The
Entrepreneurial Vision
As Kevin Swanson said in one of his talks
at a Homeschool conference, when a large number of successful businessmen where
survey as to what attributed to their success it had nothing to do with their
credentials or degrees but everything to do with their character. If you are a
person of integrity, honest, hardworking, punctual, diligent, and trustable
then you are more likely to succeed than those you are not.
Sluggard
and Slothful
Work
hard. Here are a few Scriptural promises to solidify it:
In
all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Prov 14:23 (KJV)
The
sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Prov 20:4 (KJV)
A
slothful man hideth his hand in
his bosom, and will not so much
as bring it to his mouth again. Prov 19:24 (KJV)
Gold,
Silver, and Precious Metals
While it is not wise to put everything
in precious metals, precious metals have always been a sign of riches. In the
Bible we see this reflected through Job, David, Solomon and others.
Historically, it is seen everywhere. It is wise to save some in precious metals
for they are a currency that will stay valuable simply due to the value that is
placed on them. Even if money is scarce, precious metals will still have value.
Reproducing
Assets
Animals are reproducing assets as are
some investments, but the main point is to not simply hoard your resources. Be
generous as well as wise. Save and use your resources (financial, assets, etc…)
to grow more. The goal is not to have a mountain assets, but to be a
faithful steward.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants,
and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five
talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his
several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then
he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And
likewise he that had received
two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one
went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After
a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And
so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well
done, thou good and faithful
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst
unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His
lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the
one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping
where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And
I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and
gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to
have put my money to the exchangers, and then
at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take
therefore the talent from him, and give it
unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath
shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall
be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable
servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt
25:14-30 (KJV)
Financial
Instruments (IRA’s, Mutual Funds, etc…)
If you choose financial instruments as one
stream of income (it is not wise to put everything here as many do for their
“investments”), it is important to remember to only invest in things that do
not oppose Scripture. Many companies that are in stock portfolios, mutual funds
and bonds contain pornographic, human cloning, abortion, homosexual, or
alcoholic businesses or businesses that support them. Therefore, research the
funds you choose. Why would God bless a
financial instrument that funds sin?
From my research and seeking counsel
people have told me:
·
Get a Roth (it grows tax free)
·
Invest in Mutual funds
·
Keep your emergency funds in a money
market
Websites
that monitor for unbiblical companies and provide ideas/portfolios for
investing without them:
Saving Tips
Tithe
10% to your local church & give above that to godly organizations and
ministries
Save an
Emergency fund—$1,000
Save
3-6 months worth of your needed living expenses in a liquid account--$10,000+
Save
for “retirement”—simply old age, not to live a life of ease (Read Luke 12:13-21
very carefully)
Save to
reach a giving goal that you have settled in your heart to give (2 Corinthians
9:7)
For a
house an land debt free
(Look
into building your own dome home or a small cabin—it’s really cost effective)