The Seven Pillars of Financial Success, Introduction

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

Over and over again, the Bible promises blessing/favor/prosperity/success. A few verses to illustrate what I'm talking about:

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

But this prosperity doesn't come without some effort on our part. We have to do something -- namely we need to become wise in handling our finances. As we do, this wisdom then leads to wealth. A few verses that illustrate this point:

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. Proverbs 21:20

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. Proverbs 19:8

The Bible also highlights the fact that you don't have to memorize a long list of do's and don't to gain wisdom. Instead, it can be found in a relatively few number of steps.

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. Proverbs 9:1

Over the next seven weeks, I'll be detailing what I call the "seven pillars of financial success" here on Sundays. These are the seven financial principles that can make anyone wealthy -- as long as those people apply the principles (which, I think we all can agree, is the stumbling block for many people.)

Many people want prosperity to simply drop in their laps, but it doesn't work that way. God promises that He even cares for the birds of the air and supplies their needs (Matthew 6:26), but he doesn't spoon feed them. When was the last time you saw God dropping worms into birds' mouths? Never. Certainly there is provision for them, but they need to go out and get that provision -- they need to apply the gifts God has given them. And if they do, they will prosper. If they don't, they'll lack and may eventually die.

So as we begin this series, consider how many financial principles you think it takes to be successful. I listed several different options recently when I revisited the Richest Man in Babylon.

Also, let me know what you think my seven principles will/should be. It will be kinda fun to see if we agree. ;-)

Comments

[MyFinancialObjectives]

Before I got to this sentence: "Many people want prosperity to simply drop in their laps, but it doesn't work that way." I was thinking that in my comment I was going to mention how many Christians may see these verses and expect to be well off. not so.

This is going to be an excellent series, I'm looking forward to it. As for thinking of what you are going to talk about, I'm sure some will be in relation to Debt, lending, spending, giving, earning, annnndddd... More! :)

[KH]

I'm curious--why is "LORD" in all caps?

[Learn Save Invest]

"Also, let me know what you think my seven principles will/should be. It will be kinda fun to see if we agree. ;-)"

I'll start off:

#1. SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN

If that's not on the list, my God strike me down!

[Marc Bautis]

1. Expenses Matter - when deciding between two comparable investments choose the less expensive one

2. Investment Complexity - if you do not understand the risk of your investment or how you will make money on it, you should not be invested in it

3. Savings - From your first paycheck to your last you should set aside at least 10% for retirement

[TMS]

Let's see...

1. Spend less than you earn.
2. Give generously.
3. Work hard.

That's 3out of 7.

[FMF]

KH --

It's the style used by the version I quoted.

[Gary]

Not sure what yours are, but if I were to give seven, they would be:
1. Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind.
2. Give generously to Gods kingdom. (Minimum 10% is not the maximum)
3. Love others as you love yourself.
4. Spend less than you earn.
5. Save as much as is possible.
6. Invest with prayer
7. Commit all you do to God.

[mashford]

I have a friend who retired in his 30's just from following the steps provided in the "Richest Man in Babylon" ... interested the origins of the book ... bank fliers

[Daron]

I don't have much to add beyond those mentioned above, but "Help Others" would seem to be on the list, although "Love others as you love yourself" mentioned by Gary may be close enough.

[Joe P.]

"I'm curious--why is "LORD" in all caps?" - KH

I'm no expert on this, but the Jewish people in the Old Testament referred to God in many ways. For example, Elohim (Creator, Mighty and Strong); El Shaddai (God Almighty); Adonai (Master); Yahweh (Self-Existent One).

When you see LORD (all caps), it means Yahweh. This is the name God gave himself when he spoke to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3, meaning I AM WHO I AM. Hope that helps.