Building Principles for the The Coveted Commandment (C) 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

One of the things about the Coveted Commandment is that it begs the question: “What is the Coveted Commandment?”  It is a valid question and should have a very simple answer.  Taken in the context of the intended meaning here, Let us look at what covet means. It means to wish or long for; want. [1]  

 http://www.thedigeratilife.com/blog/index.php/2007/08/06/top-10-wealth-building-ways-of-people-ive-met/

 

Let us look at what a commandment is.  It is a decree or proclamation issued by an authority and having the force of law. [2]

 

All together, we are suggesting that the total context of our message is that there was and still is, an undeclared decree that is so powerful, that those who would, could and still do have the power to exact law, choose not to authenticate it because it would diminish the ability of those who are in power, or who have friends in power, to make, continue to make, or begin to, achieve wealth.  I contend that it is a decree that is desired only of those in power for those who are connected, and also in powerful.  It is, for all intents and purposes, the Coveted Commandment.  That Commandment plainly states:  Thou Shalt Build Wealth.

 http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Proven-Wealth-Building-Strategies&id=58860

 

If you have read my previous blogs, you’ll know that I questioned as to why only 10 Commandments?  You’ll know that I proposed an inquiry as to how, after 40 days and 40 nights, did Moses only come up with 10 commandments.  He had thousands of people under his leadership, and with all that he could share, no mention of wealth attainment, wealth building, or wealth development.  I contend that because this particular commandment encourages wealth building, it is a coveted or strongly desired commandment that is not shared with the masses, but kept in secret.  And if we want to give those in power the benefit of the doubt, that this is a commandment that is undiscovered, that remains on Mt. Sinai.

 

http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/booklets/the-ten-commandments?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=the%20ten%20commandments

 

 

You may refer to me as paranoid, delusional, a conspiracy theorist or, having nothing on which to base my theory, but know that I risk my sanity, my reputation, and perhaps my life, because if I am anywhere near the realm of possibility, there are powerful people who would not want this to be a known and promoted commandment. 

 

Why so great a risk?  It is the risk that I have been assigned.  By that I mean, there are many of us throughout our lives who have been assigned a task, however great, however small, that whether we choose to accept it or not, it becomes inevitable that we carry out that which destiny has so ordained.  For example:  Why does anyone climb Mt. Everest, which is 33,000 ft above elevation?  Aren’t there risks that would be certain death? 

Why do people attempt to swim large bodies of water?  Why do people stick their arms in a jar of mosquitoes that may have the West Nile virus?

 http://www.wizardzofwealth.com/personal-growth

Why do people try to accomplish great feats that seemingly for other people have no desire, interest, or even want to try to prove?  Yet, for whatever reason, these people, whoever they maybe, carry out not only their perceived dream, but also that which they have been assigned.  It is their calling.  You maybe such a person, you may be in the throws of beginning your assignment, or maybe you have completed it.  And so far, all is well.  I wish myself to be so lucky.  With that said, I would like to share with you the building principles of the Coveted Commandment.  If such a commandment exists, it is simply this:  Thou shalt build wealth.[3]

 http://www.aarp.org/money/investing/net_worth_calculator/

Here in the Coveted Commandment, it is not enough to state that there is a suspected commandment that has or is still being held under lock and key.  Understandably, it is not expected that someone will step out of the shadows and admit to having knowledge of such a commandment.  But, I believe that to wait for such an occurrence would be a waste of time. 

 

However, what would be a positive use of time, would be to put together some basic principles that are needed to improve our personal wealth.  Mind you, these are building principles, not guiding principles.  What is the difference?

 

Guiding principles, as I understand them, are structured in such a way as to direct that we are to follow a given set of directions in a 1-2-3 or, an  A-B-C manner, in order to achieve a specific or desired goal.

 

Conversely, my idea for these building principles are like the building blocks that my grandson and I play with at home.  They are unmarked, brightly colored, and come in as little as one connector all the way up to 4 connectors.  How he and I connect the blocks is generally with the intent of building a “fire station” or a “tow truck station”.  Sometimes we build a “space station”.  He and I have had fun as we have built “hundreds” of fire stations, not one ever the same in his first 4 years.

 

There is no formative way of using my son’s blocks, you use your imagination according to what you want to accomplish.  Whether you use three blocks, or all 250 blocks, the manner in which you accomplish your goal is up to you.  So too, are these building principles for the Coveted Commandment.  There is no order to these principles, but each one, whether used individually, indiscriminately, collectively, or however you choose, each principle should be able to stand on its own, like my grandson’s (Josh, Jr) blocks.

 

Here are the principles(in no order of preference):

1. Pay yourself first
2. Eliminate discretionary spending
3. Do not borrow or lend money to family or friends
4. Invest in yourself at every opportunity
5. Know how much is in your Bank account at any given time.
6. Read the latest on financial investments
7. Partner and Collaborate on wealth building activities
8. Shop only for what you need
9. Convert to Direct deposit (checking and savings)
10. Pay your bills before due
11. Do not gamble with your earnings
12. Substitute the term “investing” for “spending” in your daily exchanges.
13. Look more often for your ROI for your investments (Return on your Investment)
14. Pray daily to be able to carry out your wealth building ideas
15. Share your wealth of knowledge
16. Purchase and have a working knowledge of a calculator
17. Invest in something that has a history of increased value
18. Try to make everything that you do with money an investment
19. Establish your wealth-building goals

 

These principles are presented as I was presenting to someone who is responsible for making very important decisions everyday about their daily lives.  I would like to say that I am presenting these ideas to individuals who are the CEO’s[4] of their lives.  In other words, there is no exclusion as to whom these principles may apply.  This does not however make me a qualified financial planner, CPA, or Investment Specialist, or any legally qualified individual to advise you on investments or savings.[5]   We want to always emphasize that these principles are presented to those who value their net worth, and are working to always improve it. 

 

Through these building principles, however applied, each of you as the CEO of your life, is encouraged to focus on those things which help you to achieve you personal goals, especially when it comes to building and maintaining wealth.  As the CEO in your personal life, your decisions are the choices that determine your success.  Choose well and choose wisely.

 

Last, but not least, feel free to build on these few building principles as presented here.  Nothing here shall be considered absolute, or fool-proof.  Based on what you want to accomplish in your life, you should be able to bring to the table new and innovative ideas on how to build wealth for you and yours.   Your continued hard work is all that stands between you and what goals you set aside to accomplish.  The good thing about these principles is that you can exercise them gradually, or repeatedly until they are second-nature to you. 

 

Best wishes and remember the Coveted Commandment:  Thou Shalt Build Wealth.[6]

 

 

---

[1] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/covet

[2] http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/?s=edict

 

[3] The Coveted Commandment:  Thou Shalt Build Wealth © by2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

[4] A CEO’s responsibilities: everything, especially in a startup. The CEO is responsible for the success or failure of the company. Operations, marketing, strategy, financing, creation of company culture, human resources, hiring, firing, compliance with safety regulations, sales, PR, etc.—it all falls on the CEO’s shoulders.

[5] No information included or suggested here should be considered as financial advice.  Please consult with your CPA, Attorney, Financial Planner or Financial Adviser, as your results may vary.

[6] The Coveted Commandment:  Thou Shalt Build Wealth © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

4 Qualifications of Becoming a Wealth Builder (C) 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

The Coveted Commandment: Thou shalt build wealth. (C) 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

Dear Wealth Builders,
When we talk about building wealth, it may come to mind that in order to be a wealth builder, one should have certain qualificatons.  This not an unreasonable conclusion, given the fact that just about every and anything that we would want to accomplish in our lives, requires some type of license or certification.  We can probably put our hands on a few professionals who hold some type of licensure or certification in order to fulfill the responsibilities of their jobs in terms of financing and banking.  For example: mortgage lenders and brokers; real estate agents; securities brokers and financial planners, to name a few.  All are are involved in some manner of wealth building, so it would seem appropriate that if anyone were interest in getting involved in becoming a wealth builder, then we need to research to see where we should obtain the proper qualifications.  Wait a minute! Not so fast.

Wealth building is not necessarily a 3rd party investment of time.  While it is true that in many cases, we may need to involve someone else in our wealth building activity, we are just as qualified to build our own wealth, and rarely, if ever, include someone else for our immediate need.  More than likely, we already possess the requisite minimum requirements to be a wealth builder.  And not one of them needs to be licensed or certified.  What are those qualifications?  Here are 4 qualifications for you to consider:

1.  A strong desire to be financially be successful-What kind of qualification is this?  "A strong desire to be financially successful?"  That could include anyone.  Exactly!  Why don't we try to raise the standards a little higher?  Let us come to an agreement.  A strong desire is not as easy as it sounds.  Here is why:  Imagine standing in a grocery line.  As you are nearing the cashier, when, predictably, you are surrounded by displays of items that are on either side of you, that had either no plan to buy, but there they are, right within arm's reach.  There is candy, which is sure to appeal to either children that are with you, or even you, with your sweet-tooth.  Also, there are many items that marketers have found out, that on average, someone is more likely to buy these items just because they are standing in that line waiting to served by the cashier.  It's called impulse buying.
According to the website, The World of Inforgraphics here are examples of how impulse buying works:

• 88% of buying is impulse shopping;
• Females accounted for 60% of impulse shopping within the last year;
• 14% of impulse buying is for food;
• Households of unmarried adults with higher income account for 45% of unplanned buying than older married couples, and, last but not least,
• Unplanned purchases go up by 23% when the shopping trip is unplanned.
• Find out more at: http://www.infographicsinsights.com/2011/04/impulse-shopping-statistics.html 

Taking into account that 88% of buying is impulse buying, suggests that many of us are victims of the great marketing programs that we often fall for.  This is not a bad thing, but it lets us know, we are not alone.  Therefore a strong desire to be financially successful can be traced to at least one place that is intergral to our lives: shopping.  It matters not where we are shopping, or whoever is shopping, impulse buying is not out of the question.

If we can eliminate say, 10%-25% of the items that we buy on impulse, by focusing on our desire to be successful wealth builders, we will have accomplished a lot.  Suggestion:  Try to cut down on impulse shopping.

2.  Able to access a consistent source of cash-Well now.  To be able to access a consistent source of cash would seem a challenge for many of us.  Myself included.  But if we take the first qualification into consideration, this is qualification could be a snap.  Here is why.
There are a number of websites dedicated to building wealth.  By inserting in the search engine: Sources of funding, various financiers, capital investors, banks and loan companies will appear.  But this is not to say that it is as easy as all that.  Building wealth is an actual job.  It involves researching, planning, timing and of course, risks.  The greater the risks, the greater the reward as we have often heard. 
http://www.bizmove.com/finance/m3c.htm

Part of reducing risk is knowing the right questions to ask, and to whom.  The intent however, and this important, is not to loose your shirt, or skirt, as it were. In building wealth, it is generally recommended that you partner with those who share a desire to become wealth builders rather than try to go it alone.  That way you are exchanging ideas, and perhaps getting a second opinion from someone  who is just as concerned as you are about the reliability and trust-worthiness of the sources of funding that you may ultimately choose to access. 

http://moneyover55.about.com/od/howtoinvest/a/investforincome.htm

And before I forget, being able to access this consistent source of funding, is in an effort for you to be able to know when and where, if necessary, to immediately be able to go on line, or pick up the phone to seize a great opportunity, when you see or hear of one.  As always, please consult as many reliable resources that you can access, whether online, or in person.  Afterall, you can't be too sure when it comes to investing your hard earned money.

http://voices.yahoo.com/learning-investing-sources-financial-and-2904241.html


3.  Able to determine the value of goods, services for investing-So far, nothing that has been shared here or in this blog, http://thecovetedcommandment.blogspot.com/, or even going forward, shall be assumed to be as a result of getting up on any given morning, and you know everything.  That doesn't happen in any aspect of business or life.  So for many of us, who are starting out, like myself, there is always a need to know something about whatever it is you are going to invest in..  I am believing that if I do my homework, or do my research, that I will learn the value of gold, silver, or copper.
 
http://www.ibtimes.com/gold-price-cuts-loss-after-mixed-jobs-report-994024

That if I do my homework, I will learn the difference and value of crude oil verses processed oil, or vegetable oil when it comes to fuel.  The reason that is it important to do this type of homework is because as I venture into unchartered territories of technology, commidities, imports and/or exports, it will be necessary that I take the time to explore through as many sources and resources as is necessary to be knowledgeable regarding a good investment, a long term investment, or something that will fold the moment that I invest in it.  So as wealth builders, the risk and the reward factor has a better than a 95% percent benefit rather than a 100% failure if I take the time to learn how to determine the value of goods and services.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2796_create-investment-portfolio.html

4.  Constantly looking for new and innvative ways to turn an investment into a fortune.
If for whatever reason, these qualifications seem to run together, and that maybe.  But the distinction is not to be underestimated. There maybe other qualifications.  As a matter of fact, there are more qualifications, and as a part of our homework, in order to become the best wealth builder, we need to not only find out what other qualifications exist, but we need to also develop our own qualifications as wealth builders, that are unique to us, personally.  How?  Depending on our portfolio, we are developing an investment profile as unique as our fingerprints.  Even as we may seem to be investing our own dollars the same way other investors maybe doing, we are creating a very distinctive profile, and to that end, it needs to be to the extent that our qualifications speak for themselves.  If, for example, we invested $25,000 in rent-to-own stock for a projected 5 years, hoping to make a 10% profit (modest of course), and in the 3rd year we reach our goal, we decide to redirect our investment because we will have made a 13% profit.*  Whether anyone would pull their investment from rent-to-own stock is of no concern to you.  This is your business.  You are your own wealth builder, and you are developing your personal wealth for you and your family.
The intent as a wealth builder is that we always set a tone as a distinguished and smart investor.  As we begin making more money, and recycling our investments, we can expect that more opportunities will present themselves.  But we should never forget what we will have learned to become that distinguished, smart investor.  Stay true to our lessons learned, and continue to seek out the next best investment.

Conclusion-  As wealth builders, we may want to take it slow, if we are just starting out.  But I can't imagine that even as an experienced wealth builder, one ever strays away from those qualifications that has made us successful.  While these 4 qualifications may not be applicable to a seasoned wealth builder, having something from which to build on to achieve a successful wealth builder status is important, especially for those of us who are just starting out.  Remember this, if nothing else, the first qualification is essential, a strong desire to become financially successful.  That means that we are focused and determined to turn good investments into a great fortune.  Best wishes to all you as Wealth Builders for 2013.

#Youhaveoptions! 

Thou Shalt Build Wealth (c) 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

From the movie:  Wallstreet 1987, starring Michael Douglas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF_iorX_MAw

*(For demonstrative purposes, your results may vary. Consult with an investment strategist or financial planner to determine what would be in your best interest)

Thou Shalt Build Wealth Part II (C) 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

From the blog: The Coveted Commandment[1] ©2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

(continues)

 

 

For many of us, who have only broken 1 or 2 of the longest standing of the commandments, we need a commandment that instructs us to do one more thing, and that is, to build wealth. We need a commandment that says if you save your money, that you will be better off in one year, 5 years or 20 years. Why? Because too many of us are homeless, and yet there is no rush to save us. Those of us who are homeless have all but given up on building a better life. For many of us, we are on our own.

We need a commandment that cuts down on those of us who spend more time looking for a job, rather than building business partnerships, or sole proprietorships. We need a commandment that encourages us to learn to read the stock market results daily, so that we are aware of how money is bought and sold.

We need a commandment that inspires us to become as much generators and producers of greater of wealth, than many of us who are proned to be consumers. For with such a commandment, more of us will wield the power necessary to call our own destinies. With this commandment, we will see our destinies fulfilled successfully in our mansions, in our fine vehicles, by the success of our children, and in our later years, where we won’t have to worry about how we will survive.

The Coveted Commandment: Thou Shalt Build Wealth-

An Overview

• What is the purpose of the Coveted Commandment? The purpose is to focus on our total financial well-being.
• How important is this? Well, as we can see, for those of us who go to work everyday, and work to take care of our families, we can never be sure that we will always have a job. We can never be sure that we will always be able to get up and go to work. It’s just not realistic that there will always be a paycheck coming into our bank accounts. Why? Because things happen. From getting sick to laid off, to companies that buy and sell and terminate their employees, nothing is guaranteed.
• How is the Coveted Commandment used? Or, How do you use a Commandment? If you will forgive me, I will answer a question with a question: How does one motivate one’s self to go to work? “How do you put your money in your pocket?” For too long, we focus on paying everybody else. For too long we not only focus on paying everybody else first, but we often put us last, as does everyone else. The Coveted Commandment seeks to put you first. It’s time you become your creditor. It’s time you become your investment, so that for once, or like never before, you get paid, and others have to wait on you.
• When does it apply? The Coveted Commandment applies right now. On so many levels, we have to look at our selfworth, and determine how we can increase our networth. We’ll discuss that later, but let’s just do something right now. If you have a checking account, please pull out a check and write our a check to yourself for $50.00. Put it in your wallet or purse. Do not cash it or deposit until further notice.
• Who should follow the Coveted Commandment? Well, who shouldn’t follow it? I can’t imagine one person who doesn’t want to be financially well-off. I can’t imagine what else would anyone else do, if presented with the opportunity to invest in themselves.
• How much does it cost to invest in the Coveted Commandment? That’s a good question. You know, nothing is free. And you have to imagine that in order for us to gain financial success, we must be willing to pay something for the price of financial success and freedom. Granted, many of us are living paycheck to paycheck. Many of us have debts equal to the houses that we live in, and then the house itself. Too often someone is trying to sell us something, and after awhile, we just don’t want to hear anything else about buying something else. Wouldn’t it be great if someone would give you money for a change, instead of trying to get money out of you? Well, someone is trying to put money in your pocket. Who? I’ll tell you shortly.
• Why now? “Why not now?” If you had started reading this passage from the beginning, I spoke to you about the signs that I had seen as I was driving around the city of New Orleans. I am sure those signs are in other major cities, directing residents on the 7^th or 8^th commandment. “Thou shalt not kill”. I found it interesting that this sign was the most prevalent if not the only sign of the commandments that were placed in yards, on the side of homes, or even on big billboards. “Thou shalt not kill”. What particularly caught my attention is that several of these signs were spotted outside of the areas known for high crime, homicides, or murders. It seems that the well-to-do neighborhoods were starting to sport these signs as well. It was then I realized that something was different. “Thou shalt not kill” was going upscale. To me, murders and homicides are getting too close to those who otherwise secure regarding their surroundings, where murders, robberies and the like were a rarity. But the message is wrong. To me, the message of “Thou shalt not kill” is wrong uptown! It’s wrong downtown! It is the wrong message to focus on, when we all are trying to develop our financial well-being. The message should be simply this: THOU SHALT BUILD WEALTH.
• Consequences-As with the 10 Commandments, there is a consequence for failure to adhere to this particular Commandment. The penalty, as it were, is equal to or greater than the failure to take pro-active steps to build personal wealth for you and your family. Call it a self-imposed penalty, because if you do nothing, nothing will happen to you, let alone for you. This is a commandment that if coveted, and if adhered to, is it’s own reward.
• What should the outcome be? The outcome should be that everyone can and should invest not only in their communities, in their families, and most importantly, in themselves. All other commandments notwithstanding, the Coveted Commandment compels us to take our hard-earned money, and put it into our pockets-first. Whether our pockets constitute a bank, a credit union, a CD, gold, silver, insurance, stocks, or real estate investments, the Coveted Commandment is the commandment for all to follow. The Coveted Commandment encourages us to pool our resources and build wealth. The Coveted Commandment directs us to invest-grow our wealth, re-invest, grow our wealth, and continue until we will have reached our goals of financial stability.
• When do we begin? Remember that $50.00 check I asked you to write? It’s yours. Do with it whatever you desire, as long as it meets the dynamics of investing in yourself, where you are growing your wealth, and re-investing in yourself, until you achieve a goal suitable for you to stand on your on.

The Coveted Commandment does not re-invent the wheel for investing in ourselves. But it opens the door to new ways of seeing how important we are to not only our families, or our communities, but also to ourselves. No doubt, we will each work hard to make a great living for our families and communities, but unless we take care of ourselves first, we will only be on the outside looking in. And that’s not where we want to be. That $50.00 check that I asked you to write out earlier? That is your $50.00, don’t ever say that you didn’t give yourself something. Now, how you use that $50.00 will determine not only your self-worth, but your net worth. That $50.00 needs to take on a life of its own, and here is how.

Make a list of 5 things that you could do with your $50.00 that could possibly increase your net worth. As a suggestion, you can start your list off with buying lottery tickets; and you can end it with buying shares of stock. But, you shouldn’t put it back in the bank, or pay off a bill. Think outside of box, and see how you can grow your $50.00. We will discuss in detail as we continue this wealth building activity.

Here is wishing all of you a tremendously successful and Happy New Year, and I look forward to speaking to you soon regarding the Coveted Commandment. Remember, Thou Shalt Build Wealth. Best wishes.

Thou Shalt Build Wealth Part I (c) 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

From the blog:  The Coveted Commandment[1] © 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

 

One of the things that stand out to me is the fact that driving around New Orleans, all I see regarding the 10 Commandments is: “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” Exodus 20: 13.  From large billboards to small yard signs, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”.  I have noticed these signs for quite some time, even before Hurricane Katrina. 

And, as I have driven around New Orleans, I have asked myself, why this sign?  I have asked myself, why this message?  “Thou shalt not kill!”  I know that in New Orleans that have been a tremendous number of murders in our city, but is that to say that we haven’t lied on or to one another.  I found myself asking, why don’t I see signs saying “Thou shalt not bear false witness”? Exodus 20: 16. 

I thought to myself that if there should be any sign more prevalent than “Thou shalt not kill”, it should be, “Thou shall honor thy mother and father, that thy days maybe long upon the land that thy God giveth thee,”  Exodus 20: 12. But I don’t see such signs.   What makes “Thou shall not kill” a more important commandment to display throughout our communities than “Thou shalt not covet?”  Exodus 20: 17.  I know in my heart of hearts, that coveting has to be the most disregarded commandment there is.  I know because I an sure I covet on a daily basis.  I should be on my knees constantly just for coveting alone, asking for God’s forgiveness.  But no, “Thou shalt not kill” is the commandment that is the most pressing and most compelling of the ten commandments.  And to that end, I am puzzled, about all of the commandments.

I understand the intent of “Thou shall not kill”, I just don’t understand why above all other commandments that there are, this commandment is posted on people's yards, on billboards and other areas of the city.  This is not to disregard the tremendous number of innocent lives lost due to violence here in our city, or across the country.  But the message appears to be ineffective.  It’s like burglar bars on a house.  Burglars assume that they are for them to break through, cut, or take down.  I feel like our loved-ones who lost their lives due to violence, need an additional, and possibly, a more effective message.  Our young people, who are often involved in street violence, could use an additional method of inspiration, that sees them for the future they are capable of achieving.  It’s time to see our young people in the same way that we see ourselves, as Wealth Builders.  We need to create that opportunity in their minds, and watch how they not only grow, but how we all grow as a well.

 

I am puzzled also, because as I look at the 10 commandments and their origin, I am have reviewed, not studied, the makeup of these scriptural directives.  Note that I am not a Biblical scholar, so know that I am only responding to an internal desire for an understanding of the structure and placement of the 10 commandments in our lives as a whole.  As we know, the 10 commandments are well over 2000 years old, having preceded the birth of Jesus Christ.  Scripture tells us that Moses led the Isrealites out of the land of Egypt, enroute to the Promised Land, as a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  It was during this journey that Moses found himself on Mt. Sinai.  All of this is recorded, and is in no way in dispute.

I am puzzled about the assembling of the 10 commandments as I try to put myself in the position of Moses as he sat with God, in the preparation of these directives for presentation to the children of Isreal.  I think about the fact that whenever I, as a writer, am preparing a presentation, I often over prepare.  I find myself doing more than what I need in order to make sure that I have enough material for what I have to do.  Much of what I may prepare, I may never use.  It may, for the most part, be left stacked on a shelf, or put away for a possible future use, because I presumed myself to have enough of what I needed in order to go forward.

 

Even as I think about Moses and the honor that he had of having a face-to-face meeting with God, I think about football coaches who prepare football plays for each game. They often have more plays than they need, but if needed, those plays are at the ready.  Finally, I think about artists such as singers and dancers who practice hours upon hours for a competition or an engagement.  These artists often practice more times than necessary, because they want to get it right, the first time.  And then, I come back to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  Moses spent an inordinate amount of time with God on Mt. Sinai, 40 days and 40 nights.  While I can only speculate, and believe only what the Bible tells us, I am puzzled about the possibility that there were not more commandments than the 10 that we study.  I am puzzled that with all of the time involved in creating the 10 commandments, that on two occasions Moses and God only carved out 10 commandments. 

Here is the core of my puzzlement:  how is it that the original commandments were the same as the second set of commandments?  What is my point?  Moses wrote the same set of commandments 2 times.  For all of his anger with his people when he came down the first time, wasn’t there something that he could have included in those commandments that addressed why Moses was so angry the first time when he came down the mountain?  I know that often, whenever I have had to do something over, I change something. I add something from what I started before.  I either add or take away something, but Moses did not change a thing, according to scripture.

 

What makes this a Coveted Commandment?

My suspicion, however uncorroborated, however unjustified, without fact, is that there were more than just 10 commandments on the Mount of Sinai.  I don’t know how many more, but I suspect that there was at least one other commandment that has yet to be shared with the masses.  Correct me, if you think I’m wrong.  Here are my other concerns/suspicions:

1. Moses left several commandments on Mt. Sinai that never made it to the stone tablets;
2. Biblical Scholars never thought of the idea that there were other commandments from their interpretations, and therefore, never looked beyond the two stones of commandments, or,
3. There was knowledge of at least one other commandment, and for one reason, if no other, that commandment could not be shared with the masses.  What is that other commandment?

Thou shalt build wealth.[2]
Moses had how many people under his power, as God directed him?  100? 1000? 10,000?  However many he had, he had lieutenants, and additional leaders within groups to help him control the masses.  Did Moses at least share with his lieutenants a special set of commandments that he did not share with the masses?  Or even better yet, did Moses keep a particular commandment to himself?  If he did, how long did he keep it?  Where did he keep it?  There has to be another commandment dedicated to wealth building.

 

Then, I asked myself, why not incorporate this commandment with the other 10?  Well, in order to try and make sense of this concept, here is what else concerned me, and may concern you as well.

The 10 Commandments are just that: “The” 10 Commandments.  We don’t want to do anything to take away from what has always been, what has essentially played a dynamic role in helping to shape our laws and communities, essentially, our lives, but, 

•  Why not make this so-called Coveted Commandment an addition to the 10 Commandments?  That would require (forgive this pun) an Act of Congress.  And we know how hard it is to get Congress to do anything (a la Fiscal Cliff?).

 

• So what are our options?  if this Coveted Commandment existed, for all intents and purposes, it seemed to have been a pocket commandment.   I suggest that it could be a pocket commandment because only a select few are able to be inspired by it.  So my question is:  Why can’t all of us share in this commandment?  Why keep it hidden?  Don’t we all have a powerful need to build wealth?  Don’t we all have a strong desire to increase our net worth?   Why can’t we all have the inspiration of this supposed pocket commandment?  For us, a pocket commandment hits right where we need to be hit: in the pocket, or pocketbook, where applicable.

But let us be clear, that unlike the 10 Commandments, this commandment is not about saving souls, it is about saving money.  It is about increasing our wealth.  It is about improving of where we  are in terms of self worth, and in turn, increasing our networth. What other commandment does that?  All the other commandments do is direct us to Honor the Lord our God, honor our parents, remember the Sabbath Day, love others as ourselves, and then after that, we need to be keep our hands off of each other and each other’s wives and property, and then, if we are lucky, we may get to go to heaven.  But the question remains, how if we follow all 10 of God’s commandments, when do we focus on building our financial welfare?

I am convinced that we need this Coveted Commandment, even as we are perhaps dishonoring one of the other commandments:  Thou shalt not covet, the 10th commandment.  How do we square coveting a commandment when another commandment tells us, “Hold up player, thou shalt not covet?  What part don’t you understand?”
 

I believe it is safe to call this commandment  a coveted commandment because it encourages us to build wealth.  It is a commandment that directs us to take care of our family, and prepare for the future.  Theoretically, we are setting the tone, that in this case, coveting is a good thing.  The tone is that we are coveting a directive that encourages each and everyone of us to build wealth, to essentially provide for not only ourselves, but our families as well.

Still Suspicious

My contention, is that this commandment is somewhere in a vault.  Or maybe, that this commandment is still on Mt. Sinai within a cave on the mountain.  My other contention is that someone, having discovered this commandment, decided to keep it to themselves.  Thou shalt build wealth.  So why such a suspicion?  Why, after more than 2000 years, would Biblical scholars keep this commandment under lock and key, if they have done so?  Why, if it existed, has it not been found?  Why, if it does exist, have only a select few been privy to it?  These questions are perhaps far out in left field, but for many of us who have low-paying jobs, this is the commandment that we need to believe in.  This is the commandment, that if it were in the very Bible that we study every week, or once a year, would be the one commandment that would enrich our lives just a little bit more than say, “Thou shall not kill”. 

Here is a commandment, that makes perfectly good sense,  that is nowhere to be found in the Bible.  Why is that?  Again, I am no Biblical Scholar, but I know that there are many men of God who live a very successful life.  Many live in fine homes, as they should.  But, let’s be clear, we are not adhering to strict Biblical scripture, we are extracting from the Bible that which we often overlook, and fail to use in a manner that allows us to grow financially.  If we can’t turn to the Bible for something financially rewarding, then why else do we believe in the goodness of God? Are we not supposed to ensure that we provide for our families in terms of food, housing and clothing?  Are we only supposed to live from hand to mouth, while others amass riches, at our expense?

For those of us who are one pay check from being homeless, we can use this commandment in our lives.  

 To be continued in Thou Shalt Build Wealth Part II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] The Coveted Commandment © 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

[2] Thou Shalt Build Wealth © 2013 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.