Dear Chuck,

My grandfather is giving me $5,000 for my college graduation that he wants me to invest. He says too many people wait until they think they can afford to invest, but starting young is crucial. He is giving me freedom to pick stocks or funds but expects to see proof. 

Young Investor 

Dear Young Investor, 

Congratulations on your graduation! You have a wise grandfather!

Most people wait until they think they can afford to invest before they begin. Your grandfather knows that the earlier you begin investing, the longer your money has to grow. 

Quick Guidelines for Investors

I want to share some Biblical principles and expert insights to help you become a better investor; however, let me frame my comments with some important perspective first:

• The best long-term investment is in yourself. Anything you do to gain experience, education, skills, knowledge, or wisdom will add long-term value to your life. View your life as a continual learning experience so that you will increase in wisdom and understanding. 

• Save first, then invest. Setting aside money every month in a savings account teaches you to live below your means and to have financial margin to weather economic challenges. I recommend that you have one to three months of your expenses in an emergency savings account before you begin investing. Savings is money that is not at risk of loss. Investing is money at risk of loss. 
• Starting a business is a great investment if you have the inclination to work for yourself. 
• Learn the differences between a 401(k), a Traditional IRA, and a Roth IRA. 

What the Bible Says

God’s Word offers distinct principles for guidance in growing and managing resources.

1. Faithful stewardship and wise growth: In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30 ESV), servants are entrusted with money and expected to multiply it. The ones who invest and grow what they are given are commended, while the one who buries his portion out of fear is rebuked and called a fool. 
2. Diversification and planning: Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 11:2 (NIV), “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” This reflects the principle of spreading risk and preparing for uncertainty.
3. Long-term perspective: Proverbs 13:11 (ESV) teaches that “wealth gained hastily will dwindle,” while steady, diligent growth leads to an increase. Investing should be approached with patience and discipline—not speculation or impulsiveness. This protects against greed and get-rich-quick thinking.
4. Attention to details: Proverbs 27:23 (ESV) says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.”
5. Investing, not gambling: Avoid the temptation to get rich quickly. 1 Timothy 6:9–10 (NIV) cautions against the love of money. Growing financial wealth should never replace trust in God. Investing is a tool, not a source of identity or security.
6. Wise counsel: The Bible is full of verses that support this. Proverbs 12:15 (ESV) is an easy one to remember: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” And Proverbs 24:3–4 says, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” 
7. Purpose: Believers are granted the privilege and responsibility of managing what God provides. He wants us to not only multiply resources but also use them for good: grow businesses that support families, build communities, spread the gospel, help the poor, and evangelize the lost. 

Lessons from Warren Buffett

For years, I have read books and articles by one of the greatest investors of our time, Warren Buffett. I recommend that you read books by Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett to learn from their years of investing expertise. Here are some key takeaways: 

• Control your lifestyle spending: Instead of wasting money on consumables or depreciating assets, you’ll learn to look for what appreciates and has real long-term value. These opportunities should then be studied before making an investment. 
• Do your homework: Study the company, and determine if it has long-term potential to grow. You are not simply buying a stock; you are investing in a business that can increase in value over 10, 20, or 50 years. Your investment is like planting a tree; it needs time to grow. Digging it up continually to look for better market conditions is a foolish way to approach planting a tree and investing.
• Avoid guessing, impulsive reactions to stock tips, or getting whipsawed by fear or greed. If you are not willing or able to analyze the value of a company, invest in index funds and/or seek the advice of trusted professionals. 

Extra Insights from the Experts 

• Kiplinger

• Forbes

• Cathie Wood

Be Prudent and Diligent 

Investing is anchored in wise, patient, and purpose-driven stewardship—growing what we’ve been given while keeping our trust anchored in God, not money. Investing places our money at risk of loss. Be prepared for losses and to ride out dips in the economy. The longer you are able to remain invested, the better the likely performance. No one can avoid losses; no one can time the market’s fluctuations. Just be diligent. 

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” 

Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” 

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” 

Proverbs 14:23 (ESV)

Do you want more tools and tips on financial stewardship? Are you interested in receiving encouraging ministry updates from around the world? Sign up to receive the Crown Newsletter emails by using the form on the homepage at Crown.org.

This article was originally published in The Christian Post on May 15, 2026.