Last week, I was chatting with a friend who said, “We’re entering a Golden Age of Wealth, but the trick is… will we hold on to it?”
I’ve talked about this before, but the Test of Wealth is not for the faint of heart.
The Test of Wealth happens when we experience unexpected increase. The amount doesn’t have to be massive, but it is unexpected. For instance…
… Someone living on bread crumbs could see $1,000 as a life-changing windfall.
The test is: How do we handle these blessings? Do we squander God’s gifts, or do we steward them well?
I’ve mentioned this before: 70% of one generation’s wealth is lost between the first and second generations. That number jumps to 90% in the hands of the third generation.
Knowing this, how will you increase what God gives you? Will you hand anything to the next generation? And the one after that?
Joseph as an Example
As I write this, I can’t help but think of Joseph. For those unfamiliar, Joseph was a Hebrew who became second-in-command of Egypt, serving directly under Pharaoh.
Through a vision God gave him, Joseph knew a famine was coming. He even had the timeline:
seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.
Joseph had seven years to steward the nation’s wealth and prepare for survival. He immediately set to work, collecting grain from all the Egyptians.
What happened? Joseph saved so much grain that he not only preserved Egypt but also most of the known world, including the Hebrew people.
Now, let’s assume these next four years are Golden. That’s exciting! But…
… what will you do to steward like Joseph?
- How much will you save?
- Who will you pour into?
- Where will you invest?
It’s possible we’re heading into a season of prosperity. But it’s also plausible we face some shakeups in the economy.
I’m not predicting doom and gloom, but I am saying:
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert.
God is opening up a new season of possibility. But will we increase what He gives us?
That’s the Test of Wealth.
I pray that ALL OF US pass it.