and paid dearly for it. However, by the middle of his life, he began to violate the laws of living, its principles and strategies that he so wisely articulated in the Book of Proverbs; as he did, his success and happiness vaporized. Fortunately for us, he recorded many of his laws for living in the Book of Proverbs."
Finally, from the pen of the great apostle Paul to his protégé, Timothy, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, than man may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
We see, therefore, that Solomon was wise, accomplished and that his writings made it into the canon of scripture by the providence of God.Therefore, we can look to the wisdom of the Lord as shared by Solomon and feel confident in its efficacy to produce fruit in our own lives.After all, Solomon himself credited his wisdom ("I have …gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem") with his ability to attain greatness and excel more than all who were before him in the first couple of chapters of The Book of Ecclesiastes.
But what is wisdom? Webster defines wisdom as 'knowledge and the capacity to make use of it." While technically accurate, this doesn't give us much insight into why it is such an important characteristic to develop in ourselves.I like the viewpoint of early American philosopher and pragmatist, Wallace D. Wattles, in regard to developing a good working definition of wisdom; In "The Science of Success," Wattles defines wisdom as the ability to know what to do and to know the best way to do it, as follows:
"Wisdom is the power to perceive the best ends to aim at and the best means for reaching those ends.It is the power to perceive the right thing to do…Wisdom is dependent upon knowledge.Where there is complete ignorance there can be no wisdom, no knowledge of the right thing to do.Man's knowledge is comparatively limited and so his wisdom must be small, unless he can connect his mind with knowledge greater than his own and draw from it, by inspiration, the wisdom that his own limitations deny him.This he can do; this is what the really great men and women have done. Man's knowledge is limited and uncertain; therefore he cannot have wisdom in himself.Only God knows all truth; therefore only God can have real wisdom or the right thing to do at all times, and man can receive wisdom from God…Wisdom is obtained by reading the mind of God."
…And the mind of God can be read by studying the word of God.It doesn't have to be guessed.
Discerning the thoughts of the Almighty doesn't require speculation.We don't need to look to Astrologers or Mediums.God has gone through great pains to make His thoughts evident to us, even His thoughts regarding work, success and financial prosperity.He has done so through The Holy Bible, the word of God in sixty-six books and forty different authors who penned its contents across centuries of time.
It is with those endorsements that we turn our study to the Proverbs of Solomon to gain wisdom.Let us consider God's thoughts here in the form of 7 things I believe Solomon can still teach us about money.
Get Wisdom
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.And in all your getting, get understanding.Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you." ~Proverbs 4:7-9
It's beneficial to remind ourselves from time to time that Solomon is very forthright about his purposes in putting pen to paper and recording his wisdom.The Proverbs are meant as a guide – ostensibly for a young man – to carry him through life and allow him to live it in a truly successful way; spiritually, relationally, financially and emotionally successful.For example, he instructs us that the blessing of God comes with no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).We know, therefore, that if our only goal is financial wealth, we will still not experience the best of God for our lives.Getting wisdom ensures we get God's best.
Fear the LORD
"My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding, yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." ~Proverbs 2:1-6
The modern understanding of "fear" falls short of the Biblical model.We aren't to think of trembling where we stand, afraid to utter a word before a terrible God (though it's interesting to note this is the EXACT reaction mortals demonstrated when confronted with the holiness of God in the record of the scriptures).Instead, we are to reverence Him and give great weight to His words.We are to strive to find out His wisdom as if it is a precious commodity.In fact, it is.It is in treasuring the scriptures that we gain discernment, the ability to choose well between options.In a world with many paths laid in front of us, we need discernment more than ever to follow a prosperous path.
Receive Instruction and Correction
"Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored." ~Proverbs 13:18
From time to time, we will be challenged to change.We will be urged to change our words, our actions and even the way we think.Solomon offers us encouragement in what almost amounts to a promise.If we ignore correction, it will be to our detriment.On the other hand, receiving rebuke from wise counselors will enlarge us.I've learned to be thankful for those in my life who care enough and are skilled enough to offer me correction.They are so often holy messengers from the Almighty Himself to set me back on a good path.
Trust in the LORD
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.Do not be wise in your own eyes: Fear the Lord and depart from evil, it will be health for your flesh, And strength to your bones." ~Proverbs 13:5-8
Nothing erodes the foundations of our lives and faith more than worry.Nothing.I am learning that it's impossible to function well in the marketplace – whether as an employee or entrepreneur – if we are consumed with worry.It saps our energy, our drive, our strength and our productivity along with it.The paralysis that results from worry is evidence of sin.Worry is telling the Lord that we don't trust Him at His word, it doesn't add any fruitfulness to our labor and worse, it robs from what we've already received.It's a vile spirit and it is no coincidence that we are commanded not to worry so often that one can find some form of the phrase "do not worry" on nearly every page of the Gospels.
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Keep Good Company
"Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner; and you mourn at last, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and say: "How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction!I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!I was on the verge of total ruin, in the midst of the assembly and congregation." ~Proverbs 5:7-14
There's an old axiom that says we should watch our company because our income over time will equal the average of the three people with whom we associate the closest. Even our morals are impacted wherein Paul's guidance is that we should not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals (I Corinthians 15:33). What does any of this have to do with money or prosperity?Simply, this: spend time with those who are prospering financially so that you can learn from their actions, gain their aptitudes and glean from their attitudes! There is a way that poor people think. There is a way that prosperous people think.When one considers that they all have twenty-four hours in a day, it's certain they are using their 1440 allotted minutes quite differently.
We must endeavor to spend more of our time doing what the wealthy do.By necessity, this requires doing less of what the average or poor do.There is great truth in the saying that the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.I heard a wise person add to it thusly: the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, predominantly because the rich do more of what rich people do and the poor keep doing what poor people do.If we want to do better than we are doing, we have to learn from those who are doing better than we are doing.
Be Generous
"Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." ~Proverbs 3:9-10
This is not about tithing though you can interpret it as such if that is a part of your theological background.I read this verse as being as much about honoring, i.e., paying respect to He who has given you the power to gain wealth.There's an inexplicable power in doing so.Coupled with Malachi's words, we are pushed into a figurative corner by the Lord Himself.He says to test Him.To try Him!My response is this: how can one lose when the Creator of all commands us to wrestle with Him over this matter to see whether He won't bless us?Whether you believe the tithe should be 10% or more or less, I am persuaded you will not be disappointed as the Lord shows his faithfulness in your giving.
Act Honorably
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is the power of your hand to do so, Do not say to your neighbor "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you." ~Proverbs 3:27-28
Here is a passage that all of us can move from the "philosophical" to "practical" category in our minds right away.We all have those times wherein we read the truth of God but struggle in that moment to find an application.We take it and trust, there will come a time in which we need the deposit the Holy Spirit has made in our hearts at that moment.This one is different.It understands that we won't always have what we need to pay a bill that we are obligated to pay.However, when we do have it, we are not to delay.When you have the ability to pay, it's time to pay.Trust God's word instead of putting it off for another day.
In the end, countless men and women have looked to the wisdom of God as penned by Solomon and have been blessed immeasurably – as the Lord intended.My challenge to myself, and to you, is to delve deeper into this treasure, The Book of Proverbs, and follow its precepts.I am confident that, in doing so, we will begin to act in ways consistent with the laws the Lord has established to prosper His people.Amen?
To your success.
Mark Anthony McCray is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Commercial Finance and "Live Big. Die Empty." A real estate entrepreneur and investor, in his work with First Capital and McCray Capital, Mr. McCray has successfully structured tens of millions of dollars in private real estate debt and equity investments.
Links to various social media where you can find Mark!
http://www.livebigdieempty.com
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