Should a Christian invest money in the stock market? This is a question that many Christians are struggling with. There are many different opinions on this topic. Some people believe Christians should not invest in the stock market because it is gambling. Others believe that Christians can invest in the stock market as long as they do it with wisdom and discernment. There are many different factors to consider when making this decision.
Let’s take a look at this question by going over some basics.
What is Investing in Stocks?
Why Investing is Not
Investment is not gambling. This is where many Christians have a fear of the stock market. This assumption is often made out of fear or ignorance. Because investing seems so complex, some people are afraid of it. They assume everyone is gambling and that no one understands it. Some people don’t know the basics of investing or the amount of information available to them. This article cannot list all the ways that investing isn’t gambling.
True investment is not a “get wealthy quick” scheme. The Bible is filled with warnings about not rushing to make it big without putting in any effort, such as Proverbs 21.5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
Proverbs 21:5
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
But investing isn’t about spending money on something you don’t understand.
What Is Investing?
The idea behind investing in stocks is to participate in the growth and earnings of a company by purchasing shares. This is called investing if someone has extra money and wants to find legal ways to grow that money. Individuals have the unique opportunity to profit from the creativity and growth of some of the largest companies in the world through the stock market.
Is Investing in Stocks a Sign of Lack of Faith In God?
After having briefly discussed what investing is, let’s now consider whether an investor is showing a lack of faith. Matthew 10:5-11
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven [a]is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, [b]cleanse the lepers, [c]raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.
Matthew 10:5-11
This common passage is often brought up when discussing the future and trusting God. Here Jesus sends his twelve Apostles to proclaim His word, heal the sick and perform miracles all over Israel.
He gives them directions on where to go and what to do. He also uses this time to discuss future matters. We are interested in Jesus’ instructions about what to bring along on the journey.
9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
Matthew 10:9-10
We see that Christ was teaching them to trust in the Lord for all provision. They would experience this through the kindness of others who ministered to them in these towns. They didn’t need to bring extra materials (planning for future needs), but God would make things work out so they could have everything they needed.
This should be a source of great encouragement for believers, as it shows that God can provide no matter our situation.
This passage is important to remember. First, Jesus’ instruction to the apostles was specifically for this journey. We can see this by looking at the same words He spoke to them in Luke 22.35-36
And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?”
So they said, “Nothing.”
36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
Luke 22:35-36
He now tells them to use the normal means to provide for their needs (storing and planning for the future, etc.) rather than relying on God’s providence more strongly (as shown in the Matthew 10 passage).
This passage from Luke 22 describes Jesus Christ’s final words to his disciples just before he was executed. He was giving instructions to them on how they should carry out God’s mission after His death. God did not condemn the idea of saving and investing in the future. He then instructed His disciples to make these concepts part of their lives after His earthly ministry.
Based on an understanding of God’s intent when He sent the apostles out to preach, it is clear that investing and faith are not in conflict.
A second idea is the general promise of God’s provision that negates the need for planning or investing in the future. These words are found in Matthew 6:25-33
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:25-33
But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and [a]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
2 Thessalonians 3:10b-12
We can see that God’s usual way of providing is to match your talents with someone willing to pay so that you can support yourself. Both the ideas of God supporting us and our human efforts are interrelated. We must remember that Solomon was not God in all of his glory.
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:28-33
Jesus tells His followers not to worry because God will provide all the necessities of life. If He does it for birds or flowers, He will do it for His children, those who seek His kingdom. This passage doesn’t encourage a lazy, sinful lifestyle where you sit and read the Bible, and everything else will fall out of the sky. Even birds must work to create nests, find food, and care for their offspring, but God provides all of it.
God’s provision is more than simply bringing us the items we need. God will often provide by giving us the ability and opportunity to make money, as His sovereign will is always done in our lives.
There are many things I could say about the common verses that teach that planning and investing for the future is equivalent to having faith in God. But we have enough evidence from God’s word that it is clear. Let’s get to the important question.
What does the Bible say about saving and investing?
Parable of the Talents
The Parable of the Talents does concern money, and what a Christian should do about the gifts the Holy Spirit has given them. There are some principles we can learn from this. First, God is the man who traveled (Matthew 25,14), giving every person the talents they need. One servant was granted five talents, which doubled his return. The one with two talents, however, doubled his return. However, the one who was only given one talent had to bury it. He didn’t use the talent he was given. Jesus said about the one who did not use the talent but buried it: “He also who had received one talent came forward, (Matthew 25,14-29).
Jesus had bad news for the person who didn’t use or invest his one talent but buried it by saying,
And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:30
This is believed to be Hell, and the person who received a gift of talent may not have been saved.
The result does not matter if the parable is about money or God’s gifts. It is up to us to use the gifts God has given to Him. I believe two books can be used to determine if a person is for God. The first is the Bible. The second is their checkbook. If someone doesn’t sow in the Kingdom of Heaven, which promises returns, they are sowing for themselves, and eventually, all of it will be burned as wood, straw, and hay.
Although the Bible has a lot to say about investing for the future, I will only focus on one example and give you a few verses. Let’s look at the “Parable of the Talents” to find out what God has to offer about investing.
This is my view of investing what God has given us to bring forth His kingdom. This is evident from the fact that Jesus used the money to illustrate his point. It should also indicate that God does not mind Christians taking money God has given them and wisely investing it. He expects it!
This passage does not only refer to money but also any talents or spiritual gifts that we may have. It is a sin not to use the gifts and talents God has given us. Money is what we use to support ourselves because of our economic system. We should give a lot, and save and invest to have enough for when we need it.
This was the case in Egypt when God led Joseph in a plan to save 20% from the harvest over seven years to prepare for the terrible famine ( Genesis 4:33-36). It is also evident in Proverbs 6-11.
Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Proverbs 6:6-11
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Here are more verses on saving, planning, and investing for the future.
He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
Proverbs 10:5
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
Proverbs 21:5
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
Prepare your outside work,
Proverbs 24:27
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?
Luke 14:28-30
Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.1 Chronicles 22:5
Investing in Stock Market
God doesn’t hate rich people. Many in the Old Testament and New Testament were wealthy, but their difference was that they used the money for God’s Kingdom. Listen to the generosity of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:13-37).
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:32-37
We see no condemnation of rich people. Abraham was extremely wealthy, but this is because he was generous and gave the Lord a tenth (Genesis 13,2). It is perfectly legal to invest in the Stock Market to invest in the Kingdom of Heaven. God doesn’t oppose the rich, but only if they do so to satisfy their desires. We are responsible for being good stewards of what God has given us. When we give to the local church, missions, and the poor, the Lord Himself will return and bless us for our generosity. Proverbs 19:17 is true. Jesus also said this in Matthew 25:40.
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:40
Conclusion
As you can see, God has much to say about investing in the future and planning.
Christians have long debated whether investing money in the stock market is acceptable. Some believe that it is a form of gambling and is, therefore, morally wrong. Others believe that as long as they are investing in companies that align with their values, it is a perfectly acceptable way to grow their money. Both sides have pros and cons, and ultimately, it is up to each Christian to decide whether or not investing in the stock market is right for them.
