SUNDAY SCHOOL – June 27, 2021 TOPIC: THE CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO INVESTMENTS

MEMORY VERSE: “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: he that gathereth by labor shall increase.” Proverbs 13:11.

LESSON TEXT: Luke 19:11-27.

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12 He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13 Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ 14 But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’   15 After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were.  16 The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’  17 “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’ 18 “The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’   19 “‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’  20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant. 22 “‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant. 23 Why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 25 “‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’  26 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 27 And as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”

LESSON INTRODUCTION: In the parable of the talents in Luke 19:11-27, Jesus makes it clear that He expects his followers to be faithful stewards of the resources that He has put at their disposal. Good stewardship includes wise investments. Many believers find it difficult to adopt a practical theology for money management and investing for a distant and uncertain future. The Bible, however, offers practical wisdom on investing the resources we have with insight and foresight.

OUTLINES

1. Biblical Principles for Investments and Savings

2. Reasons for Investments

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR INVESTMENTS AND SAVINGS

Investing is actually commended if done wisely. It is about putting money and/or other resources into real businesses that employ people and deliver products or services to customers. Hopefully, the companies we invest in do well and provide a return commensurate with our investments (Proverbs 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6).

However, believers should invest only on businesses (real estate, contracts, ventures, stocks, shares, bonds) they understand or have experience in (Proverbs 24:3-4).

We are to avoid get-rich-quick schemes at all costs (Proverbs 13:11, 21:5). Do not invest in what you do not have. It is better not to invest at all than to invest what you cannot afford to lose. Do not accumulate debt in the name or investment. Prov. 22:7. Guard against Investing just because a Christian offers it; that is not a guarantee against loss.

Investing in your education and those of your children is a wise decision to make. By doing so you are preparing yourself for opportunities that will surely come your way and securing your future.

It’s equally important to also note that saving tor future needs is biblical (Genesis 41; Proverbs 6:6-11, 21:5).

Saving honors God because it rightly values money as a gift that He has given to us (James 1:16-17) Instead of unplanned, impulsive, or foolish spending, wise saving demonstrates the importance of stewarding His gifts (Luke 12:47-48). Saving may also allow you to leave an inheritance, blessings for yours so they can then be a blessing to others (Proverbs 13:22),

REASONS FOR INVESTMENTS

i. Wealth Creation: investing your money will allow it to grow and compound. You earn money on the money already earned and create wealth over time.

ii. Beat Inflation: Returns from investment help to maintain the purchasing power at a constant level. lf you do not beat the inflation rate, you will be losing money, not making money.

iii. Retirement Mass Creation: You should invest while you are earning so as to create a mass of funds that can be used when you retire. This provides security to maintain a comfortable lifestyle even after retirement.

iv. Accomplish Financial Goals: Investing can help you reach bigger financial goals. This return on your investments can be used towards financial goals, such as buying a home, buying a car, starting a business, or putting your children through school.

v. High Returns: Investing would help to achieve high returns as compared to banks savings account which provides little return.

CONCLUSION: Investing into the future is not an act of anxiety, everyone must save for the raining day. In order to build wealth, you should invest your money.

QUESTIONS:1. Why should you invest?

2. What are the principles that should guide our investments?

FURTHER READING: MON: Gen.26:12; TUE: Gen.8:22; WED: Luke 6:38; THUR: Psalm 107:37; FRI Psalm 126:5; SAT: ECL 11:4; SUN: ECL. 11:6.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention the five disadvantages of excess consumption over investment.