Thought for the Day

Verses 4-6 - God shapes our character through work. The Apostle Paul taught "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10, AMP). A lazy person will never obtain his desires because he is unwilling to work. The desire to obtain money without working for it is common in America today and many are open to all kinds of deceptions and schemes. Numerous books are published on how to become a millionaire, and thousands of people, wanting to make "easy money," keep lotteries and casinos running - but those who run them are the ones who get rich. "Wealth [not earned] but won in haste, or unjustly, or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use...will dwindle away..." (Proverbs 13:11, AMP).

Others treat the stock market like a casino, and they suffer for it. Followed properly, the basic principle upon which the stock market operates is not wrong. Simply put, entrepreneurs and investors meet each other's needs to their mutual benefit. Entrepreneurs need capital to market their ideas and those with liquid assets need good places to invest. Each party profits by meeting the other's need; one performs a profitable work and the other funds it. Unfortunately, the stock market operates mostly on greed, not a desire for mutually-beneficial arrangements.

Putting money into the stock market is not wrong if one does the proper research. Scripture speaks of investing our money wisely. However, it is never wise to borrow money on a credit card to make an investment. Many people have done this to invest in so-called "hot" stocks. To invest in a company on a hunch or a tip on what looks like a winner is to "play the stock market" as if it were a lottery. This is not investing wisely. Before investing in a company, we ought to know its history; how its employees are treated; whether its owners are honest and trustworthy; whether its policies are based on Biblical principles; what its owners' alliances are, etc. Many people unknowingly invest in companies that are run on ungodly principles, whose directors do not really care if they hurt investors.

We should flee from any form of deceit, including gambling, unrighteous business deals, and questionable stock investments – activities that promote or operate on greed. We live in uncertain times; even good investments have risks. Christians should not look to stock market investments for future security. Our real security is in the keeping power of Jesus Christ.