Rags to Riches story: The Richest Man in Babylon

Many people who read '' The Richest Man in Babylon'' take away as it's core message, the seven cures for a lean purse. The lesson is an important one for it dwells on the matter many face as their first obstacle to being wealthy. What many over look though, is the story leading up to the cure. The chapter that is the title of the book itself. 

Chapter 2: The Richest Man in Babylon

In many ways it tells the story of us. People who are seeking to be free from this constant cycle of working day after day with little to no hope for a financially free future. 

I most enjoyed the use of words from the old english in the book, which gave it a type of historical lore and feeling. 

The story has resonated with me and I hope it stays with me, so that I too may pass on the knowledge held by the richest people in Babylon.

Once there was a young man who worked the scribes in the old city of Babylon. He laboured the whole day, in the hopes, that he could earn well for he desired to be rich. 

One day, Algamish, the money lender came to the master because he needed a copy of the Ninth Law. He promised the young man a gold coin, if he finished the task in two days. The young man was eager to earn the gold coin and laboured hard for two days, but alas the law was long and when the money lender returned, the scribes were not yet finished. The money lender was very angry, but the young man said,

'' Master Algamish, you are a very rich man, if you share your wisdom about your wealth and how I too can be rich , I will labour all night upon the clay and have the scribes ready by the morrow.'' 

Algamish smiled but nodded. 

All night long the young man worked, though his back ached and the smoke from the lamp did make his head hurt, he did not stop, and by the time the sun rose, he had the scribes ready before the money lender. He said '' Algamish, I have fulfilled my share of the bargain, now pray tell me what you promised.'' Algamish, the money lender agreed and said 

'' Just like the sun that is shining today, is the same sun that shone when our ancestors were alive, the wisdom of wealth remains the same no matter the passage of time.''

He warned, '' Mark my words, for if you do not, you will fail to grasp the truth that I wish to tell you, and your night's work will be in vain. I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of what I earned is mine to keep.''

The young man was clearly confused. He asked '' Is not all of what I earn, mine to keep?''

''Far from it.'' He replied. 'Do you not pay the garment-maker for your clothes? Do you not pay the butcher for your meat or the farmer for the milk you drink? You pay everyone but yourself. Hence, why your purse is lean. You labour not for yourself but for others.If you save one-tenth of your earning every month, how much would you have in a year?'

The young man replied '' Why, I would have one-tenth of what I earn in a year.''

''What about in ten years?''

''I would have a year's worth.''

''That is but half the truth'' replied the money lender. ''Every gold piece that you save, is a slave to work for you. Every copper it makes is it's child that can earn for you. If you wish to be wealthy, what you save must earn, and it's children must earn, that all may work to give you the abundance that you crave. 

Wealth like a tree, grows from a tiny seed. The first copper you save is the seed from which your tree of wealth must grow.'' So saying, the money lender picked his tablets and went away.

The young man pondered on what he had learnt and decided that he would save a tenth of his monthly earnings.

After a year had passed, Algamish reappeared at the master's workshop and inquired about the young man. When he was bought to him, Algamish asked '' Son, have you paid to yourself every tenth of what you earned?''

The young man answered proudly, '' Yes master, I have.''

''That is good and what have you done with it?''

'' I have given it to Azzur the brick-layer, who was travelling across the sea to Phoenix, from whence he will buy gems, which we will sell for a tidy profit.''

'' Every fool must learn'' growled Algamish 'But why trust the knowledge of a brick maker about jewels? Would you go to the baker to inquire about the stars? No, you would go to the astrologer. You have uprooted your wealth tree and given it away. Plant another, but this time if you wish to get advice about jewels, go the jewel merchant. If you wish to know about sheep, go to the herdsman.'

So saying, the money lender left and returned after another year. He again inquired about the young man and asked him, 'What progress have you made since last I saw you?'

'I paid myself faithfully' replied the young man, 'and I have entrusted my savings to Aggar the shield maker, who buys bronze and pays me a rent every fourth month.'

'That is good, and what do you do with the rental?'

'I have a grand feast with honey and cakes with special wine. I buy a grand tunic and one day I will buy a horse upon which to ride.'

Algamish laughed, ' You have but, eaten the children of your savings. Then, how do you expect them to work for you? And how can they have children that will also work for you? First get thee an army of golden slaves and then you can feast without regrets.' So saying, he went away again.

The money lender returned after two years, he had deep lines upon his face and his eyes drooped and he tired easily. But he went to the young man and asked '' Hast thou yet achieved the wealth thou dreamed of?''

''Yes, I take advice from brick layers only in the business of laying bricks, and my golden army doth serve me well.'' replied the young man.

The money lender smiled and said ''You have learned your lessons well. First, you learnt to live upon less than you earn. Then, you learned to seek advice from those who were competent through their own experience. And lastly, you have learned to make gold work for you.

You have taught yourself how to acquire money, how to keep it and how to use it.''

The young man's name was Arkad who would go on to become the richest man in Babylon, and who spread the wisdom of wealth to his friends and neighbours. Many who left his teaching were skeptical, many failed to act on his advice but a few had new light in their eyes and a determination to act and succeed as he did.

Similary, We have the opportunity to save one-tenth of our income and plant seeds of wealth in our own lives, and live finacially free lives just as the money lender of Babylon hath advised.