Weekly Thought Archives > Short, Sweet and Powerful

Short, Sweet and Powerful

One of the influential books in my life is quite short. It wasn’t weighty, nor did I struggle to understand it. But it formed the basis for my thinking on financial security -----and not only that, it gave me a modus operandi. Seeing as how Mary Alice and I went from total assets of $5.00 the day we married to a comfortable living, that makes the book worthwhile in my estimation. Oh, by the way, it was Mary Alice’s $5.00. I always told her, "If you had wanted more money when we married, you should have saved more!"

What is this book? The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason.

Any book, to be helpful, must come when it is needed ---- just like mentors, and sponsors. This book came just at the right time. It is actually more of a pamphlet than a book ---- only a few pages with four principles which I followed. I benefitted by following them; others found misfortune by ignoring them.

The book is a story, more of a parable. I have always thought parables were an excellent way to slip truth into the heart. Jesus used them masterfully. In this story, a man tells the secret of riches to a poor printer’s laborer in exchange for an all-night effort to produce a much-needed printing project. At first, the poor man felt cheated because the advice was so simple. However, the workman followed it and even though making some early mistakes, found the way to financial success.

Even today when I think about the four principles, I blush at their simplicity. We want life to be complex and complicated. However, when I, like the poor laborer, follow them, I find financial security.

We expect detailed plans and intricate strategies. Even in the Bible, we find the simple commands received with skepticism. For example, "Dip in the river" was sufficient. But, our egos often don’t allow us to accept simple truths.

Following truth is more rare than knowing truth.

Here are the four principles. I followed them, just as did the poor man in Babylon:

1. At least 10% of all you make is yours to keep ---- pay yourself first.

2. Never invest with an amateur--he is prey to the shrewd.

3. Reinvest the interest you earn from all you save. "Don’t eat up your grandchildren" is how Clason puts it.

4. Desire to acquire wealth through knowledge and association--gain knowledge of the ways of money and associate with those who are wisely accumulating.

I found these principles moral. They violate no one’s integrity. Desiring money is not wrong. It is honorable so long as one seeks money as a means to noble accomplishments, not to greed and self-aggrandizement.

For me, money is, and has always been, a trustworthy servant, but a tyrannical master.

This week think about: 1) What books influence my thinking? 2) How have I developed a financial philosophy? 3) What advice would you give to a younger person about money?

Words of Wisdom: "Following truth is more rare than knowing truth."

Wisdom from the Word: "Plans failwhen there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established." (Proverbs 15:22 NET Bible)