Sunday

Habits of the Rich

Did you know that 67% of the wealthy watch 1 hour or less of TV every day vs. 23% for poor? 

And that 88% of wealthy read 30 minutes or more each day for education or career reasons vs 2% for poor. Six percent of wealthy watch reality TV vs. 78% for poor, and 81% of wealthy maintain a to-do list vs. 19% for poor. 

Thomas Corley, a CPA who wrote the book, Rich Habits, the Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals*, did extensive research to determine which habits rich people had in common. The results are insightful, but not surprising. 

Habits, in large part, chart the direction of our lives. 

I’m not particularly interested in being wealthy in a financial sense, although whenever I hear an appeal from a missionary, I wish I had the means to write a big, fat check. I do, however, greatly desire to be rich spiritually. I want to have an account full of answered prayers, six figures worth of kind deeds, and a nicely padded faith inheritance to leave behind for my children. 

Like Tom Corley’s list of rich people's habits, there’s also a list of spiritually rich people habits. 

Spiritually rich people spend time in God’s book vs. spiritually poor people who spend time in man’s books

Spiritually rich people invest time in prayer vs. spiritually poor people who invest time in worrying

Spiritually rich people serve others vs. spiritually poor people who serve themselves

Spiritually rich people invest their money in God’s kingdom vs. spiritually poor people who invest in their own kingdoms

But these habits that chart the course of our journey don’t form themselves. We are not born with habits. “We have to form habits on the basis of the new life God has put into us,” says theologian Oswald Chambers. My daughter’s swim coach, Bill Irwin, always says, “Practice doesn’t make perfect; practice makes PERMANENT.” 

I’d like the habit of prayer to become so permanent in my life that it is the first thing I think of instead of the last. I’d like the habit of serving to become so permanent in my life that I volunteer spontaneously instead of needing to be asked. I’d like the habit of speaking words of affirmation to become so permanent that I no longer have to remind myself to build people up instead of tearing them down. Establishing these habits will make me rich spiritually, allowing me to store up a treasure of good works that will bring God glory. 

Until these practices become permanent, however, I must intentionally discipline myself. All day long I face choices about how to spend my time, energy, and money. Every time I say yes to what God wants for me and no to what my selfish nature desires, I am one step closer to building a permanent habit. And even after I establish my habits, I must remain diligent, because, as the apostle Paul shared with agonizing transparency,” what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). 

I’m thankful that as I yield myself to God, he will empower me. 

“For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4). 

Do you want to be RICH spiritually? We begin by building godly habits. 

Which permanent habits would you like to build? How will you begin to practice them today? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. Let’s be pilgrims together on this spiritual wealth-building journey. 

*Dave Ramsey shared Corley’s list in a post called 20 Things the Rich Do Every Day

If you enjoyed this devotion, you might like "Are You Unbalanced? 


This devotion is an excerpt from Lori’s new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women.

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9 comments:

  1. Very convicting. I want to be spiritually rich, too

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  2. True words! Those stats about the wealthy vs the rich were really interesting. Especially the one about reality tv. You mean Ivanka Trump doesn't watch the Bachlorette??

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  3. I didn't know those statistics about the wealthy vs the poor, but I'm not surprised. And I enjoyed how you related that to being spiritually rich vs spiritually poor. Like you, I want to be spiritually rich, but I've got to work on those habits.

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  4. Great post, Lori!! I want to be rich spiritually and have a better habit of praying fervently. I think no matter how regular I am with praying, I can always do better at remembering to pray while I am going through my day, or when I am talking to someone that my words would minister and encourage instead of talking and telling stories about me. I 're-found' you over on Time-Warp Wife. I find you all over our niche!! Have a wonderful day!!

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  5. Absolutely! Habits not only chart the direction of our lives, but shape us into who we are, or who we want to be. I love applying the concepts of rich habits to our spirituality. Thanks for that perspective!

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  6. Wealthy healthy and wise !! Why not? Use common sense, Accept a paying job, and work at it to become a valued employee. Then practice giving 10% of your income to the Lords work, and saying 10% in your bank account. Eat real food, eliminate white foods, enjoy fress produce if possible and lean well cooked meat in small portions. Don't forget to read a portion of God's word each day and to speak to your heavenly father daily too.

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  7. Hi Lori! I am coming over from TGIF.

    Enlightening statistics thats for sure! I can always dedicate more time to prayer, and that will make me very rich! Habits do tend to dictate our behavior, so thank you for this enlightening post!

    Ceil

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  8. Seeking the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33) and foremost is a spiritual habit that I desire to cultivate more and more. Great post!

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  9. Great challenging post, Lori. Love what you have shared about spiritual wealth and spiritual poverty. Lots to think about.
    Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays. Blessings.
    Mel from Essential Thing Devotions

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