“An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (Prov. 20:21); “…he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished” (Prov. 28:20); “The plans of…everyone who is hasty (leads) surely to poverty” (Prov. 21:5).
These proverbs provide two scenarios in which the maxim “Haste makes waste” is true.
First, wealth which is accumulated in haste in a “get rich quick” scheme rarely—if ever—lasts. The money goes just as quick—if not quicker—than it came. The divine plan is for a man to generate wealth by persistent toil and wise stewardship over the course of his lifetime. Providing for one’s self and family in an honest fashion over time builds noble character and integrity.
Second, wealth which is inherited in haste rarely—if ever—lasts. As the prodigal son so aptly illustrates, the money goes just as quickly—if not quicker—than it came (Luke 15:13). Wealth that has been earned by a previous generation’s toil and stewardship rarely is handled wisely. In the final analysis, it rarely is a blessing to its recipient. As Solomon so poignantly stated: “Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity” (Ecc. 2:18-19).
Many blessings are found in the divine plan of working daily in quietness, eating your own daily bread (2 Thes. 3:12-13).
