Jesus and Dow Jones

Ready to make a mint?  Keep reading!  An explanation may be necessary.  We all have a basic concept of who Jesus is, but everyone might not have a grasp of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.  It is the most recognized number representing the value of the stock market in the United States.  Lately, the number is enjoying dizzying heights, setting an unprecedented string of all-time highs.  Here is the definition: 

“The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is an index that tracks 30 large, publicly-owned companies trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ. The Dow Jones is named after Charles Dow, who created it in 1896, and his business partner, Edward Jones.

“Often referred to as “the Dow,” the DJIA is one of the oldest, single most-watched indices in the world. To investors, the Dow Jones is defined as a collection of blue-chip companies with consistently stable earnings that include Walt Disney Company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Microsoft Corporation. When the TV networks say “the market is up today,” they are generally referring to the Dow.”  https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/djia.asp 

From my scant knowledge of investing in the stock market, I will share with you some fundamental rules of the way things go.  These are called the “Ten Golden Rules of the Stock Market.” 

1. Avoid the herd mentality.
2. Take informed decision.
3. Invest in business you understand.
4. Don’t try to time the market.
5. Follow a disciplined investment approach.
6. Do not let emotions cloud your investment.
7. Create a broad portfolio.
8. Have realistic expectations.
9. Invest only your surplus funds.
10. Monitor rigorously. 

First, is this article way off base?  I don’t think so.  Jesus didn’t mention the DJIA, but He did teach about investing. 

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. So, you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:24-30 (NKJV) 

Now that we have established that investing has the ringing endorsement of Jesus Christ, I will concede the point that we are not talking about making money.  Rather, we are transferring investing rules to establishing spiritual principles.  Astonishing may be too strong of a word, but the word enlightening certainly applies.  Look at how the DJIA rules shake out to investing in the Kingdom of God. 

• Avoid the herd mentality.  Don’t follow the worldly crowd.  It chases after anything that glitters, regardless of the morality or the reputation of the investment.  Matthew 7:13 (NKJV)
• Take informed decision.  Learn as much as you can about Jesus Christ and His church.  The Bible wasn’t written to be ignored, dismissed or discredited.  “Be diligent [study] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
• Invest in business you understand.  While you gain much from scanning scripture, its best to dig deep and discover the reasons behind stated truths. “O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things.” Proverbs 8:5-6 (NKJV)
• Don’t try to time the market.  Righteousness is always in season, even when it appears to be losing value.  “By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:19 (NKJV) Trust God in every act of obedience.
• Follow a disciplined investment approach.  Be intentional.  Never act according to your wants, desires, lusts or sporadic whims.  They never result in positive outcomes in the long haul. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)
• Do not let emotions cloud your investment.  Feelings frustrate futures.  You cannot possibly know how something will turn out, so worrying is in vain.  Besides, investing in righteous causes can never be wrong.  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)
• Create a broad portfolio.  Don’t get stuck in a rut or a stubborn mindset.  God blesses in different ways for many different causes.  You may have to change your outlook or your preferences.  Be flexible for the Kingdom’s sake.  “And a voice came to him, But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”  Acts 10:13-15 (NKJV)
• Have realistic expectations.  The person who complimented you on your song or sermon will not catapult you to instant fame.  He or she may have just been encouraging you. Your good investment may go unnoticed, but you are building for eternity, not time.  “Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV)
• Invest only your surplus funds.  This is one departure from financial investment that one must make in the spiritual realm.  We have no surplus funds, energy, actions or giftings.  We must give our all. “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; Mark12:43-44 (NKJV)
• Monitor rigorously.  Coasting, drifting, assuming, and smug evaluation leads to a spiritual train wreck. “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.” I Timothy 1:18-19 (NKJV) 

This world knows how to invest and protect its temporal money supply with more efficiency and proficiency than the church does its eternal commodities.  We are better than this.  Jesus fits very well with the DJIA, if it is in reference to souls.  How is your personal investment program going?  You should at least be doing as well spiritually as you are financially.  This is precisely the message with which the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy.  “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV)