World Of Wallstreet

Ancient Wisdom: Livestock, Silver And Gold

Here's the first place the Old Testament refers to someone as wealthy: "Now Abram was very rich in livestock, silver and gold".

Well, here's a couple of basic comments:

• Silver and Gold have been money for thousands of years.
• Silver and Gold are not the only forms of wealth. In this case, we have "livestock", which is the basic "capital" or wealth-producing, cash-flow generating infrastructure for a traveling nomad. 
• To me, it is interesting that silver is mentioned before gold. I would think that this is because silver was used for everyday transactions while gold was a long-term store of wealth, but I may be reading my own thinking into the passage.

It is interesting that Abram got his wealth in Egypt which he went to outside of the direction of the LORD (probably contrary to the LORD's will even though the LORD protected him there). He got the wealth thru a deception which endangered his wife (see Genesis 12 for a story that might make the Drudge Report today). So, even from the very earliest reference, becoming rich has been morally questionable.

MontyHigh, www.worldofwallstreet.us

Ancient Wisdom: "Opening Their Treasures..."

Mt 2:11, Here's the first reference to gold in the New Testament. Its from that familiar Christmas story of the wise men: "Then, opening their treasures, the presented to Him gifts of gold, francincense and myrrh... Now when they had gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up! Take the Child and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.' So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt".

I find it interesting that, just like millions of other political refugees, the Lord himself benefitted from having physical gold when an emergency flight to safety was needed.

I also find it interesting that wise men have treasures from which gifts can be given and that the giving of these gifts are among the most important acts of their lives. 

MontyHigh, www.worldofwallstreet.us

Ancient Wisdom: "And The Gold There Was Good"

As I prepare for what may be my next calling in life, I intend to read thru the Bible and see what ancient wisdom it has to offer on the topics of wealth and giving. In most cases these posts will be very short. This is the first such post.

Here's the first reference to Gold in the Bible:

Gen 2:11b-12a: "... the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold in that land is good."

I find it interesting that gold is mentioned in the context of the Garden of Eden and that the first reference to it calls it "good". This echoes the several times the creation account in Genesis 1 summarizes what God had made and calls it "good". Like the rest of the creation, gold is good. Gold is mentioned positively before any evil, sin or suffering entered the world.

MontyHigh, www.worldofwallstreet.us