Proverbs 27

• Proverbs 27:23-24 (NIV) ²³  Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; ²⁴  for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

This bit of wisdom is so important especially when it comes to our finances. 
We have been given financial resources from God and we are asked to manage it wisely, yet so many of us give no thought to how we should manage it.  Too many people simply spend without any plan or without really keeping track.  Solomon urges us to know where we are with our resources, have some idea of the condition of our finances because it will not last forever.

In our Financial Peace class we are taught to have a budget.  Not only are we to have a budget but we are to take the budgeted amount and put them in envelopes so that we don’t just simply spend willy-nilly.  The reason for the budget is the wisdom of Solomon; when we use what is in our envelopes we are paying careful attention to what we have and soon, what we don’t have.  We may be tempted to spend more but if the envelope is empty then we know that there is no more to spend. 

Let’s be wise.  Keep careful track of the resources you have been given to manage.  Know the condition of your flock and pay careful attention to your herds, for riches do not endure forever, but wise stewardship of it leaves you with the closing verses of the chapter…

• Proverbs 27:25-27 (MSG) ²⁵  And then, when the crops are in and the harvest is stored in the barns, ²⁶  You can knit sweaters from lambs' wool, and sell your goats for a profit; ²⁷  There will be plenty of milk and meat to last your family through the winter.