Biblical warnings against hoarding

That was fast. Two months ago most financial assets were worth 25%- 40% more than they are today. October was on pace to be the worst month in stock market history before it rallied over 10% the final week.

Greed has left the building. Fear is ruling the day. It is important in uncertain economic times to be tethered to the truths that are eternal. If you were following biblical principles in regard to finances, you are doing okay.

You would have heeded biblical warnings against presuming on tomorrow. A biblically based lifestyle includes the areas that I outlined in my prior blog entry.

Now that fear and pessimism are taking control of people's minds and hearts, it should be noted that the Bible has plenty to say about hoarding as well.

One verse that I stumbled across recently is Isaiah 23:17-18, "At the end of seventy years, the Lord will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the Lord."

These verses can be interpreted in a lot of different ways. I see them as a clear warning that wealth that is hoarded is not honored by the Lord. The consistent message of Scripture is that capital is to be re-circulated, invested and employed for good.

We see evidence of that in Luke 12:16-21. Jesus tells the story of a man who hoards resources and calls the man a fool. In times like these, we must be constantly reminded of what our purpose is. We are created for a Person- Christ. We are created for a place- Heaven. Our task on earth is to do the maximum amount of good to the maximum amount of people as Jonathan Edwards often said. We must point people to this Person and Place.

We must walk the balance between pessimism and optimism. We should live like pessimists- frugal, moderate towards our own needs. But give and invest like optimists- not being afraid to give and invest at times when people need it most.

For His Glory,

Ashley Hodge