The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

“Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you only take what is worth having.” George S. Clason

This book is founded on the people of Babylon who were apparently the first people to discover the universal laws of prosperity. The author of this 1926 book discusses the laws that are timeless to this day and are laws that are to assist anyone and everyone in creating, growing and maintaining wealth.

Before I hear you say that people are born into money and others are more fortunate than others, that’s fine and perhaps this than isn’t a book for you nor would be my blog, it may just create some negative and burning emotions within you and that is not my intention.

It is true that from long, long ago man has decided that life was to be lived with a high standard and since we have always continually acted to improve our own prosperity. We have also continually increased quality of living as a race, and more recently we endeavour to improve mother earth.

Prosperity is not about greed or money hunger, dicks that just take and never give back, it’s about our rights to live with a level or wealth and success.

For all of us today we have so much material items that we just love to have because it brings us a sense of peace and happiness. Just have a look around your environment today and you I am sure have a level of prosperity that perhaps we often take for granted. When you travel to any third world country you may create a higher appreciation for all that you truly have.

One of the first universal laws on prosperity on growing your wealth is to keep and save ten precent of everything you earn. I leant this one from a very young age.

I remember back to the days I was a little fat kid always looking forward to Easter. I got so many chocolate eggs, which probably wasn’t ideal in hindsight – my mother spoilt me and she still does, but I always ate some of my chocolate on the first day and than saved the rest.

My brothers ate theirs, gobbled them up in the first week. I often had chocolate that lasted me throughout the year until the next Easter. I saved and with this savings meant I had chocolate wealth for much of the year.

My brother on the other hand did not. He ate all his profits and had to come up with clever strategies to steel mine. Sometimes he won, sometimes I told him he should try and save some too. Sometimes I could trade my chocolate for other things.

I think to this day there are still many of us that spend beyond our means. There are many of us that live pay check to pay check. I understand that some of us earn more than others, but I also understand that some that earn more become accustomed to also spending more and find themselves also living from one week to the next.

There is nothing wrong with spending. Spending is good. The reason we work is to spend. Spending brings us joy, it gives us things that we enjoy and make us, often momentarily, happy. Money can bring us a higher sense of security, and importantly a higher standard of living.

Working also gives us money that can use to have amazing experiences. Another universal law when it comes creating and holding wealth is the law of choosing the right investments.

For many of us we often don’t. When I worked in an international retail chain as an area manager I use to get inspired by their weekly catalogues. I would walk the store isles and get excited about all the new and amazing products. I use to buy stuff. I still have a set of gold clubs that have sat in my garage for the last 6 years, never used.  Just stuff!

I get upset when I hear people whinge about not having enough money yet than I see so many of them stop of at the local shop to buy a drink, a drink that probably does them no benefits, a thirst that most likely could be quenched by water.

Drink prices where I live are phenomenal. I see bottles of water that come straight from a tap selling for just under $5.

So choosing what you invest in is important. I almost feel the urge to create a course on money management. If people simple reviewed and controlled what the spent their money on weekly I’m sure they would save hundreds of dollars.

Finally, I think one more rule that carries over the centuries to effectively creating and maintain prosperity is to create a money machine. Get creative and find away to earn yourself some residual and passive income streams.

People these days look for instant get rich quick systems or schemes. There are no such things that exist. That is called gambling and gambling you can win and you can loose. It also can be fun but very moreish in the wrong hands. Gambling is addictive and can aim to control you. Living without control in the longer term of life is not ideal.

Property and shares are the most common way people try and get a reoccurring income without to much effort and these are fine. In todays global economy, one which we are all connected, I believe there are many ways to set up your creative desires to produce recurring income streams. Just open your eyes and your mind and see what comes to front.

So I say for those ancestors in Babylon that lived the prosperous life, thank you for these laws. To the author for sharing one mans willingness to learn the laws and create his own prosperity, you also inspire.

We have the choice to sit back and place blame on the world and the working system that does exist. Accuse others of being greedy or lucky in their success, or we can go out there with all courage and face the challenges, learn the ropes, and create our on wealth and success in life. Remembering what wealth and success means to you is all that should matter – don’t be a fool and think you have to live like everyone else.

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase The Richest Man in Babylon here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

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