"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
(2 Timothy 2:4KJV) Is investing into the ever changing, sometimes volatile stockmarket, an entanglement of the Christian? Perhaps so. Investing in mutual funds is less risky. Certainly, annuities, CDs, IRAs, and others would produce a gain in capital which is more secure for the believer. It has been said that Federal bonds are one of the most secure investments. Are these also "entanglements", though?
God wants Christians to use their talents and money wisely and faithfully. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (money), who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16:10-11 KJV) Some Christians believe that as long as they tithe to the church, God will take care of their finances. This is not necessarily the best approach. It does not lend itself to reason that we are to ignore potential investments, and just reason that God will work out our finances for us.
Consider Matthew's account of Jesus' parable about the wise and the foolish servants:
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
(Matthew 25 KJV)
The lord gave the servants some money. The one that was given the least did no
thing with his money. He didn't invest or trade. He was cursed. The ones that were given more traded and doubled their money for their master. They were blessed.
20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Now we see the contrast of the servant which was ashamed. Note here that the lord told him what he should have done which is still sound advice for investors today.
27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is interesting to note that the word of God says "thou should have put my money to the exchangers". The New York Stock Exchange could be classified as "an exchanger". With the right broker, a person could put money to these"exchangers" and make a decent profit bringing glory to the Lord and a titheable income.
But what if a person lost money in the stock exchange system? It could be very easy to do. And wouldn't it be less of a risk to invest in bonds, or real estate? The Lord gives wisdom through prayer. A true believer needs to ask God for wisdom when investing and handling money. Certainly, the gifts that God gives are not to be squandered. Nor should Christians make hasty or foolish decisions when it comes to making investments.
So, as a Christian, one must trust in the Lord, not be entangled with the affairs of this life, and be faithful. One must also invest, and not merely hide the money entrusted to him or her. Christians should use care if they invest in the stockmarket realizing that more secure investments may be elsewhere.
Jonathan ShottsDirector
SCC (269) 804-7628
PO Box 61 Dowling, MI 49050
