Let’s go back to the example of the church with $1000,000 to potentially invest. Let’s say the year was 1997 and the team decided to invest $10,000 in a little start-up called Amazon. That $10,000 today would be worth somewhere around $16 million dollars. Think of all the good a church could do with $16 million.
Our faith calls us to be responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by God. The stock market presents a unique opportunity for faithful stewardship. Consider Matthew 25:14-30. Here, Jesus teaches us about the importance of investing our resources wisely and multiplying them for the glory of God. The best place to grow your financial resources and maximize their impact for the kingdom is the stock market.
Furthermore, the stock market has been shown to provide at least enough long-term stability to help believers leave an inheritance to their children. Proverbs 13:22 reminds us that "a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children."
By engaging in the stock market, Christians have the potential to build wealth that can be passed down to future generations. Investing wisely in the stock market allows us to generate wealth that can be used to bless others and promote the well-being of society.
Some might object to investing in unethical companies. That is certainly a worthy concern. Believers shouldn’t have undue partnership with the world. But the good news is that you can decide which specific companies to invest in. You don’t have to invest in ungodly companies. In fact, you can even help companies led by Christians (or those who share our values) to flourish.
Imagine that you saw potential in a young person. You decided to invest in their future, put them through college, help them get their first job, and finance their way to stability. If they “make it” they’ll not only repay you but double your investment. If they fail to “make it”, at least you took a shot on someone. Would you have an ethical conundrum with such a situation? Likely not. The stock market can be similar to the above scenario. You’re just investing in a business (with real flesh and blood people) instead of a specific individual.
Yes, there are risks associated with the stock market. As with any investment, there are uncertainties and potential losses. However, as Christians, we are called to exercise wisdom, discernment, and diligence in our decision-making. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us that "the plans of the diligent lead to profit." By conducting thorough research, seeking professional advice, and adhering to sound financial principles, we can navigate the stock market responsibly. It doesn’t have to be a wild risk. It can be just as safe as putting money into a savings or retirement account.
Photo credit:©Getty Images/Rawpixle
