Is Investing A Sin?

[Billiards Ball]

18 hours ago, mercy100 said:

I am trying to grow the little money that I make a little faster than putting it in a saving account. I have been hearing a lot about bitcoins, and I was wondering if it's a form of gambling.

Greed = Get rich quick

Biblical Growth = Get rich slowly, with wisdom

The real answer is don't invest in Bitcoin until you come to understand it. The same for general investing, it's not "gambling" it's "high risk, high reward" and "low risk, low reward" -- and LOSS.

[missmuffet]

There are those who oppose investment in the stock market, saying that buying stocks is the equivalent of gambling. The argument goes that, since stocks are bought in the hope (not guarantee) that they will increase in value, it is a form of gambling. There are differences, however, between gambling at a casino or buying lottery tickets, and buying stock. Gamblers risk money, which they know they will probably lose, in the hopes of making money quickly. Wise investors buy partial ownership in a company in the hopes of making money over time, which can be a sound way to plan for the future.

The difference really comes down to intent. Some types of investing, such as day-trading, are very much like gambling. Anything that requires "luck" above wise decision-making and long-term planning should be avoided. Most long-term investments return a profit over time, making them much more like buying bonds or certificates of deposit than rolling dice in a casino. There are many who use investments to secure retirement, education for their children, and inheritance for their families.

The Bible offers quite a few examples of growing wealth through legitimate means. Some are similar to investing—spending money now to make money later. God’s intentions for how we should manage our wealth are found in many Scriptures. The following are a few examples.

Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” This speaks against the “get-rich-quick” mentality. Looking at investment as a long-term plan for the future is good planning, but trying to make a fortune overnight is not.

Second Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” The context is actually speaking about investing in our relationship with God, but it demonstrates how one must often sacrifice now to gain in the future. Similarly, Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Much of the Bible’s teaching about wealth is a warning against putting trust in wealth rather than in the Lord (e.g., 1 Timothy 6:17-18) or to the detriment of those who depend on us (e.g., Ecclesiastes 5:13-14). As long as we honor our commitments to God and our families with our money, and maintain a spirit generosity and thankfulness, investing is an option Christians can consider.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-stock-market.html

 

Edited June 12, 2021 by missmuffet

[teddyv]

Jesus used the Parable of the Talents which used investing as an analogy. 

It has probably been mentioned but don't invest more than you are willing to lose. Equities are high risk. I own a few but I'm in a business that is driven by venture capital so have some familiarity with the market.

[George]

On 6/10/2021 at 3:02 PM, mercy100 said:

I am trying to grow the little money that I make a little faster than putting it in a saving account. I have been hearing a lot about bitcoins, and I was wondering if it's a form of gambling.

Solomon's wisdom in its simplest form of investing from Proverbs ... do not seek to get rich quick ... but rather save and store for your grandchildren.

[mercy100]

Wow, thank you very much for all of your valuable suggestions. All of you are appreciated. I'm making every effort to save money in order to renovate my mother's house. She recently passed. I don't have the funds to repair this property, which is fallen apart. My credit isn't ideal, but I'm working on improving it while looking for additional sources of income.

[Justin Adams]

Just now, mercy100 said:

Wow, thank you very much for all of your valuable suggestions. All of you are appreciated. I'm making every effort to save money in order to renovate my mother's house. She recently passed. I don't have the funds to repair this property, which is fallen apart. My credit isn't ideal, but I'm working on improving it while looking for additional sources of income.

It might be an idea to rent it to someone that will help upgrade it as part of the rent. I did that once and it worked quite well.

[grumix8]

it depends if it's for A good cause.

[Kenny'sID]

I would guess Abraham and King Soloman did a lot of investing, whether it be in cattle, real estate, precious metals or what have you. And don't forget the parable of the talents. Nor should we forget that even taking a labor job is an investment in ones self.

As mentioned, the key is to be smart with whatever we choose, whether it be a business where the risk depends a lot on ones self, or investing money in someting someone else already has going, and their abilities to make it work.

[Leonardo Von]

On 6/10/2021 at 4:02 PM, mercy100 said:

I am trying to grow the little money that I make a little faster than putting it in a saving account. I have been hearing a lot about bitcoins, and I was wondering if it's a form of gambling.

Yes, it is. After all, in the market, you can win or lose money. 

More the problem is deeper. The money that you get from these investments are cursed, inasmuch as money don't arise from nothing. If someone is winning, someone else is losing. That is to say, for you win, many people need to lose.

Besides, for you invest well, you need to dedicate precious time which could be used to draw nigh to Jesus, know Him better, get close to your family and friends and help out people in their tribulations.