11Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.
Over the past few days in our Bible study time, we have talked about the call for followers of Christ to save in order to practice generosity, realizing that life is about far more than accumulating wealth and earthly treasures for ourselves. Perhaps one of the biggest barriers keeping people from following this wisdom to save is that we have a difficult time believing that the little bit we save over time can have a significant impact. The truth is, however, that slowly saving over time can indeed make a big difference.
We are reminded of the impact that saving a little bit over time can have in Proverbs 13:11. The verse says, “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” This verse makes it clear that the little bit we save from our hard work over time is not insignificant. It matters greatly. In fact, the money we save will grow over time. Nothing that we set aside is tto small that it can't have an impact. As a result, any little bit we set aside matters. While we work hard and set aside what we can over time, we will find that what we save over time adds up more quickly than we realized
The reminder that our hard work and saving over time matter should impact our choices today, from what we purchase, what we save, and more. No day of hard work will go by unnoticed or without an impact. Every dime we set aside is important. The choices we make today matter for tomorrow. A little bit of savings over time will add up over time.
As we talked about this week throughout our Bible study time, our goal in saving money should not be to just accumulate money for the sake of accumulating money. We save so we can honor God and practice generosity. Our little bit of savings over time will allow us to practice great generosity and have a great impact for God in the future.
Moving toward action
Whatever it looks like today, take one small step toward stewarding your money well. This may be slowly saving a portion of your paycheck, forgoing your weekly Starbucks and having coffee at home instead, or something else. Whatever it looks like today, steward your money well. As small as your step today may seem, it may have a great impact in the future.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I work hard and save over time, use me…”
Going deeper
1A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[1]
a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
2Wise words will win you a good meal,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.
4Lazy people want much but get little,
but those who work hard will prosper.
5The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
6Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin.
7Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
others who are rich pretend to be poor.
8The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor won’t even get threatened.
9The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
10Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise.
11Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.
12Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
13People who despise advice are asking for trouble;
those who respect a command will succeed.
14The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15A person with good sense is respected;
a treacherous person is headed for destruction.[2]
16Wise people think before they act;
fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
17An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
but a reliable messenger brings healing.
18If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;
if you accept correction, you will be honored.
19It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
20Walk with the wise and become wise;
associate with fools and get in trouble.
21Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous.
22Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
23A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
but injustice sweeps it all away.
24Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
25The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Translation notes (2)
- 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.
- 13:15 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads the way of the treacherous is lasting.
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