Tag Archives: investing

Ill Gotten Gain

Posted on October 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtYmL23dbC8

For years I’ve heard preachers and pundits warn Christians against buying lottery tickets, gambling or participating in activities that offer big payouts.  I’ve gone back and forth pondering biblical principles and comparing them with logic.  One of the opposing views I have adopted is comparing the lottery to a contest, if you don’t enter you won’t have the chance to win.  However, after reading a verse from Solomon, I may have changed my mind.

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death, Proverbs 10:2.

The verse above appears to apply to contests, lotteries or payouts where little or no work is involved.  I would not include investing in this category as this involves researching trends and studying the market that takes years to fully grasp and understand.  If you examine the term ill-gotten, Solomon is referring to methods that involve cheating, dirty or shady.  Then again, this may exclude the lottery from this argument.  Nonetheless, I get the sense that God wants people to work for you make, not handed money you don’t deserve.

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it, Proverbs 1:19.

Sometimes before you reach a conclusion you have to let new concepts settle.  Instead of making a knee jerk reaction, its probably better to take some time to reflect upon what you really believe.  One of Israel’s founding fathers, Joshua refers to a cow chewing its cud in Joshua 1:8, emphasizing the importance of meditating upon biblical teachings.  Therefore, I won’t make a definitive statement on what you should or should not do.  Rather, I want everyone who reads this to contemplate what it means to receive ill-gotten gain.

by Jay Mankus

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Investing in Your Future

Posted on July 12, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Five months ago, I was aimless wondering in a spiritual wilderness, not sure what my future held.  In this emotional state, I began to seek counsel from a higher authority, placing my future in God’s hands.  What I discovered during this journey may motivate others to begin a similar endeavor.

While listening to a sermon back in February, my pastor challenged his flock to read one Psalm a day, a 150 day challenge.  Since what I had been doing wasn’t working, I gave this a try, hoping my situation might change.  Initially, nothing happened so I shifted my attention to the words I was praying.  Gradually, through studying the Psalms of David, an appreciation for his honesty, being blunt with God, redirected my prayer life.  By the middle of March, God was moving internally, healing my heart and externally with a vision for the future.

Yet, my heart was troubled, uncertain if the position I had accepted was a good fit.  Thus, I began the process of thin slicing, a psychological term that moves an individual to make a quick decision based upon the initial feelings within their heart.  While risky, I quit recognizing this career path did not fit the direction I wanted to pursue.  Despite a few set backs in May, the Holy Spirit led me back on track in June, toward a future with an upside, Romans 12:2.  If it were not for the biblical principles I encountered within the book of Psalms, I would probably still be unemployed.  Therefore, if you are seeking progress in life, invest your time practicing the prayers of David.  In the end, you will find a bright future, 1 John 5:13.

by Jay Mankus

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