Wealth - most of us want it, but we have a skewed definition that has been changed over time. Since the early 1930s, wealth has been defined and measured from an economic perspective. The etymology or root meaning of wealth is traced to “wele” or “weal” which means welfare or well-being. Wealth means you are being taken care of. When the scrolls are unrolled, even the scripture says, “beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.
Wealth, in its simplest terms, can be defined as the value of all the resources that are possessed by an individual or society and is fully functional. In other words, someone's wealth is determined by the aggregate value of everything the person owns that can be used in an exchange. Your output is your measurable value over a specific period. The more you produce, by definition, the wealthier you are. Do not be dysfunctional in managing your time, health, or wealth. Proverbs 13:11 says, “wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
"It does not make sense to shout for the kingdom but be king dumb."- Dr. LaTonya Powers
There are three areas that God is dealing with us around wealth. The first is the wealth of information and knowledge. Knowledge can be defined as facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education. It is the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject, or the awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation. Hosea scribes that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge and because knowledge is rejected, God will also reject us. There is no way you would allow a doctor to operate if you did not feel the doctor had acquired the knowledge to perform the function!
Ecclesiastes 7:12 states, “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it”. Wisdom says be well first and wealthy later. Be well in your mind. Be well in your health, relationships, stewardship, and character, then worry about being rich. BE WELL FIRST! Then, have the proper information. You can not be all that you are without proper information, or something will go wrong! The wealth of information will bring you life! The goal is not just to be rich; it is to be well!