Proverbs 9 contrasts two ways of life: the way of wisdom and the way of folly. Wisdom is portrayed as a righteous and diligent woman, while folly is the deceptive and lazy counterpart. These lessons from Proverbs 9 can be applied to our financial decisions, investments, and wealth management—particularly in the volatile and often tempting world of cryptocurrency. Below are the key kingdom principles from this chapter, along with Bible verses, funny informal definitions, and practical examples.
1. Seek Wisdom as Your Primary Investment Strategy
Verse: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10
Funny Informal Definition:
“Before you throw all your cash into the next crypto ‘moonshot,’ ask yourself, ‘Have I consulted the ultimate financial advisor—God?’ Spoiler alert: He knows better than Reddit.”
Examples:
1. Instead of following the latest social media hype for a new coin, you spend time seeking wisdom in prayer and study, making decisions based on sound, long-term strategies (not on memes).
2. You feel the rush to invest in a high-risk DeFi project, but wisdom tells you to take a step back and research the team behind it. You avoid a disaster because you value knowledge over excitement.
3. Before making any major crypto investments, you consult seasoned financial experts and read biblical principles on stewardship, ensuring that your strategy is built on wisdom, not speculation.
2. Build Wealth with a Foundation of Diligence and Patience
Verse: “Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.” — Proverbs 9:1
Funny Informal Definition:
“If you want to build wealth, think more like a construction worker than a day trader. Solid foundations are less exciting but way better than financial sinkholes.”
Examples:
1. Instead of jumping into the latest get-rich-quick schemes, you focus on slowly building your crypto portfolio with steady, long-term investments like Bitcoin and Ethereum—those seven pillars don’t appear overnight!
2. A flashy altcoin catches your eye, but wisdom tells you to stick to your diligent plan of diversifying across stable assets, building wealth gradually instead of gambling on short-term gains.
3. You commit to regularly investing small amounts in solid cryptocurrencies, trusting in the power of compound growth and patience, rather than throwing all your money at a volatile market for quick returns.
3. Avoid Financial Foolishness and High-Risk Speculation
Verse: “Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.” — Proverbs 9:13
Funny Informal Definition:
“Folly is that friend who shows up at your door with a ‘foolproof’ investment idea, but five minutes later you realize the plan involves your life savings and a pyramid scheme.”
Examples:
1. A new cryptocurrency ICO promises insane returns, but you see the red flags and steer clear, recognizing that it’s just another folly trying to separate you from your hard-earned money.
2. You’re tempted to invest in a coin with zero utility or team transparency, but wisdom prevails, and you decide to pass—choosing proven projects over hype.
3. A friend suggests a risky leverage trade, but you remember that foolishness leads to financial ruin, and you kindly decline, choosing stability and wisdom instead.
4. Discern Between Legitimate Opportunities and Scams
Verse: “Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” — Proverbs 9:6
Funny Informal Definition:
“Not every shiny new coin is your golden ticket. Some are just dressed-up scams that will leave you crying in your Coinbase account. Use your spiritual x-ray vision before diving in.”
Examples:
1. You get an offer to invest in a new crypto project that looks promising, but after digging deeper, you realize the developers are anonymous and there’s no clear use case. You dodge the scam and stick with trustworthy investments.
2. An online ad promises huge profits with zero risk, but instead of being lured in, you use discernment to investigate the company and find out it’s a Ponzi scheme. You avoid financial loss.
3. A family member suggests a high-yield crypto staking platform, but your research uncovers hidden fees and unrealistic claims. You use insight to walk away and invest wisely.
5. Honor God with Your Wealth and Financial Choices
Verse: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” — Proverbs 9:9
Funny Informal Definition:
“Think of God as your financial mentor. When He gives you advice, it’s probably best to listen—unless you want your portfolio to resemble a game of financial Whac-A-Mole.”
Examples:
1. You’ve had some great success with cryptocurrency, but instead of hoarding it all, you honor God by giving generously to your church and community, using wealth as a tool for kingdom impact.
2. When making financial decisions, you always pray and seek God’s direction first, asking for wisdom on where to invest, how to steward your wealth, and when to give.
3. You intentionally set aside a portion of your crypto gains for kingdom purposes, ensuring that wealth is not just for personal gain but for advancing God’s mission on earth.
6. Choose Financial Advisors and Mentors with Godly Wisdom
Verse: “If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” — Proverbs 9:12
Funny Informal Definition:
“Your financial advisors should know more than just the stock market—they should know the difference between wise investments and reckless stunts. Because ‘suffering alone’ sounds like zero fun.”
Examples:
1. You surround yourself with godly financial mentors who are experienced in both wealth-building and biblical principles, making sure your financial decisions are rooted in wisdom.
2. Before following a friend’s hot stock tip, you run it by your pastor, who reminds you to think long-term and invest in things that reflect kingdom values, not just fleeting trends.
3. Instead of hiring a flashy wealth manager promising outrageous returns, you find a financial planner who understands biblical stewardship, ensuring your wealth-building plan is wise and honors God.
7. Invest in Knowledge and Continue Learning
Verse: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10
Funny Informal Definition:
“Think of your brain as your biggest asset. Invest in it, and it’ll pay off way more than that ‘mystery coin’ your cousin keeps talking about.”
Examples:
1. You spend time learning about blockchain technology and how cryptocurrency works before investing, ensuring that you understand what you’re putting your money into (no ‘mystery coins’ here).
2. You regularly attend financial seminars or read books about godly wealth-building, knowing that the more you grow in knowledge, the wiser your investments will be.
3. Instead of making snap decisions based on the latest market buzz, you invest in understanding the financial landscape, educating yourself on trends, and listening to what seasoned investors are saying.
8. Steward Your Wealth with Integrity and Generosity
Verse: “Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” — Proverbs 9:6
Funny Informal Definition:
“Wealth without integrity is like owning a fancy sports car with no brakes—it looks great, but it’s going to crash. Choose the ‘brakes’ of generosity and integrity.”
Examples:
1. You’ve made a significant profit on a crypto investment, but instead of letting greed take over, you use part of your profits to help fund a local charity, ensuring that your wealth serves others.
2. When a friend suggests a shady investment opportunity that involves insider trading, you say no, knowing that integrity is worth far more than a temporary financial gain.
3. You commit to transparent and ethical financial practices in all your dealings, knowing that true wealth is built with integrity and generosity, not just with the accumulation of assets.
These kingdom principles from Proverbs 9 offer a roadmap for wise financial decision-making, particularly in the world of cryptocurrency and wealth-building. They emphasize the importance of wisdom, discernment, integrity, and generosity—all anchored in a relationship with God and His kingdom purposes. Keep these principles close, and you’ll avoid the pitfalls of financial folly while building wealth that honors God!