Proverbs 13:11 says, "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."

I receive this message as a reminder that most things gained hastily, with excessive speed or urgency, tend to fade away quickly. We don’t get to enjoy them, may even regret them, and they will certainly raise eyebrows.

I am amazed at the content on social media advising our kids and young professionals about the many ways to make money fast. They are making foolish attempts at speedy treasures. Did you catch that? When I was younger, I lived in a harsh environment, and I remember that those who got money fast generally didn’t stick around long enough to enjoy it. Calling the quest foolish generally only drives our young people to go deeper into it, so I am more nuanced when talking to them about internet sensations who’ve made a killing in real estate or figured out a way to make $30,000 a month and, for a small fee that continues to grow, can teach you.

Getting something fast will and should always raise eyebrows, even if it’s good. You don’t believe me? Try going home and telling your parents you met someone last week, and she is the love of your life. Eyebrow raise. Go out and buy something really expensive on a whim. You’ll think about it later. Years ago, at the beginning of our careers, my wife came home and told me she had decided to quit her job that day, and she quit. Not just my eyebrow but my blood pressure was raised, but that’s a whole other conversation.

It seems to me that the allure of fast money exists in every era, but why? I’ve read many articles that explain this phenomenon, but one of the clearest explanations is written in an article by Courtney E. Ackerman, "What is Instant Gratification." One of the points she made is that it’s a natural human urge to want good things and to want them NOW. It has almost certainly provided an evolutionary advantage for humans and their ancestors, as life for pre-modern humans hinged on decisions made and actions taken in the immediate far more than those intended for long-term gain. Most of us want what we want, and we want it now.

When I’ve been my most impulsive, it was hard to enjoy the moment. What about you? When I’ve made quick decisions, they’ve not all worked out. Remember, though, that just because you do something fast doesn’t mean you weren’t thoughtful.

But come on, it’s just you and me here. When you think about the idea of fast money, don’t you think deep down that there is something seedy about it? I, for one, have never made fast money. In fact, most Americans haven’t made fast money. And the folks on the internet are typically pushing get-rich-quick pipe dreams and schemes. It’s lower risk to take someone home after a week of knowing them and declare your undying love, you can reverse that immediately, than it is to give control over your thoughts and your money to some overnight internet sensation whose wealth is built from extracting from you what you don’t have to give. I want you to stop and meditate on what it means to give someone control over your thoughts! Giving control over your thoughts in this context is like lighting the alley in a rough neighborhood and standing with your wallet out and a sign that says "rob me."

I believe as Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

If you pray, work, and surround yourself with other people who know the value of praying, working, praying some more…getting up every day and doing it over and over, praying, working, saving, investing, risking a little, praying, working, saving, investing, risking a little more, you win over time.

Final Thought

1. It’s okay to make money slower. If you do, it will likely stay with you longer. Generally, the decisions that you are slower to make are better for you. Most decisions in life are not the life-or-death decisions “pre-modern” humans had to make.
2. Don’t believe what you are hearing on social media. People are pretending in many cases, and it’s an attempt to separate you from your money. I’ve had this conversation lately with a young professional who has an idea about how to triple her wealth in 12 months.
3. Do the work. This is hard to say, but when we look at other people and want what they have, we don’t always know the work that went into that. Even if they seem to make it look easy today, making it look easier than it actually is took and takes practice. Thirty years ago, I wrote down a plan. I still have that plan. I am still working that plan. I’m still praying over that plan. I still believe that plan. I know God has a plan, and I know He has a plan for you. Work as though you are working for the Lord.

Lord, I pray that each of us apply a steady 20-mile march to life, a steady 20-mile march to our finances. I pray that we are all faithful over what little we have so that through this faithfulness we are increased.

If this blessed you, please share it with your network and leave me a comment.