Wealthy people share several common traits. I have studied them for many years, starting with Abraham, the father of all those who would have faith to contemporary millionaires.

Genesis 13:2
Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

Abraham’s servant spoke of his master’s great wealth.

Genesis 24:35
The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and he has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants, and maids and camels and donkeys.

Unfortunately, many Christians today equate wealth with greed and covetousness, yet the father of all who would ever have faith was Abraham, a very rich man.

Romans 4:16 AMP
Therefore, [inheriting] the promise depends entirely on faith [that is, confident trust in the unseen God], in order that it may be given as an act of grace [His unmerited favor and mercy], so that the promise will be [legally] guaranteed to all the descendants [of Abraham]—not only for those [Jewish believers] who keep the Law, but also for those [Gentile believers] who share the faith of Abraham, who is the [spiritual] father of us all

What are some of the attributes of wealthy people? If you want to be extremely wealthy, learn and practice these traits:

1. They Commit Themselves to Being Wealthy

First, they decided to become wealthy.

Then they committed themselves to being wealthy. A commitment is incalculably stronger than a mere decision. With commitment, there is the resolve to allocate whatever is necessary to achieve the commitment, whether it’s time, energy, or a portion of income…whatever!

Remember, we are always wealthy on the inside before we are wealthy on the outside. Only with a firm commitment are angels dispatched on our behalf to help make the dream a reality.

2. They Think Like Wealthy People

• They know that their inner kingdom becomes their outer kingdom.
• They read God’s Word, the Bible, and believe it.
• They read books by wealthy people to learn how they think.
• They assimilate that thinking as their own so long at it harmonizes with God’s Word.
• They vote like other extremely wealthy people, deploring the thought of “spread the wealth around” socialism.
• They are generous and choose to “spread their wealth around” to charities, churches, and ministries, but typically don’t want a big government involved.
• Wealthy people are never “scarcity thinkers.”

3. They Dream Big

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

John 4:34
“… Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

4. They are continuously learning

Extremely wealthy people believe that the greatest natural asset in the world is their mind. Your mind helps shape your destiny. Invest in your greatest natural asset by reading books, listening to CDs, being a part of a financial club (like Club 52), and attending seminars.

Proverbs 16:20 NLT
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Proverbs 18:15 MSG
Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.

5. They Stay Connected

 Wealthy believers stay connected to Christ’s commission and God’s covenant through tithes and offerings.

 Malachi 3:8-10 NLT
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

They also understand the power of connecting with an upbeat faith-filled environment and strategic alliances in their lives

Proverbs 27:17 NLT
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

6. They are Wise about their Close Associations

They scrutinize all their friends, advisors, and counselors. They know that all close associations will either lift them up or drag them down.

Just one undetected bad employee, for example, can cost a company hundreds of thousands of dollars in business. On the other hand, good, loyal, self-motivated employees can make a profound difference in the way customers and potential clients see your business. And that translates to a healthy, growing bottom line for finances.

Proverbs 13:20 MSG
Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

7. They all Started Where They Were

Some began with nothing but faith, enthusiasm, and the “never quit” mindset.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

8. They Guard their Hearts

Life is loaded with distractions. Wealthy people guard against things that can choke the abundant life from their hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Mark 4:18, 19
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

9. They Accept Responsibility for their Lives

This is the first principle of all success—ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. Wealthy people don’t wait for someone to come along and make them rich. They pray, plan, and execute a strategy for wealth accumulation.

Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG)
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

10. They Take Responsibility for Their Money

Proverbs 13:11 (NLT)
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.

11. They Have a Reason for Wealth

The “why” is infinitely more powerful than the “how?” Do you want to leave an inheritance to your children? What kind of clothes do you wish to wear? In what type of house will you live? What car will you drive? What vacations will you enjoy? Do you want to enjoy a good life while sponsoring missionaries, orphanages, and other ministries? What is your driving reason to be wealthy?

12. They Identify and write down their financial goals

“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.” ~ Earl Nightingale

“I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacation with better care than they do their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change. ~ Jim Rohn

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” ~ Fitzhugh Dodson

Now check out Part 2 and see my book, The Miracle of Faith Goals.