For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Joseph Brownfield
Although I agree with the answer completely, I would have to say the answer given is incomplete. There is just a kind of glossing regarding our responsibilities as Christians about not investing in companies or organization's that do not support or take actions that are in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus.
For example, companies that take
advantage of employees by not paying a
fair wage demanding that they perform tasks that are contrary to His teachings.
I think this topic deserves a more thorough discussion as it speaks of scriptures admonition against "get rich quick" schemes, but not how it's wrong to invest in something that commits and encourages sin. Please weigh in on my comments.
Charles G
@Joseph, have you read Matthew 20:1-16? If a man agrees to a wage then it is fair. If he disagrees then he can look for a wage he considers more "fair" for him. But is is not sin to offer little.
James Kraft
I believe like many other things it is between the believer and the Lord. Years ago when this country was young, farming was the main enterprise. It is also the greates gamble as you spend your time and money to plant a crop and then depend on the Lord to water and grow what you planted. A crop failure could put you out of buisness if you had not saved up for the bad years.
Any buisness venture is the same. You do not know when you start out if it is going to be a success or not. We can pray and hope and work hard, but it is still up to the Lord if it is going be successfull. There are so many unforseen factors in any enterprise that they are in a sense all a gamble.
We have all known people that no matter what they do it just seems that money falls in their lap. And by the same token, others work hard all their lives and gain very little.
Our heavenly father knows how much is good for us and will supply us accordingly. As Chirstians we should not want more than God wants us to have. If we have our basic needs met we should be content. For the many extra things God supplies we should not take for granted but in all things give thanks to our great provider.
As a side humor, I like to tell people that 56 years ago my wife and I started out with nothing, and we still have most of it.
Sean Adriaanse
I don't think there is anything wrong with Christians investing in the stock market or any other investment or starting a business. What is important is your motive / heart's intent.
1 Tim 6: 6- 10 NLT says:
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things.
Contentment opposed to desiring to be rich is the way of the kingdom. So, if my intention/desire with any kind of investment is to pursue wealth/ get rich, then I need to take a step back and examine my motives. Paul calls the pursuit of wealth, evil, in verse 11.
There is no harm in investing your money so that it can grow. Just guard your heart against the desires of this world.