February 17 2013 Keeping Your Peace Of Mind While Getting Ahead

KEEPING YOUR PEACE OF MIND WHILE GETTING AHEAD
Exodus 20:15 - You shall not steal.
Proverbs. 10:2 - Ill gotten gain brings no lasting happiness, but right living does.

I. Wrong ways to get ahead:

1. Dishonesty.
Proverbs 16:11 - The Lord wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.
Proverbs 20:14 - It’s no good: It’s no good, says the buyer, then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

2. Defrauding people.
Leviticus 19:13 - Don’t hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
Colossians 3:22 - Obey your human masters, not only when they are watching you because you want their favor, but do it with a sincere heart in reverence for the Lord.

3. Getting ahead by default.
Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding.
Psalm 37:21 - The wicked borrow and do not repay.

4. Depending on luck.
Proverbs 28:20 & 22 - The man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail. Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 - He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will end in poverty.

5. Dishonoring others.
Proverbs 10:18 - Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

II. The right way to get ahead:

1. Hard work.
Proverbs 14:23 - Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

2. Saving and investing.
Proverbs 21:5 - The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends all he can get.
Proverbs 13:11 - Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers little by little makes it grow.

3. Praying.
Matthew 7:11 - If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him.

4. Giving.
Proverbs 11:24-25 - Be generous and you will be prosperous. Help others and you will be helped.

III. Peace of mind while getting ahead:

• Be honest with people.
Proverbs 15:27 & 19:1

• Be honest with the government.
Romans 13:7, Matthew 22:21

• Be honest with God.
MalachI 3:8-10