When it comes to investing, there are all sorts of different philosophies out there.
But what does the Bible have to say on the matter?
The Bible tells us that we should do everything for the glory of God.
Investing should be no different.
Through His Word, God provides wisdom on how to invest for His glory.
Let’s take a look at 10 scriptures that give wisdom on how to steward our investments, how to invest and how not to invest.
How to Steward Investments
In his book Kingdom Stewardship, Tony Evans explains our role as stewards:
“We have been asked to fill in the context of that “well done” we hope He will one day say to us. This responsibility is called stewardship. It is a managerial role, not an ownership position.
Our role as stewards is to make this world a better place for each person in it, all the while advancing His kingdom agenda on earth.”
So, how do we steward our investments to advance God’s kingdom agenda on earth?
Here are some key scriptures that provide helpful guidance.
1. Grow God’s Blessings (Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30)
… you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
In this excerpt from the Parable of the Talents, we see Master’s harsh judgement towards the servant who poorly managed his assets.
As servants of God, we are all subject to this same type of judgement.
A key component of godly stewardship is recognizing that we are managers of God’s assets.
Man-a-gers.
Not owners.
As managers, we should manage God’s assets according to His values.
God finds value when we invest in a way that maximizes our capacity to bless God and others.
In fact, in the latter part of Matthew 25, God makes it clear that when we use our resources to feed others, clothe others, and bless them with hospitality, we also bless Him.
On the other hand, when we hoard our resources due to fear or distrust, we limit the Kingdom opportunities God has made available.
At the end of our days, we will be judged accordingly.
Whether we have a little or a lot, as good and faithful stewards, we should make financial investments that magnify God and His Kingdom.
2. Lay Up Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
God cares about our hearts. This is confirmed in 1 Samuel 16:7 –
“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Jesus makes it clear that, when our heart for wealth is motivated by earthly status and praise, we set ourselves up for destruction.
One day, the earth will pass away along with our riches and wealth.
Heaven, on the other hand, is eternal.
When our heart for wealth is to advance God’s kingdom, we lay up eternal treasures in Heaven.
Although the full mysteries of Heaven have yet to be revealed, God does provide a few ways we can lay up treasures in Heaven. We can earn heavenly rewards when we –
- Endure persecution for God (Matthew 5:11-12)
- Practice righteousness for the glory of God (Matthew 6:1)
- Give to the needy for the glory of God (Matthew 6:2)
- Support God’s disciples (Matthew 10:42)
- Love our enemies (Luke 6:35)
- Avoid false teachers (2 John 1:7-8)
Our motivation for wealth should always have God at the forefront. Any other motive is temporary and terminal.
3. Provide for Your Children’s Children (Proverbs 13:22)
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
In the same way that God provides for us, God commands us to provide for our family.
When we provide for our family, we share God’s providential love.
Even moreso, providing for our children’s children extends our ability to share God’s providential love with future generations.
Stewarding our assets to provide for future generations tells our descendants that, in the same way that God cares for our needs, we have also considered their needs and financial well-being.
In the Old Testament Days, this type of generational wealth was transferred upon one’s passing.
In the 21st century, however, most of us need an estate plan to properly pass on generational wealth.
With an estate plan, you establish trusts, life insurance and account beneficiaries that can avoid probate and legally transfer assets to the next generation.
4. Aspire to Live a Quiet Life (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
…and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Think of that TikTok influencer who constantly posts about options trading online, while offline he is couch surfing and reliant on credit card debt. Or, that family member who has no job and always asks for money, but is eager to teach you how to achieve financial freedom with forex trading.
These types of investors are not living a quiet life.
It is not the investments that keeps their lives from being quiet, but rather the fact that these investors are so consumed by their investments that they neglect their present responsibilities. They interfere with other people’s lives by depending on others for present-day needs.
And you know what, in a culture that values passive income and quitting the 9-5, it is tempting to neglect the quiet life by choosing idleness over work.
As followers of Christ, however, we should aspire to lead a quiet life. Here’s why –
- For the Thessalonians who lived in a culture that oppressed Christians, a quiet life was a practical way to avoid negative attention. This remains true today.
- Furthermore, living a quiet life is God-honoring. The Bible urges us to “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
- Also, as stated on GotQuestions.org, living a quiet life is an expression of the greatest commandment, love.
By putting this exhortation in the context of being more loving, Paul is helping us understand that our taking care of our own responsibility is an expression of love toward others because we are not putting the burden for our welfare on somebody else.
To lead a quiet life, we should continue to take care of our responsibilities as we invest. By doing this, we can show godly love towards others and be of good testimony.
How To Invest
Now that we understand how to steward our investments for God’s glory, let’s look to God’s word for practical guidance on how to invest.
5. Diversify Your Assets (Ecclesiastes 11:2)
Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.
Personal finance gurus often make the point that the average millionaire has 7 streams of income.
Turns out – the Bible recommends at least 7 streams as well!
When we diversify our income streams, we reduce our exposure to risks.
Diversification also acknowledges that God has ultimate control over the resources he has blessed us with.
When we acknowledge this, our investment strategy – although not free from risks – is more likely to withstand worldwide pandemics, personal hardship and economic downturns.
6. Manage Your Investments (Proverbs 27:23-24)
Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds,
for riches do not last forever;
and does a crown endure to all generations?
When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
the lambs will provide your clothing,
and the goats the price of a field.
There will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
for the food of your household
and maintenance for your girls.
In the days of King Solomon, the author of Proverbs, herds and flocks were investments. The Israelites depended on these herds and flocks for food, clothing and long-term resources.
By knowing and giving attention to their investments, the Israelites put themselves in a strong position to carry out their God-given duty to provide for their household.
And, even though today’s herds and flocks have transformed into stocks, bonds, real estate, cryptocurrency and other complex assets, we should handle their investments in the same way.
To know our investments, we must understand how our assets can work towards our long-term goals. This means we have to have a long-term financial plan and adequate financial literacy.
If the thought of understanding the investment world feels overwhelming, it is ok to seek counsel from qualified financial advisors. In fact, Solomon actually recommends seeking counsel in Proverbs 15:22.
Finally, once we have developed an investment plan, we must regularly give our investments attention by
- reassessing our long-term goals with life changes,
- shifting investments that no longer produce income,
- adding investments to pay for children’s college or any other large expense, and
- staying on track for a healthy retirement.
When we manage our investments well, we glorify God by fulfilling our call to care for the resources he has entrusted us with.
7. Pay Your Taxes (Romans 13:6-7)
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Ordinary Income Tax, Net Investment Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax are just a few types of tax applied to our investment income.
Before you invest, you should consider the tax implications and plan accordingly.
For instance, when you sell a home for a gain, you should set aside a portion of earnings subject to federal and state capital gains tax (unless all earnings are subject to the section 121 exclusion).
Even though taxes make some of us cringe, God calls us to pay our taxes when they are due.
How Not to Invest
We can learn a lot about Biblical investing by taking heed of how not to invest.
Let’s take a look at a few scripture that caution against certain types of investments.
8. Avoid selfish intention (Acts 5:1-4)
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.
To build God’s Church, early Christians sold and shared their possessions to advance the Gospel and support the needs of God’s people. They were of one heart and one mind, as God’s people should be.
They wanted to give the appearance of having a heart to give while deceivingly keeping resources for themselves.
The issue here is not so much that they kept some of the proceeds for themselves, but that they tried to cover up their selfish intentions.
For us Christians, this is an important lesson. Even if we try to cover up our selfish motives for investing and building wealth, God knows the truth.
While God’s Word encourages us to enjoy life, be financially independent and provide for our needs, he also does not want us to invest for purposes of greed and selfishness. We must constantly evaluate our investment motive and ask God to create in us a clean heart that desires to glorify Him with our wealth.
9. Avoid covetousness (Luke 12:15)
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus makes the point that when God takes us Home, we cannot take our possessions with us.
So, when we covet someone else’s possessions, it reveals a heart that prioritizes things of this world instead of things of God’s kingdom.
A covetous heart not only breaks one of God’s commandments, it also expresses discontentment towards the blessings God has given us.
We should recognize that godliness with contentment is of great gain. With a content heart, we can make financial decisions from a place of gratitude and a desire to build God’s kingdom.
10. Avoid the “get rich quick” mentality (Proverbs 13:11)
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
Many financial advisors will tell you that “boring” investing is good investing.
Boring investing normally involves investing portions of money in diverse investments over a period of time. Historically, this type of investing allows for financial security and long-term growth.
Retirement accounts are great examples of boring investments. Pensions, IRAs and 401(k)s and other types of retirement accounts normally produce positive long-term results over decades.
Some investors, however, prefer quick returns. These investors put their money into short-term and volatile investments with hopes that their high-risk will reap high-rewards
Digital assets, the foreign exchange market and day-trading activities are examples of short-term, risky and volatile investments.
Although these types of short-term and risky investments are not always bad, they should be considered with strong discernment.
Proverbs 13:11 is a great scripture to consider when deciding whether or not you should invest in risky investments.
If your motive to purchase these types of investments is to gain wealth hastily, then you will want to evaluate whether you are properly carrying out your calling as God’s financial steward.
Remember, God is always more concerned about the long-term because He is everlasting. When we invest, we should prioritize the long-term as well.
Conclusion
The Bible provides both spiritual and practical investment guidance. Ultimately, our heart to invest should stem from a desire to glorify God.
God has saved us from eternal condemnation, supplies our daily needs and works things together for those who love Him – why wouldn’t we want our investment decisions to glorify Him?
It is also important to mention that God understands that, due to the sins of greed, oppression and injustice, not everyone has economic access to investment opportunities.
Fortunately, no matter what our financial status is, we can lay up treasures in Heaven.
Those eternal rewards will be the greatest investments of all.
Happy investing!