A Word About Finances & InvestingBy Fred HandschumacherWhy discuss money on a Christian website? Because the Bible has a lot to say about financial stewardship. It's not limited to just paying tithes and offerings. Hopefully, it's refreshing to hear someone share about how to preserve, protect and multiply your finances rather than imply that you need to give more and sacrifice more. A poverty mentality exists in much of the institutional church world. Many professing Christians consider prosperity and the acquisition of financial resources as "unspiritual" and self-centered. Some consider it evil. Several years ago I had a similar mindset. I never thought prosperity was evil because the New Testament plainly states otherwise. Yet, I considered it less important than some other personal spiritual goals. God states that he uses our stewardship of money as a "proving ground" before he entrusts us with more important spiritual responsibilities (Luke 16:9-11). The world of economics and finances always intimidated me. I was raised in a family that possessed tremendous fear about money issues. My parents had horrible experiences during the depression of the 1930's. They never took money or finacial resources for granted and didn't take unnecessary risks with investments. Consequently, they instilled the same fears in their son. Yet, my life changed after accepting Christ. I learned that this "fear", while looking prudent and spiritual on the outside, is not a character trait in God's family. There is a vast difference between Godly financial responsibility and being so frugal that you make yourself, your spouse, your children and those around you bitter and miserable. The New Testament teaches that Godly financial responsibility involves being a "halarious giver" and that financial resources flow to people that practice this lifestyle. Hoarding and "frugalness" many times lead to poverty and lack because they violate the spirit of Christ's life, which is giving with an attitude of freedom. I've learned that God is committed to INCREASE and multiplication in finances. He wants the same thing for his family. Poverty and lack are listed in God's Word as a curse. Yet, most professing Christians view these curses as a spiritual attribute. For me, a turning point came several years ago while listening to a commentary on Matthew 25: 14-30. Jesus is teaching the parable of the "talents". A certain master went on a long trip and gave talents (a commodity or resource--like money) to his trusted servants while he was away. One servant received 5 talents, one received two and the last servant received one. Each of the first two servants doubled their number of talents. In modern terms both men earned a 100% yield on their investment. It's interesting that Jesus uses the word "traded" (verse 16) and the word "exchangers" (verse 27) to describe the method used to increase the investment. Today these are terms used to describe types of investment strategies. While our modern financial markets didn't exist in Bible times--a similar trading system built around farming commodities did exist. Jesus infers that these servants used that system to multiply their master's resources. The parable ends tragically when the servant who received one talent is rejected and cast out. What was his offense? Fear motivated him to bury his talent. He was so fearful and frugal with his masters resouces that he made no attempt to multiply it. He returned it to his Lord with no increase. The Lord referred to him as "the unprofitable servant". The last servant is a description of yours truly over 6 years ago. Since then I've made some difficult changes in the way I view the resources Jesus entrusts to me. He doesn't want me to bury and deplete resources for fear of losing them. The Lord also doesn't want me to rush into the world of investing and foolishly lose everything. In today's world you won't always be able to multiply resources just by working for an employer unless you're very well paid for your efforts. Most of us do not earn that much on the job. Yet, there is a way to allow money to multiply itself! And, I'm not just talking about low yield saving bonds or a bank savings account. And, yes I understand the power of compound interest involved in these methods. At current rates it would still take many years to double your original investment. In today's world the value of money is manipulated by world governments (including America) to extract and reallocate wealth. Most Americans are completely unaware of the faudulant banking practices in this country. Money is legally extracted (through inflation, money devaluation and confiscatory taxation) from the working class and redistributed to others. If the average citizen ever discovered the financial schemes being used against the public--wide-spread outrage would result. Participating in a savings program at your bank is better than not saving at all. Yet, failing to discover how our money system works and how to protect your finances from the approaching financial meltdown will reverse any benefit you get from compound interest. There's always risk involved in investing. Yet, with God's help (you have his Holy Spirit inside you if you're a Christian) you can be successful--and some who learn to obey His promptings can be VERY successful. The only thing we need to guard against is falling into lust and greed. God is not against his children having money--as long as the love of money doesn't dominate them! I've provided some resources on this page for your consideration. The first waves of financial trouble is currently hitting America and the world. For several years the Federal Reserve has been printing money like crazy. And, the trouble in the Midleast and the war against terrorism is about to play havoc with our economy. I believe with all my heart that our heavenly Father has provided information that can help us avoid the disaster--and even prosper as the rest of the world sinks like the Titanic. In the story of the Genesis flood God provided an ark of safety for Noah and his family as the rest of the world perished. He's doing the same thing today for those who hear His voice. Important note: The comments in this article reflect my personal opinion and should not be substituted for professional financial advice. |
