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