Invest Wisely

Investing money sounds a bit contradictory in the Biblical context. Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, says that one should not store up for himself treasures on earth which are unsafe and temporary but should rather work towards accumulating rewards in heaven which are both secure and eternal (Mt 6:19, 20). However, God does not want us to squander the money He has given us, but to manage it well as His appointed stewards (25:14-28). Investing is a way to multiply resources so that we are prepared for a rainy day.

Due diligence is a must before investing to minimise any potential risk. It is good to play the devil’s advocate when it comes to investments. It is always safe to diversify our investment portfolio as mentioned in Ecc 11:2 - Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land or in the layman’s language, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket.’

Making the right investment decision is a skill. If not done in the right manner, it could potentially deplete all our savings in no time, leaving us to face a bleak future. Ponzi and other pyramid schemes promise a windfall but cause only pain and no gain.

Investments can take several forms, not necessarily monetary. We have invested our profits in funding a few social impact startups that have contributed to the welfare of society. An investment of this nature may not generate much monetary returns but imparts a sense of satisfaction in doing good to society. Another area of our investment is employee education and career development that enhances skill sets, yielding long-term returns for the company. This has helped us run a self-sustainable business and also nurture our subsidiaries that have sprung up over the last few years.

Investing also includes giving our resources to impact God’s kingdom. We need to recognise the fact that we are not investing what belongs to us but what belongs to God. Seeking God’s wisdom before any investment decision should be our first step. We are simply God’s appointed money managers, and we are accountable to Him!

Lord, give me Your wisdom to be a faithful steward in managing my finances and to invest wisely. Amen