Proverbs 10:15

The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city, but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty.

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The other day my wife got on me—and she had good reason. I was behind on some housework…well, okay, I was way behind. But I think she went a little bit too far and to be honest she kinda 'ran me hot' cause she gonna come up to me and say, “You haven’t cut the yard like you promised, and that back door didn’t repair itself all summer, so it needs that attention you promised, and now that I said those two words together, promise and attention—when are we going on that date you talked about?”

So I said; IN MY MIND, "Woman, why are you complaining to me? Don't you know I'm working hard everyday! I know you need some attention, dang! Everybody needs some attention right now! These bills need some attention! That bank account ain't gonna fix itself!  And speaking of fix, can you fix me some food? Put that on my plate? 😉And of course...that was all IN MY MIND!

What I'm getting at is the mind is a terrible thing to waste. No, seriously! I’ve learned something in 34 years of marriage: that the mind is a safe holding cell for some words that don’t need to escape out of your mouth! When emotions run hot, you gotta send them words and sometimes those facial expressions straight to the mind for inspection—where they can get filtered by wisdom and common sense before they ever leave my mouth…Jus’ sayin.

Fortified or Ruined — It’s all in the Mind

Proverbs 10:15 says:“ The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city, but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty.”

At first glance, it looks like a money thing. Rich = protected. Poor = destroyed. But if you look closer, this proverb is about mindset.

A rich mindset feels fortified—not just because of dollars in the bank, but because of the posture of confidence, options, and possibility. Meanwhile, a poverty mindset feels ruined—not only by lack of resources, but by the heavy belief that things will never change.

Now don’t get it twisted—money doesn’t solve everything. Wealth can’t protect you from betrayal, sickness, or heartbreak. And poverty doesn’t guarantee failure—truth is favor and opportunity shows up at the door of the least likely.

But get this: your mindset sets the pace for how you navigate whatever comes your way. A fortified mindset says, “I can build, I can adjust, I can keep moving.” A poverty mindset says, “I’m stuck, I’m doomed, I can’t win.”

That’s why Scripture is so insistent about renewing the mind (Romans 12:2). And notice it says, “the poor are brought to ruin by ‘their’ poverty.” That means you personalize and own the mindset—believing and accepting that you’re trapped, powerless, and worthless—is what leads to ruin.

The Mind Before the Mouth

So here’s the wisdom: use your mind (and your heart) before you use your mouth, hands, or feet. Think before you speak. Imagine before you act. Discern before you move.

Because whether you feel fortified or ruined isn’t first about your bank account—it’s about the city you’ve built in your mind.

💡 Keep this in Mind

Your mindset can be your fortress—or your fatal downfall.

🙏🏽 Prayer

Lord, fortify my mind to believe, build, and bring life.

💡 Today’s Challenge:

Do a “mind audit.” Write down three recurring thoughts you’ve been carrying this week. Label each one as fortified (building strength) or ruin (tearing down). Replace one ruin-thought with a fortified truth.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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Be Wise and Be Well...peace.

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