When we hear the word investment, the first thing that usually crosses our mind is money. While the majority of the time investment does correlate with utilising money to gain more money, the application of investment principles can apply to more than just money. We can invest time, value, resources and even relationship capital into people, affairs and material posessions.
The word invest is defined as putting money or anything else of value into a purpose we want to achieve. Investment as a financial practice has benefit and function, but not as much benefit and function as investment as a life principle can have.
God teaches us the principle of investment by showing us how much He has invested in us. He has given us so much of His grace, love, blessings. God has even invested into us the life of His own Son Jesus Christ, and hopes to get a return of investment that will bring life to us and honour and glory to Him.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 speaks of God's investment in us by saying, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
The principle of investment is all over the Bible and applies to so much more than money. 2 Corinthians 9:6 also goes on to teach us, "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." So many times, we limit the concept of investing to just growing money while we miss out on investing in our families, our ministry, ourselves and even in our walk with God.
Truth be told, God wants us to invest - invest in relationships and even invest financially. That's not to say that God expects everyone to put money into stocks and businesses, but He does want us to be wise in using and moving our finances. Ecclesiastes 11:2 tells us, "Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth."
Truth be told, the places where we invest our money will heavily determine where our heart goes. Truly, where our treasure and investments are, there our hearts will be also. God wants us to be wise not just with our money but with every resource He gives us, placing it under the Lorship of Christ and asking Him for the wisdom to use it for our betterment and for God's glory.
