A Christian perspective on finance

realitykeeper

The Parable of the talents, explains that money should be used for enterprise and not simply stored away. The bible also says that gold should not be hoarded.
This being the case, entrepreneurship is therefore good.

Putting money in the bank might not be seen as hoarding because it is lent out to others. However, without a commodity standard as a reference, the integrity of the money itself is compromised by the banking system. (Such a standard does not necessitate the hoarding of gold or any other commodity by any country.)

If you invest in shares in a company, the money is theoretically put to work although many CEOs seem to think your investment is for their salary/bonus and to hell with the company.

A pension fund will typically use your contributions to invest in the bond market during times of economic turmoil and the stock markets during periods of economic growth. Unfortunately, the consequences of monetary expansion will ultimately compromise not only the stock markets but also the bond markets and the FIAT currencies also.

So, what should a Christian do if he/she does not wish to partake in a financial bubble? One possibility would be to consider self sufficiency where possible. For example, solar panels, rain water saving, walking instead of driving, planting a vegetable plot, etc.

Finally, sharing expertise with like minded individuals as well as bartering goods and services is a good way to be entrepreneurial without relying on a toxic debt laden economy.

solodeogloria

realitykeeper wrote: »

The Parable of the talents, explains that money should be used for enterprise and not simply stored away. The bible also says that gold should not be hoarded.
This being the case, entrepreneurship is therefore good.

Putting money in the bank might not be seen as hoarding because it is lent out to others. However, without a commodity standard as a reference, the integrity of the money itself is compromised by the banking system. (Such a standard does not necessitate the hoarding of gold or any other commodity by any country.)

If you invest in shares in a company, the money is theoretically put to work although many CEOs seem to think your investment is for their salary/bonus and to hell with the company.

A pension fund will typically use your contributions to invest in the bond market during times of economic turmoil and the stock markets during periods of economic growth. Unfortunately, the consequences of monetary expansion will ultimately compromise not only the stock markets but also the bond markets and the FIAT currencies also.

So, what should a Christian do if he/she does not wish to partake in a financial bubble? One possibility would be to consider self sufficiency where possible. For example, solar panels, rain water saving, walking instead of driving, planting a vegetable plot, etc.

Finally, sharing expertise with like minded individuals as well as bartering goods and services is a good way to be entrepreneurial without relying on a toxic debt laden economy.

Good afternoon!

Thanks for your post. I'm not sure that the Parable of the Talents is referring to the financial services industry or sovereign / corporate debt bonds. If it were there'd be a lot of Christians who trade in these instruments in investment banks / hedge funds / pension firms in banks in trouble! (and a lot more in the big trading cities like London, New York and Zuerich!) I think it is referring to how we use what God has given us, do we keep it to ourselves or do we use it for His Kingdom?

The Bible's philosophy on wealth is more complex. There is a basic understanding that everything on heaven and on earth is God's (Psalm 24:1). Everything that we have, our homes, our jobs, our salary is God's good provision for us. In the same way that God has made provision for us through these good things that we receive it is fair and reasonable to think about how we can use these things to further the advance of the Gospel wherever we are. Could I use my home to help the Gospel to advance? Could I hold home group there? Could I be hospitable to other Christians in my church family? Could I use my money for missionaries to go overseas? Could I use my money for mission at home? Could I help someone training for ministry get through Bible college?

If that money was made through investing in sovereign debt bonds and using the coupon for God's work I don't think he would be upset to be honest with you. If Christians make their money on the debt market in a fair, ethical and honest way there is nothing wrong with this. I think Jesus' overriding concern is that the gospel would go out to the ends of the earth and that people would receive the opportunity to repent and believe. After all a few verses before this when He comes to Zacchaeus and people are complaining about him meeting the sinful tax collector he says that he came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Indeed the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Therefore it is reasonable that we should align our giving to what He is primarily concerned with.

There's also another question touched on in Luke 12. Where's your heart? Is it with the money so that you can get rich? Or is it so that you can be rich towards God? God is primarily concerned with our hearts which are so often sinful. Sin arises out of the heart. Jesus says that it is out of the overflow of the heart that man speaks. Our hearts lead to our actions.

Luke 12:13-21 wrote:

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.”

Luke 12:32-34 wrote:

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What do we value more? It's a strong challenge from Jesus, but if we love Him we must be willing to change.

Much thanks in the Lord Jesus Christ,
solodeogloria

realitykeeper

solodeogloria wrote: »

What do we value more? It's a strong challenge from Jesus, but if we love Him we must be willing to change.

Much thanks in the Lord Jesus Christ,
solodeogloria

Hello solodeogloria. There is a lot to what you posted. I agree investing in stocks and bonds can serve a useful purpose but only if it is done prudently. Otherwise, not only will it not be a good investment, it will probably be used for some or other nefarious purpose that the investor had not intended.

Even when it comes to philanthropy, I think one must be ultra careful. For example, by giving to a charity which is run by a well paid CEO, is one not contributing (in a very literal way) to the sins of the CEO?

A few years ago, I despaired whenever I read about another famine in Africa because the aid that had been given did not work and it seemed like no amount of charity would ever solve the challenges facing that continent. Then I read Dambisa Moya`s book, Dead Aid and I felt it offered a reason why aid had failed and it was a book of hope in that it explained how business, trade and entrepreneurship could resolve the problems that aid exacerbated.

I am very much of the mindset that one must be responsible. When I see someone begging outside the church, I walk by them without given them anything. It makes me feel guilty but I cannot shake the conviction that giving them something will perpetuate their existing status. If they were minus an arm or a leg I would be more likely to give them something but even in those circumstances I feel they are being wasted by spending their time begging instead of trying to contribute in some way.

I often considered suggesting to the people begging out side the church that they go in and listen to the mass. The reason I don`t is because I suspect they are so focused on getting a handout that anything else will not satisfy them and besides there is the possibility they could become abusive. I know that is not a good enough reason not to talk to them, so it is on my to do list.

solodeogloria

Good morning!

realitykeeper wrote: »

Hello solodeogloria. There is a lot to what you posted. I agree investing in stocks and bonds can serve a useful purpose but only if it is done prudently. Otherwise, not only will it not be a good investment, it will probably be used for some or other nefarious purpose that the investor had not intended.

Even when it comes to philanthropy, I think one must be ultra careful. For example, by giving to a charity which is run by a well paid CEO, is one not contributing (in a very literal way) to the sins of the CEO?

I think the Bible is more concerned with our hearts and our attitude towards God. As for when money passes hands I agree to a point that we should try and put it in places where it would be used ethically. However, this can very easily become checkbox self-righteous morality. The Bible doesn't ask us to tick boxes to get right with God, but it asks us to repent and change our hearts. I still think the challenge for most Christians is to love God more than money, particularly in the West. It's far easier to make up a rule saying that sovereign bonds are immoral rather than saying we should love God more than money.

realitykeeper wrote: »

A few years ago, I despaired whenever I read about another famine in Africa because the aid that had been given did not work and it seemed like no amount of charity would ever solve the challenges facing that continent. Then I read Dambisa Moya`s book, Dead Aid and I felt it offered a reason why aid had failed and it was a book of hope in that it explained how business, trade and entrepreneurship could resolve the problems that aid exacerbated.

That's a good conviction to have, but I'm not convinced that that is a specifically Christian view of money. I don't believe that Jesus is asking us to be entrepreneurs in the Parable of the Talents given the context of what comes around it. Perhaps you could explain why you think the parable is about entrepreneurship?

realitykeeper wrote: »

I am very much of the mindset that one must be responsible. When I see someone begging outside the church, I walk by them without given them anything. It makes me feel guilty but I cannot shake the conviction that giving them something will perpetuate their existing status. If they were minus an arm or a leg I would be more likely to give them something but even in those circumstances I feel they are being wasted by spending their time begging instead of trying to contribute in some way.

I think Christians are still obliged to help the poor and the outcast. I don't believe that giving a homeless person food is perpetuating their status. I don't think that if I didn't give them food that it would help them to not be homeless. I don't think people are being wasted by finding themselves in circumstances that are often beyond their control. Even if it were in their control God calls us to love those people anyway. Jesus with the sinful woman in Luke 7 is another example that just softens my heart in respect to this issue. The woman who has been forgiven much loves much.

realitykeeper wrote: »

I often considered suggesting to the people begging out side the church that they go in and listen to the mass. The reason I don`t is because I suspect they are so focused on getting a handout that anything else will not satisfy them and besides there is the possibility they could become abusive. I know that is not a good enough reason not to talk to them, so it is on my to do list.

I think like everything this is more about a heart change than a list of things to do. I think if you see that everything you have is from God and could be taken away at any moment that that could change how you see things and other people.

Much thanks in the Lord Jesus Christ,
solodeogloria

antiskeptic

realitykeeper wrote: »

The Parable of the talents, explains that money should be used for enterprise and not simply stored away. The bible also says that gold should not be hoarded.
This being the case, entrepreneurship is therefore good.

Putting money in the bank might not be seen as hoarding because it is lent out to others. However, without a commodity standard as a reference, the integrity of the money itself is compromised by the banking system. (Such a standard does not necessitate the hoarding of gold or any other commodity by any country.)

If you invest in shares in a company, the money is theoretically put to work although many CEOs seem to think your investment is for their salary/bonus and to hell with the company.

A pension fund will typically use your contributions to invest in the bond market during times of economic turmoil and the stock markets during periods of economic growth. Unfortunately, the consequences of monetary expansion will ultimately compromise not only the stock markets but also the bond markets and the FIAT currencies also.

So, what should a Christian do if he/she does not wish to partake in a financial bubble? One possibility would be to consider self sufficiency where possible. For example, solar panels, rain water saving, walking instead of driving, planting a vegetable plot, etc.

Finally, sharing expertise with like minded individuals as well as bartering goods and services is a good way to be entrepreneurial without relying on a toxic debt laden economy.

I'd warrant that if you looked into solar panel manufacture and distribution, rain water collectors, the plant & seed industries .. you would quickly see place where Satan's hand is at work. You cannot disassociate any area of human activity from his influence no matter how hard you try.

So you need find another metric for establishing whether you progressing the kingdom in the best possible way. You might, for example, decide that if not you making money from a particular venture/path then others will step into your boots. You might then decide that you be the one to make the money since you can better utilise your gain in the progression of God's will and way on earth.

My own sense is that own motivations need to be checked to ensure they are as godly as they can be (that's probably a greater challenge than the specific way you choose to intercourse with the financial system). Then you investigate how best to interact with the financial system (avoiding perhaps, weapons systems manufacturers). And you then progress the kingdom to the best of your ability.

It isn't your job to understand to nth degree the consequences of your choice - you'll never get there anyway. God is the one who helps steer and without him, you can do nothing, as it were.

There is no optimal path of no-harm-done available for you to navigate. And God, I think, recognises this. His interest, I imagine is your motivation, his recognising that the world is a broken place and that all actions will to one or other degree, be sullied by them exercising themselves on a contaminated landscape.

Speedwell

Consider microfinance. I was on kiva.org for a long time myself, and through prudent choosing I was able to select and fund projects that helped people not only add value and richness to their own lives, but enable them to raise the standard of living in the communities they were part of. I never lost a penny. It was truly a miracle seeing my small fund come back and go out again and again (I think I had about three thousand dollars at peak, in something like 25 projects).