MILLIONAIRE MANIA!


The World, the Word & You! Broadcast
Commentary by Dennis L. Finnan

"RECENTLY THE STOCK MARKET PLUMMETED AND MANY GOOD PEOPLE LOST HUGE SUMS OF MONEY. THIS DYNAMIC LOSS HAS CAUSED MANY CHRISTIANS TO QUESTION THE STEWARDSHIP OF TRADING ON THE MARKET."

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the stewardship of the Stock Market and what Jesus has to say about it…  

…Greetings listening friends and welcome to today’s broadcast of the World, the Word & You. I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker thanking you for joining us for this weekly look at our world, God’s Word and its relationship to busy thinking people like you and me.  Our program comes to you each week, by the kind care and prayers of many of God’s people and churches who consider this program a good outreach for bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a needy world ¾ and I make no apologies, each program is geared to show my listening audience the value and importance of considering the claims of Jesus Christ and responding to them.

Well on today’s program, I’m taking you to a most practical look at the Word of God and what Jesus Himself had to say about the stewardship of the Christian in the world we live in. So after we pause, first, for this moment of music, I’ll return with my message entitled: MILLIONAIRE MANIA! Stay tuned…

… As one looks back at the American Stock Market and its performance last year, it all leaves a bad taste in many mouths. The NASDAQ composite index plunged to its lowest level in six months as stocks, led mainly by declines in financial and technology stocks, took a steep nosedive. As a result, some investors gave up and got out, creating one of the worst times for the American Stock Market in years. AGGRESSIVE-GROWTH stock funds were bloodied the most, but it seems almost everyone who has invested in the Market has lost some, even upwards of almost 40% of previous value early last year. Why millionaires became paupers by comparison and the worst may not be over yet.

I mention this on a Christian radio broadcast, because many Christians are asking is it wrong to invest in the stock market, as a goodly number are licking their wounds from the severe losses experienced recently. Well after another musical pause, I’ll share with you God’s perspective on the stock market in my message ¾ MILLIONAIRE MANIA!…

… Many Christian are worried these days about how to be good stewards of their financial assets. Most know God puts a premium on the managing the wealth that He gives us. Yet, in today’s financial markets that manage our money, the climate is nothing short of volatile. We live now in the age of “day traders” and “dot-com millionaires,” among whom many are Christians. The question that comes before us is, “is investing our assets in the Stock Market gambling or prudent investment?” Lately it looks like the former. However, before we make any judgments, we need to go to the Bible and see what God says about it.

As I read my Bible I see that God has spoken quite succinctly on the issue of possessing and managing money. However, the first and foremost thing to understand about the assets of a Christian is,

ALL OUR WEALTH & HOLDINGS BELONG TO GOD  

The truth is we are nothing more than “managers” of God’s wealth and assets. Yes, we really own nothing although it may for the moment be in our possession. Scripture tells us clearly,

Psa 24:1 (NIV)  “ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”
Psa 50:10 (NIV)  “for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”

If we understand this first premise, we will have little trouble in using and managing the wealth we have. As a Christian I am and you are not free to use the wealth we have as we wish. We are God’s stewards and are thus obligated to use these assets as God biblically directs and personally leads us. Therefore our task as obedient Christians is to decide “how” to use God’s wealth entrusted to us. Now since we are trustees, just like in any corporation, trustees do not usually take “high” or dangerous risks with the owner’s wealth and assets. Rather, a good steward/trustee carefully invests his owner’s wealth in prudent, wise and stable investment programs. But today this idea is lost in what I like to call ¾ millionaire-mania!

From TV shows to the Day Traders, everywhere is the “lust” exploited, to become rich overnight with minimum investment. For the Christian this has often drowned out the still small voice of the Spirit of God that counsels us to wisely use and invest our “talents” for the Lord. A good example is found in,

Prov 6:6-8 (NIV)  “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

God uses this illustration to tell us that hard work, and wise invests for future needs is godly action and advice to those entrusted with abundance of wealth beyond daily needs.

So, the first thing we as Christians need to be reminded of, is that God has ordained certain ways for mankind to gain and receive wealth. These are,

1.  BY HARD WORK, WHICH IS THE NORMAL AND MAJOR WAY TO GAIN WEALTH – We read in,
Eph 4:28 (NIV)  “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”

2 Th 3:12 (NIV)  “Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” Yes, God expects each one of us (as we are able) to do a good day’s work in whatever field of work and employment we are engaged in, for this is the main avenue we are to gain wealth, meet basic needs, build character, and have the opportunity to help others who have needs and cannot meet them by their own hard work. Now, the second way we may gain wealth is,

2.  THROUGH AN INHERITANCE FROM OUR FAMILY – Yes, it is godly and right to understand that God allows even encourages family members, to “save up” for their children and their future needs. Listen to,

Job 42:15 (NIV)  “Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.”

2 Cor 12:14 (NIV)  “...After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.”

Often this principle is a forgotten teaching in the Bible, but God wants family wealth and assets that He gives, to be “passed on” to succeeding generations so they too might manage it for God and His glory as well. Now there’s a third way in which we can biblically obtain wealth and assets.

3.  BY THE GENEROUS GIFTS OF OTHERS – Indeed, God wants us to give to others needs.

Rom 12:8 (NIV)  “if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously...”

2 Cor 9:6-7 (NIV)  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Every Christian should be involved in the tangible act of love of giving gifts, to those who have needs ¾ not loaning them money or goods mind you, but if they “have a need” and we have a surplus, we should give them what they need in the Name of the Lord. Lastly, we are to gain wealth by,

4.  BY PRUDENT & CAREFUL INVESTMENT OF OUR ASSETS – It is not only sensible for us to invest our surplus funds and assets, but it is biblical to do so and expect a reasonable return on such investments. However, in looking over the various ways we can invest our wealth, it runs the gamut from gambling at the race-track, or day-trading to low interest savings accounts guaranteed by the U.S. government. So the question we must ask is ¾ is investing in the Stock Market gambling and sin?

Well for starters, all gambling in the Bible appears to be sin! Although Scripture does not specifically forbid gambling, there are Scriptures and principles from them, which forbid any investment in high risk, immediate gain ventures.  Yes, the Bible warns of disaster for those who want to get-rich-quick. Listen to,

Prov 28:20 (NLT)  “The trustworthy will get a rich reward. But the person who wants to get rich quick will only get into trouble.”

Prov 28:22 (NLT)  “A greedy person tries to get rich quick, but it only leads to poverty.”

Prov 13:11 (NLT)  “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.”

Yes, the Scriptural warnings against high-risk ways of getting wealth are numerous. Actual gambling such as “Las Vegas” type card, dice and slot machine gambling, lotteries, sweepstakes, bingo, racing, raffles, sports pools, etc., ¾ all fall into this category of “minimal investment for fantastic and quick gain” and therefore it is sin. Now, how serious is such type of gambling these days?  Well, the latest statistics on gambling in America are frightening! Americans last year alone gambled away more than 500 BILLION dollars! As such statistics show:

Gambling has become a serious problem with Americans from all walks of life. The worst today are the State Lotteries, so many are throwing away their hard earned money towards in the “lust” to gain millions with odds that are not only virtually impossible, but ridiculous! So regardless of how socially acceptable gambling has become, we Christians must avoid it at all costs rather than risk the wrath of God upon us at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and in temporal disciplines along life’s way. As one watches the results of it, we see that gambling leaves a trail of serious destruction wherever it is found. Homes and families are wrecked, jobs are lost and the individual enslaved by it, soon turns to lying, stealing and cheating ¾ all to get enough money for bets and gambling wagers to win big! Most hardened and addicted high rolling gamblers all started “socially,” in the acceptable fun gambling so prevalent these days. But now the ultimate question is, “is investing in the stock market included in these various forms of sinful gambling?” Especially, since many Christians today have lost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars in their investments on Wall Street.

Now Jesus of course walked the earth before the Stock Market ever materialized. Yet the Lord was familiar with the concept and practice it entails today. We read of His example in “The Parable of the Talents,”

Mat 25:14-28 (NIV)  “”Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property [assets]  to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “’Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.”

Now this is very informative. Here Christ instructed His followers to consider the fact that if God has given us assets and wealth above what we need to house and cloth us – then He expects us to INVEST it for growth for greater use by Him and to obtain God glory. For example, in looking at the parable of the talents we find that first of all the Master diversified his investments (v.15). The Master did not put all his wealth into one single individual investment. Also, we find that over time the owner eliminated the “ineffective” investment and investors, and concentrated  his assets on those avenues that were productive(v.28).  Third, we notice the rate of return was not wild and speculative, but prudent low risk investments. However notice, the man with one talent didn’t invest it at all just saved the same amount. The Master was furious with this servant, for not “investing for the purpose of reasonable gain” (v.26).

Now, these principles I believe are for us today regardless of whether we invest in the NASDAQ, THE DOW JONES or INDEX FUNDS. All assets entrusted to us, we shall be accountable to the Lord for them. As such, Christians should AVOID speculative, high-risk, get-rich-quick investments. Such is not the place for God’s wealth, in our hands. The world may admire the “Day Trader,” and all high-risk investors who makes good, but God says this is “gambling!” Why? Because, by it you are trying to get-rich-quick with minimum investment seeking high gain at great risk for your assets.

Now, even if we have much wealth, we cannot say I’ll invest the portion I can afford to lose in such ventures. Remember, “all belongs to God,” and as stewards of His wealth, we will be held responsible for it. Many Christians have recently suffered some terrible financial setbacks because they have wrongly invested in high-risk stocks and funds such as computer technology stocks, which offered extremely high rates of return. I’m of the belief that God may be warning us to get back to remembering the difference between gambling and responsible investing.

No, the Stock Market by itself is not gambling, but in the Stock Market we can resort to gambling and that is sin. So as we’ve seen a major fall out in the Stock Market, maybe it’s time to reevaluate our plans and purposes for the funds we have, and to remember it all belongs to God.

If you’re a Christian today and have been guilty of sinful investing or other forms of gambling, then it’s time to seek the Lord and ask His forgiveness. Maybe you are not a Christian, still  the severe loss you’ve suffered in the Stock Market may be a wake up call that your life needs responsible guidance and help. God is the one who can do that for you, but you must first of all come to Him seeking to become a child of God. What does this entail? Very simply a few things.

  1. We must come to understand that we are all sinners. That means none of us have lived up to God’s expectation of His creation. The Bible says we have all sinned and are sinners (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). We are not sinners because we’ve sinned, but we are sinners and that is why we sin. Confess this to the Lord.
  2. We must recognize we are unable to remedy this condition, which the Bible says has a stiff penalty. Yes, the penalty for all sin, large or small, is death and eternal separation from God. But God solved this problem buy sending us a solution.
  3. God sent us His Son the Jesus Christ. Who is He and what did He do for us? Jesus Christ is nothing less that God come in the flesh (John 1:1,14). He, as a perfect human being, gave His sinless life on the cross to die for the sins of the world. By dying there, the Father God in Heaven accepted His death as a substitute payment for the entire world, provided they accept Jesus Christ as their God and Savior, and their substitute sin bearer for their sins (Rom. 10:9-10).
  4. We receive God’s forgiveness by a prayer of faith. When you reach out by a prayer and call upon Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and the “mess of your life without Him,” He promises to forgive us all our sins, to grant us His gift of Eternal Life, and to make us His very own child for all eternity.

Once we become a child of God, then we can have the confidence God will work all things for us and no longer will they work against us. So, if you have become a child of God by faith today, welcome to the “forever family” of God. If you have been a child of God for some time, then today’s study of the stewardship of wealth will help you to better know and honor the Lord with your assets and wealth. May we not turn away from prudent, conservative, protected means of investments, which can certainly include the Stock Market. However, let us turn away from the lust for more, and for get-rich-quick schemes and investments that so many Christians and even Christian organizations are dabbling in these days, and trust in the living God who can provide for all our needs. Herein I call everyone who is listening today…

…If the NASDAQ were operational in Jesus day, I’m sure He would not be against prudent investment. However as Christians we must ever be on our guard that we are not consumed with the desire to get-rich-quick, and to carelessly invest God’s wealth entrusted to us foolishly in these investment offers. This is sin, and wrong for us all. So, may God give you leading and wisdom in the handling of all the wealth and assets you have…

…Well friends, you’ve been listening to the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and speaking today has been your host and commentator Dennis Finnan. May the Lord open many eyes to see the importance of good stewardship, and may we turn away from careless worldly ways in which to invest God’s wealth entrusted to our care. Moreover, may we ever be generous and sharing with the surplus God has given us, and ever be ready to meet the needs of those whom He leads to us with needs. Meanwhile, if you would like a copy of today’s broadcast, either in cassette form or printed booklet, please write to me. Our address is: The World, the Word & You! Broadcast, Post Office Box 40133, Grand Junction, CO 81504 USA . Ask for the Stock Market message, # 0601 Till next week, it is my prayer that you’ll attend a Bible believing church of your choice and to tune us in again at the same time and on this fine station.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine brightly upon you till we meet again. Thanks for listening my friend, see you soon the Lord willing. Good by for now.

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 20 years, and serves as General Director.

These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.

For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan(dennis@wwy.org),or visit our webpage at http://www.wwy.org/