4 Biblical Investing Principles
A little known or explored fact is that the Bible offers a wealth of information on how to manage and make money. It is one of my favorite places to get business advice and to keep tabs on my own heart motive.
What I love about studying this area in the Bible is because it shows me what is honorable to God, how to care for others, and when applied, it wards off that sinful propensity to want to be greedy or hoard. Asking God for regular heart checks protect us from idolizing money and our selfish nature.
There are many chapters and scriptures that teach us to prioritize seeking God first, be diligent and self-control with how we save and manage money, and how to remember to use it as a tool to help provide for others. Biblical investing emphasizes not putting our hope and trust in money, but while we are to put our hope in God, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be planning ahead for the future, saving, investing and diversifying.
Principle #1: Seek Wise Counsel
We live in a time right now where people are jumping into the stock market, day trading in crypto and digital currency, etc., because it is both trendy and seeing swift spikes. Talk about get the adrenaline pumping and very enticing. However, the Bible encourages for us to seek wise counsel and get good advice from others when you invest.
Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 19:2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 28:26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Taking the time to learn the industry, seek those who have experience, and doing your own study beforehand is wise. Guard your heart from jumping on band wagons and looking for quick come-ups to make more money, and really take the time to learn.
Principle #2: Think Long Term
The temptation with money is a craving to get it fast. However, the Bible encourages us to be diligent and gain it bit by bit. By planning ahead, we can play the long game and see more fruits from our patience. Take time to consider and think about the direction you're trying to go and what you hope to achieve.
Proverbs 13:16 A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!
Luke 14:28-30 “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—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”
Proverbs 6:6-8 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 27:23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.
Proverbs 14:29 He who is impulsive exalts folly
Proverbs 24:27 Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house.
Principle #3: Diversify
Probably one of my favorite principles from the Bible because it encourages me to consider different ways and places to invest. You may have heard the term, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket", well this would be the principle. We do not know what will happen in our lives or in the stock market, but we can be wise by diversifying our holdings to as godly wisdom and provision to protect ourselves.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
Principle #4: Invest Ethically
Uphold the moral convictions and values that you know are right. When we are in business and when we invest, we are continued to be called to reflect choices that deal faithful and just. Choose your investments in a way that does not harm others. Consider the industry mission and vision. In a way, this is also how we expand the kingdom by investing.
Proverbs16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than vast revenues without justice.
Leviticus 19:13 You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.
Psalm 112:5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
In conclusion, investing is wise, it is biblical, it is smart, and it is encouraged. The Proverbs 31 woman was an investor! She considered a field, and she bought it. She was savvy, smart, and had a work ethic that people took note of, and they called her blessed! So, as we continue to renew our mind in the Word on this area, let's take these key points away:
Get advice from others who know more than you.
Only a fool doesn’t plan ahead.
It’s good to save, invest and multiply your holdings.
Don’t forget to have diverse holdings in order to reduce risk.
Invest in a way that’s faithful to God’s word, and that doesn’t harm others.
Don’t rely on money, rely on God.
Until next time,
