Ecclesiastes has a lot to say about who you choose to associate with. We’ll hit the highlights. Would you seek financial advice from a cheat or a fool? Hopefully, the answer to that question is a resounding “No!†The point is that your associates do matter, both in business and in life. A recent example would be investment adviser turned ringleader of the largest Ponzi scheme in history, Bernie Madoff.
Whether one considers Madoff to be a fool or an evil man is beside the point. How would you like it if you had thrown in with him and found your reputation tarnished by his actions? Just like that, a lifetime of hard work up in a figurative poof of smoke.
Proverbs 9:6 tells us to “Forsake the foolish, and live; go in the way of understanding.â€
Proceeding to Proverbs 22:22, we learn the reason. “Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.â€
It’s true and you know it, even if you don’t want to admit it. Surround yourself with bad people and there’s a good chance some of it will rub off on you. You risk absorbing their evil, slothful habits and, before you know it, your soul has been ensnared just like in the proverb. Don’t count on your ability to resist. God’s opinion on this is unequivocal. No wiggle room. No putting off severing a certain association because it’s embarrassing or inconvenient. Take your financial advice from the Bible and forsake the foolish.
The Solomon Success Team
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