September 2, 2026

Business by the Book

Proverbs 11:24  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

Yesterday’s verse dealt with retaining riches. Today’s verse is the opposite, it deals with scattering riches. God’s Word is clear that money, or riches, are to be used. Sometimes it should be retained, sometimes it should be scattered. The lesson of lessons concerning money is when to do each.

To me, the way to scatter riches and yet increase is to invest those riches in items that will increase in value and offer a decent return on investment. As a preacher I would be foolish to attempt to instruct those reading these devotions about investing for profit in that many of you are expert in this arena. But, as a preacher, may I remind you of an investment that the Lord spoke about. An investment that is largely overlooked today, and an investment that has the finest guarantee ever offered.

This is the investment laid up in Heaven. Jesus said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (Matthew 6:19-20) This investment of riches could be money, or time, or energy, or talent; anything which a person possesses that could be used for the work of God.

Consider this. A person has a tremendously successful investment strategy here on earth through which they have obtained position, wealth, ease, and the niceties of life that others could never afford. This person would grow into a certain state of privilege, honor, and prestige. Now, if this person never accepts the Lord’s teaching to lay up treasures in Heaven, they will have no treasures in Heaven. They may abide in Heaven, but lack rewards in Heaven. By the way there is not enough time or space in this devotion to deal with this matter, but let it be said that those who lay up treasures in Heaven will benefit from those treasures now and in eternity (study the parable of the talents in Matthew 25). How sad it will be for a person so wealthy here to be without reward there!

Yes, there is a time to scatter, and the time to retain the wisdom of the ages is to learn what time it is.

Dr. William Howe