Wisdom + Diligence = Wealth

I [Wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.  Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.  Proverbs 8:17-18

Back a week or so ago, in my Seeking Wisdom blog post, we discussed the definition of Wisdom.  Wisdom is made of of 3 attributes:

1.  Experience

2.  Knowledge

3.  Judgment

Simply looking for Wisdom on an as-needed basis is not good enough.  In today's world, the term "continual learner" is thrown around a lot.  I do, however, think this is how we should be searching out Wisdom.  

In college, I fell HARD for what is considered Conventional Wisdom when it comes to how normal people handle their money.  I got a credit card just like everyone else.  I took out student loans just like everyone else.  I signed up for a car payment just like everyone else.  I spent money and then worried about the consequences just like everyone else.  

And I was BROKE and SCARED just like everyone else.

I finally woke up during my senior year of college, but only after Wisdom was literally handed to me.  The Financial Peace University CD's that my Mom gave me as she was going through the class at church were my first glimpse into what financial Wisdom meant.  That one gift created a spark that has spread into a diligent search for God's views of money and wealth.

The Bible tells us that if we diligently seek Wisdom we will find it.  And when we find it and apply that Wisdom to our decisions and actions, enduring wealth and righteousness automatically follow.  Are there people out there who gained wealth by totally screwing someone else...sure.  But we talked about their eventual fate in my previous blog post, Ill-Gotten Gain.

There are plenty of people out there who will say that the Christian life and being wealthy can't exist together.  But here's the thing, only the strong can help the weak.  Most of the things we are called to do (provide for our family's needs, help others, leave a legacy, etc.) would be all but impossible if we were all called to be broke.  

Our Dad in Heaven wants GREAT things for us, just like I want GREAT things for my kids.  I don't want to see my kids struggle through life just "making it".  I want them to seek Wisdom and find the best way to serve others well.  I want them to be paid well for the service they are providing.  I want them to manage their money well and gain wealth.  Then, I want them to bless others with that wealth.