Part 1 · Week 2: The Fear of the Lord (Beginning of Wisdom)
Day 11 of 365
"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." - Proverbs 15:16 (NIV)
In real estate and business, the temptation to cut a corner for a bigger commission or a faster deal is always lurking. We can justify it as "good business" or "strategic negotiation." But this verse draws a clear line in the sand. A life and business built on the fear of the Lord—on integrity, ethics, and honor—is of infinitely greater value than a portfolio built on turmoil and questionable choices. The "great wealth" that comes with turmoil is a house of cards. True wealth, the kind you can pass down to your six kids, is a legacy of character. The fear of the Lord is the bedrock of that legacy. It simplifies complex ethical dilemmas: what honors God in this situation? That's the wise, and ultimately more profitable, path.
Lord, guard my heart against the lure of 'great wealth with turmoil.' Help me to desire a life and business that are rich in integrity and honor. Make me a man whose word is his bond, because I walk in the fear of You. Amen.
Review a current deal or negotiation you're involved in. Identify one area where you can proactively choose a path of higher integrity, even if it seems less profitable in the short term.