September 1, 2026

Business by the Book

Proverbs 11:16  …. strong men retain riches.

“It’s easier to make money than it is to keep it!”  That is what a rich man told me when I was in my early twenty’s. Now, so many years later I know that he was right. If anyone thinks making money is hard, try to retain it. Everyone wants the money that rich people have. Con artists, friends, family, investors, those on Wall Street and Madison Avenue want to obtain the riches others have earned.

God’s Word says that strong men retain riches. It takes strength:  mental, moral, and continual strength to retain riches. The type of strength that it takes to say no to so many, and the type of unusual strength it takes to say no even to self. The word strong is used 239 times in Scripture. Those with great riches would do well to take two thirds of a year and read one of the verses containing the word strong each day.

In the New Testament Jesus spoke of a strong man and his goods (or riches). In Mark 3:27 Jesus said: No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Strong men beware, take the warning of the Lord and understand that there are those who are trying to “bind” you so they can spoil your goods. Some are bound through passion, anger, pride, misplaced sentiments, or even through manipulation.

Rich men, beware, and be strong.

Dr. William Howe