Making and retaining wealth is a major concern of many and the scriptures show us in this passage (in addition to the previous passage on ownership) some foundational principles on keeping that weath and putting it to good work for us. In particular the passage warns against making third party agreements (where you have no control of the terms) such as guaranteeing other people's debts, taking out loans or if indebted to resolve it quickly, etc. It speaks of being your own boss by being the type of person who learns and works well to the point of not needing oversight from guides, overseers, or rulers (bosses). Lastly is speaks of the seven bad qualities watch out for in employees that will make for bad workers and work environments (and thus cause you to lose money or loss of productivity from those you hire).

(Preached Sunday Evening, 3-19-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)

Proverbs 6:1-19 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.