Christian Investing Concepts with scriptural verses from the Bible

1. INVESTING ACCORDING TO THE HOLY BOOK
World’s Best Financial Manual?
Which is the world’s best financial manual? In my opinion, it is the Bible! The Holy
Book is said to contain 2,350 verses about money and possessions. In addition, the Bible
contained 126 biblical financial principles taught in the New Testament alone!
Here’s another startling revelation in the Bible – Over one half of the parables taught
were about handling money and possessions.
In addition, the Bible is more than 2,000 years old and it is still relevant!
On Investing
Investing is simply saving your money and growing that money while it is saved
(invested). Proverbs 21:20 says, ‘The wise person saves for the future but the foolish
person spends whatever he / she gets‘
So what is the best way to save money? Proverbs 21:5 says that, ‘Steady plodding brings
prosperity’ (Living Bible). In simple terms this verse means – little by little saved /
invested on a regular basis develops financial security and prosperity.
Setting Investing Goals that Please God
According to Charles Ross, author of ‘God’s Plan for Your Financial Success ‘there are
three goals according to the Scripture with passages to support each. In summary, these
are:
1. Your relationship with God – ‘ Seek his kingdom and these things will be given to
you as well ( Luke 12: 31 )
2. Allegiance to God – And it is shown in assuming responsibility for the family: “ If
anyone who does not provide for his relatives, especially his immediate family, he
has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever” ( 1 Tim 5: 8 )
3. Proclaiming the Good News – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of age” ( Matt. 28: 19-20 )
God’s guarantee – Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plan will succeed.
(Proverbs 16: 3)
Investment Strategies with Biblical Perspectives
The Bible not only guides us to save and invest but also teaches successful investment
strategies to be used at all times. Below are a few strategies with a brief commentary on
each:
• Market Timing and / or Sector Rotation: There is a time for everything and a
season for every activity under heaven (including earth). Eccl. 3:1. Investing
should be long term and not speculative in nature.
• Asset Allocation and / or Portfolio Balancing: ‘ Give portions to seven, yes to
eight, for you do not know what disaster ( including financial and / or economic

2. crisis ) may come upon the land ( Malaysia ) – Eccl. 11:2. This simply means that
your investments are to be at least in 7 types to maximize returns and to minimize
risks.
• Risk Evaluation: Savings that are put into risky investments that turn bad and may
end up with nothing left to pass on to one’s heirs. The Bible warns, ‘ The person
who speculates is soon back to where one’s begin – with nothing ‘ Eccl. 5:13-15
Proverbs 22:3 - ‘A prudent person sees danger and protects oneself ‘ Any type of
investment require due diligence: you need to gather relevant information about
the type, the risks, the company and even the people behind the product(s) etc
• Invest for Ownership: The Israelites were taught to take an ownership position in
the land (see Deut. 19:2, 14). In addition, the parable of the ten minas teaches us
that we should put the money to work, not hoard it (Luke 19: 11-27). Ownership
or even controllership is recommended, paper ownership is risky as compared
with real estate or even gold wafers, bullion or ingots.
• Dollar Cost Averaging: This strategy says that savings invested regularly over a
long period will becomes a lot and may even reduce the risk of investment. ( see
Proverbs 21:5 : The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to
poverty )
Types of Investments
Generally, the types of investments available include:
1. Real: Include real property or real estate and even burial plots
2. Equities: Include unit trusts, stocks, bonds, annuities and variable life insurance.
3. Guarantees: Include fixed annuities, CD’s ( Certificate of Deposit ), whole life
insurance and universal life insurance
4. Speculative: Include commodities, tax shelters, coins, gems, silver and gold.
In reviewing the above types of investments, there is a guideline list of the best and worst
taking into consideration, Larry Burkett’s book, ‘ Investing for the Future ‘
Best Investments for the Christian Steward
The best investment (not in order of priority ) with commentary will include:
1. Government backed Securities – Comes with guarantee and / or tax benefits
2. Real Estate – Your home and / or income properties: buy/manage knowledge?
3. Insurance Company Products that include:
• Annuities ( when used properly and preferably with guarantee )
• Life Insurance ( for family security, not really for investment purposes )
• Whole Life Insurance ( with guarantees provided )
• Universal and Variable ( Insurance Linked Products that are investment orientated
generally are not guaranteed )
• Term Insurance ( not an investment, pure insurance ) SOCSO, if any
4. Mutual Funds ( Unit Trusts ) – At least 7 different funds of different objectives
5. Employee Provident Fund / Company’s Retirement Plan, if additional
6. Equities – Choose stocks based on performance, potential and portfolio fit. At
least seven, covering several key industries; defensive, cyclical and growth

3. 7. Any other financial instruments guaranteed by Government and / or Private
Institutions - with extras e.g. death benefits, insurance coverage and / or principal
sum / returns assured.
Worst Investments for the Christian Steward
Among the worst investments (not in order of priority) with commentary are:
1. Gold and Silver ( if needed) – At least 20 % in gold bullion / ingot with seal intact
2. Limited partnerships ( tax shelters ) – Tax consultants may help in this area
3. Individual stocks purchased – They are not diversified based fit
4. Precious metals and gemstones – Jewelers needed and risky markets
5. Collectibles – Unpredictable and seasonal, blue tulips anyone?
6. Coins and paper currencies – Very volatile and danger of counterfeit
7. Commodities – Complex markets and seasonal sometimes
And here’s is an advice on investments in all forms of get rich schemes –
First Timothy 6: 9-10 says ‘People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge humans into ruins and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. ‘Remember- No free lunch’
Above all, there is a need to pray for God’s direction in all your investment plans.
Proverbs 27:12 tells us that ‘ The naïve proceed and pay the penalty ‘ Remember,
investing takes wisdom, discipline and prayers and you can be sure to do more with
God’s help. Proverbs 16: 3 tells us to commit our plans to God for success.
Setting Investment Goals According to the Bible
As Christians and stewards of God’s resources, what should our investment goals be? I
believe there are four goals according to the Bible with verses to support each:
1. To provide for and to protect our family - The Scripture tells us that ‘ If anyone
does not provide for his relatives and especially for his immediate family, he has
denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever ( 1 Tim 5:8 ) The biblical truth
includes making sure that the family’s basic needs are met in the form of food,
clothing and housing. It would be prudent to include saving and investing to allow
children to attend college, planning for retirement and / or start a business ( as a
mission, too )
2. To develop working capital and emergency funds – God encourages saving
( Proverbs 21:20 ) but He hates hoarding ( Luke 12: 18-21 ). The Lord
encourages investing and it is so important that he spoke it at length in ‘ The
Parable of the Ten Minas ( Luke 19: 11-27 )
3. To be able to see a need within the Kingdom and fill it through giving –
Nothing guards your heart better against coveting and greed than giving. When
we tithe and give offerings to God will help us remember that we are only a
steward chosen for His purpose from among the many. In Luke 6: 38 Jesus talks
about giving and more will be given back to the giver.

4. 4. To become financially independent and free to serve the Lord – I believe that
It is God’s will for us to accumulate sufficient funds, so that we may be
financially independent and be free to do ministry. In summary, this talks about
retirement planning that help you to achieve financial independence and even
budget for tithe and giving. Eccl. 5: 18-20 talks about God’s giving man wealth
and possessions, enjoyment and gladness of heart regardless of his financial status
and / or age and serving Him wholeheartedly.
A retirement plan may be developed with assistance from financial planners and prayer
covering and may include ideas such as:
• Consider a part time job if supplementing your income becomes necessary
• Avoid unnecessary spending by budgeting to live on your income
• Review your insurance needs – especially your health and income coverage
• Try to eliminate all debts – A retirement budget should be free from all interest
expense and other unnecessary monthly payments
Some Questions to Help You Set Your Financial Goals
Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself as you set the goals for your life:
• Is God central to your goal planning?
• Will the goal advance the Kingdom of God?
• Can / Did I honestly ask God’s help in striving to reach this goal?
• Will I be a better person for setting and accomplishing this goal?
• Will it help others to reach their goals?
• Will it violate my conscience and beliefs?
• Will it violate the rights of others?
• Will my beneficiaries be able to enjoy the rewards of my accomplishment?
• Am I willing to pay the price to achieve this goal?
Recently, the Ford Foundation completed a study on achievement. The study reported
that 10 percent of the population in America has specific well-defined goals; 7 percent
reached their goals 50 percent of the time; 3 percent reached their goals 90 percent of the
time. What made the difference between the latter group? They wrote their goals down!
It is said that a goal begins to take a life of its own when it is written down – Can you
recall when God has finished giving the Laws to Moses? Moses then wrote down
everything the Lord has said ( Exodus 24: 4 ) If Moses hasn’t written down the Ten
Commandments, we will still be wondering what God has spoken to him. Worse, we
could be changing the commandments to suit our personal interests.
To be meaningful, financial goals must be measurable in timeline and dollar amount
needed. These will help you have a sense of urgency and a measure of achievement.
Finally, success in reaching your goals means activating your plan. No goal setting is
complete unless the goals are put into action after receiving confirmation from God
through the channels He uses to communicate with you.

5. In summary, pray and ask what God’s plan for you in the area of investing and then get a
clear view on what you want to accomplish. Visualize yourself achieving your goal.
Visualize your lifestyle, house, income and financial security being blessed by God when
you invested into His Kingdom. A financial plan is essential to success as to a fish that
needs water. Get a clear vision of what you want to do, then do it now! Remember,
“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life- Proverbs 22:4”
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
ALL CREDIT TO GOD FOR HIS WORD!
Lt Cmdr ( Ret ) Johnny Moi is an aspiring Bible to business ( B2b ) writer. His writings
on Business, Strategy & Technology have been published in New Straits Times, 4E
Journal ( FPAM ) and Computerworld ( E-Commerce ). Please contact him at
H/P 012 371 0788 or email: johnnymoi7@yahoo.com ( Updated 10th
March 2009 )

6. In summary, pray and ask what God’s plan for you in the area of investing and then get a
clear view on what you want to accomplish. Visualize yourself achieving your goal.
Visualize your lifestyle, house, income and financial security being blessed by God when
you invested into His Kingdom. A financial plan is essential to success as to a fish that
needs water. Get a clear vision of what you want to do, then do it now! Remember,
“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life- Proverbs 22:4”
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
ALL CREDIT TO GOD FOR HIS WORD!
Lt Cmdr ( Ret ) Johnny Moi is an aspiring Bible to business ( B2b ) writer. His writings
on Business, Strategy & Technology have been published in New Straits Times, 4E
Journal ( FPAM ) and Computerworld ( E-Commerce ). Please contact him at
H/P 012 371 0788 or email: johnnymoi7@yahoo.com ( Updated 10th
March 2009 )