CHAPTER 2- The Richest Man In Babylon.

CHAPTER 2- The Richest man in Babylon

This chapter began with an opulent introduction and description of the richest man in Babylon ’In old Babylon there once lived a certain very rich man named Arkad. Far and wide he was famed for his great wealth. Also was very generous in his charities. He was generous with his family. He was liberal in his own expenses. But nevertheless each year his wealth increased more rapidly than he spent it’

His friends came around to learn the secret of his success but they did not hesitate to remind him that during their years in school he never  outshined  them. But they  have been forced to learn the bitter truth that money is not taught in school. ‘Yet, once we were equal. We studied under the same master. We played in the same games. And in neither the studies nor the games did you outshine us. And in the years since, you have been no more an honorable citizen than we. Nor have you worked harder or more faithfully, insofar as we can judge. Why then, should a fickle fate single you out to enjoy all the good things of life and ignore us who are equally deserving?’

Arkad  had to let his friends know that there are laws guiding wealth creation  except we find it, all monies that comes to us only leaves quickly before we know it. The lack of  knowledge of the laws guiding money either makes some people wanton spenders or misers. ‘.. they besought him to explain to them how he had become possessed of so much prosperity …’

According to Arkad, ‘wealth is a power, with wealth many things are possible’.

He explained to his friends that as a youth he made up his mind not to be one of those who stand afar off enviously watching others enjoy the good things of life. But like every one of them, he did not know how to acquire wealth so, he labored on his job and yet nothing to show forth. He was still laboring when he met  Algamish  a very wealthy man who was a client of his boss and asked hin ‘Algamish, you are a very rich man. Tell me how I may also become rich …’

Algamish gave him the following principles which he applied that changed his life.

‘I   found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned his mine to keep’. He went further and said, ‘what you have saved must earn, and its children must earn, that all may help to give to you the abundance you crave’.

According to Algamish, ‘wealth is like a tree, that grows from a tiny seed. The first copper you save is the seed from which your tree of wealth shall grow. And the more faithful you nourish and water that with consistent savings, the sooner may you bask in contentment beneath its shade’.

So Arkad faithfully applied Algamish financial principle. He saved for twelve months but lost everything. But algamish said to him ‘He who takes advice about his savings from one who is inexperienced in such matters, shall pay with his savings for proving the falsity of their opinions.’

Saving had become his habit already, so it was not difficult for Arkad to start all over. Arkad applied Algamish financial principle and he became financially buoyant. And not quite long the door of opportunity opened up for him as Algamish made him his business partner and subsequently an heir to his business empire because he had seen in him the desire to prosper and that was how Arkad’s destiny was changed forever.

After narrating his story one of his friends asked, ’what then do you advise us to do that  we also may become rich? The years have passed , we are no longer young men and we have nothing put by.’ Then Arkad answered, ’I advise that you take the wisdom of Algamish and say to yourselves, ‘A part of all I earn is mine to keep’.

MY THOUGHTS:

-First learn to live upon less than you could earn.

-Secondly seek advice from those who are competent through their own experiences to give it.

-Lastly, learn to make gold work for you.

QUESTION:  “Will power is but the unflinching purpose to carry a task you set for yourself to fulfillment .” Who made this statement?