Summary: Part 5 in a series from Proverbs dealing with stewardship and finances.
A. The Businessman and the Fisherman
1. A businessman noted that a fisherman was back early from the catch.
2. The fisherman said he had caught enough for the day.
3. The businessman said it was too early to quit and many more fish could be caught.
4. The fisherman asked why he should catch more fish.
5. The businessman then explained if he caught more fish he could make more money. Then he could buy more boats and catch more fish and make even more money.
6. The fisherman asked why he would want to do that.
7. The businessman said then he would be free to whatever he wanted and treasured in life.
8. The fisherman said that what I’m doing now.
B. In our live we must balance the physical and spiritual.
1. We are not to neglect our financial responsibilities – 1 Timothy 5:8
2. Yet we are not to have a love for money that ruins our souls - 1 Timothy 6:9-10
3. We are to seek God first and the physical will fall into place – LK. 12:31
4. In 1 Timothy 6:17 Paul exhorts us to trust in certain riches (God’s).
5. The wise man in Proverbs has much to say about our money.
II. Approaching Our Money Wisely
1. Trust in God and not in riches.
a) Proverbs 11:28 – “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
b) Seek God’s direction – Proverbs 16:9 – “A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.”
c) Take positive action – Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.”
d) Right Reflection – Proverbs 22:2 – “The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of all of them.”
e) Engage in prayer and supplication – Philippians 4:6-7
2. Learn Contentment
a) Proverbs 27:20 – “Hell and Destruction are never full. So the eyes of a man are never satisfied.”
b) Being balanced – Proverbs 25:16 – “Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled and vomit.”
d) Establish priorities – Hebrews 13:5 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
3. Remember the following are more important than money:
a) Wisdom – Proverbs 3:13-15
b) Family Relationships – Proverbs 15:17 – “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than the fatted calf with hatred.”
c) Intelligence – Proverbs 20:15 – “There is gold and a multitude of rubies but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
d) Reputation – Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. Loving favor rather than silver or gold.”
e) Integrity – Proverbs 28:6 – “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways though he be rich.”
B. The Abuses of Money
1. The desire to get rich quick.
a) Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
b) Proverbs 28:20 – “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”