For at least ten years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, one of the most common themes I heard in prophetic words was, “wealth transfer is coming; the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous.” When someone would give this word in a church or conference, there was always an enthusiastic amen.
However, for at least two decades leading up to 2008, God called his people to get out of debt. He raised up numerous prophets (though they probably wouldn’t call themselves that). Men like Ron Blue, Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey – who all beat the get out of debt drum! Some responded, and many did not.
What I didn’t see was people putting these two messages together. In 2009, I was part of a team putting together a private equity fund to purchase some discounted assets sold during the economic crisis. The world witnessed a 2-3 trillion dollar rummage sale. Sadly many potential investors told us they couldn’t invest because they were over-leveraged with debt.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5). If you do a web search for synonyms of meek, you will find words like shy, retiring, and docile. That’s not biblical meekness. It’s probably easiest to understand what meekness is to contrast it with its polar opposite: pretentiousness. The dictionary definition of pretentious is to make unwarranted, excessive, or exaggerated claims or to inflate one’s importance, worth, or stature. On the other hand, Meekness is comfortable in its own skin; meekness doesn’t feel the need to put on airs or pretend. Biblical meekness flows from identity in Christ. This kind of meekness has a certain magnetism to it. Jesus called himself meek (Mt. 11:29).
What does that have to do with the 2008 crisis? Financial meekness is to live within your means. Conversely, financial pretentiousness often manifests itself in consumer debt. In 2008-2009, the financially meek – those in a good cash position – inherited the earth as they bought up distressed assets for pennies on the dollar. There was a wealth transfer.
This is only one aspect of meekness, but I share it to illustrate that heaven’s wisdom is intensely practical in every domain of life. A loving God says to us, “I created this universe to work in a certain way. Think this way, live this way, and you will be blessed so that you can be a blessing!”
I believe meekness positions you for divine promotion – humble yourselves, and God will exalt you (James 4:10).
Adapted from Blessed2Bless: Applying the Timeless Wisdom of the Divine Entrepreneur to Your Life and Business.
