The Well That Never Runs Dry 

A Parable About Wealth, Wisdom, and Generational Prosperity

By Patrick Hackenberry


What if the key to financial security wasn’t found in the stock market or a retirement account—but in a well that never runs dry?

In The Well That Never Runs Dry, follow the journey of two families who take very different paths in preparing for the future. One relies on conventional wisdom, trusting in fleeting market trends and short-term solutions. The other follows timeless principles of stewardship, growth, and financial wisdom—learning to build a reservoir of wealth that provides security for generations.

Through this engaging parable, you’ll discover:

✔️ The power of uninterrupted compounding and financial stability

✔️ How to create a financial system that works for you, not against you

✔️ Strategies to pass on wealth and security to your children and grandchildren

✔️ Why true financial freedom isn’t just about investing—but about storing, growing, and accessing money wisely

Inspired by timeless financial principles and written in the style of The Richest Man in Babylon, this book offers a compelling and thought-provoking look at how to build lasting wealth with a strategy most people overlook.

If you’re ready to rethink your financial future and secure a well that never runs dry, this book is for you.



Chapter 1: The Choice

In the village of Barrow’s Hollow, where the river ran wide and the fields were green, there lived a man named Elias Weaver. He was not the wealthiest in the village, nor the most learned, but he was known for his steady hands and thoughtful ways. Unlike many of his neighbors, Elias did not concern himself only with the pleasures of today. He listened to the elders who spoke of seasons of hardship and knew that wisdom was found in preparing for what could not yet be seen.

One evening, as the village square bustled with laughter and song, Elias stood at the edge of his land, staring at the untouched earth. His wife, Miriam, approached, wiping flour from her hands.

"You have that look again," she said with a knowing smile.

"I have decided," Elias replied. "I will dig a well."

Miriam frowned. "But the river is full, and the barrels are overflowing. Why trouble yourself with such a task when there is no need?"

Elias turned toward her and gestured to the fields. "The river is full today, but what of tomorrow? What of the seasons yet to come?"

Miriam sighed but did not argue. She had learned that when Elias set his mind to something, he would not be moved.

Across the way, their neighbor Silas Tanner leaned against his fence, overhearing the conversation. Silas was a man of quick fortune and easy living. He lived by the rule that life was meant to be enjoyed, and worrying about tomorrow only stole the joy from today. His house was always filled with feasts, his storehouses brimming with grain, and his laughter the loudest in the village.

"Elias, my friend!" Silas called, strolling over with a cup of wine in hand. "Why do you always work when you could be living? The river has never failed us, and the rain always returns. Come, leave your worries and share a drink with me."

Elias smiled but shook his head. "Tell me, Silas, do you not store grain after the harvest?"

"Of course," Silas chuckled. "But only enough for the winter. What good is saving more when the harvest comes every year?"

Elias nodded. "There was once a man named Joseph who lived in a great kingdom. He saw what others did not—a time of plenty would be followed by a time of want. So he stored grain not just for one season, but for seven years. And when the famine came, those who had laughed at his preparations came to him for food."

Silas waved a hand dismissively. "Then let Joseph be Joseph, and let Silas be Silas. The river has never failed us, and I see no reason to doubt it now."

Elias said no more. He picked up his spade and struck the earth.

Silas laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Dig if you must, my friend, but you will tire yourself for nothing."

And with that, he returned to his feast.

For many weeks, Elias labored. His hands grew calloused, his back ached, but he did not waver. His sons grumbled, his neighbors scoffed, but still, he dug.

Then, one morning, after what felt like endless toil, his spade struck something different. Cool, clear water bubbled up from the ground, filling the hole with the promise of life. Elias smiled and lifted a handful to his lips. The well was deep. The well was strong. The well would never run dry.

Across the village, Silas Tanner drank deeply from the river, toasting to the good years, unaware that the winds of change were already stirring in the distance.










Chapter 2: The Advisor

The sun sat high over Barrow’s Hollow, its golden light dancing on the river’s surface. Silas Tanner strode through the bustling marketplace, his hands resting comfortably on his full belly. The harvest had been bountiful, and the village was thriving. Everywhere, merchants called out their wares, and children laughed as they played near the overflowing water barrels.

Silas had nearly forgotten about Elias and his ridiculous well-digging. What a waste of effort, he thought. The river was plentiful, the storehouses were full, and the future looked as bright as the midday sky.

As he browsed the merchant stalls, his eyes landed on a well-dressed man standing atop a wooden crate, addressing a small crowd. The man wore a fine tunic, embroidered with golden thread, and had the confident air of one who had seen much of the world. His voice carried above the chatter of the marketplace.

"Friends, listen well! The wise do not bury their gold in the ground where it lies useless. No, the wise put their wealth to work! Why store what could be multiplied? Why hoard what could be invested?"

Silas stepped closer, intrigued.

The man continued, "Many fear the unknown, but the world rewards those who take risks! The river flows, and so too should your wealth! Invest in trade, buy land, grow your fortune! And above all, do not be fooled into thinking you must hold onto things you no longer need."

The crowd murmured in agreement. Silas folded his arms. This man spoke with certainty, and certainty was something Silas respected.

"You there," the man pointed directly at Silas, "I see a man of means! Tell me, do you let your wealth sit idle?"

Silas smirked and shook his head. "I am no fool. I have fields, storehouses, and investments in the market. My fortune grows while I sleep."

The man nodded approvingly. "Then you, my friend, are already on the path to wisdom. But tell me—do you own a well?"

At the mention of a well, Silas scoffed. "No, I leave the digging to those who waste their time on foolish things. The river has never failed us."

The man clapped his hands. "Exactly! To dig a well is to live in fear! A river does not dry up, just as the markets do not fail those who trust in them. Why tie up your resources in something that only serves you in disaster? Instead, invest, expand, and ensure your wealth works for you."

Silas grinned. "You speak my language, stranger. What do they call you?"

"I am Master Loris," the man said, bowing slightly. "A man who has helped many grow their fortunes. And I see in you the potential for even greater wealth."

Silas puffed out his chest. He liked the sound of that.

"Tell me, Silas," Loris continued, "do you have a plan for when your strength fades?"

Silas frowned slightly. "I suppose I will have enough saved to last me."

Loris shook his head. "No, no, my friend. You are a man of vision! You should not simply save; you should put your wealth into places where it will grow! Buy land, invest in merchants, and when the time comes, rely on your earnings. And as for protection—why pay for what you will never use? Term protection is enough; beyond that, your wealth should be working for you!"

Silas felt a surge of excitement. This was a man who understood him. A man who knew how wealth was truly built.

"You are wise, Master Loris. Tell me more," Silas said, eager to learn.

And so, as Elias dug his well under the blistering sun, Silas sat comfortably in the shade, absorbing the teachings of Master Loris, believing that his future had never been more secure.














Chapter 3: The Sage and the Stream

The sun was beginning its slow descent over Barrow’s Hollow, casting long shadows across the land. Elias wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned on his shovel. The well was coming along, but the work was slow.

His neighbors had long stopped asking what he was doing. At first, they laughed, shaking their heads at his persistence. But now, they simply ignored him, caught up in the prosperity of the moment.

Elias stretched his aching back and turned toward the hills beyond the village. There, past the well-worn roads, lived Simeon, a man of many years and many stories. He was not wealthy in the way of gold and silver, but men traveled from distant villages to seek his wisdom.

Tonight, Elias would do the same.

The Walk to Wisdom

The path to Simeon’s home wound through quiet fields and cool groves. As Elias walked, the distant sound of rushing water reached his ears. It was the Hidden Stream, a source of water that never ran dry, even in the hottest summers. Few villagers bothered with it, though—it was out of the way, inconvenient compared to the wide and mighty river.

Elias paused by the stream, watching as the water flowed steadily over smooth stones. He knelt, cupped his hands, and drank deeply. The water was cool and pure. Reliable.

He smiled to himself.

A Lesson in Wells

Simeon’s home was a simple stone cottage, nestled beneath an ancient oak tree. The old man sat outside, whittling a piece of wood, his eyes twinkling as Elias approached.

"Elias, my boy," Simeon greeted, setting his carving aside. "You have the look of a man with many questions."

Elias sat on a low bench beside him. "I am digging a well, but no one understands why. They say I should enjoy the river while it lasts."

Simeon nodded slowly. "Ah, yes. The river. It is wide and generous—until it is not."

Elias frowned. "You think it will run dry?"

"Not today. Not tomorrow. But all things change, Elias. The river provides, but it does not belong to you. It belongs to the seasons, to the rains, to the land. When hardship comes, the river serves only those who have prepared to access it in new ways."

Simeon stood and motioned for Elias to follow. The two walked toward a small well near the tree line.

"This well has served me for many years," Simeon said, drawing up a bucket of water. "It is not grand. It does not boast. But it provides for me whether the rains come or not. It asks nothing of the river. It is my own."

Elias took the bucket from Simeon’s hands, staring into the clear, undisturbed water.

"But a well takes time to build," Elias said finally.

Simeon chuckled. "Yes, my boy. And that is why so few build them. They do not see the need until it is too late."

The Difference Between Owning and Borrowing

Elias thought of Silas, of his storehouses filled with grain, of his investments in the market.

"Some say I should focus on building wealth instead," Elias said. "They say I should trade and invest, that storing up in a well is wasteful when I could be multiplying my riches."

Simeon nodded. "There is wisdom in growing what you have. A man should trade, build, and invest. But tell me, Elias—who owns the river?"

Elias hesitated. "No one."

"And who decides if the river will provide?"

"The rains," Elias admitted.

Simeon smiled. "A wise man does not build his house on shifting sands. Likewise, he does not build his future on things beyond his control. It is good to invest. It is good to grow. But what will you do when the river does not flow? What will you do when the lenders tighten their grip and the merchants demand more?"

Elias was silent.

Simeon continued, "A well is not just water, Elias. It is ownership. It is freedom. When others beg for a drink, you will not have to ask permission to draw from what is already yours."

A Plan for the Future

Elias looked again at the well. He thought of the Hidden Stream, the quiet source of water that never failed. He thought of the years to come, of the unseen hardships that might test them all.

"I will finish my well," Elias said at last. "And I will not stop with just one."

Simeon smiled. "Then you will never thirst, my boy. And neither will those who come after you."

As Elias made his way back to the village, the weight of his shovel no longer felt like a burden. It felt like a key—a key to a future he alone would own.






















Chapter 4: The Storehouse and the Steward

Elias worked steadily over the next few weeks. His well deepened, and with each layer of earth removed, his vision became clearer. He no longer saw the well as merely a source of water; it was a storehouse, a reservoir of security and control.

One evening, after a long day of digging, Elias visited Simeon once more. As they sat beneath the great oak tree, Elias shared his thoughts.

"I understand now why a man should build his own well," Elias said. "But one well alone does not seem enough. If drought comes, I do not want to ration what I have. I want my family—and those who come after me—to drink freely."

Simeon nodded, his eyes glinting with approval. "Then you are beginning to think like a true steward, Elias. A wise man does not dig only one well. He digs many. Each one deepens his foundation, expands his reach, and ensures that no season of hardship will undo his work."

Elias sat in thought for a moment before asking, "But how does a man build more than one well? Surely there is only so much time and strength in a day."

Simeon smiled. "That is why you must learn the power of flow—how to direct what you already have into something greater."

The Power of Flow

Simeon rose and led Elias toward a small stream that ran through his land. The water trickled steadily, never rushing but never ceasing.

"This stream may not look like much," Simeon said, "but given enough time, it can carve through mountains. Why? Because it flows without interruption."

He stooped down, cupping a handful of water before letting it slip through his fingers.

"Most men scatter what they earn," he continued. "They let it slip through their hands, spending it on fleeting things or storing it where others control it. But what if, instead, they directed their wealth to a place where it could grow uninterrupted? A place where the harvest is not taken from them before it is ripe?"

Elias considered this. "You are saying that a man should make his wealth flow like a stream—always moving, always growing, never stopping?"

Simeon nodded. "Yes. And in time, that steady stream can build many wells."


The Steward's Storehouse

Elias thought of his neighbors. Most of them stored their wealth in barns, hoarding it in grain and goods. Others entrusted it to merchants who promised great returns, but only if the market favored them. Still others borrowed from the lenders, always owing more than they owned.

"And where does a wise man store his wealth?" Elias asked.

Simeon smiled. "Where it grows, Elias. Where it is protected from loss. And where he can access it without asking another man's permission."

Simeon turned back toward his well.

"A well does not simply hold water, Elias. It replenishes itself. It compounds what is stored within it, so that over time, what was once a trickle becomes a mighty source. That is how a man must store his wealth—not in barns that can burn, nor in another man's hands, but in something that grows without ceasing."

Elias furrowed his brow. "But what if I need to use what I have stored? Should I not keep some in a lender’s house, so that I may borrow when needed?"

Simeon chuckled. "Why borrow from another when you can borrow from yourself? If you have built your well deep enough, you will never need to beg from the lenders. You will have all you need, and when you take from it, you will restore it again—with increase."

The Responsible Keeper

Elias pondered this. He had seen many men borrow from the merchants and lenders. Few ever repaid their debts in full. The lenders always seemed to find a way to take more than they had given.

"But what if a man borrows from his own storehouse and does not return what he has taken?" Elias asked.

Simeon’s expression grew serious. "Then he is like a farmer who eats all his seed and expects a harvest in the spring. A wise man replenishes what he has taken so that his well never runs dry. He does not treat his wealth carelessly, nor does he take without restoring. If he does, he will soon find himself in the same bondage as those who rely on the lenders."

Elias nodded slowly.

"Then I must be a responsible keeper of what I build."

Simeon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, Elias. When you are, you will not need to ask permission to build. You will not need to wait for the river to rise or fear when it falls. You will own your future, and no man will take it from you."

A New Vision

That night, Elias lay awake, staring at the wooden beams above his bed. His thoughts turned to the generations that would come after him.

Most men built their fortunes in barns and markets, hoping their wealth would remain. But Elias now saw a different path—one that did not depend on the rise and fall of the river, nor on the mercy of lenders.

He would build not just one well, but many.

He would make his wealth flow, like the steady stream.

And he would be a responsible keeper, ensuring that what he built would never run dry.


















Chapter 5: The Two Paths

Elias continued to build his well, but now, he also began planning for the future. He no longer thought in terms of days or even years—he thought in generations. He imagined his children and their children coming to the well, drawing from its depths long after he was gone.

One evening, as he was finishing his work, he saw his old friend Silas approaching from the road. Silas carried a large satchel over his shoulder, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"Elias!" Silas called. "I have come to seek your counsel."

Elias set down his tools and waved his friend over. "What troubles you, Silas?"

Silas let out a heavy sigh and dropped his satchel onto the ground. It spilled open, revealing scrolls filled with figures, debts, and market reports.

"I have done all that was taught to me," Silas began, rubbing his forehead. "I have stored my grain in the barns of merchants. I have lent my gold to the moneychangers, who promised great returns. And I have followed the wisdom of a respected teacher who tells all men to trust the markets and the lenders. But now, the markets have fallen. The merchants have taken their fees, and the lenders have raised their rates. I have little left to show for my labor."

Elias studied his friend, then motioned toward a nearby bench under the shade of an olive tree. "Come, sit with me."

Silas slumped onto the bench, shaking his head. "Tell me, Elias, what have you done differently? You have no barns filled with grain. You do not trust the merchants, yet you do not fear the future. Why?"

Elias smiled and pointed toward his well. "Because I have built something that does not depend on the rise and fall of the market. Let me tell you of the two paths, Silas."

The Road to the City and the Path to the Well

"There was once a man," Elias began, "who sought to build his fortune. He heard of a great city where men multiplied their gold in the markets, so he set out on the road to learn their ways. When he arrived, he found merchants who promised great returns if he would place his gold in their hands. They spoke of the power of compound gain, yet they warned him that the market would rise and fall. ‘But fear not,’ they said, ‘if you leave your gold with us long enough, you will surely profit.’"

"The man trusted their words and placed his gold with them. For a time, he saw it grow, and he rejoiced. But then, a great storm came, and the markets tumbled. The merchants suffered losses, and in turn, the man suffered as well. When he went to withdraw his gold, he found that much of it had vanished. ‘You must wait,’ the merchants told him. ‘In time, the market will rise again.’ But the man had no time—he had a family to feed, a home to care for, and debts to repay. So, he borrowed from the lenders, believing he had no other choice. And thus, he found himself bound, always owing, always waiting, always hoping that the market would rise once more."

Silas shifted uncomfortably. "This man’s path sounds familiar."

Elias nodded. "Yes. Now, let me tell you of another man. This man did not journey to the city. Instead, he stayed in his land and dug a well. With each bucket of water he drew, he stored a portion for the future. When his family needed water, he took only what was necessary and replenished it with care. Over time, his well grew deeper, and soon, he dug another. Then another. And when drought came, while others ran to the city for relief, he simply drew from his storehouse. He owed no man. He feared no famine. And his children and their children drank from what he had built."

Silas was silent for a long moment. Finally, he asked, "And which path do you say I have taken?"

Elias placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. "You have taken the road to the city, my friend. But it is not too late to build your well."

The Difference Between Ownership and Control

Silas sighed. "But where would I even begin? I have already given so much of my wealth to the merchants and the lenders. What remains is but a small portion."

Elias smiled. "Then start with what you have. Store it where it will grow uninterrupted. Let your wealth flow, just as the stream flows into my well. Do not place it where another man can take it before it has ripened. And most importantly, when you draw from your storehouse, replenish it—so that it may continue to serve you long after you are gone."

Silas frowned. "But the merchants speak of growth, too. They say my wealth must be put to work."

Elias nodded. "And it must—but not in a place where you cannot touch it. The merchants promise great returns, but they demand that you leave your wealth in their hands for years, trusting that the river will always rise. What happens if you need your gold before the river rises again? You must beg to borrow it, and in doing so, you become a servant to the lender. True ownership is not in the number of coins a man has—it is in his ability to access them when he needs them, without permission from another."

A New Beginning

Silas was quiet. He stared at the well, then at the satchel of market reports and debts at his feet.

"If I were to build my own well," he said slowly, "how long would it take before it could sustain me?"

"Five to seven years," Elias replied. "With patience, discipline, and the right guidance, you could transition away from the merchants and lenders. But it requires a different way of thinking. You must learn to direct your wealth, not just chase growth. And you must be a faithful steward, always replenishing what you use."

Silas nodded, determination growing in his eyes. "Then teach me, Elias. I am ready."

Elias smiled. "Then let us begin."





















Chapter 6: Digging the First Well

The morning air was crisp as Silas returned to Elias’s land. The weight of debt and past mistakes still clung to him, but something had changed. For the first time in years, he had hope.

Elias greeted him with a firm handshake and a knowing smile. “Are you ready to start?”

Silas nodded. “I am.”

Elias led him to an untouched patch of land. The ground was firm, unbroken, waiting. He handed Silas a shovel.

"This," Elias said, "is where you will dig your first well."

Silas looked at the shovel, then at the dry earth. "But this land is barren. There is no water here."

Elias chuckled. "No, not yet. But there will be. Every great well begins as dry ground. It is the man who digs with patience who will see the water rise."

Silas hesitated. "How deep must I dig?"

"Deep enough to sustain you," Elias answered. "And once this well is flowing, you will dig another. And another. Until no drought, no famine, no misfortune can shake you."

The Seed of a New System

As Silas drove his shovel into the earth, Elias spoke. "You see, my friend, the mistake many men make is believing they must first become rich before they can build wealth. They wait for the perfect moment—the next raise, the next lucky turn in the market. But true wealth is built by those who begin where they are, with what they have."

Silas wiped sweat from his brow. "But I have so little left. The merchants and the lenders have already taken so much."

Elias nodded. "That is why you must reclaim control. You have been allowing others to hold your storehouse. Now, you will begin storing for yourself."

"And how do I do that?" Silas asked.

Elias knelt beside him. "A well does not fill itself in a day. The first step is to redirect a portion of what you earn into your own storehouse—one that is protected, accessible, and steadily growing."

Silas frowned. "But where? The market fluctuates. The lenders take their cut. The merchants demand patience. Where can a man store his wealth so that it will grow uninterrupted?"

Elias smiled. "There is a place, my friend. A place where your gold will grow safely, without interference. Where it can be borrowed against when needed, without fear of loss. A place where it will pass to your children, untouched by the hands of the moneychangers. But it requires discipline. It requires time. It requires faith that slow, steady growth will always outlast the gamble of the market."

Silas nodded slowly. "Then show me this place."

Elias stood and patted his shoulder. "First, finish digging."

The First Drop of Water

Days passed. Then weeks. Silas dug his well, his hands blistered, his muscles aching. At times, he grew discouraged. "This is taking too long," he would say. "I see no water."

But Elias would only smile. "Keep going. Every drop of sweat now will bring a flood in the future."

And then, one morning, as Silas drove his shovel into the earth, he heard a soft sound—a trickle. He knelt, touching the cool, damp soil.

"Water!" he cried.

Elias nodded. "Your patience has been rewarded. Now, let us guide this water where it can serve you best."

The System of Many Wells

As the days passed, Elias taught Silas how to build a system.

"One well is good, but one well alone cannot sustain an entire family," Elias explained. "A wise man digs multiple wells, each serving a different purpose."

Silas listened carefully as Elias described how each well would work together:

"And," Elias added, "each well must be replenished. If you take from one, return more than you borrowed, so the water continues to rise."

Silas thought about this. "I have never thought of wealth this way. I was always told to put my gold in the market and hope it grows."

Elias nodded. "The market is a river. It rises, and it falls. A wise man may use the river, but he does not depend on it. A truly free man has his own wells, and when the river dries up, he does not suffer."

Silas looked at his well and then back at Elias. "And what of the others?" he asked. "The men who still trust the merchants and the lenders? Can they not dig their own wells?"

Elias smiled. "Yes. But first, they must see that they are thirsty."

Silas clenched his fist with new determination. "Then let them see. I will show them a different way."

Elias nodded. "Then your journey is just beginning, my friend. Today, you have found water. But tomorrow, we will build a well that never runs dry."
















Chapter 7: The First Storm

The winds howled through the valley, bending the trees and shaking the wooden shutters of Silas’s home. The storm had arrived suddenly, a fierce and unrelenting force that battered the land through the night.

At dawn, Silas stepped outside to assess the damage. His heart sank. The floodwaters had torn through his fields, washing away the crops he had worked so hard to cultivate. His barn, though still standing, bore the marks of the storm—shingles missing, beams weakened. His workers stood around, their faces etched with worry.

"Silas," one of them said hesitantly. "The harvest is ruined. We will have no grain to sell at market this season."

Silas clenched his jaw. Just months ago, this would have been a disaster beyond recovery. He would have rushed to the merchants, seeking a loan to repair his land, only to fall further into their grasp. He would have borrowed against next season’s harvest, gambling that nature would be kinder next year.

But this time, things were different.

The Strength of the Wells

Instead of panic, Silas felt a calm resolve settle over him. He turned to his workers. "We will rebuild," he said. "And we will not beg the merchants for help."

The men exchanged uncertain glances. "But how, Silas? Without a harvest, how will we buy supplies?"

Silas walked toward the well he had built under Elias’s guidance. He drew a bucket of water and let it pour over his calloused hands.

"Because this time, I am prepared."

He returned to his home and opened a small, locked chest. Inside were the reserves he had set aside—not in the hands of the merchants, not locked in uncertain ventures, but in a place where they had grown safely, untouched by the storm.

Silas turned to his foreman. "Pay the workers their wages. Purchase the materials to rebuild the barn. We will not lose what we have built."

The foreman hesitated. "Are you sure? If we spend what we have now, what if another storm comes?"

Silas smiled. "That is why we continue digging more wells. One storm does not end a wise man’s journey. It only proves the strength of his foundation."

The Merchant’s Surprise

Later that week, Silas made his way into town to purchase supplies. As he approached the merchant's table, the lender who had once held his debts squinted at him.

"Silas," the man said with a smirk. "I heard about the storm. A great misfortune. You must be in need of assistance?"

Silas shook his head. "No, not today."

The lender’s smile faltered. "No? But how? Surely you require a loan. The fields are ruined, are they not?"

Silas met his gaze with quiet confidence. "Yes, but my storehouse is full. I have no need to borrow."

The lender scoffed. "A miracle, then? Did the gods send you gold?"

Silas chuckled. "No miracle. Just wisdom. I have learned not to place my trust in the hands of others. I have built a system that sustains itself."

The lender’s smirk faded. "You would have done better to invest in the market, Silas. Gold sitting idle is wasted opportunity."

Silas nodded thoughtfully. "And yet, while others panic in times of trouble, I stand secure. I no longer chase fortune—I build it, drop by drop, well by well."

The lender had no response.

Elias’s Final Lesson

That evening, Silas returned to Elias’s land. His old friend was waiting for him, sitting on a wooden bench beneath the olive tree.

"You have weathered your first storm," Elias said with a smile.

Silas sat beside him. "I see now what you meant. The merchants and the lenders will always be there, waiting for men to fall into their traps. But I no longer fear them."

Elias nodded. "And that, my friend, is true wealth—not simply gold or land, but the knowledge that no matter what comes, you are in control of your future."

Silas looked out over the land, the wells he had dug, the workers rebuilding his farm, and felt something he had not known in years—peace.

"What do I do now?" he asked.

Elias smiled. "You do as every wise man before you has done. You teach others to do the same."

Silas exhaled slowly, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon. The storm had passed, but his journey was just beginning.






















Chapter 8: The Wells of Others

The morning sun cast golden light over the valley as Silas stood on the edge of his land. The fields were green again, the barn repaired, and the wells he had dug stood as silent sentinels of his newfound wisdom. He had survived the storm—not by luck, but by preparation.

Yet, as he walked through the village that day, he saw the familiar signs of struggle in the faces of others. Merchants arguing with desperate farmers, workers standing idly by because there was no money to pay their wages, families pleading for loans that would only trap them in endless cycles of debt.

Silas had once been one of them. And that thought unsettled him.

A Familiar Face in Need

At the marketplace, he spotted a young man named Jonas, the son of a local carpenter. Jonas had always been ambitious, eager to grow his father’s modest shop into a thriving business. But today, his shoulders were slumped, and his hands were clenched in frustration.

Silas approached. "Jonas, what troubles you?"

The young man exhaled sharply. "The same thing that troubles many, I suppose. My father fell ill last winter, and in order to keep the business running, I took a loan from the merchants." He shook his head. "But now the payments have risen, and I can barely keep up. If I miss another payment, they will take our tools. Without them, we have no work. Without work, we have nothing."

Silas recognized the fear in Jonas’s eyes. It was the same fear he had once felt when standing before the merchants, trapped in their web.

"Come," Silas said. "Walk with me."

A Different Kind of Storehouse

They walked to the edge of Silas’s land, where the wells stood in neat rows.

"What do you see?" Silas asked.

Jonas frowned. "Wells, of course."

"And what do wells do?"

"They hold water, so you never run dry."

Silas nodded. "That is exactly right. Now, tell me—where do you store your wealth?"

Jonas scoffed. "I don’t have wealth, Silas. That’s why I had to borrow."

Silas smiled patiently. "Neither did I, once. But I learned that wealth is not about what you have today—it is about where you choose to store what you earn. Some men pour their money into the merchants’ hands, hoping they will never need to ask for it back. Others bury it away, thinking it safe but never allowing it to grow. But the wise man builds wells—not only for water, but for his wealth."

Jonas furrowed his brow. "And how does one do that?"

Silas gestured toward the largest well, the one that had been filled slowly over time. "By keeping what you earn in a place where it grows, where it is safe from the hands of the merchants, and where you can always access it when you need it most."

Jonas shook his head. "But what if I need it now? What if the merchants take everything before I have time to build my wells?"

Silas considered this. "Then we start small. A single bucket of water may not quench a drought, but it is a beginning. I have learned that wealth is not built in an instant—it is built in discipline, in consistency, in knowing where to place your trust."

A New Path Begins

Over the following weeks, Silas helped Jonas restructure his business. He showed him how to set aside a portion of every sale—not in the merchants' coffers, but in his own storehouse. He taught him how to protect his assets, how to build reserves, how to keep his wealth flowing like the wells that never ran dry.

At first, the changes were small. But as the months passed, Jonas no longer feared the merchants' demands. His debts shrank. His confidence grew. And one day, he too found himself standing before the merchants—not as a beggar, but as a man who no longer needed their help.

Silas watched with satisfaction as Jonas’s shop flourished. He had taken his first step toward independence. And Silas knew that this was only the beginning.

Because when one man learns to build a well, he does not keep the knowledge to himself. He shares it, so that others may do the same.





Chapter 9: The Lessons of the Wells

And so, the story of Silas and Jonas comes to an end—not as a tale of wealth acquired overnight, but as a testament to the wisdom of preparation, patience, and purposeful planning.

The lessons Silas learned, and later passed on to Jonas, are not merely the lessons of one man—they are the lessons of generations who seek to build something that lasts. These principles are not bound to a single time or place. They are as relevant today as they were in the days when wise men stored grain in barns and built wells to outlast the drought.

Now, let us step back from the parable and examine the financial truths that lie beneath the story.

The Core Principles of Financial Wisdom


The Modern Application: Your Financial Wells

In today’s world, these principles apply in the form of a properly structured financial strategy, one that:

Just as Silas learned that he needed to take control of his own financial destiny, we too must recognize that financial freedom comes not from outside institutions, but from a system that puts us in control.

Now, the question remains: How does one build such a system today?

For that, we must take one final step forward.











Chapter 10: Your Shield for the Future

The principles outlined in this book are not just ideas—they are real strategies that can be implemented today.

Patrick Hackenberry, the author of this book and the founder of Onward Shield, LLC, has dedicated his career to helping individuals and families build financial security that lasts for generations.

Just as Silas found guidance from those who had walked the path before him, you, too, can find a mentor to help you implement these strategies in your own life.

At Onward Shield, we specialize in helping people:

The journey to financial security begins with a single step.

If you are ready to take control of your financial future—to build your own well that never runs dry—then reach out today.

Visit www.onwardshield.com to schedule a conversation about how these strategies can work for you.

The choice is yours. Will you continue to rely on the merchants, or will you begin to dig your own well?