Week of Monday September 2 – September 8
Investment Advice - Man as Provider
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. - Proverbs 23:22-26 ESV
What I know about investing would probably fit into a spent ammo cartridge, which is not much at all. Outside of the time-worn advice to “Buy low and sell high,” I’ve got nothing to add. That’s why I’m glad there are smarter people than me investing for my retirement. I trust those money managers to buy stocks and invest in mutual funds that will bring a solid return over time and sell those underperforming or losing money.
Successful investors seem to study the market trends, the historical movement in the various sectors, and the health and profitability of the companies. Then, they pick not only the stock or fund but also the amount to invest. But at the end of the day, investing appears to be part science and part guessing. There is no “sure bet” or “can’t miss” investment when it comes to picking winners in the stock market. Anything can happen, and it does!
Solomon, the chief writer of Proverbs, actually does offer us some “can’t miss” advice here: “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (v. 22). Heed the voices of experience and drink in the sage wisdom of those who have walked paths you have not yet walked. But above all, don’t miss Solomon’s “sure bet” investment recommendation: “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding” (v. 23). The Hebrew word translated as “buy” means to get, acquire, obtain, procure, and possess.
Now, we all understand that truth can’t be bought and sold like a stock or mutual fund. Yet we must invest in truth just the same because its value is greater than riches (Proverbs 16:16). So, Solomon urges wisdom-seekers to value truth so highly that we do whatever it takes to get hold of it and never lose it. Obviously, truth is the substance of God’s Word, the Bible. It transcends the shifting sands of societal expectations and the contrary winds of cultural change. You can stake your life on God’s truth. So, invest in that truth!
Take it a step further in your role as a Provider and offer Solomon’s advice to those you love and lead. They need to know that the Heavenly Father offers each of us absolute truth. God’s Word offers proven direction that points us toward the good He wants us to enjoy and away from the evil He wants us to avoid. As author J.I. Packer once observed, “Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.” God wants the best for us, and in following His direction and experiencing His will for our lives, we can provide wisdom, instruction, and understanding to others through our actions and influence.
Guys, this is more important today than ever before. We are living and raising our families in turbulent times. The battle for what is true, godly, and wholesome rages daily in the public square, the halls of education, and the 24/7 messaging seen and heard on every media platform. Our calling and mandate are still the same as in the days of Solomon: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (v. 26). We should invest in truth above all.
- How much do you value God’s truth? The proof is in the pursuit. Are you in His Word daily? Does it guide your decision-making? Is it at the heart of your conversations?
- In what ways are you providing an example for your children and grandchildren when it comes to staking your life on God’s transcendent truth? Are there things in your Christian walk that send mixed signals to those you influence?
- Ask God for the passion to pursue His truth, the tenacity to hold onto it, and that He would show you how to model the value of truth for your family.
Investment Advice - Man as Provider
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. - Proverbs 23:22-26 ESV
What I know about investing would probably fit into a spent ammo cartridge, which is not much at all. Outside of the time-worn advice to “Buy low and sell high,” I’ve got nothing to add. That’s why I’m glad there are smarter people than me investing for my retirement. I trust those money managers to buy stocks and invest in mutual funds that will bring a solid return over time and sell those underperforming or losing money.
Successful investors seem to study the market trends, the historical movement in the various sectors, and the health and profitability of the companies. Then, they pick not only the stock or fund but also the amount to invest. But at the end of the day, investing appears to be part science and part guessing. There is no “sure bet” or “can’t miss” investment when it comes to picking winners in the stock market. Anything can happen, and it does!
Solomon, the chief writer of Proverbs, actually does offer us some “can’t miss” advice here: “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (v. 22). Heed the voices of experience and drink in the sage wisdom of those who have walked paths you have not yet walked. But above all, don’t miss Solomon’s “sure bet” investment recommendation: “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding” (v. 23). The Hebrew word translated as “buy” means to get, acquire, obtain, procure, and possess.
Now, we all understand that truth can’t be bought and sold like a stock or mutual fund. Yet we must invest in truth just the same because its value is greater than riches (Proverbs 16:16). So, Solomon urges wisdom-seekers to value truth so highly that we do whatever it takes to get hold of it and never lose it. Obviously, truth is the substance of God’s Word, the Bible. It transcends the shifting sands of societal expectations and the contrary winds of cultural change. You can stake your life on God’s truth. So, invest in that truth!
Take it a step further in your role as a Provider and offer Solomon’s advice to those you love and lead. They need to know that the Heavenly Father offers each of us absolute truth. God’s Word offers proven direction that points us toward the good He wants us to enjoy and away from the evil He wants us to avoid. As author J.I. Packer once observed, “Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.” God wants the best for us, and in following His direction and experiencing His will for our lives, we can provide wisdom, instruction, and understanding to others through our actions and influence.
Guys, this is more important today than ever before. We are living and raising our families in turbulent times. The battle for what is true, godly, and wholesome rages daily in the public square, the halls of education, and the 24/7 messaging seen and heard on every media platform. Our calling and mandate are still the same as in the days of Solomon: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (v. 26). We should invest in truth above all.
- How much do you value God’s truth? The proof is in the pursuit. Are you in His Word daily? Does it guide your decision-making? Is it at the heart of your conversations?
- In what ways are you providing an example for your children and grandchildren when it comes to staking your life on God’s transcendent truth? Are there things in your Christian walk that send mixed signals to those you influence?
- Ask God for the passion to pursue His truth, the tenacity to hold onto it, and that He would show you how to model the value of truth for your family.