Living Wisely in Either Prosperity or Adversity

Jul 1, 2024

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In the First Century B.C., Roman historian Sallust said, “Prosperity tries the souls, even of the wise.”

Most people would choose financial prosperity despite its temptations. But what if you’re living with financial adversity? Today, we’ll talk about how to be wise in good times and bad.

The Temptations of Financial Success and Adversity

When things are going well financially, it’s tempting to take credit for your success, leading to sins like pride and greed. On the other hand, adversity brings its own set of temptations, such as self-pity, bitterness, and envy. Neither set of attitudes is godly.

Christians are called to live with integrity, no matter our circumstances. But how do we consistently do that? According to the Bible, wisdom is the key to godly living in both good times and bad.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Fearing the Lord means respecting and honoring His authority and obeying His commands. Understanding the consequences of breaking God’s rules is the first step toward living wisely.

Good parents know that children need boundaries for safety and healthy development. God has also set boundaries for His children that protect us spiritually and physically. When God says “no” to something, like stealing or dishonesty, those things hurt us by breaking relationships with others and the Lord.

Because God loves us, He sets these boundaries for our lives. When we obey, we are safe and at peace. So, fearing the Lord isn’t about being afraid; it’s about learning to love and obey our Heavenly Father even more.

The Benefits of Wisdom

Wisdom begins with a healthy respect for God’s authority. Whether struggling financially or experiencing prosperity, you can still live wisely by listening to God's words. Here are a few benefits of wisdom:

Discernment: Proverbs 2:9 says the wise “…will understand what is right and just and fair.”
Guidance: Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, “In all your ways acknowledge Him…and He will make your paths straight.”
Blessing: Proverbs 3:13 says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom.”
Good Reputation: Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise inherit honor.”
Protection: Proverbs 16:6 says, “Through the fear of the Lord, a man avoids evil.”

These benefits are available to you, no matter your financial state. Conversely, the Bible refers to those who do not honor God and live by His rules as “fools.” Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” Fools suffer shame, disaster, distress, and troubles—outcomes we should strive to avoid in our finances and lives.

Following a Path of Wisdom in Financial Decisions

So, how can you follow a path of wisdom in your day-to-day financial decisions?

Understand how God views money and possessions. The Bible tells us that God owns everything, and we are to be wise caretakers of whatever we have. He’s not really concerned about your bank balance; what matters is where your heart is. Ask the Lord to change your heart so you can follow Him in this area.
Being financially wise means living according to biblical principles. Practice integrity in all your dealings and consider others more important than yourself.
Contentment is key to financial wisdom. When you invite God into your finances, trusting Him to lead you and provide what you need, you’ll begin to understand 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

What do your actions and attitudes about money reveal about you? Are you wise or foolish? If you’re committed to Jesus and following the Lord with all your heart, it will show in your financial choices. Whether God has provided you with adversity or prosperity, you can be confident in His love and provision. Stay focused on what’s really important—following Jesus.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I own a home, and it's just my name. I do have a will, but I’m concerned about these advertisements on TV about people being scammed out of their houses. I wondered if I should put my house in an LLC or a trust.
I wanted to cash in some US Treasury Savings Bonds I bought in the 80s and 90s to take advantage of higher interest rates today. I wondered if there would be any problems with cashing them in to put the money into a one-year CD since it's paying 5% interest now.
I wanted to understand why, when you get your first mortgage statement, they haven't taken the interest rate you were quoted—like 7%—but a much larger portion of your interest payment, like 60% rather than 7%. How do amortized loans work? Is the interest on the loan “front-loaded” in the early years of the loan?

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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