Do you play the stock market?

What kind of an investor are you? Do you engage in active trading, or do you prefer to buy and hold investments?

Active or “day” traders believe that through rapid, speculative trading they can gain a larger profit more quickly than through passive investing.

The “buy and hold” strategy, on the other hand, is based on holding stocks for a long period of time with the idea that their value will gradually increase over the years.

It’s beyond my pay grade to tell you which form of investing is better: after all, The Faith Cafe isn’t a financial blog.

But I do have a hot investing tip for you.

This tip comes from an unlikely source, but don’t worry, I’m not engaging in insider trading or passing on confidential information.

This sure-fire investment advice comes from the Book of Proverbs in the Bible.

Would you like to hear it?

“Buy the truth and don’t sell it.” (Proverbs 23:23 NIV)

Another translation words it this way: “Invest in truth and never sell it.” The Bible tells us to be a “buy and hold” investor in truth, wisdom, and understanding. These are well worth paying for, at any price. And they’re so valuable that once you have them, you should never part with them.

Proverbs 3:13-15 (NIV) reiterates how priceless wisdom is:

“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver,
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Jesus used similar language to describe the Kingdom of Heaven:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46 NLT)

The wisdom God makes available to us and the privilege of experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven through Jesus’ work in our lives are more valuable than anything else earth affords: they’re of greater worth than precious metals or fine jewels.

Proverbs 2:4 (CEV) instructs us to “search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure.”

But where do we find wisdom, and how can we buy it? What market does it trade on? What is its stock symbol?

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV)

To gain wisdom, we start by getting to know God. The best way to do that is through His Son Jesus. Colossians 2:3 (NLT) tells us that in Christ “lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Invest your time, energy and love in Jesus. Get to know Him through the Bible. Walk with Him in your daily life. Your journey may be volatile at times, but keep the faith through the ups and downs. Remember: the most rewarding investments take time to grow.

Be a buy and hold investor in the wisdom of God as revealed through His Son.

It’s a blue-chip investment that will give you wonderful returns!

© 2020 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.