For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.
As I was reading my Bible recently, I came across the following verses:
Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. Proverbs 12:9 (New Living Translation)
Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. Proverbs 13:7 (New Living Translation)
As I read these, I couldn't help but think that they were saying the same thing found in The Millionaire Next Door. The book essentially says that most millionaires in America aren't the glitzy, buy-big-homes-and-cars people that most assume are "rich" but instead appear to be "normal" people with little outside indication that they are wealthy. In other words, they are fine with being "an ordinary person with a servant" (i.e. appearing "normal" from outside appearances but actually being wealthy) versus being "self-important but having no food" (i.e. spending a lot to keep up with the Joneses but actually having a low net worth.) They don't "pretend to be rich" but instead live simple lives, content with themselves and their wealth. I wouldn't say they "pretend to be poor" but simply don't work to flaunt their wealth either.
For those of you interested in the book, I posted a summary of the seven principles of a Millionaire Next Door over five years ago. Principle #3 is the one that fits best with the discussion above:
3. They (millionaires) believe that financial independence is more important than displaying high social status.
BTW, this is the book that I read so many years ago, started to implement in my life, and have reaped massive financial rewards from. It's the foundation of much you read here at FMF.
So, do you think the Bible is suggesting being a millionaire next door? Or am I simply connecting two thoughts where no real connection exists?
I read Proverbs 13 and also found this in verse 11:
Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
I know so many people want to get rich quickly, instead of following the slow and steady method.
Back to your question, there does seem to be quite a correlation between those Proverbs verses and the Millionaire Next Door. That book had a big influence on me as well. It was nice to know that those that live the high life may have no wealth, while those that appear ordinary may be anything but in the wealth department.
Posted by: Mary Kate | October 10, 2010 at 10:54 AM
As the article points out, there is most certainly a lot of wisdom in the Bible and I agree with the statements above.
The results of a survey that I read in our newspaper last week really surprised me at first.
The survey asked 3700 people various questions about four very well known facts from the Bible.
To my surprise, Christians ranked #4. The top 3 groups were Atheists, Jews, and Mormons.
I was raised a Christian in the Church of England until I left school. I went to an elementary school called St.Pauls, later to a Grammar school where a weekly course in religious instruction was mandatory. I taught Sunday School, went to Bible School and obtained my MS at a Jesuit university. I was married in a Christian church, had all three children baptized, but became an atheist later in life. I answered all of the questions correctly, as did my wife who had a similar early background but is now an agnostic and an admirer of the Dalai Lama.
The question at the end of the article was "What's the quickest way to make your child an atheist". The facetious reply was,"Give him a Bible".
Maybe it's not so facetious after all.
Posted by: Old Limey | October 10, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Hahaha - I've heard the same question with the punchline generally being "12 years of Catholic education" Old Limey. I also got all the questions right despite not having stepped into mass (except for christenings and weddings) in years, so the brothers and nuns did their number on me too!
Posted by: guinness416 | October 10, 2010 at 12:49 PM
I don't think it's the fact that people have Bibles -- but the fact that they don't read them...
Posted by: FMF | October 10, 2010 at 01:37 PM
1. Perhaps atheists and agnostics know the Bible (and other religious texts) better because they really study faith and grapple with this issue before deciding that faith is not an option for them.
2. Too many people who call themselves Christians or think they are really aren't. They have never doubted, questioned their faith, or really even thought about what to believe. They walk around with their parents' faith. True faith comes only through struggle and doubt.
3. The Bible and the Torah have much advice to give for almost each aspect of life. I sometimes say, "Just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean it's not true." :-) One can be an atheist or agnostic while still enjoying the collective wisdom collected in these books and the occasional wonderful sermon such as the one I heard on the radio last Sunday. It was all about "active faith," that being Christian is giving not asking to receive. This would be a good reason for everyone.
Posted by: EF | October 10, 2010 at 02:12 PM
I find it so interesting that financial 'principals' that were written thousands of years ago still apply today.
I have the utmost respect for the person that wealthy, but you would never know it. That person is secure with themselves and doesn't need external validation for their self worth. Not to mention they don't have to make others feel subservient to make themselves feel good.
Posted by: Everyday Tips | October 10, 2010 at 03:25 PM
These are two inspired observations by King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. It is simply true that it is better to have food and money squirreled away than to be in need. I don't know if God would necessarily have us be millionaires as it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. His will is for us to enter heaven and enjoy Him forever rather than enter hell for all eternity after getting all we wanted while on earth. We need to take these verses in context of the entire Bible. His Word tells us to be humble and I think that is part of what is going here.
Posted by: Keith Kemp | October 10, 2010 at 04:58 PM
What was rich in biblical times is way different than today. We equate a millionaire as someone who is rich.
If you want to compare myself to biblical times I am a millionaire.(rich in biblical terms) I have a loving wife, two beautiful children, a decent job along with my wife having a decent job, I give to charity, I give my time to others (boy scouts, etc) , I pay all my bills, I have low debt, my kids will go to college becasue I saved for it and I save for the biblical famine ( retirement) in all God has blessed me with may of gifts and few wants.
Am I worth a million dollars? Probably not, but in 20 year maybe.
Posted by: Matt | October 10, 2010 at 07:38 PM