Being a Christian in a Financial Workplace

Dear friends,

One of my friends asked me for some experience I have as a Christian in an investment related workfield. I gave some thoughts on it and would like to share it with you and also hear from you so i can learn and be encouraged as well.

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Hi bro

I want to first say that I became interested in the world of finance and investment not because I felt called by God to do so, but I went in, in search of wealth and riches. That being said, I believe it had been all part of God’s plan to expand His Kingdom in the marketplace even in the world of finance and investment (money)

Why did i say “even in the world of money”? In my opinion, this can be a very dangerous and dark place. 2 verses that I used to struggle with in the past when I started investing and teaching and helping others invest:

Matth 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

We know that God loves the rich as well as the poor equally and Jesus died for All. But it is difficult for people who “trust in riches” to enter the kingdom of God or the Lordship of God because they believe in the power of money rather than believing in God. So what is my role in the finance world if I say that I am a Christian and servant of God? By teaching and helping people to become rich, may I not reducing the chance of thee people to enter the kingdom of God?

In some sense, the world of money can be a very “dark place” because of the amount of temptation. It is so much so that in Matthew, it says:

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

I find it intriguing that Jesus highlighted that we cannot serve God and money. Money seems to be in a high position to compete for our attention and our faith

But i was reassured by these 2 verses that I can actually serve God in this place and as a ministry.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Matthew 5:14-16 

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

So in the world of finance and investments we can use it as a ministry and bring people to God. And since we

I was also encouraged with a few personal encounters and examples from fellow believers.

One person is Brenda from SAFTI MI Mess. I was pretty shocked when she told me she visits Israel almost yearly. I just couldn’t imagine a devotd Christian would choose work in a place where alcohol is served (nothing against alcohol though, but the idea of happy hour, skimpily dressed ‘tiger-girls’, people getting drunk just didn’t sit well). She later told me that because she is in the mess, she has the chance to speak to lonely overseas military students who come to the mess for a drink and have chance to minister and pray with them! Wow. I was reminded that Jesus mixed with prostitutes and tax collectors, what people would call “sinners”. I must be careful not to judge and become a hypocritical “Pharisee”.

Some pondering questions on how to be the light of the world

1.    Be honest and do business dealings in a Godly manner.

Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. “

Serve your customers and bosses well and to their best interest because we are in fact doing it to the glory of God.

Personal experience is that especially when it comes to the sales portion, there is a common practice to exaggerate results and to hide risks. But remember that our key audience is God. Personally, I fall into that very often, But when I decided to explain things in a manner that is truthful, sales figures and reputation actually improve.

Proverbs 11:1 “The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”

2.    When investing, be aware of what we are investing in.

Take into consideration what are we putting money in. Are we supporting the right cause?

Personally, I will not invest in areas that support Tobacco, Casino etc.

Also, I took Starbucks off my list when the company declared that “same-sex marriage ‘is core to who we are and what we value as a company.”

http://www.dumpstarbucks.com/

I believe that Starbucks is a good investment in terms of finances, but remember that we should keep to kingdom thinking.

I also speak of such matters in appropriate stages and a number of fellow believers would come up and say that they are encouraged. 

Lastly, remember that the money is not ours, we are asked to be faithful stewards.

Luke 16:11

“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

So we can use finances as a ministry to bring people closer to God. And remember that as we build wealth and help others to do so, it should be purpose driven finances where more wealth means more resources to expand God’s kingdom. This is not to say that we cannot enjoy our wealth, but it means we always ask God keep our hearts and mind towards serving Him and not serve ourselves.

Hope it helps,

God Bless!