Do we believe it’s more blessed to give than receive and do we apply that principle to our lives?
Only 8% of Christians tithe, while average annual giving from Christians is only 2.6%.
When we give, the recipient is blessed but the giver gets the bigger blessing of satisfaction in helping someone else.
Acts 20:35 says: "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
I hope you will be encouraged to give more by today's broadcast, which will focus on 7 principles of investing once taught by Larry Burkett.
Larry Burkett, now deceased, was Crown Financial Ministries' Co-Founder and host of the Money Matters radio program, predecessor of MoneyLife.
Larry summarized what the Bible teaches about investing into seven principles:
- Proper use of debt and credit – avoid the use of debt and credit if possible but if you can’t manage it wisely, don’t take on any debt obligation that you don’t have a sure way of paying back). Avoid surety, only borrow up to the value of the collateral asset. A biblical principle is what God thinks, not what He demands; it’s wisdom, not law. The three rules of borrowing are: all debt should be short-term, all debt should be taken on without surety, debt should not be a normal way of operating. Use cash whenever possible.
- Diversification. Iinvest in things with a proven record of long-term growth, avoid fads, put your money in something you know, a home and real estate are usually good investments. Never completely turn your money over to someone else and be sure you understand the worldview of people you seek help from with investing, not just the rate of return they might give you.
- Risk/return ratio. Avoid a get-rich-quick mentality, have the wisdom to show restraint, pursue your goals slowly. Larry defined wisdom as the God-given ability to comprehend facts and to apply them to decisions.
- Intelligent investing. Anything else is like gambling. Know how to get more knowledge about investing: Read a book, find someone who has and talk to them, or hire someone who is an expert and pay them to use their knowledge for you. Make sure that person shares your Christian world views.
- Check your motive for investing. It should be to help our families and God’s kingdom.
Larry challenged people to think about the question “How much is enough?” At what point would you cap your lifestyle and give everything else to the Lord?
- Seek godly counsel. Make sure your heart and the heart of your counselors are matched, be sure the counselor looks out for your best interests.
- Count the cost. Be prudent in decision making so that your witness is glorifying to God.
Demonstrate God’s wisdom by having a plan. The money you invest should be money you’ve decided to put at risk and that you can live with losing it all. If you're not comfortable with risk, you’re a saver, not an investor.
Here are several Scriptures that underscore the 7 principles of investing:
- Ecclesiastes 11:2, "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land."
- Proverbs 23:4-5, "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
- Proverbs 24:3-4, "
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
- Proverbs 21:5, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
- Proverbs 18:15, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out."
- Proverbs 11:25, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
- Proverbs 15:22, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
- Luke 14:28, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"
Closing thoughts:
- Crown doesn't give specific investment advice because the Bible doesn’t give specific investment advice
- Allow the Lord to guide you in investing decisions by applying His principles of investing
- When God is honored, He will direct your path
- Not every investment will be successful, but you will experience wisdom. God promised to give you wisdom if you ask with the right motives
Did you find this program helpful? Please consider becoming a part of Crown's effort to teach biblical stewardship by making a gift online or by calling 800-722-1976. Thank you!
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