How Wise People Build Wealth Series

I would like my fingers to move faster but they just don’t in the beginning. I have to go slowly until I get it. I think, “This does not sound good. This is not fun.” But I do it every day because I am building a discipline in my fingers; a muscle memory; coordination.

After four or five weeks of practicing every day, I did that run again and miracle of miracles! Speed is a by-product of discipline. If our goal is speed, we will get sloppy because we will cut corners. Some guitar players are sloppy because they haven’t built a discipline, but only want speed. They are sloppy players. They can do a run but it is sloppy. On the other hand, the runs of those who took the time to build slowly and build discipline are clean. They are clean players.

It is the same in life. Unless we take the time to develop the disciplines necessary, we will cut corners.

“An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning will not be blessed in the end”

(Prov 20:21 NASB).

So, how do we build that discipline? Is it important?

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days” (Prov 19:20 NASB).

An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning will cause us to cut corners and we will be penalized in the end. Mark my words and build slowly; build thoughtfully; accurately define wealth. Take the time to build what will make you a wealthy person in the end when you are taking your last breath. Collect and develop something that will make you say “This has made my life rich.” What is it? Write this down and start to think it through. Then build slowly. Don’t rush into it. Build right. Build correctly. Otherwise, you will be penalized in the end.

The Canoe Race

Some time ago we were in a big two-hour canoe race in Kona. There were 80-100 canoes. Everybody was filled with adrenalin and we were all like horses in the gate of the Kentucky Derby. We were ready to go! Two buoys marked the starting line and when canoes would encroach on the line, the starter on the escort boat warned, “Move back! Move back!”

We had to back-paddle but then we saw another canoe inching up so we would move even with them. Everyone was jockeying for position.

“Move your canoes back! We are not starting this race until you are behind the line!”

The starter was getting upset so we just paddled far behind the line, but other canoes were still in front of the line. They wouldn’t move back. As we were moving back, the horn went off! The race had started! These other guys were way ahead and we were going the wrong way! “Reverse! Go, go!” We were yelling at each other thinking, “They cheated!”

We never did make up the difference and we came in towards the middle of the pack. But when the results were finally posted, our team came in second in our division! How did that happen? We were in the middle of the pack.

A note at the bottom of the results read, “These 60 canoes were penalized ten minutes because they were in front of the starting line.” They added ten minutes to their time. That is why we got second. I read the footnote and thought, “Good for them!” A man of compassion I am!