Proverbs 10:3

The LORD Jehovah has total economic power. Let nations legislate, central banks inflate, business schools educate, or thieves confiscate; they can do nothing against Him. The rule is simple – God provides for the righteous, and He destroys the wealth of the wicked.

Are you afraid of losing your job? Your house? Your investments? Live a righteous life, and put your trust in the LORD God. He will not allow you to starve or be financially ruined. But He will work against the wicked and take them down to poverty and ruin.

The first rule of Bible economics is to obey God (Job 36:11; Ps 37:4; 84:11; 112:1-10). He owns and rules the universe, and He can and will provide opportunity or success to whomever, wherever or whenever He chooses. Nothing is too hard for Him; no one can resist Him; statistical improbabilities excite Him (Gen 18:14; Dan 4:35; Judges 7:4-7).

Jacob was the poorest man in Canaan – running for his life with only a staff, but when he returned 20 years later, he had to cross Jordan in two groups (Gen 32:10). Joseph was the poorest man in Egypt – a foreign slave convicted of attempted rape, but 22 years later he sent a gift of his wealth that revived his dear father (Gen 45:27). Give God the glory!

Widow Ruth and orphan Esther, both in foreign lands, had nothing, but one became the rich mother of a kingly line, and the other queen of the world. David was the forgotten eighth son, left in the fields to live with the sheep, but in a few years he could not count the wealth he had gathered for God’s temple (I Chr 22:14). Put your trust in the LORD!

David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Ps 37:25). The Son of David said, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matt 6:26).

Pharaoh ruled the most advanced and prosperous nation on earth, but when he did not give the LORD proper reverence, God bankrupted the nation (Ex 10:7; 12:36; 15:14). The greatest monarch in the history of the world was King Nebuchadnezzar, but God reduced him to shame with a beast’s heart and living like an animal (Dan 4:31-33).

Lot invested in the best market, but chose a worldly lifestyle; God reduced him to poverty in a cave with his incestuous daughters. Devout Jews, regathered to Jerusalem from Babylon, did not put the temple first; God put holes in their purses and blew against their efforts (Hag 1:1-11; Mal 3:11). When God blows against you, there is no protection (Deut 28:15-20; Mal 2:1-9); when He blesses, there is no limit (Luke 6:38; Jer 33:3).

“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Pr 21:30). You cannot play with the most high God (Gal 6:7). Be sure your sin will find you out (Num 32:23); God will diminish you. There is nothing you can do to protect your assets or yourself (Pr 11:21; 16:5). Read Zophar’s scathing indictment of hypocrites (Job 20:4-9).

The first rule of Bible economics is to obey God. Hannah knew, “The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up” (I Sam 2:7). Jesus taught, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). God takes care of sparrows, and His children are of much greater value than many sparrows (Matt 10:29-31). He will never forsake His own.

Do you obey God? Is His kingdom and righteousness your life ambition? Do you walk and talk with Him daily, hating evil and loving righteousness? Then you may presume God will put a hedge around you and bless the work of your hands like He did Job (Job 1:1-3,10). If God does not, then He has even greater blessings for you later or in other ways (Job 42:10; Jas 5:10-11). This is the confidence of His people. Love Him today.