Two thousand years ago Jesus had important counsel about your savings. He challenged a rich, successful farmer not to think that earthly savings provided security. He went on to say that there is treasure that will never fail, that cannot be stolen or destroyed. Jesus did not condemn the acquiring of physical wealth, but he did say that there is treasure that is superior to what can gained by earthly means. He urged his followers to have purses that will never wear out. The Apostle Paul echoed Christ’s words when he warned in I Timothy 6 that wealth is uncertain, so don’t place your hopes on earthly treasure.
Global markets are losing billions of dollars in value. Perhaps the markets will rebound and all that was lost in the last weeks will be regained. But as Paul said, what the markets will or won’t do is far from certain. Jesus’ teaching is practical. Who knows if you will even be here tomorrow to enjoy your the fruit of your planning.
Your child’s favorite toy breaks. You immediately buy him a replacement. Your child is happy, but have you really helped him understand how the world really works and what is truly valuable? You want to teach your children that there is treasure that will never break or become lost. Just like the return of money lost n the market decline is uncertain, children must understand that only God’s treasure is certain. If their happiness is centered on the physical things they enjoy, they will have an incomplete view of reality. Relationships that are rooted in knowing Christ are the things that will endure. Whether it is financial savings or toys, if these things are your treasure, then your heart will be given to the things of this world.
Jesus makes the ultimate reality statement when he says, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:33-34
2 thoughts on “Jesus talks about the stock market”
Should we have any retirement savings? I feel like God would not want us to be a burden on the state or our children in our older years. Is this Biblical?
Debra, there is no problem with savings and wise investments. The problem the rich fool had in Luke 12 was not that he had wealth, but what chose to do with it. He didn’t consider what God wanted him to do with this wealth. He thought only of himself. The important thing is to realize that human wealth is uncertain.