What the Bible Says About Investing

Beleivers should invest, not simply to accumulate wealth for their own sake, but to increase their effectiveness for God’s Kingdom. Teaching Beleivers to invest is as important as teaching them how to budget. It’s all part of living as faithful stewards.

There are those who oppose investment in the stock market, saying that buying stocks is the equivalent of gambling. The argument goes that, since stocks are bought in the hope (not guarantee) that they will increase in value, it is a form of gambling. There are differences, however, between gambling at a casino or buying lottery tickets, and buying stock. Gamblers risk money, which they know they will probably lose, in the hopes of making money quickly. Wise investors buy partial ownership in a company in the hopes of making money over time, which can be a sound way to plan for the future. The difference really comes down to intent. Some types of investing, such as same day-trading platforms, are very much like gambling. Anything that requires "luck" above wise decision-making and long-term planning should be avoided. Most long-term investments return a profit over time, making them much more like buying bonds or certificates of deposit than rolling dice in a casino. There are many who use investments to secure retirement, education for their children, and inheritance for their families. The Bible offers quite a few examples of growing wealth through legitimate means. Some are similar to investing—spending money now to make money later. God’s intentions for how we should manage our wealth are found in many Scriptures. The following are a few examples. Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”(NIV) This speaks against the “get-rich-quick” mentality. Looking at investment as a long-term plan for the future is good planning, but trying to make a fortune overnight is not. Second Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” The context is actually speaking about investing in our relationship with God, but it demonstrates how one must often sacrifice now to gain in the future. Similarly, Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Much of the Bible’s teaching about wealth is a warning against putting trust in wealth rather than in the Lord (e.g., 1 Timothy 6:17-18) or to the detriment of those who depend on us, Ecclesiastes 5:13-14, 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14  or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.  As long as we honor our commitments to God and our families with our money, and maintain a spirit of generosity and thankfulness, investing is an option Beleivers can consider.

Investing is a way to multiply the resources God has given us to provide for our current and future needs. It is also a means to increase what we have available to impact God’s kingdom. The stewards in Matthew 25:14-28 that multiplied their talents were commended for their good work but also entrusted with more talents.

God is faithful to always provide for our needs, and He is not against prosperity. However, we are responsible to be faithful in return to use our resources to honor God.

If you desire to be entrusted with greater riches, you need to be faithful with few (Luke 16:10-11). This means learning to be content with what you have and disciplined in your management of a little.

Reasons To Invest

1. To Further God’s Work.

In Acts 4:34, the believers sold their own land and possessions to meet the needs of other believers.

Obviously, those that have more are able to give more to God’s work. That doesn’t mean that everyone will, but I encourage you to be generous in how you give.

2. To Care For Your Family.

Having a surplus doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give it all away. Giving and saving are both biblical principles, and stewards should have a proper balance between the two. We are to give first to advance God’s work, save a portion to ensure we have an Emergency Fund, pay your obligations and then begin investing. Investing can be a wise way to save for college tuition, to provide for yourself during your later years of life, or to leave an inheritance for your children.

3. To Be Free.

When you have planned for your future and have the ability to personally fund your living expenses without working, then both your time and money are available to be used for the Kingdom.

Reasons NOT to Invest

The biggest reason not to invest is if you have the wrong heart attitude. There are many heart attitudes that are out of alignment with Scripture, but I have found these four to be the biggest offenders.

Greed: the desire to always have more and have only the best. (1 Timothy 6:9) “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  Beleivers should not invest out of a spirit of greed. Remember that nothing you have here on this earth will last in eternity. Greed is a reflection of our discontentment with what God has provided.

Pride: the desire to be elevated or esteemed because of material achievements. (1 Timothy 6:17)“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Investing to feel better about yourself or to show off to others will always lead to more discontentment and does not further God’s purposes for your life.

Ignorance: the desire to follow your own path without seeking counsel or seeking the counsel of misguided people. (Proverbs 15:22)“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Especially in today’s digital age, there is no excuse for being  without capable counselors. Seek wise, godly counsel, and make decisions supported with research and wisdom.

Envy: the desire to achieve based on jealousy of other people’s success. (Psalm 73:3) “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Contentment, not comparison, is the goal. Focus on all the wonderful blessings the Lord has bestowed upon you, and do not concern yourself with “keeping up with the Joneses”.

Seeking contentment in every area of your life will bring you financial freedom. But first you have to understand what the Bible says about  money, so you can adjust your beliefs and behaviors. You need to spend time in prayer and the study of the Bible to know what God says about every aspect of your finances.

And remember that the guaranteed investment is God’s Kingdom – Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: When we do what Jesus says,He guarantees that you are laying up for yourselves treasures in Heaven!