"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it." — Proverbs 13:11
This verse offers a powerful lesson on financial stewardship—true and lasting wealth isn’t built through shortcuts or speculation but through steady diligence and faithful management.
In today’s fast-paced world, financial success is often measured by how quickly one can accumulate wealth. Social media is filled with stories of overnight millionaires, high-risk investments, and shortcuts to riches. But is this the right approach? Let’s explore how this biblical principle plays out in real life.
The Temptation of Instant Wealth
To illustrate this principle, let’s look at the real-life story of an executive at a major Western bank—we’ll call him Brian to protect his anonymity.
Brian began his finance career in the 1990s, confident in his ability to manage money. However, he now admits that he was living beyond his means and accumulating debt. This financial instability made him especially susceptible to the allure of quick wealth, particularly during the height of the dot-com boom in the early 2000s.
When a coworker offered him a chance to get in on the ground floor of a "can’t lose" tech startup, Brian didn’t hesitate. He scraped together $10,000, convinced he was on the fast track to wealth. In his mind, success was inevitable—he was already preparing to celebrate.
But before he could, Brian heard the sound of the dot-com bubble bursting. His investment vanished, lost in a company he knew little about. He had chased quick wealth only to face the painful consequences.
His story echoes the warning of Proverbs 28:20:
"A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."
The Consequences of Chasing Quick Wealth
It’s important to understand that God doesn’t sit around waiting to punish people for making bad financial choices. Instead, He may allow those poor decisions to lead to their natural consequences. Proverbs 13:11 teaches that when money is gained too quickly—whether through reckless speculation, gambling, or unethical shortcuts—it often lacks a foundation of wisdom and discipline, making it easy to lose.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns:
"Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Many people experience financial hardship because they prioritize speed over stewardship. But God has a better way.
The Power of Slow, Faithful Growth
If Proverbs 13:11 warns against hasty wealth, it also points us to a better way:
"Whoever gathers little by little will increase it."
This principle isn’t flashy, but it’s power