day 862: Treasure Sharing

"He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity."

Last week Apple declared that for the first time in their history they would pay a dividend to each of their shareholders. Their treasury had grown to so much money that there wasn't anyway they could ever spend it on acquisitions or research and development, so they had to do as any other company that reaches that apex, they are beginning to share their treasures back to those who have invested their own treasures into the company. It was a remarkable moment and since then their stock has increased significantly which means more people want to own their stock. Yesterday an analyst put a price target of $1001 on the stock. We can all learn a lesson from the sharing of treasures. The lesson is not that every company needs to create a dividend. The lesson is that each business has a treasure to share. Yes, sure we have to hunt for the treasure first, but once we have found it, we should share it with others. Our product excellence, our quality commitment, our service standards, our employee appreciation, whatever it might be that is part of our treasure, we should be sure to share.

I love that Solomon considers common sense as a treasure. We all know so many people that we could only hope they could get a dose of common sense along the way. And, he says that in order for that treasure to be granted, we must be honest. That honesty is precursor to common sense is a thought for us to also treasure. We each go to work to do our best and to do something that we would be proud to accomplish.That is being honest with our talents and time. Of course, once we are granted our common sense, it only makes sense that it should be shared. Common sense is a powerful attribute. Those with a high level of common sense see and sense things that others don't. They also seem to connect with more people than others. When we wonder why we can't connect or others tell us that we may be out of touch, it could be that we aren't using our common sense to look at a problem or situation to be solved. We need to be sure that we have as much common sense as we can and since God promises it to us through Proverbs, then as we should in all that we do, try to be the best and most honest that we can be for Him. Common sense is a great treasure to be shared.

Reference: Proverbs 2:7 (New Living Testament)

day 377: Building Up The Treasury

Kingdoms and pirates are not the only institutions and people who build up treasuries. Companies do as well and any large company has a "Treasurer" as a senior position in the Finance team. I always thought this is one of the best job titles in business. To be the "treasurer" and watch over all of the treasures that have been earned and stored up. As we all know those treasures are mainly cash and securities that are the result of our hard word in making, moving, marketing, selling and supporting our business products or services. But, they are treasures none the less as we depend on them to be able to fund the future and/or share back with our shareholders. Businesses are made up of people who bring their time and talent to work to establish their own treasures and to contribute to the growth of the same for the company. If we get to a point where we have built up enough of our own treasures we ask for the help of others, who more than often call themselves money managers or wealth managers. But wouldn't it be so much cooler if we had our own "Treasurer" to watch over and protect our treasures? We know Biblically that we are not to store up our treasures on earth, but God doesn't only provide for treasures that are made up of earthly and material things. God is a treasurer for us as He builds up His treasury in us with many different characteristics and attributes. In Proverbs 2:7 we read: "He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest." The amazing thing about letting God be our Treasurer is that He not only provides what we need He also blesses us in ways that we could never imagine. Those around us in the office who display the highest level of common sense are many times the people who get listened to the most and are the ones that people go to when they need advice. Even the smartest person doesn't do well without some semblance of common sense. God wants to give us this treasure if we will only accept that being honest is the prerequisite. If so, then He will bestow this on us. Today, as you think about the treasures before you and the ones to be gained, don't forget that the treasure of common sense is there for you and comes from complete honesty before God and other people. The great Treasurer is there all the time to watch over and protect His treasures, which is each and everyone of us.


Reference: Proverbs 2:7 (New Living Testament)