THE BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF THE BIBLE

Author: Loren Davis
January 02, 2009

Copyright 2009 Loren Davis

THE 'DO'S AND DON'TS' REGARDING BUSINESS
Josh 1:8-9 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou SHALT HAVE GOOD SUCCESS. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Ps 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
3 John 2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
*Note: All scriptures are from the King James Version Bible
THE DO'S...
LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY
FREEDOM is the number one ingredient for prosperity. When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt they were at the mercy of their Egyptian masters and had to survive on the meager portions they were given. Only when they became free were they able to enter Canaan's land and prosper.
Ex 14:3 "For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in."
It took 400 years for the Israelites to break free of their yoke of slavery, but they paid a bitter price.
Acts 7:6-7 "...that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years."
Gal 5:1 "...be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
BE PREPARED
Prov 24:27 "Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwardsbuild thine house."
RECEIVE INSTRUCTION
Prov 14:12-13 "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life."
Prov 8:10-12 "Receive my instruction, and not silver; "
Prov 13:18-23 "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."
KNOWLEDGE
Prov 13:14-16 "Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge:"

Prov 24:3 "And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength."
Prov 20:15 "...but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."
Prov 8:10-12 "...and knowledge rather than choice gold."
WISDOM
WISDOM: Knowing what to do and when to do it; having good instincts; being flexible in one's thinking; the ability to look at a situation from 360 degrees; the ability to think on your feet and make right decisions.
Matt 10:16 "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents , and harmless as doves."
Prov 25:11 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
Prov 13:24 "The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly."
16:20 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good"
Prov 3:13-16 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour."
Prov 8:11-19 "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver."
Prov 8:21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;"
Prov 9:1-2 "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table."
Prov 17:2 "A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren."
Prov 21:20 "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;"
James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
SPONTANEITY
2 Tim 4:2 "be instant in season, out of season;"
UNDERSTANDING
Prov 16:22 "Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly."
Prov 18:1-2 "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself."
Prov 19:8 "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good."
Prov 24:3 "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:"
Prov 16:16 "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"
Prov 28:5 "...but they that seek the Lord understand all things."
Prov 13:14-16 "Good understanding giveth favour."
A GOOD ATTITUDE
Dan 6:3 "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."
RIGHT THINKING
Phil 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
WORK
Prov 12:11 "He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread."
Prov 28:19-24 "He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:"
Prov 16:26 "He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him."
PR 10:16 "The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin."
Prov 27:18 "Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof:"
Prov 13:23 "Much food is in the tillage of the poor:"
Prov 14:4 "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox."
Prov 14:23-25 "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury."
Prov 13:11 "...but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."
Prov 30:26 "The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;"
2 Thess 3:10 "...this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:14 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
2 Thess 3:11-12 "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."
WORK ONLY SIX DAYS A WEEK
Why burn yourself out?
Ex 20:9-10 "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:"
BE DILIGENT
Prov 10:4 "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich."
Prov 12:24-25 "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute."
Prov 22:29 "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
Prov 21:5-8 "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want."
Prov 12:27 "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious."
*Write down your good ideas as they come, or you could lose them.
*Back up your accounting and put your important papers in a safe place.
BASIC SUCCESS FORMULA: QUALITY FIRST. SPEED SECOND. 
People with money will pay for quality.
Prov 25:4 "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer."
KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. DON'T WORK BLINDLY
Prov 27:23 "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds."
PLAN AHEAD
Luke 14:28-30 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."
BE ORGANIZED
Mark 6:39-40 "And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties."
ASSOCIATE WITH WISE MEN
Pr 13:20 "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed."
BE MATURE
1 Cor 13:11 "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish thing."
GET GOOD COUNSEL
Counsel is pooling knowledge, experience and wisdom.
Rom 5:3-5 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;"
Prov 15:22-23 "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."
Pr 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
Prov 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety .
AVOID MISTAKES
Prov 4:12-13 "When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble."
REASON THINGS OUT
Prov 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:"
Heb 5:14 "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reasonof use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
DON'T MAKE HASTY, EMOTIONAL DECISIONS
Prov 14:29 "...he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
GOOD JUDGMENT
Pr 13:23 "...but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment."
Prov 24:23 "These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment."
Prov 28:5 "Evil men understand not judgment:"
Prov 21:7 "The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment."
DISCERNMENT
Being able to detect what is true and what is not.
1 Cor 12:10 "...discerning of spirits;"
BE DECISIVE
1 Kings 18:21 "How long halt ye between two opinions?"
INTEGRITY
Prov 20:7 "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."
Prov 19:1 "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
Ps 25:21 "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee."
Prov 21:8 "The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right."
BE HONEST
2 Cor 8:21 "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."
HOW TO BE PROMOTED
Luke 12:42-44 "And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward , whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath."
Titus 2:9-10 "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please themwell in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity;"
Prov 27:18 "...so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured."
BE FAITHFUL
Prov 20:6 "...but a faithful man who can find."
Prov 28:20 "A faithful man shall abound with blessings:"
BE RESPONSIBLE
Matt 25:23 "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things , I will make thee ruler over many things:"
HAVE A GOAL
Phil 3:14 "I press toward the mark for the prize."
FOCUS
Mark 11:24 "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
DESIRE
BE Motivated; WORK WITH AN incentive; You have to really want it.
Prov 11:23 "The desire of the righteous is only good."
Prov 13:23 "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil."
AMBITION
Matt 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
BE PERSISTENT
Luke 18:2-8 "There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily."
PATIENCE
Luke 8:15 "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."
James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON
Ps 1:3 "...that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;"
Gal 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
BE SELF DISCIPLINED
1 Cor 9:26-27 "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:"
Gal 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
BE CREATIVE
Prov 8:12 "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions."
Prov 30:25-28 "The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces."
YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK
Prov 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"
BE A DREAMER
Eccl 5:3 "For a dream cometh through the multitude of business."
VISION
Prov 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish:"
Hab 2:3 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time."
CONFIDENCE
Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
HOPE
As long as man has hope in his heart he can make it. Hope is the foundation of faith.
1 Cor 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Heb 6:19 "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,"
Eph 2:12 "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:"
FAITH
If you lose your faith you can do nothing and you're finished.
He. 11:1 "Without faith it is impossible to please God."
Mark 5:36 "Be not afraid, only believe."
James 2:18 "I will shew thee my faith by my works."
2 Thess 1:3 "...because that your faith groweth exceedingly,"
Rom 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Hebrews 11 is the great chapter on faith.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
Matt 19:26 "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
PATIENCE
Heb 6:12 "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patienceinherit the promises."
ENTHUSIASM
Most people make their major decisions with their heart.
Matt 12:34-35 "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."
Prov 15:15 "All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast."
Prov 12:25 "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."
Prov 15:12-18 "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heartthe spirit is broken."
MOUTH
Pr 13:2 "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence."
Pr 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"
Pr 25:11-12 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear."
Prov 20:15 "...but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."
Pr 18:20-21 "A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue:"
Pr 12:14-15" A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth:"
Matt 12:34-35 "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
UTILIZE YOUR NATURAL ABILITY
Prov 18:16 "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men."
TEAMWORK
Matt 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them."
DELEGATE
You can grow only so big without delegating work to others.
Matt 8:9 THE CENTURION. "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."
FRIENDLY
Develop relationships.
Prov 18:24 "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:"
BE MODERATE.
Phil 4:5 "Let your moderation be known unto all men."
THE ABILITY TO FORSEE
Prov 22:2-4 "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."
Prov 30:25-28 "The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;"
INVEST
Gen 8:22 "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest , and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
Mt 25:15-26. Parable of the Talents. Don't let money sit idle. Let your money make money.
BARTER
Isa 55:1 "...he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
KEEP YOUR CONTRACT
Rom 1:31 "Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:"
BE GENEROUS
Prov 22:9 "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor."
Prov 11:25 "The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
THE POWER OF A GIFT
Prov 17:8 "A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth."
Prov 19:6-7 "Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts."
Prov 21:14 "A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath."
FAVOR
Pr 11:27 "He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour:"
Prov 12:2 "A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord:"
BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FAMILY
1 Tim 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
2 Thess 3:10 "...this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
We are to look to the Lord for our sustenance. Matt 6:11 Jesus taught us to look to God for our provision, "Give us this day our daily bread."
BE THOUGHTFUL
Matt 22:38-39 "This is the first and great commandment . And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
THE KEY TO GREATNESS
Matt 23:11 "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."
Mark 9:35 "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
Mark 10:44 "And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."
BE STRONG
Pr 11:16 "...strong men retain riches."
2 Chron 32:7 "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed."
Neh 8:10 "...the joy of the Lord your strength."
BE COURAGEOUS
2 Sam 13:28 "...have not I commanded you? be courageous and be valiant."
Josh 1:7 "Only be thou strong and very courageous"
PEACE
Prov 17:1 "Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife."
BE HONORABLE
Prov 18:11-12 "The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility."
BE HUMBLE
Prov 16:19-20 "Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
Matt 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (Meekness is not weakness!)
A GOOD WIFE, THE GREATEST ASSET
Prov 11:16 "A gracious woman retaineth honour:"
Prov 31:10-16 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."
Prov 31:30-31 "...a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."
Prov 19:14-15 "House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the Lord."
Prov 31:12 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
Prov 31:30-31 "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS
James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,"
1 Tim 5:3 "Honour widows that are widows indeed." (Support widows who need support). 
Prov 3:9 "Honour the Lord with thy substance"
INHERITANCE
Pr 13:22 "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."
Prov 20:21 "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed."
CONSIDER THE POOR
Prov 3:27-28 "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee."
Luke 11:5-8 "Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."
Prov 19:17 "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
Prov 19:22 "The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar."
Prov 28:6-7 "Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."
Prov 10:15-16 "The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty."
Matt 26:11 "For ye have the poor always with you;"
James 2:15-16 "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"
DELIVERANCE FOR THE POOR
Ps 72:12-14 "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight."
LOVE IS BETTER THAN WEALTH
Prov 15:16 "Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."
Prov 17:1-2 "Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full ofsacrifices with strife."
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RICH
Luke 12:48 "For unto whomsoever much is given , of him shall be much required:"
1 John 3:17 "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
THERE IS A TIME TO FORGIVE DEBTS
Matt 6:12 "and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors"
Matt 18:24-30 "And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest."
Matt 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
TAKE CARE OF WHAT YOU HAVE
Lasting abundance is built a little at a time.
Prov 12:10-12 "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
SEEK GOD'S BLESSINGS
Prov 8:32-35 "...blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.  For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord."
Prov 10:6-7 "Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."
Prov 10:22 "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow."
Prov 11:11 "By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked."
Deut 28:12 "The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand:"
i.e.: Esau and Jacob. God's blessings meant nothing to Esau, but meant everything to Jacob.
MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Josh 1:8-9 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Ps 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
Deut 28:1-13 "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:"
SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM FIRST
Matt 6:25-7:1 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
BE RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD
Prov 13:25-14:1 "The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:"
Ps 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken , nor his seed begging bread."
Prov 11:18 "...but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward."
Prov 12:11 "...but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit."
SEEK TO PLEASE GOD
Isa 58:14 "Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father:"
Ps 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
FEAR OF THE LORD
Prov 22:4 "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life."
SEEK GOD'S WILL
1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will , he heareth us:"
TITHE
Mal 3:8-11 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."
Prov 3:9-10 "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."
*Tithing or giving to a church or ministry that teaches doctrines opposite the Bible is to make one an enemy of God.
2 John 10-11 "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
Eph 5:6-7 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them."
BE A GIVER
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Pr. 11:24 "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it."
Luke 8:3 "And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance."
Prov 21:26 "...but the righteous giveth and spareth not."
GOD'S PROVISION
Phil 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
THROUGH GOD YOU CAN GO HIGHER THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE
Eph 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"
1 Cor 2:9-10 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:"
THE DON'TS...
DON'T BE FEARFUL
Life is dangerous and risky. Don't be tentative. There is no choice. If you hide in a hole you will fail.
Ps 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
2 Tim 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Prov 29:24-25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."
DON'T PANIC
Panic is hyper-fear. When one panics his brain locks up and he can't think clearly. He then operates strictly on his emotions. This is suicidal. My pilot instructors told me if I ever got in a critical situation flying, if I panicked I would die. Throughout history many leaders have used fear tactics to control the masses and herd them like cattle. They know if they can get people to get into fear and panic that they can easily manipulate them. History shows us that this has often led the masses to self destruction. The Great Depression was triggered when people panicked.
DON'T BE A SLUGGARD, A LAZY PERSON. BE A SELF STARTER.
Prov 6:6-11 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."
Prov 13:4-13 "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
Prov 19:15 "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger."
Prov 19:24 "A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again."
Prov 20:4 "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing."
Prov 20:13-17 "Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread."
Prov 21:25-26 "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour."
Prov 24:30-25:1 "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man."
Prov 26:13-16 "The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason."
Prov 23:20-31 "...drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags."
DON'T WASTE
Gambling is throwing money down a rat hole. It's wasting money. Ultimately, you can't beat the house. It's a stacked deck. Gambling has destroyed an untold number of families.
Prov 18:9 "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster ".
Prov 21:20 "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."
DON'T BE A FOOL
Ps 92:6 "...neither doth a fool understand this."
Prov 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes."
Prov 14:16 "...the fool rageth, and is confident."
Prov 18:2 "A fool hath no delight in understanding,"
Prov 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
DON'T LIE OR BELIEVE LIES
Prov 21:6 "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."
2 Thess 2:11-12 "...that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned."
DON'T BE A SIMPLETON
Things are not always they way they seem. Life is complex.
Prov 14:15 "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."
Prov 1:22 "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?"
Prov 1:4 "To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion."
Prov 1:32 "For the turning away of the simple shall slay them."
Prov 8:5 "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart."
DON'T CHEAT
Prov 20:23 "Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good."
Prov 20:10 "Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord."
Prov 11:1 "A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight."
Prov 16:11 "A just weight and balance are the Lord's:"
DON'T BE DECEITFUL
Prov 27:6 "...the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
20:17 "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel."
Prov 11:18 "The wicked worketh a deceitful work:"
DO NOT COVET
Prov 21:26 "He coveteth greedily all the day long:"
Prov 28:16-17 "...but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days."
Ex 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."
DO NOT STEAL
Ex 20: 3 "Thou shalt not steal"
Prov 29:24-25 "Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not."
Prov 6:30-31 "Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house."
DO NOT CO-SIGN FOR STRANGERS
Prov 20:16 "Take his garment (collateral) that is surety for a stranger:"
Prov 11:15 "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure."
Prov 27:12 "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."
DON'T BE IN DEBT
Deut 15:6 "For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow."
Prov 22:7 "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Prov 22:26-27 "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?"
DON'T BE DOUBLE MINDED
James 1:6-8 "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
DON'T USE A GIFT TO PERVERT JUDGMENT
Prov 17:23 "A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment."
Pr 15:28 "...but he that hateth gifts shall live."
Ecc 7:7 "...by a gift the heart is destroyed."
Prov 29:4 "The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth giftsoverthroweth it."
DON'T BE CORRUPT
2 Peter 1:4 "...that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
DON'T USE USURY, CHARGING EXCESSIVE INTEREST
Prov 28:8 "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor."
THE BUSINESS GAME
Prov 18:14 "It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth."
DON'T ROB YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
Prov 28:24 "Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion to a destroyer."
DON'T PLOT AGAINST THE RIGHTEOUS
Prov 24:15 "Lay not wait , O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:"
JUST AND UNJUST
Prov 29:27-30:1 "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked."
PRIDE
Prov 28:11 "The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out."
Prov 16:18-19 "Pride goeth before destruction , and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
PLEASURE
Prov 21:17 "He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:"
Heb 11:25 "...enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"
DRINKING
Prov 23:20-21 "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkardand the glutton shall come to poverty:"
Prov 21:17 "...he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."
See the article: DRINKING, AMERICA'S ACHILLES HEEL www.lorendavis.com
DON'T RUN WITH BAD WOMEN OR MEN
Prov 6:26-28 "For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?"
Prov 11:22-28 "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion".
Prov 5:10 "Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;"
Prov 14:1 "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."
Prov 21:9-10 "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house."
DON'T BE RESPECTER OF PERSONS
Prov 28:21 "To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress."
THE DANGER OF FLATTERY
Prov 29:5-6 "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:"
Prov 26:28-27:1 "...a flattering mouth worketh ruin."
Prov 28:23 "He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flatterethwith the tongue."
DON'T TRUST EVERYONE
1 Thess 5:21 "Prove all things"
Prov 25:19 "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint."
Prov 26:6 "He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage."
DON'T BE GREEDY
Prov 15:27-28 "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;"
DON'T FOLLOW GET RICH SCHEMES
Prov 12:11 "...but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. The wicked desireth the net of evil men:"
Prov 13:11 "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."
DON'T TRY TO GET RICH QUICK
Prov 28:20 "... but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent."
Prov 28:22 "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."
DON'T BE CONNED BY 'GET RICH QUICK' PREACHERS
God does financial miracles, but many preacherspromise 'a hundred fold return' or that you will become rich over night if you sow seed (money) to them. While God blesses tithing and giving, these are con artists who are misusing God's Word and promising returns the Bible does not promise. They are nothing more than racketeers who are misusing the scriptures and the name of Christ to plunder and exploit Christ's people. They are misusing the church to make themselves multi-millionaires. They are perhaps the biggest enemies of Christ because they are shipwrecking the faith of millions with their clever get rich schemes and are destroying the credibility of Christianity.
Luke 20:46-21:1 "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows ' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shallreceive greater damnation."
Gal 1:14 Paul describes himself before he was saved. "And profited in the Jews' religionabove many my equals in mine own nation,"
Prov 22:16 "He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want."
1 Tim 3:1-3 "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre ; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;"
See the article:  THE ABUSE OF THE PROSPERITY MESSAGE, www.lorendavis.com
THE PROSPERITY OF FOOLS
Prov 1:32 "For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of foolsshall destroy them."
Prov 28:19-25 "...but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough."
DON'T IGNORE WARNING SIGNS
Ezek 3:18 "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."
CHRISTIAN CO-OP
Acts 4:32 "...neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."
This activity in the book of Acts was a voluntary practice engaged in by some of the Christians in the early Church who chose to pool their possessions for the purpose of furthering the Gospel. It was done only among Christians. No non-Christians were involved. This practice was totally done within the church.
This practice has been greatly misused by those in Shepherding type Christian groups. Many of these leaders lord it over the people and exploit them financially. That was never the original intent.
1 Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."
DON'T BE DEPENDENT ON OTHERS
Prov 1:10-19 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the ownersthereof."
NATIONAL ECONOMICS
Deut 28:12 " ...and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow."
TAXES
Matt 22:21 "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
DON'TS...TO BOSSES
Mal 3:5 God is...against those that "oppress the hireling in his wages,
Lev 19:13 "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning."
DON'TS...REGARDING THE POOR
Prov 14:19-21 "The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he."
Prov 14:31 "He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor."
Prov 17:5 "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished."
Prov 19:4 "Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour."
Prov 19:7 "All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him."
Prov 21:13-14 "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."
Prov 22:16-17 "He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want."
Prov 30:14 "There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men."
Prov 28:3 "A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food."
Prov 29:7 "The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it."
Prov 29:13-14 "The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,"
Prov 22:22-23 "Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them."
Prov 18:23-24 "The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly."
DON'T ENVY THE WICKED OR RUN WITH THEM
Prov 24:19 "...neither be thou envious at the wicked;"
Prov 24:1-5 "Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief."
Prov 27:7 "Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father."
Prov 22:6 "Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:"
Prov 21:10 "The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes."
DON'T FOLLOW THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY
Ps 1:1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
DON'T HOARD. MONEY IS NOT YOUR SECURITY
Matt 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Luke 12:16-21 "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool , this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Prov 27:24 "For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?"
CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSING TO KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
Deut 28:14-68 "And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth." Etc.
Prov 13:14-16 "The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death... but the way of transgressors is hard."
Prov 15:6 "In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble."
Prov 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:"
See the article 'Has God Revoked His Moral Law' www.lorendavis.com
THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES
Prov 24:5 "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."
THE FINANCIAL DOWNFALL OF THE WICKED
Prov 10:2-5 "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked."
Hag 1:6 "...he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."
Prov 13:25-14:1 "...but the belly of the wicked shall want."
Ps 37:35-36 "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree . Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found."
Prov 24:20 "For there shall be no reward to the evil man;"
DON'T MAKE MONEY YOUR GOD
1 Tim 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
DON'T SELL YOUR SOUL
Matt 16:26 "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
i.e.: Judas sold Jesus for just 30 pieces of silver. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage.
THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS MONEY
Prov 11:4 "Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."
Prov 23:4-6 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
Prov 30:7-10 "Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
Luke 12:23-31 "The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Prov 11:28 "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch."
THE CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING THE BIBLE'S BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
Prov 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts."
Prov 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
GOD'S BUSINESS PRINCIPLES WILL ALWAYS WORK
Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."
Josh 1:8-9 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success . Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Ps 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

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