Insider Trading
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, they’re your heart will be also.”
Many will recognize these familiar passages from Jesus‘s famous Sermon on the Mount. This is the ultimate investment strategy and the one time when insider trading is not only legal but advocated. It’s the greatest “ROI” of all time…..but why?
He speaks of investing which is risk free and 100% secure. Not temporary but eternal. And investing in God‘s kingdom also has implications for the here and now. We see this when patients lives are changed in both medical and surgical teams in Guatemala. We see it in the impact on our volunteers and supporters in their faith journey. So God‘s kingdom encompasses both the spiritual and tangible.
Remember that it’s not only money; but the giving of time, talents, skills and other and resources are encouraged as well. Paul speaks of this being a “living sacrifice “ in chapter 12 of his letter to the Romans.
Many of us struggle with giving of our resources and of ourselves. Our inherent nature wars against this command of Jesus. So how do we get a change of heart which results in this being a “get to“ versus a “have to“? How do we become cheerful givers? I think it starts with a recognition that God owns everything and everything we have comes from His good hand.
Humble wisdom comes from King David in his exit speech in first Chronicles 29:14-15: “ but who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” So we are called to trade in ownership for stewardship. It’s the ultimate anxiety buster. (See Matthew 6:25-33)
So why would we call this “insider trading“? We are able to look back 2000 years to the cross of Jesus and his resurrection to be reminded of God‘s inestimable value and love for us. And then we can look forward to what the Bible says at the end of the book. This confidence is revealed in Revelation 21 where Jesus makes these promises of His Kingdom to “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain,….. behold I am making all things new.”
Investing in God‘s kingdom provides incomprehensible, immeasurable eternal returns in the greatest security and hope that could ever be offered by the sovereign promises of Jesus. Ask God by the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer to lead you in wise investing strategies.
Blessings
Dr. Mark Woolf
