| God is the perfect partner for any Christian investment | | | | This is a type of idol worship. First Timothy 6:10, |
| program. After all, He supplies all the seed we and He | | | | Hebrews 13:5, and Luke 9:25 caution against the love |
| multiplies it. Any investment program ought to be | | | | of money.6. Protection. Some people accumulate |
| based around multiplying assets that God supplies, as | | | | money thinking it will provide protection. This attitude |
| pointed out in the parable of the stewards in Luke | | | | places money as the object of trust and security |
| 19:12-24. The seeds we retain then bring in a greater | | | | rather than God.7. Slothfulness. By not planning well |
| harvest the next time. As we show our faithfulness, | | | | during the earlier years of their lives they panic and try |
| He will give us even more. Our responsibility is to return | | | | to generate in five years what they should have |
| it to His work.Reasons for investingGod's prerequisite | | | | saved over the previous 20 years.8. A spiritual gift. |
| for investing is centered on our attitudes. Money can | | | | There is only one reason why God supplies a surplus |
| be used for the comfort and convenience of our | | | | of wealth to a Christian is so that the needs of others |
| families and to provide the needs of others. It can be | | | | can be met. Before God entrusts greater riches to |
| used to spread the Gospel or used for destructive | | | | Christians, they must be found faithful in the smaller |
| purposes.If misused, such as by the rich young ruler | | | | amount first (Luke 16:10-11). God promises His blessings |
| recorded in Matthew 19:16-30, money can be an object | | | | to all who freely give and promises His curse on those |
| of devotion and idolatry. Love of money has | | | | who hoard, steal, covet, or idolize.There are three |
| separated families and shattered friendships, even | | | | Biblically sound reasons for investing.1. Multiply to give |
| broken up countless marriages.Christians must assess | | | | more. The parable of the talents recorded in Luke |
| why they want to invest and how the surplus from the | | | | 19:12-26 tells us that God entrusts wealth to some of |
| investments will be used, in the light of God's principles. | | | | His stewards so that it will multiply and be available to |
| God does not condem n prosperity, but He hates the | | | | Him at a later date.2. Meet future family needs. The |
| evil attitudes that often accompany prosperity. These | | | | indication throughout God's Word is that the heads of |
| attitudes include greed, covetousness, and pride. Since | | | | families should provide for their own (1 Timothy 5:8). |
| ultimately attitude will determine how an investment | | | | Good planning requires laying aside some of the |
| surplus is used, it is vital to discover what attitudes God | | | | surplus for future needs.3. Further the Gospel. If the |
| wants us to have about money.Are you aware that | | | | Church will ever to break out of the borrowing habit, |
| there are Biblically sound reasons for investing, and | | | | Christians who invest must maintain some surpluses |
| there are unscriptural reasons for investing? If you are | | | | and be willing to give to legitimate needs.There are |
| investing for the wrong reasons it's like a fireman | | | | four unsound reasons for investing.1. Greed. Greed is |
| having his ladder leaning against the wrong building. No | | | | the desire to have more while demanding only the |
| matter how high he climbs, the people he wants to | | | | best (1 Timothy 6:9).2. Envy. Envy is the desire to |
| rescue are in a different building.First we will evaluate | | | | achieve based on other people's successes (Psalm |
| why people invest and accumulate money, and then | | | | 73:3).3. Pride. Pride is the desire to be elevated |
| we'll look at the Biblically sound and unsound reasons | | | | because of material achievements (1 Timothy 6:17).4. |
| for investing.Why do people invest?1. Others advise it. | | | | Ignorance. Ignorance is following the counsel of |
| Many people invest simply because someone else told | | | | misguided people.Once a Christian has accepted that |
| them to. God's Word says to seek good counsel, but | | | | the purpose of investing is to serve God better, the |
| we must weigh all counsel received against His | | | | crucial decision is how much to invest. Much prayer is |
| Word.2. Envy of others. People want to invest and | | | | necessary and a plan for the use and the distribution |
| accumulate wealth simply because they envy other | | | | of the potential surplus must be made before the |
| people and their successes.3. It is a game. Some | | | | money becomes available. Set goals and pray about |
| people invest because they consider it to be a | | | | each goal before attempting to do any |
| competitive game. They often get so wrapped up in | | | | investing.ConclusionBeing rich or being poor is a matter |
| the contest that they sacrifice family, friends, or health | | | | of providence in God's will, and He will give us only |
| in order to win the game.4. Self-esteem and ego. | | | | what we are capable of handling. God, in His eternal |
| Accumulating wealth will get others to envy them. This | | | | plan, has decided to use us to supply and to fund His |
| motive them to use their money in an attempt to buy | | | | work. One day we must all stand before God and |
| esteem and bolster their pride and ego. A man's pride | | | | give an account of what we have done with His |
| will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor? | | | | resources.Roger SorensenAmerica's Financial Guide |
| (Proverbs 29:23).5. The love of money. Those who | | | | can be found at ==> Subscribe to Money Basics via - |
| love money will not part with it for any reason. Their | | | | Are you ready for financial freedom? |
| lives are characterized by hoarding and abasement. | | | | |