Have you ever read a scripture that just ignited a mental firestorm. . . stirring your spirit and energizing your fingers on a laptop keyboard?

Here’s the scripture that fired me up today.

Proverbs 12:24 in the New Living Translation says:

“Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.”

As I read that scripture I began thinking about the differences between successful and unsuccessful people.

Brian Tracy, the noted author and success teacher, said:

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me?'”

Being successful is not necessarily the result of your education, experience, family background or luck. . .but neither is being unsuccessful the result of those same things.

Here are twelve differences between successful and unsuccessful people.

I was talking with a man recently who said:

“People are getting laid off.”                                 People can’t find jobs.”

People are taking pay reductions.”                     People can’t pay their bills.

People are slashing their budgets.”                     Home values are dropping

Savings accounts are being emptied.                 Investments have gone up in smoke.

He looked at me…smiled and said….that’s just what’s happening in my family.

I had another man ask me what was my best investment advice for right now….