Thursday, July 22, 2021

Pastor's Ponderings, July 22, 2021

Trust in God Not the Stock Market

According to Adam Hayes in an updated article in Investopedia on March 21, 2021, “There is an old saying on Wall Street that the market is driven by just two emotions: fear and greed.” Stan Choe, Alex Veiga and Damian J. Troise in the 07/19/2021 Business Section of the Huffington Post wrote an article entitled, “Stocks Skid, Yields Sink As Virus Fears Shake Global Markets.”  Apparently fear of the effects of the delta version of COVID-19 was unimportant until now as it impacts investors decisions despite record sales a week ago.  

 

The Bible tells us that despite the fear of the virus’s effects on investor’s worth, we should not be afraid (Psalm 91:5, 6).   Rather we should stay close to, lean on and trust in God and He will help us in our time of trouble and can save us (Psalm 91:1-3).  One must not depend upon one’s riches because unpredictable events can destroy fortunes (Proverbs 23:5). 

 

I was working in the financial community during the global, sudden, severe, and largely unexpected stock market crash on October 19, 1987, known as Black Monday. I remember all too well the uncertainty and fear that plagued our nation and world.  But God is a faithful God.  He neither fears nor is greedy. His faith works through love (His faith works by love (Galatians 5:6)


God gives us riches and adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).  When others are despairing and worried about their 401K, savings accounts or real estate properties, we can remember that God’s Bank in Heaven is all fully funded so we can put our treasures of faith, hope, and blessings in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

 

Psalm 91:5, 6

New International Version

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

 

Psalm 91:1-3

New International Version

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

 

Proverbs 23:5

New International Version

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle


Galatians 5:6

New King James Version

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love

 

Proverbs 10:22

New King James Version

22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

 

Matthew 6:20

New International Version

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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