Many relationships struggle with the issue of wealth creation. What is wealth and what is the mindset that we should have to create or exploit it in relationships?
Wealth is the abundance of valuable financial assets or physical possessions which can be converted into a form that can be used for transactions. This includes the core meaning as held in the originating old English word weal, which is from an Indo-European word stem. The modern concept of wealth is of significance in all areas of economics, and clearly so for growth economics and development economics, yet the meaning of wealth is context-dependent. An individual possessing a substantial net worth is known as wealthy. Net worth is defined as the current value of one’s assets less liabilities (excluding the principal in trust accounts).
At the most general level, economists may define wealth as “anything of value” that captures both the subjective nature of the idea and the idea that it is not a fixed or static concept. Various definitions and concepts of wealth have been asserted by various individuals and in different contexts. Defining wealth can be a normative process with various ethical implications, since often wealth maximization is seen as a goal or is thought to be a normative principle of its own. A community, region or country that possesses an abundance of such possessions or resources to the benefit of the common good is known as wealthy.
The United Nations definition of inclusive wealth is a monetary measure which includes the sum of natural, human, and physical assets. Natural capital includes land, forests, energy resources, and minerals. Human capital is the population’s education and skills. Physical (or “manufactured”) capital includes such things as machinery, buildings, and infrastructure. Adam Smith, in his seminal work The Wealth of Nations, described wealth as “the annual produce of the land and labour of the society”. This “produce” is, at its simplest, that which satisfies human needs and wants of utility. (definitions and excerpts compiled from the web)
Here are a few wisdom nuggets from Genesis 24 and Ruth 2 as we explore the relationship between Abraham and God, Abraham and Eliezer, Eliezer and Isaac, Abraham and Isaac, Eliezer and Rebecca and Eliezer and Rebecca’s relatives, Rebecca and Isaac, Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.
Point 1: Wealth comes from God. Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. All that we can have as wealth comes from God and we are only stewards. Genesis 24:1
Point 2: God has given us the abilities to get wealth. Our gifts, skills, talents, inheritance, family lineage are classified as the power to get wealth.The teachings and socialisation we receive from our parents and relatives etc, the way we cook certain foods, the things we can create, our entrepreneurial anointing are all a part of our wealth Exodus 31:1 – 11 Deuteronomy 8:18.
Point 3: Wealth is passed on and sworn as covenants and oaths. A covenant is an agreement by lease, deed or other legal contract. Land is sold with covenants governing what can and cannot be done. Similarly parents pass on their wishes and intentions for their seed verbally or in written contracts called wills. Merriam Webster dictionary defines it as a formal, solemn and abiding agreement.
Point 4: Wealth must be managed and stewarded so that it can be maintained. Genesis 24:2. Abraham placed his oldest servant over everything he owned.
Point 5: Wealth must have a contingency and succession plan. Abraham instructed Eliezer to get a wife for Isaac so that they could have children to carry on his legacy. Wealth without persons to inherit it will be lost. Genesis 4:24.
Point 6: To create wealth one must be a relationship builder. Relationships must be formed and maintained with sincere effort and intentionality. We must be selective about who we build relationships with. We must consider if a person’s lifestyle creates or destroys our potential to get or maintain wealth. Genesis 24:3 Abraham commanded Eliezer not to take a wife from the Canaanites because they were enemies of Israel. Matthew 15:21-28 shows how the Canaanites were marginalised by Jesus’ response to the Canaanite’s woman’s request.
Point 7: One must have a genuine and sincere approach to building relationships in order to be introduced to wealth. Rebecca and Ruth were genuine servants. Rebecca was patient and kind towards a stranger. Not only did she cater to his obvious need or to what he asked for but she saw the peripheral opportunity to serve his camels also. A thirsty camel in a hot dry season can drink up to 200 litres of water in one go. Rebecca had to feed ten camels. Rebecca demonstrated that she was not opportunistic but was willing to serve extraordinarily by going the extra mile. She demonstrated a love that is PATIENT and KIND according to the biblical passage of 1 Corinthians 13. A person’s mindset and character must be tested for the long haul as was done in the fleece/prayer test performed by Eliezer.
Point 8: Individuals must be positioned for wealth. Men must be positioned and praying when they want to find a wealth partner. Eliezer positioned himself by the well. He went to the place where he would find the type of woman he was looking for. Genesis 24:10 -14. Men must know exactly what they are looking for and pray for it. When it seemingly presents itself don’t be too hasty but again seek confirmation. Genesis 24:10-21. Boaz was also positioned to see Ruth gleaning in the field. She caught his eye. Ruth 2:4-7
Point 9: Opportunities to serve and meet needs opens doors for wealth. Rebecca saw an opportunity to feed the camels and ended up feeding her own camels while Ruth saw an opportunity to support her mother-in-law and she ended up gleaning in the field that eventually became hers when she married Boaz.
Point 10: Wealth grows in circles and must be kept in its own community circle . Wealth has tangible and related connections. Wealth travels in a circle of influence. Genesis 24:15 shows that there was a relationship between Abraham and Nahor. Also in Ruth 2:1 we see there was also a connection & relation between Naomi’s husband and Boaz. Genesis 24:4, Abraham made his servant sware to going back to his own kindred to find a wife for his son. Billions of black owned dollars are given to the Asian community for hair extensions and other products and services.
Point 11: Random acts of kindness can position you to receive wealth immediately. Genesis 24:22. Rebecca was given a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets. This is a symbolic practice noted in the Torah as one of the customs of marriage. Laban saw the nose ring and bracelets and ran out…..he knew the significance of the custom.
Point 12: To create wealth in relationships there must be Transparency. The Cambridge English dictionary defines transparency as the quality of being done in an open way without secrets. Genesis 24:23 – 25 & Ruth 2:5-7. Eliezer asked Rebecca who she was and there was full disclosure of who she was and also her relatives and their circumstances. Boaz also asked his overseer the same question about Ruth, ‘Who does that young woman belong to’. He answered Boaz by telling him what Ruth had disclosed to him. Knowing who and whose you are is critical to creating and maintaining wealth. Genesis 24:34 also depicts Eliezer’s transparency when he tells Rebecca’s family who he was, who sent him and why. He gave a detailed financial statement of what his master owned. There was full disclosure of the events surrounding his journey. The mention of the names of ones parents can grant opportunities and favor that money cannot buy. A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 21:1.
Point 13: Transparency builds Trust and Protection for wealth. Trust must be present for wealth to be exploited and increased. Genesis 24:23-30. The trust established between Rebeeca and Eliezer then led to him being taken to Rebecca’s home. He bowed down and thanked God for making him successful in his journey.
Point 14: Wealth is produced when the factors of production, land, labor and capital are exploited. Wealthy persons in the bible had land, cattle and workers. The land produces food, oil, fish and other raw materials that reproduces continuously and naturally. Animals produced more animals, trees planted produced more seeds, fruit and leaves and wells were built on the land. When we want to create wealth in relationships we must create or take an inventory of all the gifts, talents, skills and experiences that we possess. A full resume and family tree, listing who we are, our experiences and our inheritance must be disclosed. The things that appreciate in value must be given priority over the things that depreciate or have no real intrinsic value. Assets and investments that produce money while we are asleep must also be explored and invested in. Knowing the value of our ancestrial connections and continuing those relationships will position us to create and maintain wealth in our relationships. Our most valuable wealth asset is our relationships. Our relationship with God, our parents and relatives, friends and associates. The relationships we form with strangers through random acts of kindness are also pivotal to attaining wealth in relationships.
My name is Cheryl Outram. I am a woman, mother, wife and christian. I serve as a Teacher, Counselor, Relationship Coach, Radio Personality, Pastor and Transformational Writer & Speaker. I do all of this to serve, encourage and inspire you. You can be transformed by renewing your mind to a Holistic Wealth Mindset. I want to cheer you on and see you win in your relationships. I want you to maximise your purpose, power and your potential. Whatever I have learnt, I share with you and I hope it is of some help to you. May God bless you as you read. Thanks for reading. Please share if you think it can help someone else. Stay the course and you will win. Call (246) 824-9288 to book your inspiring and transformational session. Let us win together.
