Invest in a Way Worthy of Your Calling

“I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” (Ephesians 4:1)

Did you grow up among Christians who said, “Don’t drink, smoke, chew, or go with folks who do”? Lots of churches had “lists” of what to avoid and definitions of worldliness that might include things like playing cards, dancing, and shopping on Sundays. Many churches are more relaxed with their “lists” nowadays, but we mustn’t let the pendulum swing too far in the other direction.

As Christians, we are to walk worthy of the calling we have received. That means we should remember we are followers of Jesus and there are some things we are to avoid, some thoughts we should reject, and some habits we ought to change. They aren’t healthy for us in body, soul, or testimony. We don’t want to violate our calling or misrepresent our Savior. Instead, we should have our Christlike character on full display. It’s not a matter of legalism but of true spirituality.

Perhaps there is no other area of our lives which can be more difficult to determine what’s right and what’s wrong than in the area of investing. It’s not a secret that large corporations are using their clout and influence to advance agendas which are in opposition to a biblical worldview, but what does that mean for us as investors? As investors in the stocks of a corporation, we are, in fact, an owner of that corporation. As such, as investors, we profit from all of the activities that the company is involved with, both good and bad. For example, a popular media company produces a combination of movies and videos, some of which are family-friendly and others which are pornographic. While you may choose to be a customer of such a company, renting or purchasing family-friendly entertainment, I don’t think that we should be investors/owners of such a company because we cannot separate the profits from what’s good versus what’s bad.

Do you know what you are invested in? Does your portfolio profit from slavery or worker exploitation? Do the companies you own promote or create profane media content? Do the companies you own pollute the environment? Ask the Lord for wisdom in evaluating your habits, including how you invest, and in knowing how to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received.

“It appears that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconvenience of being right.” — A. W. Tozer