A
gullible person believes anything, but a sensible person watches his step. (Prov
14:15 GW)
Looking well into the matter by diligently doing your
homework before investing is a must if you want a higher probability of making
a profit. Haste almost always leads to a bad outcome.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty. Prov 21:5
But may I suggest that your research and preparation go
beyond what's of this world - money, accumulation, investments, economy, etc.
Search your heart to see if it's still right with God.
Before investing, ask yourself these questions:
1)
Is money becoming
my source of security?
God is the source of your family's security.
"He who
fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a
refuge" (Prov 14:26)
2)
Am I putting
too much confidence in myself - skills, connections and hard work?
God, not yourself, is the source of all blessings.
"The
blessing of the Lord brings wealth." (Prov 10:22)
3)
Am I
starting to base my worth and value on my net worth?
We may have different roles in the society but in the
eyes of God, we are all equal.
"Rich and poor have this in common: The
Lord is the Maker of them all" (Prov 22:2)
4)
Am I putting
my trust in money to solve all my household problems?
Peace that transcends even the worst of life’s turmoils
comes from God.
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full
of feasting with strife" (Prov 17:1)
5)
Am I starting
to compromise my standards and values for money?
Regardless if you’re rich or poor, it’s best to live a
life of integrity for God blesses such.
"Better
a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are
perverse" (Prov 28:6)
6)
Am I looking
for easy-money-making schemes?
God blesses hard work and diligence and He finds laziness
repugnant.
"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands
bring wealth (Prov 10:4)
7)
Am I teaching
my family more about money than God and character?
We are so good at hiding greed behind our religious talk
but be warned - "A greedy man brings trouble to his family" (Prov 15:27)
8)
Does money control
whether I’m going to choose to be generous?
The pressing needs of this world never run out and God
calls every Christian to give. "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the
poor, he too will cry out and not be answered" (Prov 21:13)
In this world, you can succeed. But that’s just the
beginning. Will you use it to serve God’s purposes and experience true and
lasting fulfillment or will you squander it some other ways and chase after the
wind?
For what will it profit a man if he
gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (Matt 16:26)
Happy Stewarding Christ's Gifts!
Happy Stewarding Christ's Gifts!
