Proverbs 28:20 teaches a kind of wisdom our culture has nearly forgotten, especially when it comes to getting rich slowly. The verse reads: “A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” It’s a simple contrast, yet it reaches into the heart of how we work, build, and live.
Matthew Henry put it sharply: “Sed quae reverentia legum, quis metus, aut pudor, est unquam properantis avari?” — What reverence for law, what fear, what shame, was ever shown by the greedy man rushing to be rich?
That line has stayed with me. The impulse behind “getting rich quick” is rarely rooted in discipline, hope, patience, or trust in God. It is, more often, the opposite.
Delaying Gratification
The ability to delay gratification is one of the strongest indicators of future success. It requires faith — faith that hard work will pay off, and that a better future is possible. Trying to get rich quickly often reveals the opposite mindset: cutting corners, taking advantage of others, and rushing past wisdom.
And in a world where a startup can hit a billion-dollar valuation in six months, even our definition of “quick” has shifted. Add rising costs of living — housing, healthcare, education, food — and the temptation intensifies. But even when life feels urgent, the call to righteousness doesn’t change.
Those who can be trusted, who act with integrity, tend to be given new opportunities at the right time. They recognize those opportunities, too, because they aren’t disguised as shortcuts. The untrustworthy, however, face a long climb. Repairing a damaged reputation begins by acknowledging fault and apologizing — a step that is often the hardest because it challenges the stories we tell ourselves.
Hard, yes. But worth it.
Personally, I don’t know whether I’ll ever be wealthy by the world’s standards. God has met nearly all my needs, though, and if He wants me to go further, I’m willing to go — at the speed He chooses.
Getting rich slowly isn’t glamorous, but it protects you from the emotional rollercoaster that comes with chasing fast money. It also keeps you grounded, diligent, and honorable. The process itself becomes part of your character.
Knowing Where You are With Good Bookkeeping
And if you run a business, part of that diligence is keeping clean, accurate books. Bookkeeping takes time — often more than business owners realize — and when you do it alone, you can’t always be sure the information is reliable. When I serve as your bookkeeper, I help business owners reclaim 80+ hours a year, while giving them confidence in the financial data they use to make decisions. If you want help staying steady on the slow and steady path, schedule a bookkeeping strategy call and let’s talk about your business goals.