Why Every Black Woman Should Read The Richest Man in Babylon

“I Know We Hate Babylon…and valid!”

Let me start here, sis: I know we hate Babylon. Believe me, I’m the first one side-eyeing every time Babylon comes up in scripture or history. The empire, the captivity, the arrogance — yes, all of that. But I have to be honest with you. They may have gotten one thing right. And it’s not their golden statues or their obsession with towers. It’s money.

Specifically, it’s the lessons laid out in George S. Clason’s little classic, The Richest Man in Babylon. Written almost a century ago, it uses parables set in Babylon to teach timeless money principles. And I’m here to tell you: this book is a game-changer, especially for us.

Because let’s be real: we as Black women know how to make a dollar stretch.

We’ve been making meals out of nothing, flipping tax refunds into businesses, and saving for vacations while paying Sallie Mae. But what this book does is give our hustle a framework. And trust me — we need that.

Lesson 1: “A Part of All You Earn Is Yours to Keep”

Translation: Pay yourself first.

Sounds simple, right? But let me tell you about my old self. Every payday I’d pull a disappearing act with my money. Target runs, brunch with the girls, hair appointments, and before I knew it — my account looked like a crime scene.

When Clason said, “Save at least 10% of everything you earn,” I thought, “That’s baby money.” But when I actually tried it? Whew. Watching that savings account grow felt like getting my edges back after visiting Aabies. Slow but steady.

Now, whenever I get a check, even if it’s just $100, I slide $10 into a separate account. Non-negotiable. And that one habit alone has given me more peace than any paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle ever did.

Lesson 2: Control Thy Expenditures

Translation: Stop acting like you’re allergic to a budget.

We all know that friend who lives like a baller on a Wendy’s paycheck. And if you don’t know her, sis… it’s you. Clason’s parables remind us that lifestyle creep is real — when your income goes up, so do your “needs.”

I’ll never forget when I got my first salary job. I immediately convinced myself I needed new furniture, a better car, and weekly dinners out. Within six months, I was broke in a nicer apartment.

Babylon’s wisdom is this: cut unnecessary expenses and live below your means. Or as a wise woman used to say, “Stop trying to look rich and actually get rich.”

She had a point.

Lesson 3: Make Thy Gold Multiply

Translation: Let your money work harder than you do.

Now, I’m not saying quit your job and start a pyramid scheme. What this means is: invest. And if that word makes you nervous, think small. If stocks and bonds feel intimidating, start with a high-yield savings account.

Yes, sis, even Cash App has one at 4%. That means your money is literally growing just by sitting there — no extra effort required. Start small, even with $20, and let the compound interest do its thing. Watching my balance rise while I was binge-watching Netflix felt like magic.

Clason’s parables stress that idle money is wasted money. In modern terms: don’t let your cash just sit — let it stack. Put it somewhere it can earn interest, dividends, or returns.

Lesson 4: Guard Thy Treasures from Loss

Translation: Stop letting people (and yourself) play with your coins.

One of Babylon’s richest men lost all his money because he trusted a shady “friend” with an investment. Raise your hand if you’ve loaned money to someone you knew wasn’t going to pay you back. Yep, same.

Now I have a rule: if I can’t afford to lose it, I don’t loan it. And when it comes to investing, I actually do my homework. If I can’t explain how the money is coming back to me, I’m not touching it. Period.

Brandi from Love and Hip Hop who spent her son's inheritance on a failed boutique.

Lesson 5: Increase Thy Ability to Earn

Translation: Keep leveling up.

Clason’s Babylonians never stopped learning. And that hit me. As women, we sometimes plateau at a certain job or skill set. But the richest man in Babylon became rich because he kept improving his craft.

That inspired me to take online courses, attend workshops, and even charge more for my services. I realized that my brain is my best investment. Because money can be stolen, but skills? Those multiply.

Why It Matters for Us

Let’s talk real. Financial stability for Black women is not just personal — it’s generational. Many of us are the backbone of our families. We pay bills, raise kids, support Husbands, cover our parents, and build businesses all at once. The Richest Man in Babylon gives us a blueprint to not just survive but thrive.

And it does so in a way that’s relatable. You don’t need a finance degree. You don’t need to decode Wall Street jargon. Just common sense with a Babylonian twist.

So yes, I know — Babylon wasn’t exactly our best friend in scripture. But these money parables? They might just set us free.

Becoming the Richest Woman in Babylon… I Mean, America

At the end of the day, these principles aren’t just about stacking coins — they’re about reclaiming our financial power. When we save, invest, guard our resources, and keep learning, we’re building not just wealth, but stability, confidence, and legacy.

And honestly, why stop at being “the richest man in Babylon”? I say let’s remix it. Let’s become the richest women in Babylon… I mean, America (or wherever the hell you want to be). Because when a Black woman builds wealth, it’s never just for her. It’s for her family, her community, and generations to come.

So grab this little book. Laugh at its old-timey parables. Side-eye Babylon if you must. But don’t miss the chance to rewrite the story — this time with us holding the scepter.