A get-rich-quick scheme is developed to entrap the weak and especially the poor. After all, what does a wealthy man need with a get-rich-quick scheme? These schemes usually offer excessive gain for the apparent risk and usually involve areas about which we know little or nothing, require quick decisions, and were recommended by a friend.

It’s amazing how susceptible Christians are to get-rich-quick schemes and how logical they seem at first. Every year, thousands of Christian families risk and lose money they cannot afford to lose while seeking that “big deal.” This can be avoided but not on the basis of human wisdom. We cannot get caught up in our own desires and fail to yield control to God’s wisdom.

To avoid financial traps, we should establish our standards by God’s Word: seek God’s plan for our lives, stick with what we know, seek good counsel, and wait on God’s peace before acting.

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. (Proverbs 10:22)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. (Proverbs 12:15)

A man of great anger shall bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. (Proverbs 19:19)

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone; for wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. (Proverbs 23:4-5)

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (Proverbs 24:3-4)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)

The prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty. (Proverbs 27:12)

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:20)

A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him. (Proverbs 28:22)

She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. (Proverbs 31:16,24)

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

 

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The above article comes from the book The Word on Finances, by Larry Burkett, published by Moody Press, www.moodypublishers.com, pgs. 342-344. This book is topically arranged with New American Standard Bible passages and a concordance which focuses attention on key issues on finance and stewardship. Author, Larry Burkett, has organized this invaluable collection of relevant Scriptures into an easy-to-reference volume and has given practical wisdom which opens each topical selection. It contains more than 70 topics which are included under eight comprehensive headings: • Right Attitudes • Wrong Attitudes • Credit • Giving and Providing • God’s Blessing and Curses • Investing • Work and Wages • Government.

 

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