When I was young I often objected to advice from older people about how to live life well. But now I’m older I see wisdom in seeking advice from people who have more experience than me.
At a PK Elective on finance a few years ago a father came up to me and said I wish my son were here to hear that Elective. He was instructing his son in a similar way but wanted his son to hear it from an older man.
I am now old enough to see, in the lives of people I have contact with, the principles of sowing and reaping coming to reality on many fronts. To be able to live life well in the later years, the Third Age, has its roots in wise decisions acted on many years if not decades earlier. This is over all aspects of life including relationships with family and friends, financial provision, training for life, gaining of skills and knowledge, peace of mind, health of the body and hope for tomorrow.
The book of Proverbs has great guidance for the wholeness of life, including financial provision.
Proverbs encourages us to seek and place God first.
“Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 8:10-11
Proverbs encourages us that hard work will translate into financial success.
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28
Proverbs encourages us to be givers.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
If you want to reflect on this topic further, Google search “Biblical Proverbs about money” and you will find over 100 verses on the subject.
I was blessed to be raised in a family that had a healthy view on work. One worked to provide for oneself and one’s family and to give a good measure to one’s employer. The words of my father upon starting work were, “If you are paid for an hour give more than an hour’s output and the bosses will notice.” He was correct. Few workers give a measure beyond what was paid, but those who do are noticed. I had a promotion within six months of starting work. While the family motto “that work is joy” has some fishhooks with it, there is a truth that if we operate within our God given giftings, work hard with diligence and integrity, we will find satisfaction in our work and provision.
The next step is how we use the financial provision. We need to plan, spend wisely on needs not wants, to honour God with our money, to replace items when necessary and not before, to live a life below your income flow, only incur good debt not bad debt, to give and to save.
May the book of Proverbs bring you encouragement and guidance so that you will reap rewards well into the Third Age of life.
Blessings
Peter Goulter