Should Churches Invest Money In The Stock Market?

Last updated on: October 27, 2016 at 4:00 pm by Jack Wellman

Should Churches Invest Money In The Stock Market? 2016-10-27T16:00:47-05:00 Jack Wellman

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Do you think Christians or churches should invest money in the stock market?

Investing Christians

Nearly everyone that has a 401K, Christian or not, may actually be investing in the stock market and not even know it. Years ago when I worked for the government, I had a 401K that I had spread out over certain areas in the market, but it was a fairly conservative investment. Most of my retirement (now gone to buy a house) was put into money markets, stocks, and some bonds. I didn’t realize that my earnings were going up and down with the stock market. Was this a form of gambling? Some people think so. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus is speaking of those who doubled their investment but only one buried their talent and Jesus judged the one who did, but was this about investing in the stock market or in financial speculation? No, I don’t think so. For one thing, the context of this chapter is how we do with what we’ve been given in the sense of using our time, talents, and treasures for the kingdom, not for our own good. As far as I am concerned, there are only three books that we should be concerned about; the Bible, the Book of Life, and the checkbook. What we do with what we’ve been given will be how we’ll be judged by Christ at His return or after our death.

Investing Churches

I don’t believe it’s wrong to put money away into savings as a private citizen but don’t believe it’s wrong for churches to do the same thing. At least there will be some interest earned on the money while it remains safe for emergency or other use, but to put a church’s money into the stock market by investing in certain areas puts that church at risk, doesn’t it? Is it really the church’s money they invest or it is really Gods? God is not opposed to rich people. He is opposed to the pursuit of money because the love of money can lead to all sorts of evil, and as a result, some “have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1st Tim 6:10). If a person does invest in the stock market but then uses those investments wisely for doing the work of God, then there is a considerable difference than investing only for personal gain and the desire to acquire wealth. Money is not evil and neither are all people who are rich. It is the love of money and the pursuit of money that is wrong because they make money their own god; worshiping it instead of worshiping the one, true God.

Investing in God

Jesus said that we should “not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20). We can’t take it with us, but we can forward ahead into the kingdom and that will never be lost. The Bible says that “The greedy bring ruin to their households” (Psalm 15:27), but the generous will be blessed. It is more blessed to give than to receive, so if we use our money to bless others, God will bless us. Jesus tells us to “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). This image shows that of a person at the market who goes to buy grain and they measure it out, then the proprietor pours the grain into the sack and then they press it down, so that more can be put in. Finally, they shake the bag and even more can be received and more is put in to the point that it’s running over and pouring out into our laps. That’s because of the person who has given is being blessed by the one Who owns everything. What do we have that we didn’t receive (1st Cor 4:7)? The obvious answer is nothing.

Investing in Eternity

By sowing into the kingdom today, we will reap the harvest in the kingdom in eternity. If we only sow into this world, then we could lose everything because this world and all the things in it are passing away. The Bible teaches that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2nd Corinthians 9:6). Don’t lose heart; “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10). What is sown for the glory of God will be received in a harvest, some 10-fold, some 20-fold, and some even a 100-fold. Jesus says wherever our treasure is, that’s where our heart will be (Matt 6:21). If your treasure is in the things of the world, then that’s where your heart is at, however if you treasure God above all things, then that’s where your heart really is and you will hold your money loosely.

Conclusion

Seeking first the kingdom of God makes good sense because God promises to supply every need of ours (Matt 6:33). This means we live for the kingdom and not for the comforts of this world. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying money and owning possessions, but the danger is that they can end up owning them. We might own a lot of possessions, but the question is, do they own us? I don’t believe we should be investing a church’s money in a stock market that can quickly turn volatile and make rapid gains or without notice, suddenly come crashing down. It’s just not worth the risk.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

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