The Bible - Your investment guide

Apostle Steve Lyston, Contributor

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory' (2 Corinthians 2: 6-7)

Only the spiritually mature can understand the wisdom of God. The wisdom of the world is foolishness compared to the wisdom of God. It is for this reason that the plans and advice of philosophers and advisers, who do not seek God, have come to naught. Many will employ the advice of the various money magazines for investment purposes - stocks, bonds, and other investment portfolios. But the Bible is the most accurate tool for investment. It tells the times and seasons to invest, in what to invest, where to invest (including other countries). It offers wisdom, integrity and solutions in business. It also gives keys to investment, and it is your original blueprint in terms of investment.

When one uses the word of God as a guideline to carry out transactions and one abides by these principles, then one will experience growth, prosperity, increase in new investments, job creation, divine protection, abundance as well as reduction in crime - particularly guns and ammunition - debt, and security costs.

The days of wanting to create a prosperous economic environment by ignoring the principles of God are over. Unless investors desire to renew their minds and have a new form of thinking, many businesses, particularly financial institutions, are going to be seriously affected to the point of closing down. Very shortly, the number of faithful depositors that come into the branches each day will significantly decrease, and while the bank makes its profits from loans, that, too, will be in jeopardy.

address social issues

If the social issues within the nation are not addressed - especially the dysfunction of the family in general - and if matters such as general grooming, etiquette, protocol, communication skills, self-esteem development, and basic respect for the elders of the society are not promoted and addressed, then not only will the nation lose its basic moral fabric, but gambling, pornography, and the sex trade will increase; and those elements will not grow the economy. In fact, those will only propel crime, violence, and poverty.

Investment Strategies

Acquiring wealth comes as a result of putting vision into action with divine direction and biblical guidance. For example, for change to take place in the global economy, there needs to be an expansion of the job market. In order to get this expansion, it means that plans and ideas must be developed within. God requires every man to labour. It is time for every man to check and see their areas of struggle and identify the broken things within their community that need to be fixed. What conversations occur repeatedly on a daily basis? Those issues are either a source of pain or joy. Look around the various places that are being neglected and recognise that those places contain the wealth. Which areas of the general market do people avoid? This is where the wealth exists.

Never invest only in one organisation. We have always heard the statement, "never put your eggs in one basket". Ensure that your financial advisers are able to discern the times and seasons as well as the market conditions. Would you invest in something that has not yet been proven? Always invest in an organisation where its managers are performers and are willing to change and learn and are vigilant. Would you trust putting your money in the hands of profilers?

Invest in land. Purchase land and hold on to it. Now is not the time to sell!

Invest in God-fearing countries and companies and communities that look dilapidated and broken down. It's where the wealth exists.

Finally, there is a shift about to take place within the marketplace. Israel is about to rise up and it will become an investment paradise. There are a number of hidden treasures that are about to be revealed.

If the Western nations are wise, then they will recognise that now is the time to foster a relationship with Israel. Such nations will receive mutual benefits. We also need to watch Haiti, Egypt, and the African nations. There will be great investment opportunities arising in those areas.

Apostle Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.