Topical Encyclopedia
Investing, in the context of the Bible, refers to the wise and prudent management of resources, including time, talents, and wealth, to yield a return or benefit. The Scriptures provide guidance on the principles of stewardship, diligence, and the ethical use of resources, emphasizing the importance of aligning financial practices with God's will.
Biblical Principles of Investing1.
Stewardship: The Bible teaches that all resources belong to God, and humans are merely stewards of His creation. This principle is foundational to understanding investing from a biblical perspective. In
Genesis 1:28, God commands humanity to "fill the earth and subdue it," implying responsible management. The Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30) further illustrates the expectation that God's servants should wisely invest and multiply what has been entrusted to them.
2.
Diligence and Hard Work: Proverbs frequently extols the virtues of diligence and hard work as means to prosperity.
Proverbs 21:5 states, "The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty." This suggests that careful planning and effort in investing are rewarded, while impulsive or reckless actions can lead to loss.
3.
Diversification: The concept of diversification, or spreading investments to reduce risk, is echoed in
Ecclesiastes 11:2 : "Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land." This advice encourages spreading resources to safeguard against unforeseen events.
4.
Avoiding Greed and Dishonesty: The Bible warns against the dangers of greed and dishonest gain.
Proverbs 28:20 cautions, "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished." Ethical investing aligns with biblical values, avoiding exploitation and ensuring fairness and integrity.
5.
Contentment and Trust in God: While investing is a tool for managing resources, the Bible emphasizes contentment and reliance on God rather than wealth.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 reminds believers that "godliness with contentment is great gain," warning against the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil.
Examples of Investing in the Bible·
Joseph in Egypt: Joseph's management of Egypt's resources during the years of plenty and famine (Genesis 41) is a prime example of strategic planning and investment. By storing surplus grain, Joseph ensured the survival and prosperity of Egypt and surrounding nations during the famine.
·
TheProverbs 31 Woman: The virtuous woman described in
Proverbs 31 is depicted as engaging in various forms of investment, including purchasing a field and planting a vineyard (
Proverbs 31:16). Her industriousness and foresight are commended as part of her wisdom and resourcefulness.
·
The Early Church: In
Acts 4:32-37, the early Christians practiced a form of communal investment by sharing their possessions and resources to meet the needs of the community. This collective stewardship reflects the principle of using wealth to serve others and advance God's kingdom.
ConclusionInvesting, when approached with biblical principles, becomes a means of faithful stewardship, reflecting God's character and purposes. By adhering to scriptural guidance, believers can navigate the complexities of financial management while honoring God with their resources.
Topical Bible Verses
Luke 16:1-13And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused to him that he had wasted his goods.
Topicalbible.org1 John 3:17
But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?
Topicalbible.org
1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Topicalbible.org
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Invest.
Library
Hermogenes Coquets with his Own Argument, as if Rather Afraid of...
... Chapter V."Hermogenes Coquets with His Own Argument, as If Rather Afraid of It After
Investing Matter with Divine Qualities, He Tries to Make It Somehow...
The World's Wages to a Prophet
... It was only a pause. Back came theinvesting force, and again the terrible,
lingering process of starving into surrender was resumed....
Introductory Notice.
... Peter, who also glorified it by martyrdom; but not a word of this is recognised
at Nic??a asinvesting it even with a moral primacy....
Its Nature
... These are, the non-imputation of guilt or the remission of sins, and second,
of theinvesting of the believer with a legal title to Heaven....
The Poetical Books.
... elegies were written was undoubtedly the year of the capture of Jerusalem by the
army of Nebuchadnezzar, 586 BC The Chaldean army had beeninvesting the city...
Fundamental Principles in Sunday School Work with Boys
... If he isinvesting himself heavily in the interest and service of the church, that
is where his interest will be. 4. The fourth principle is Organisation....
Persistency in Wrong Doing.
... He showed his gratitude to the memory of his friend Jonathan byinvesting
his son Mephibosheth with his grandfather's property....
The Overcoming of Insignificance
... chance away. The one-talent man thought his trust not worthinvesting, and
behold, the account of it was called for with the rest. He...
Paul's Estimate of Himself
... in Jesus Christ Himself, and through Him are made accessible to us, and brought
to bear upon us for the ennobling of our natures, and theinvesting of us with...
Matt. xxvii. 11, 12
... ever bringing forward these things, and saying that they were going about proclaiming
king one Jesus, [3061] speaking as of a mere man, andinvesting them with...
Thesaurus
Investing (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Invest. Multi-Version
Concordance
Investing (1 Occurrence). Luke 19:43 For the time
...Investment (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act ofinvesting, or the state of being invested.
2. (n.) That with which anyone is invested; a vestment....
Siege (63 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The sitting of an army around a fortified place to force a surrender; the
surrounding orinvesting of a place by an army, and approaching it by...
Nadab (21 Occurrences)
... While Nadab wasinvesting Gibbethon, a Philistine stronghold, Baasha, who probably
was an officer in the army, as throne-robbers usually were, conspired...
Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... Ordination: The act of arranging in regular order, especially the act ofinvesting
with ministerial or sacerdotal rank (ordo), the setting-apart for an office...
Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... Ordination: The act of arranging in regular order, especially the act ofinvesting
with ministerial or sacerdotal rank (ordo), the setting-apart for an office...
Investigator (1 Occurrence)
In (142459 Occurrences)
... being, resting, or moving within limits, or within circumstances or conditions of
any kind conceived of as limiting, confining, orinvesting, either wholly or...
Institution (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The act or ceremony ofinvesting a clergyman with the spiritual part of
a benefice, by which the care of souls is committed to his charge....
Foes (95 Occurrences)
... Luke 19:43 For the time is coming upon thee when thy foes will throw up around thee
earthworks and a wall,investing thee and hemming thee in on every side....
Resources
Should a Christian invest money in the stock market? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I be prepared to die? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the biblical view of mortality? | GotQuestions.orgInvesting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
