Markets unstable? Yes. Many are worried about their stock portfolios and mutual fund investments. World a bit chaotic? Yes again! What should we do? Well, we pray. We put our trust in the Lord. We read His Word and believe what He says!
But here is some additional godly counsel (I hope!): instead of stressing over financial investments (or geopolitical happenings), refocus on more important things…things that promote peace, joy, and God’s glory. These are worthwhile investments that will surely pay Kingdom dividends!
Invest in your walk with Christ
Invest in your Marriage
Invest in your Children
Invest in your Church
Invest in your Health
Your Walk with Christ
Is there anything in the world more important than your union with Jesus Christ? What an honor! What a great privilege! Since the veil of the temple was torn in two, we have the daily blessing of being able to walk with God! We can actually talk with Him and commune with Him. His Spirit lives on the inside. Our names are in His book. We are His, and He is ours!
So invest in your walk with Jesus. Make a commitment to do it daily. Don't let a day go by without talking to Him in prayer, reading His Holy Word, being aware that He is with you, and being led by His Spirit. That means we must strive to humble ourselves, acknowledging that He is the Creator, and we are the Creature. That means we must fear Him and tremble when He speaks. That means we must strive to love Him with all of our hearts, all of our minds, all of our souls, and all of our strength!
Your Marriage
After God created the heavens and the earth and all the animals, He created a man. He then created a woman to be the man's helpmeet. God created marriage! A marriage is the most intimate human relationship. It is designed ultimately to demonstrate the love Christ has for His church, and the commitment the church has to Christ. Out of such union come children, dominion, and a multitude of blessings.
If you have the great blessing to be married, invest in your marriage! Make time for one another. Enjoy one another's presence. Don't let disagreements linger, but dissipate them in love and grace. Be affectionate. Affirm your covenant verbally. Make sure your spouse knows how much you love them and how committed you are to them.
Your Children
Scripture affirms the great blessing of children. They are a heritage and a reward! Those with many are accounted biblically as blessed! They are souls made in God’s image, and are to be protected, valued, loved, and raised up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
So invest in them! Teach them to love the Lord our God. Disciple them as you sit in your house, as you walk by the way, as you lie down, when you rise up! Make sure your family worship is consistent and fun! Make sure they know how much you love them, and how your great desire for them is to love the Lord with all of their hearts! Beware of the devil’s traps and snares in their education, media, and music and take biblical action. A life spent pouring into your children is a good life indeed.
Your Church
In the Old Testament and in the New, God consistently gathered His people together. It is for His glory that we unite our hearts and minds in His worship. It is also for our own growth and strength. We need one another! Sometimes we need others to give us courage and encouragement! Sometimes we need others to point out our mistakes and sins, and walk with us as we repent and turn away from them. Sometimes we just need to feel the love of the brethren.
Therefore, your church is worthy of consistent investment! Make sure you go every Sunday that you can. Make sure you are prepared when you get there, having spent time in prayer for your pastors, and all the other leaders and ministries. Make sure you're an active participant in the praise, prayers, sermon (by listening and heeding), giving, fellowship, ordinance, and evangelism. Make sure you are contributing your gifts to your local body in love and joy!
Your Health
Although Scripture doesn't say much about physical health, it absolutely presupposes that we take care of our bodies. Why? Because God obviously cares about the physical. In a negative sense, He commands that we do not defile our bodies with sin and wickedness. In a positive sense, He gives us commands to use our bodies for His glory in holiness and praise! We know He cares about the physical because He feeds us and nourishes us with food, air, sunshine, and rest. Because we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we must take care of the temple as best we can. He cares so much that He will one day give us glorified bodies!
Therefore, we must invest in our health. We must eat better. We should give some attention to exercise and rest. We must strive to take care of these bodies that we might be strong vessels fit for Kingdom use. When they become weak, we must pray for God's healing and mercy. We must not make an idol out of fitness, but for most, that is not an issue! Invest in your health!
The Best Investments
I’m an investor. I buy index funds and don’t typically sell. But that doesn’t mean fear and nerves do not creep in from time to time. I also care deeply about what's happening in our nation, and in the world. My heart is to see godliness and righteousness in all areas of government. But other than my prayers, these are things I cannot control very much.
Refocusing on the best investments (my LORD, my wife, my children, my church, my health) helps my overall perspective when the world is crazy, and gives me much more peace and joy.
Maybe such a refocus will bless you too. Invest well!
