The document provides biblical financial advice on various topics such as planning ahead, saving money, having a long-range financial plan, avoiding greed and debt, paying taxes, being ethical employers, diversifying assets, leaving a legacy, and giving to charity. It cites numerous bible passages to support each topic. For example, it notes that the bible advises planning ahead by estimating costs before building a project, avoiding laziness by learning from the ant which stores food, and obtaining wealth through hard work rather than fraud or oppression.

1. "In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield” is a
popular bit of one-line wisdom from American investor Warren Buffett. The saying means
that the “rearview mirror” (the past) is always clearer than “the windshield” (the future)
for an investor. Warren Buffet
Business is full of uncertainties. A rear view mirror of a car is usually clearer than the
windshield. That’s what also helps us to drive carefully just like we should be running a
business. What we experienced is considered as a benchmark. We use this benchmark to
move ahead and not repeat the mistakes.

2. It is more important to say “no” to an opportunity than say “yes”
The Ultimate Productivity Hack is Saying No
written by JAMES CLEAR
DECISION MAKING FOCUS LIFE LESSONS
The ultimate productivity hack is saying no.
Not doing something will always be faster than doing it. This statement reminds me of the old
computer programming saying, “Remember that there is no code faster than no code.”
The same philosophy applies in other areas of life. For example, there is no meeting that goes
faster than not having a meeting at all.
This is not to say you should never attend another meeting, but the truth is that we say yes to
many things we don't actually want to do. There are many meetings held that don't need to be
held. There is a lot of code written that could be deleted.
How often do people ask you to do something and you just reply, “Sure thing.” Three days later,
you're overwhelmed by how much is on your to-do list. We become frustrated by our
obligations even though we were the ones who said yes to them in the first place.
It's worth asking if things are necessary. Many of them are not, and a simple “no” will be more
productive than whatever work the most efficient person can muster.
Warren Buffet

3. 10. Avoid greed
A strict, literal reading of some Bible passages might not sit well with the wealthy. In
championing the poor and oppressed, rich men are often cast in a negative light.
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25) is an oft-quoted passage that might not sit well with those
looking to amass and preserve wealth.
Nor is the famous warning: "But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare
and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered
away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
perseverance and gentleness" (Timothy 6:9).
Even harsher words, particularly scary for the current wave of gold bugs: "Come now, you rich
, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your
silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh
like fire" (James 5:1).

4. 9. Reduce debt
Debt only empowers the wicked and drags down hope for your prosperity, the Bible says.
Those ancient warnings against money lenders are just as relevant today for households that
have maxed out credit cards, sought the immediate gratification of rent-to-own plans or taken
on mortgages beyond their means.
Proverbs 22:7 cautions: "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's
slave.Bob Lotich, who created and oversees ChristianPF.com, a personal finance website that
draws upon biblical teachings, says that bit of wisdom helped change his life.
"I remember having a ton of debt burdening me and I really did feel like a slave to various
lenders," he says. "For me, I decided to work to a debt-free lifestyle -- knowing that it may take
me longer to get some of the things that I really want, but that the financial peace would be
worth it. I get email all the time from readers who feel so burdened by the debt load they are
carrying, and since I have been there myself I know the feeling. The Bible warns us about debt
from thousands of years ago, and I think one of the best things most of us can do is to follow
that old, wise advice.”Those who leapt into subprime mortgages they couldn't afford or have a
car in danger of being repossessed might have been spared a lot of grief if they contemplated
the guidance in Proverbs 22:26 to "not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up
security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you,
As for those who profit from debt, banks may not be inclined to heed this warning found in
Exodus: "If you lend money to my
people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge
him interest."

5. 8. Save more
For years, the rate at which Americans saved was so low it could nearly qualify as a rounding
error. Scared into reducing debt by recession, the nation is a bit more serious about tucking
aside some of each paycheck. Students of the Bible would certainly see this as a lesson that
has long been stressed.
Corinthians 16:2 offers this advice for sticking to a savings plan: "On the first day of every
week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be
made when I come.”
What is the 70 20 10 Rule money?
Using the 70-20-10 rule, every month a person would spend only 70% of the money they earn
, save 20%, and then they would donate 10%. The 50-30-20 rule works the same. Money can
only be saved, spent, or shared.
On the basis of these three expenses, 50-30-20 rule of budgeting of one's income comes into
play where one devotes 20 per cent of its income for savings, 50 per cent for important and
necessary expenses while 30 per cent of the income is devoted to those expenses that is
important but not necessary.
7. The subprime mortgage crisis
As for those considering just walking away from an underwater mortgage, Psalm 37:2 might
be seen as handing out some stern guidance: "The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
but the righteous is gracious and gives."
Ecclesiastes 5:5 also warns that, "It is better that you should not vow than that you should
vow and not pay."

6. 6. Pay your taxes
Conservative talk radio kingpin Rush Limbaugh may have missed an important passage
when he tried to use the New Testament as a basis for supporting tax cuts for the wealthy
during an April broadcast.
"Taxes and budget cuts, what would Jesus do?" Limbaugh asked. "Well, what would Jesus
take? That's the question people need to ask to put this in perspective. Of course the
answer is, nothing. You want to start equating yourselves and your policies to Jesus Christ,
you better first start asking, what did Jesus take, from whom, and how did he go about it?
What was his plan for redistribution?"
Critics fired back by pointing to numerous occasions where Jesus defended taxation and,
more broadly, the redistribution of wealth.
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's," is a
famous quote from Matthew.

7. 6. Pay your taxes
Conservative talk radio kingpin Rush Limbaugh may have missed an important passage when
he tried to use the New Testament as a basis for supporting tax cuts for the wealthy during
an April broadcast.
"Taxes and budget cuts, what would Jesus do?" Limbaugh asked. "Well, what would Jesus
take? That's the question people need to ask to put this in perspective. Of course the answer
is, nothing. You want to start equating yourselves and your policies to Jesus Christ, you
better first start asking, what did Jesus take, from whom, and how did he go about it? What
was his plan for redistribution?"
Critics fired back by pointing to numerous occasions where Jesus defended taxation and,
more broadly, the redistribution of wealth.
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's," is a
famous quote from Matthew.

8. 5. Be a good boss for an ethical company
As an employer, are you always looking for ways to trim your payroll, reduce benefits or
crack the whip for greater productivity? Are you outsourcing manufacturing to sweat shops?
Are overseas vendors so stressed by your demands that some are actually killing themselves?
The Bible warns that you should start trying to earn that "World's Greatest Boss" coffee mug.
"Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out
against you," says James 5:4. "The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the
Lord Almighty."
Proverbs 22:16 similarly warns: "He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or
who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty."
As for employees, working hard is a recipe for success. Proverbs 10:4 puts it as, "A slack hand
causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich."

9. 4. Avoid "Madoffs"
Even the ancient writers who crafted The Bible's many books knew something that many
investors targeted by fraudsters seem to forget -- if something looks too good to be true,
it probably is.
Proverbs 14:15 cautions that, "The naive believes everything, but the sensible man
considers his steps."
Think you can get rich quick? Think again, says Proverbs 13:11. "Dishonest money
dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow."
The con men themselves don't get off easy. Proverbs 13:11 admonishes that, "Wealth
obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it." More direct
is the lack of wiggle room found in the commandment, "Thou shalt not steal."

10. 3. Diversify your portfolio and assets
The Bible doesn't delve into portfolio rebalancing or the value of emerging markets
weightings. But in a far more poetic way, it suggests a careful distribution of your assets.
"Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may
occur on the earth," Ecclesiastes 11:2 says, relaying a lesson from King Solomon.
2. Leave a legacy
The first instance of a biblical estate plan goes all the way back to Abraham in the book of
Genesis. At God's urging, he left "everything he owned toIsaac" and subsequent heirs all
provided a will to dictate how their post-death belongings would be distributed.
Proverbs 13:22 promotes the value of such a legacy: "A good man leaves an inheritance
for his children's children."

11. 1. Give to charity
Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and the many other wealthy captains of industry who have
pledged much of their wealth to charity may have a slightly better chance of squeezing
through that eye of a needle. The good that comes through philanthropy is a recurring
theme in the old and new testaments.
Proverbs 28:27 says: "He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes
will have many curses." A little later, Proverbs adds that "He who is generous will be blessed,
for he gives some of his food to the poor."
"Go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven," is the
advice Jesus offers a rich man in the gospel according to Mark.
Just don't go issuing a press release or slapping your name on a plaque to trumpet your
largess. "When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is
doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret
will reward you" (Matthew 6:3).
"I believe we all have a responsibility to take care of each other and to love our neighbor as
ourselves," ChristianPF's Lotich says. "But it truly is exciting to have guys like Warren and Bil
l step up and give in the way they have. They raised the bar for what is expected out of
billionaires, and I think the precedent will result in a lot more charitable giving in the years
to come."
-- Written by Joe Mont in Boston.

12. Where do you get your financial advice? Do you have good financial planning habits?
Can you learn some from the wisdom of the ages?
Biblical Financial Advice -Plan Ahead:
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the
cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able
to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was
not able to finish.' “- Luke 14:28-29
How much money do you make? How big is your paycheck? Do you earn your living working for
a local company? A large corporation? The government? Maybe you work for yourself. Is your
income consistent or does it vary from week to week and month to month? The money you
make is just the start.How much money do you spend? What do you spend each day? Each
month? Each year? How much of your regular spending is predictable? Your mortgage or rent
payment? Your utilities, gas, electric, water, garbage, telephones, internet, cable? Do you plan
ahead, paying your bills on time?How much of your spending is unexpected and unplanned?
The car needs new brakes. Your water heater died. The high winds and nearby tornado means
you need $1000 for the roof repair insurance deductible. Do you have a plan in place for these
bigger expenses? Do you expect them, or panic when they happen.Planning ahead, knowing how
much you make and how much you spend is a start. Wait for it now, here comes the expected
ACTION STEP to know your cash inflows and outflows, and take control of them:Make a BUDGET.
Yes, that's the start. And to be effective, live within that budget. Having a good plan to make
your money stretch each month only works when you follow you plan. Review it weekly or
monthly, depending onyour life, family, and needs. Add it to your calendar - what gets scheduled
gets done. Work with your spouse or other family adult, and teach your kids the power of
planning ahead and living within a budget at an early age.

14. Save Some and Don't be Lazy:
"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer
or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you
lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a
little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an
armed man."
- Proverbs 6:6-11
Who do you look up to? Who do you emulate? Leaders, celebrities, teachers? How well do you
know their stories? Thomas Edison is known worldwide for his inventive genius. He looked at
genius differently: "Genius is one percent inspiration, and 99 percent perspiration." And his
related view of work: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls
and looks like work."
Do you value your work? There is dignity in hard work. There is a sense of accomplishment in
hard work. And there are rewards for hard work. If you are dissatisfied with your current work
situation, what can you do about it? Life is much too short to spend day after day in a job you
hate, just "to make ends meet". Get away and ask yourself: "Why am I going to the same job
everyday, what could I do better?" "What else is out there for me that I would love to do?"
"Everyone seems to want to be somewhere they aren't. Choose to be where you are right now
and you will be happier than 90% of humankind.
~ Ernie J. Zelinski
Do you think Bill Gates continued to go to work at Microsoft every day - after the first BiLLion
DoLLars of income? Nope? More likely, he loved, and loves, what he does. When you are
passionate about the work you do, for a few hours a week or full time every day, work adds
purpose. Today is the day to take that ACTION STEP, determine what you really want to do, and
how you are going to get there.

16. Have a Long Range Financial Plan
". . . he who gathers money little by little makes it grow."
- Proverbs 13:11b
Are you a saver, or a spender? Are you married to a money saver or a money spender? Are you
both savers, or both spenders (a dangerous combination!) When thinking about your finances
and money, is the word "discipline" part of that conversation? Having a long range financial plan
includes having the discipline to make it happen. And there are ways to get it done with modern
technology to make it so much easier.
Your long term plan starts with your family budget. And you've already started creating your
budget earlier on this page. And your financial plans include having income, from something you
enjoy doing, at least most of the time. Now it's time to consider an age old formula for building
long term financial security.
The plan starts with a very simple concept:
"Spend less than you earn." Always. Yes, this is the starting place.
Living paycheck to paycheck is highly stressful. Living within a budget is the first step in your
journey to change your life forever. Finding rewarding work is crucial, it's what you do every day.
If you are already in the red every month, too little income, too many expenses, make the
temporary hard choices to change your circumstances:
Stop eating at restaurants, or at least less frequently.
Grocery store food, especially produce, is good for you and cheaper.
Exercise and eat less, lose some weight? What ! ? ! ? !

17. Being overweight often comes from habits like eating prepared, boxed or canned foods. Read
those labels, look at the high SALT content. That leads to high blood pressure, weight gain, and
heart attacks. And therefore more visits to the Doctor and more Prescription medicines to
wreck you budget even more.
Notice your habits. Do you often, "run to the store" instead of planning ahead. What would it do
to your family budget if you made 3 less trips "to the store" each week (times 52 weeks = 156
fewer car starts/stops, wasting gasoline, and increasing car maintenance costs caused by cold
engine starts.
And how about the little, personal expenses: A Starbucks Doubleshot Expresso each day on the
way to work? A couple of packs of Marlboro's each week. Hersey's pure milk chocolate, you
know, just a couple or three times a week. The point, little things add up. How about a cable bill
of $124 a month ($1,488 a year), versus $0 - yes, ZERO, for Antenna TV and the local
channels. Or add Netflix or Amazon Prime and still save well over $1000 a year. These are all
your choices, just you get you thinking.

18. Your Long Range Financial Plan
Did you notice the simple family budget worksheet had Charity, Savings, and Investing at the top
of the expense list? That's on purpose. CHARITY is helping others, through your church, your
community, and your personal touches. Setting aside the first 10% of your income is
straightforward. If it's important to you, and you wait until all other bills and expenses are paid,
it will not be there when you want it.
And putting aside 10% of your income for SAVINGS. Do the math and run the financial scenarios.
When your teenagers springs it on you, "Mom, I need a Prom Dress!", or "Dad, it's the big game,
I know it's across the state, I just need gas money, and some for food, and for the tickets!" And
then REAL Emergencies, accidents, broken water pipes, emergency repairs and hospital bills. Are
you going to pay for these with 21% Credit Cards? Or damage your credit score due to late
payments, which leads to higher lending costs for your next big purchase. It's a vicious
cycle. Planning your money and budget in advance cuts your stress and your expenses!
What about setting aside 10% of your income for long-term financial investments? Setting aside
money for retirement. Will Social Security be there when you retire in the U.S.? What about
expected pensions if you live in Greece, Chile, or other countries that face struggles - it's a world
wide problem.
Planning your own long-term financial plan, your own retirement is wise and prudent. The best
return on any investments is an employer matching 401k plan (or 503b) - are you taking
advantage of it? When your company matches 4% of your 4%, that's a ONE HUNDRED PERCENT
return on your money. Try finding that anywhere else. And your own long term investments,
added to "little by little" as described in Proverbs, is sound advice!
The plan starts with a very simple concept:
"Money Makes Money." What? Yes, it can, see the following example.

19. Here is a comparison graph starting with the same $10,000. In the first case, you also add $100
per month to your financial nest egg, and put it in the mattress or hide it in the garden over the
next 40 years. In the second case, your invest your hard earned $10,000 and let it work over the
next 40 years. We'll keep it simple to demonstrate the power of compounding.

20. Recognize the Source
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. - Psalms
24:1 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns
will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
- Proverbs 3:9-10
What is a Tithe?
A Tithe, from the Old English "teogoþa " means one-tenth. Tithing one tenth, or ten percent of
income, grain, and livestock for example, has a long history through the world and across
history. There are tithing traditions and practices in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the Babylonia
Assyrians, and Sikhism to name a few.
Biblically, a TITHE is the first-fruit. As God is the creator of the earth, and all that is the earth, he
owns it all. Honoring God with the first fruit is an expression of grateful thanks for what He has
provided. For faith-based believers, including tithing in the family budget is part of their whole
life financial plan.

21. Rich Thinking
The eleventh global study in the Rich Thinking series
Hear me roar:
Smart women share investing success stories
WHITE PAPER
Barbara Stewart
MARCH, 2021About Barbara
Barbara Stewart is a Chartered Financial Analyst with 28 years of investment industry
experience; five years as a foreign currency trader and then more than two decades as a
portfolio manager investing on behalf of high net worth entrepreneurs. Eleven years ago
Barbara saw a need to challenge outdated financial industry stereotypes and share positive
messages about women and money.
Today, Barbara is recognized worldwide as one of the leading researchers in women and
finance. Rich Thinking® global research papers quote smart women of all ages, professions
and countries and are released annually on International Women’s Day, March 8.
Barbara is a keynote speaker for CFA Societies, banks, stock exchanges and industry
conferences around the world, and conducts interview driven research for financial
institutions globally. She is a columnist for CFA Institute, Canadian Money Saver, and Golden
Girl Finance and is also on the Advisory Board of Kensington Capital Partners.

22. Frugality includes all the other virtues. --Cicero
THE BOY AND THE HAZELNUTS
The little boy happened upon a large, stone pitcher filled with tasty hazelnuts. The boy slipped
his hand through the narrow opening and grabbed a huge handful, but found that he couldn’t
pull his hand back out of the jar. The boy yanked and yanked, but couldn’t pull his hand out, and
so he started to cry. A man standing nearby said to the boy, “If you were satisfied with less, you
could pull your hand out easily.”
The lesson: Pace yourself. There’s nothing wrong with big dreams, but sometimes when you try
to grab everything at once, you end up with nothing at all. It’s the same thing with financial
goals – slow down, and don’t be afraid to pick out a series of little goals, one at a time, rather
than a massive handful of goals all at once.

23. THE ONE-EYED DOE
There was once a doe who had lost an eye. She grazed near the sea, with her good eye towards
the land, and her missing eye towards the shore. She did this to protect herself, feeling that she
could see danger coming sooner if she kept her good eye pointed towards the fields and the
forest. One day, however, a pair of boatmen were floating nearby and saw the doe grazing. They
steered their little boat closer and closer until they were close enough to use a bow and arrow
and shoot the doe, who never saw them coming because she was so focused on the fields and
forest.
The lesson: Don’t overcompensate. That’s probably not the lesson you took from this fable
initially, but I think the doe’s downfall has a lot to do with her becoming so focused on her own
shortcomings. She could only see out of one eye and she became so hung-up on that limitation
that she overcompensated, thinking she could only be safe if she kept her good eye to the fields,
forgetting that danger comes from all sides and not trusting in her own ability to keep herself
safe.
If you’ve made mistakes with money, do yourself a favor – don’t get hung up on what’s gone
wrong before. Don’t become so focused on what you think you can’t do well, that everything
else suffers as a result. Because just like the doe, you’re more capable than you think you are.
I never attempt to make money on the stock
market. I buy on the assumption that they could
close the market the next day and not reopen it
for ten years. --Warren Buffett

24. THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR DONKEY
A miller, his young son, and their donkey were making their way into market, where the miller
intended to sell the donkey. As they passed a house, a neighbor jeered at them. “What fools!
See how they walk when they have a perfectly good donkey?”
So the miller, feeling embarrassed, had his son ride on the donkey. Later they passed a group of
old men. “See?” said one of the men. “This goes to my point: the youth today have no respect
for their elders. Here a tired old man is forced to walk while his young, lazy son rides at his
side.”
Formal education will make you a living; self-
education will make you a fortune. --Jim Rohn

25. Again embarrassed, the miller had his son dismount and sat upon the donkey’s back himself.
Soon enough they came upon a group of wash women. “What a cruel old man!” said one of the
women. “Riding so easy while his little son struggles to keep pace.”
So the miller had his son join him on the donkey and they rode together into town. There a man
hailed them. “What a burden to place on a donkey! That’s too much weight. I’d say the pair of
you are better suited to carry that donkey than he is to carry the pair of you.”
Hearing this, the miller and his son jumped off the donkey and hefted the unhappy beast up on
their shoulders. They came to a bridge in the middle of the town and as they crossed the donkey
became upset at the sound of the rushing water. The donkey kicked and bucked and fell out of
the grasp of the miller and his son, tumbling down into the water and disappearing. Having
nothing to sell, the miller and his son returned home empty-handed.
The lesson: In life you’re going to meet a lot of very well-intentioned people who think they
know what’s best for you. They’ll question your choices and offer you their opinion of what’s
best. A lot of times they’ll be wrong.
Trust in yourself. Pick the path you think works best for you and don’t let the well-intentioned
people in your life push you off that path. You may be wrong and things might not work out the
way you think they will. That’s ok. Just be true to yourself and understand that missteps are still
steps, and as long as you don’t lose sight of your chosen path you’ll eventually get where you
want to be

26. What we really want to do is what we are
really meant to do. When we do what we
are meant to do, money comes to us, doors
open for us, we feel useful, and the work
we do feels like play to us. --Julia Cameron
The King's Highway
Once upon a time, a king had a great highway built for the people who lived in his kingdom.
After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a
contest.
He invited as many of his subjects as desired to participate. The challenge was to see who could
travel the highway the best, and the winner was to receive a box of gold.

27. On the day of the contest, all the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine
clothing and fancy food to make the trip a luxurious journey.
Some wore their sturdiest shoes and ran along the highway on their feet to show their skill. All
day they traveled the highway, and each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the
king about a large pile of rocks and debris that had been left almost blocking the road at one
point, and that got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king.
He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a small
chest of gold. He said, "I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was
blocking the road. This chest of gold was under it all. Please have it returned to its rightful
owner."
The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."
"Oh no," said the traveler, "This is not mine. I've never known such money."
"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest."
"He who travels the road best is he who makes the road better for those who will follow."

28. Happiness is not in the mere possession of
money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in
the thrill of creative effort. --Franklin D.
Roosevelt
One morning the king awoke, and upon taking out his precious treasure he found, much to his
dismay, that there was a single thin crack descending down its face.
The greatest jewelers were called to look at the stone in the hopes of fixing it, but nothing could
be done—the crack ran so deeply down the face of the diamond that any effort to remove it
would further ruin it.
Finally, one jeweler, a simple man from one of the neighboring villages, stepped forward. He
would save the diamond, he claimed.
The king laughed. The greatest craftsmen in the world had seen the gem, and deemed it
hopeless; how could this simple jeweler hope to do anything?
Seeing, though, that there was nothing to lose, the king informed the jeweler that he could
spend a single night with the diamond. If he managed to fix it, then he would see great reward.
If, however, he did not succeed, a bitter lot awaited him.

29. Locked in his room, the jeweler took a long look at the stone. It was truly magnificent, sparkling
like the fire of the sun on the surface of the water. And the crack, however thin, could not be
removed without destroying the precious crown jewel in the process. What could be done?
The next morning, the jeweler came out with the the stone in hand, a look of triumph on his
face.
When he produced the gemstone, the entire royal court—the queen, the ministers, even the
jester—erupted in an uproar. The scratch had not been removed; it remained in its place. The
jeweler had instead etched a rose, the symbol of the kingdom, on the face of the diamond,
turning the crack into its stem.
The king stood up from his throne and embraced the simple jeweler.
“Now, I truly have my crown jewel!” he said. “The diamond was magnificent until now, the best I
had ever seen. It was, however, no different than any other stone. Now, though, I have a truly
unique treasure!”

30. You can only become truly accomplished at
something you love. Don’t make money
your goal. Instead, pursue the things you
love doing, and then do them so well that
people can’t take their eyes off you. --Maya
Angelou
Are You Listening?
Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man
applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the
office address that was listed.
When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the
sound of the telegraph in the background.
A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until
they were summoned to enter the inner office.

31. The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting
area.
After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office,
and walked right in.
Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among
themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet.
They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be
disqualified.
Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said
to the other applicants:
"Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled.”
The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying:
"Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance
to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!”
The employer said:
"I'm sorry, but the last several minutes while you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been
ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come
right in. The job is yours.'”
"None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his.”
We are so busy living in a world that is full of noise and clatter, like that office. People are
distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the
Scriptures, and in life and work.

32. Buy when everyone else is selling and hold
until everyone else is buying. That’s not
just a catchy slogan. It’s the very essence of
successful investing. --J. Paul Getty
Raise a Glass of Water
The speaker explained stress management to his audience by raising a glass of water and asking,
"How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to
hold it.”
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.”
"If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.”
"If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.”
"In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the
time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on.”
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

33. "So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You
can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if
you can."
Great Ways to Deal with Life's Stress Burdens:
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand
on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

34. “Money brings you food, but not appetite;
Medicine,but not health;acquaintances,but
Not friends
Henrik Ibsen
God's Pharmacy?
Have you heard the phrase, "eat lots of sweet potatoes"? God left us a great clue as to what
foods help what part of our body! God's Pharmacy is amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the
human eye.. And YES, medical science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and
function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the
research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
God's Pharmacy again.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and
all of the medical research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing
food, available without a trip to the regular pharmacy.

35. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower
cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know
walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the
human kidneys. God's unity in creation is astounding.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target
bone strength. Bones are 23% calcium and these foods are 23% calcium. If you don't have
enough calcium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These
foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant, and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the
female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one
avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical
cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from
blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in
each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm
and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility. Who would have
thought God already had this covered in his pharmacy?

36. Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics, good
news for insulin dependent patients all over the world.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries. God's pharmacy!
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female
and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the
breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from
all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A
working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals
from the body.

37. Health is like Money, we never have a true
idea of its value until we lose it
Josh Billings
If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.
If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.
If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5, and 6.
If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace
your call.
If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.
If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.
If you are a manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press: no-one will answer.
If you are dyslexic, press 9696969696969696.
"Hello, and welcome to the Mental Health Hotline."

38. f you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on
the line.
"It's okay, we know when it's you!"
If you have amnesia, press 8, and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social
security number, and your mother's maiden name.
If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, slowly and carefully press 000.
If you have bi-polar disorder, please leave a message after the beep, or before the beep. Or after
the beep. Please wait for the beep.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you
have short term memory loss, press 9. If you have short term memory loss, press 9.
If you have low self esteem, please hang up. All our operators are too busy to talk to you.
And if this is Dr. Alvin Kruputnik, we've been looking for you. Have you been mischievous
again? Please come back to the Institute right away, your patients are waiting.

39. If you forgive the fox for stealing your
chickens, he will take your sheep
Georgian Proverb
"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
"I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" replies Watson.
"And what do you deduce from that?"
Watson ponders for a minute.
"Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of
planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.
Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I
suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of
the universe.
What does it tell you, Holmes?"
Holmes is silent for a moment.
"Watson, you idiot!" he says.
"Someone has stolen our tent!"
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of
wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and
nudges his faithful friend.

40. Do you Have Your Umbrella?
Many people arrived at the church to pray for the needed rain. The pastor greeted most of them
as they filed in.
As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people
were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends.
When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the
meeting.
His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting
quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement.
Next to her, open and ready for use, was a very colorful and extremely large umbrella, much
bigger than her in fact.
The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she
possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.
All came to pray for rain.But the little girl had come expecting God to answer.
People often say that motivation doesn’t
last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s
why we recommend it daily. --Zig Ziglar

41. Faith Through the Storm
A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he
said, "I can sleep through a storm.”
This puzzled the farmer... but he liked the young man. So he hired him.
A few weeks later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm ripping
through the valley. He jumped out of bed and called our for his new hired man, but found him
sleeping soundly in the midst of the storm.
He quickly began to check things to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the
farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the
fireplace.
The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been
placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. And wheat bales had been bound and
wrapped in tarps.
The tractor had been moved into its garage. The barn was properly locked tight. Even the
animals were calm and had plenty of feed. All was well.
The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep through a
storm.”
Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was
prepared for any storm. So when the storm did actually break, he was not concerned or
afraid. He could sleep in peace.
There are some things you learn best in
calm, and some in storm-Willa Cather

42. Before you speak, listen. Before you write,
think. Before you spend, earn. Before you
invest, investigate. Before you criticize,
wait.Before you pray, forgive. Before you
quit, try.Before you retire, save. Before you
die, give. --William A. Ward

43. .
The habit of saving is itself an education; it
fosters every virtue, teaches self-denial,
cultivates the sense of order, trains to
forethought, and so broadens the mind. --
T.T. Munger
Father and Son
There lived a family of three in this ostentatious house. The fathers business was
Prosperous yet the family remained humble and down to earth.
One evening ,the son who was in his early teens approached his father who was peering
out the Window. He asked his father if he could take the liberty to ask him a question. His
Father nodded his head in affirmation.
The boy quickly delighted by the gesture, asked his father if he could know how much
money he Earned hourly?
Now the father a bit tensed, as to why his young son was so eager to know about his
Daily income, sternly retorted “ Why is it necessary for you to know how much I earn per hour?’

44. The boy now careful , replied “ Father I wish to borrow some money from you, which is why
I am keen on knowing.” Soon the father thought that his son usually doesn’t ask for money,
So, he lightly placed his hand on his shoulder and said , “I make 500 per hour”. The son
Overwhelmed asked his father if he would lend him 300.
The father questioned his purpose for demanding the money, the boy dragged him by the
hand and pulled him into his room. The father now suspected he would not open up until
The money was handed to him. Therefore he reached out for his pocket and removed
300 and gave it to his son.
The son quickly got his hand under his pillow and fetched some crumpled notes he had
Hidden there, they added up to 200.
At last the boy summed up the courage to look into into his fathers eye, saying “ Daddy
Here’s 500 , I’d really want to spend one hour with you myself!

45. The Master's Vessel
The Master was searching for a vessel to use; On the shelf there were many - which one would
He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright, I'm of great value and I do things just right. My
beauty and luster will outshine the rest And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the
best! The Master passed on with no word at all.
If money is your hope for independence
you will never have it. The only real
security that a man will have in this world
is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and
ability. --Henry Ford

46. He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall; I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine And
I'll be at Your table whenever You dine, My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true, And my
silver will always compliment You. Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass.
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass. Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I
will do, Place me on Your table for all men to view. Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so
clear, My transparency shows my contents so dear, Though fragile am I, I will serve You with
pride, And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide.
The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished and carved, it solidly stood. You may use
me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said, But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay. Empty and broken it helplessly lay. No
hope had the vessel that the Master might choose, To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to
use.
Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find, I will mend and use it and make it all Mine. I need
not the vessel with pride of its self; Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf; Nor the one
who is big mouthed and shallow and loud; Nor one who displays his contents so proud; Not the
one who thinks he can do all things just right.

47. Old Farmer's Advice
Maybe we can learn some wisdom from a sage, a wise old farmer.
Wisdom takes time to learn and develop.
Age can bring wisdom, especially from a life lived well.
Wise One-Liners to Live By
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Don 't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Old Farmer's Advice
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

48. It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Farmer's Wisdom
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Don 't judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life.. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Sage Advice from an Old Farmer
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror
every mornin'.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta' the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.