What
Does the Bible Say About the
Stock
Market?
The Bible actually
does not say anything specifically about the Stock Market. However,
it is full of principles that directly affect any kind of investing.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom in regard to many of life's common
problems. Let us look at a portion of those scriptures to see how
it would relate to the stock market.
Proverbs 13:4-6(KJV):
4 The soul
of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent
shall be made fat.
5 A righteous
man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness
keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the
sinner.
The book of
Proverbs in these verses compares the actions of the righteous and the
wicked in regard to work. The Bible tells us that whatever a man sows that
will he also reap.
Galatians 6:7-8:
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
life everlasting."
Verse 4 tells
us that a sluggard (one that is lazy and idle) always desires to have something
but because of his unwillingness to work, he will never have anything.
We live in a time that desiring wealth without diligent work is popular.
There are untold books being published on "How to Become a Millionaire"
and millions of people are making the authors and publishers of these books
wealthy. The lotteries and gambling casinos are filled with people who
want to make a fast buck. Again, it is the coffers of the lotteries and
casinos that are amassing wealth.
Proverbs 13:11:
"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by
labour shall increase."
Many people
are investing in the stock market with the same kind of attitude -- that
is, one of trying to find the stock investment that will make them rich.
Many thought the "Dot.Com" stocks were the opportunity of a life time.
Instead, many lost their life savings as they invested with the wrong motives.
Investing in stock is not sinful, as scripture speaks of wisely investing
our money; however, that is the key, many are not investing wisely. They
are playing the stock market just like they play the gambling tables. This
is why so many have lost their money. They invested in companies
on a hunch, a tip, or just calculating the ups and downs of graphs without
other research, or going along with the crowd as to what looked like a
winner. Many invested in companies that totally ignored basic business
principles.
The basic principle
of the stock market is not wrong if it is followed properly. What
is that principle? When a man or a group of men have a good and righteous
business or company that benefits humanity; yet, they lack funding to make
that business productive, it creates a need for another's help. If
another man or a group of men (investors) have surplus funds and could
use the monies as additional or future support, it also creates a need
for another's help. When the one group physically does the work and
the other supports that work with his funds, it becomes mutually beneficial
for both parties. However, today, many people invest without any research
in the company they are investing in. They do not know if the company
policies are based on good Biblical principles. They know nothing as to
how their employees are treated. They know nothing of the history
of the company. They do not know the character of the ones running
the business, as to if they are honest, reliable, trust worthy, etc. They
know nothing of their alliances (do they support or promote unholy causes
such as pornography, abortion, etc.). Sad to say, but most of the stock
market is run by lust and greed, instead of wise investment and helping
one another.
Many investors
have lost their money because their approach to investing was no more than
pulling a slot machine handle and taking a chance on winning. This is also
why people get taken in other "Get Rich Quick" schemes. They are naïve
and somehow feel that they can get rich without really working, simply
by investing in what sounds like a good deal. People should know better,
but unfortunately there are many gullible people in the world. Many companies
that have stock are run by people who do not care about the other participants.
They know that a great majority of them will lose money, but since their
motivation is greed, they are just looking for a way to get rich themselves,
and nothing will stop them unless they get caught. People in our society
are impatient to be rich and have a contempt for those slow, but sure gains,
which are the proper reward of industry, patience and thrift.
“Those who
do not work should not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The desire to make
money without working for it is an unrighteous desire. God uses work to
build and shape our character. He delights in providing for those who put
His Kingdom and His righteousness first. Some people talk about using wealth
that they are going to gain from schemes or gambling to promote God's Kingdom.
God's Kingdom is not promoted by unrighteousness. It is promoted through
the loving sacrifice of those who are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is not wrong to take money that you have earned and put it in the stock
market if you have done your homework in regard to the company or companies
you are investing in. However, many people today have run up their credit
card debt to use the money to invest in a certain so called "hot" stock,
only to lose it all and be left with a debt to pay. This is not wisdom.
Verses 5 and
6 in Proverbs 13 tells us that a righteous man hates lying and deceit
and will flee from it, while the wicked person will pursue sin and it will
become his downfall. Since our society has indulged in excessive
credit, loose money, super speculation and low savings, it puts us in a
position to suffer the consequences of this type of financial behavior.
We should flee from any unrighteous business dealings, unwise stock investments,
gambling, or activities that are promoted by greed. God's work is promoted
most fruitfully by people who learn to love and give wisely, from an obedient,
cheerful heart. If you keep God's Word, you will grow in the knowledge
of Him and prosper in your soul. If you seek His Kingdom first and His
righteousness, He promises that you will always have enough of everything
you need to be blessed in this life. We should not look to stock market
investments for our future security. Even a good investment has risks
in this world, as we all live in uncertain times. As Christians, our security
is in the keeping power of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are promised provision
no matter what is going on in the world around us, even in times of famine.
Psalm 37:18-19:
"The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall
be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the
days of famine they shall be satisfied."
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