Everybody Is An Investor-So What Then? PT2

Steven Garofalo M.A.A.  March 10, 2025

WELCOME to Part2 of Everybody is an investor. In Part One, we looked at what king Solomon said about investing in Ecclesiastes along with other biblical Scriptures as a general template. Today, we are going to look at the Book of James, chapter one, verses 9-12 to gain God’s wisdom regarding what we are to do with the fruits of our investment once God has blessed us with them. Let’s get started.

The Bible makes clear that a person who “IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD” lives to accumulate and enjoy wealth only to die with nothing permanent or eternal to show for his efforts. This is quite the opposite of what the world will tell you. Godly living-and all that God esteems to be true riches-is eternal. To think of life only in terms of physical riches in terms of physical things is both foolish and fatal because life is not comprised and enhanced even by abundant material possessions but by spiritual and eternal things (James 2:5). If we place God first rather than the accumulation of wealth, then we will use whatever He allows us to have, no matter how little or how much, to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let’s jump in with today’s Truth text.

TODAY’S TRUTH TEXT: JAMES 1:9-12

^“9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass^[a] he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits”. ¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:9-12 ESV).

BREAKING DOWN JAMES 1:9-12

1)    ⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation: Lowly probably means “poor”, in contrast to the other man who is rich. The poor believer is to “glory” (“count it all joy” v.2) in the fact that God has exalted him by allowing him to experience difficult circumstances. For these will only perfect his character and faith (v.4). Simply put, we are to increase and personify a character that exalts God and not ourselves in seeing God above ourselves, and even others are greater than us.

2)    ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation: The rich believer can also glory when a trial brings him low because it teaches him that life is short (because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.), and that “his pursuits”, that is, his business, will “fade away”. The rich man should always trust the Lord, not himself or his money. What James means by “his humiliation” is that either by losing his money or by being brought through circumstance in order to realize that money means little and is at best transitory. To have humility is to understand that wealth and our investments are temporal, not eternal.

3)    ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. God makes clear here through James that the rich are no different from the beautiful, but temporary, “flowering grass”. James probably had in mind physical death for the rich person, which might come suddenly, even “in the midst of” one’s “pursuits”. At that time, wealth is of no advantage. Simply put, the sun rises the same exact time for the poor, middle class, and the rich. The same is true in the length of time (generally speaking). And like the withering grass, we all grow old if God allows such a blessing and pass into His presence. No amount of money can buy eternal life-only God can grant that to us.

4)    ^“12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Verse 12 hinges upon six key words which are “when he has stood the test”. After having stood the test-crown of life. The crown is eternal life, one of the rewards or prizes for the Christian. 1 Corinthians 3:14 tells us “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward”. The REWARD spoken about there is ETERNAL SALVATION. It's important to note that salvation is a free gift, but rewards, for those who are saved are earned. Going one extra verse to v.13, the quality of our service (v.13) is the criterion. Rewards are often spoken of as crowns (9:25); 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12.

BREAKING DOWN JAMES 1:9-12

1)    ARROGENCE

2)    ⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation: Lowly probably means “poor”, in contrast to the other man who is rich. The poor believer is to “glory” (“count it all joy” v.2) in the fact that God has exalted him by allowing him to experience difficult circumstances. For these will only perfect his character and faith (v.4).

3)    ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation: The rich believer can also glory when a trial brings him low because it teaches him that life is short (because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.), and that “his pursuits”, that is, his business, will “fade away”. The rich man should always trust the Lord, not himself or his money. What James means by “his humiliation” is that either by losing his money or by being brought through circumstance for him to realize that money means little and is at best transitory.

4)    ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. The rich are no different from the beautiful, but temporary, “flowering grass”. James probably had in mind physical death for the rich person, which might come suddenly, even “in the midst of” one’s “pursuits”. At that time, wealth is of no advantage.

5)    ^“12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Verse 12 hinges upon six key words which are “when he has stood the test”. After having stood the test-crown of life. The crown is eternal life, one of the rewards or prizes for the Christian. 1 Corinthians 3:14 tells us “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward”. The REWARD is SALVATION and salvation is a free gift, but rewards, for those who are saved are earned. Going one extra verse to v.13, the quality of our service (v.13) is the criterion. Rewards are often spoken of as crowns (9:25); 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, God powerfully gave us the Book of James, and in chapter one, verses 9-12 He provides us His wisdom regarding what we are to do with the fruits of our investment in light of ALL He has lent to us during our short lifetime.

As such, the Bible makes clear that a person who “IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD” lives to accumulate and enjoy wealth only to die with nothing permanent or eternal to show for his efforts. This is quite the opposite of what the world will tell you. Remember-to think of life only in terms of physical riches in terms of physical things is both foolish and fatal because life is not comprised and enhanced even by abundant material possessions but by spiritual and eternal things (James 2:5). If we place God first rather than the accumulation of wealth, then we will use whatever He allows us to have, no matter how little or how much, to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). And this answers the question as to WHAT THEN once God has blessed us regarding our investments.

Everybody Is An Investor PT1

Steven Garofalo M.A.A. March 7, 2025

In 2024, 62% of US adults invested in the stock market, according to Statista. This is a 20 year high. 87% of upper-income, 65% of middle-income, and 25% of lower-income Americans own stocks.

TODAY, through James 1:9-12, I am going to show you how we as Christians are to invest above all other means. Furthermore, we are going to learn what God tells us considering how we are to act and think in relation to the amount, levels and value of our earthly investments.

While a large percentage of people participate, the wealthiest individuals own a disproportionately large share of stocks. According to an article by the BUSINESS INSIDER, written by Jennifer Sor, January 10, 2024, the wealthiest 10% of Americans own 93% of stocks even with market participation at a record high.

·       The richest Americans own the vast majority of the US stock market, according to Fed data.

·       The top 10% of Americans held 93% of all stocks, the highest level ever recorded.

·       Meanwhile, the bottom 50% of Americans held just 1% of all stocks in the third quarter of 2023.

The wealthiest Americans have never owned so much of the stock market, with the top 10% now holding a record 93% of US equities, according to Federal Reserve data. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wealthiest-10-americans-own-93-033623827.html

ARE CHRISTIANS TO INVEST?

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 makes clear that monetary investing is good with king Solomon telling us to: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. ² Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. ³ If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. ⁴ He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. ⁵ As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”

WHAT IS KING SOLOMON SAYING?

King Solomon is saying that we are invest, and as a wise investor we ought not always be averse to taking some risk, especially when there is genuine possibility of real gain (v.1). The adverse is to become like the lazy sluggard and fail laid in verse four which says, “HE WHO OBSERVES THE WIND WILL NOT SOW, AND HE WHO RAGARDS THE CLOUDS WILL NOT REAP”. In other words, there is a real danger in being overly cautious in light of life and nature’s unpredictability. Investing part of life and the only way to get ahead and have a more rewarding life. Reckless or taking excess risk by the can be bad, especially in your older years. But taking some risk can always be good. Risk to move to a new city, state or country can be good in our older years. In the end, taking some risk to start a business in retirement can be very good for our minds and our financial well-being. Risk at most any time in life is biblical and can be exciting and rewarding.

WARNING-INVESTMENT OF ANOTHER KIND IS MORE IMPORTANT

But then Luke 12:33-34 makes clear that investment of another kind is even more important, saying to: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

God warns us through Luke what we might do with the fruits of our investments in that you are to “sell what you have”. This contrasts with the world’s hoarding of possessions; the disciple must be generous with what God gives. “MONEY BAGS WHICH DO NOT GROW OLD”: By serving God and others, you can invest in your eternal future. You cannot take possessions with you in the next life, but you can store up an eternal treasure by giving to others. In the end, as verse 34 makes clear, what people consider valuable is WHERE their energy will be spent. Knowing God and investing in His purposes should be where we invest and the TREASURE we seek.

Please allow me to leave you with one thought about today’s investor. In 2024, 62% of US adults invested in the stock market, according to Statista. This is a 20-year high. 87% of upper-income, 65% of middle-income, and 25% of lower-income Americans own stocks. Perhaps the truth is a good portion of that 87% of today’s upper-income investors have been investing a bit too much in the wrong places. Perhaps a good portion of the 65% of middle-income have been investing in the wrong areas of life. And what about the 25% of lower-income Americans who own stocks? Perhaps they are “watching the clouds” (v.4) and not investing enough. Or maybe, just maybe, they are investing properly in God’s kingdom. God’s authentic followers are found across all three classes of income and people. I think the question becomes an issue of where their heart is and where they are with their relationship to Jesus Christ and the biblical teachings. In any case, let’s remember that EVERYONE IS AN INVESTOR. It’s not a matter of IF but WHERE. Let’s choose wisely.

 AMERICA’S GUILT CULTURE AND JUSTICE – A Basic Understanding - PT1

Steven Garofalo M.A.A.      January 17, 2025

This series started as America’s Guilt Culture and the Death. I think this is important because we can be a “National of Laws”, but if we don’t properly execute the law, we quickly become “Lawless”. As a result, today, I want to start with some application in order to wade into this subject in parts rather than in one big article. In this multi-part series, we are going to look at the Death Penalty and what the Bible says about Capital Punishment or the “Death Penalty”.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS-The Scriptures Are Clear

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image” (Genesis 9:6).

Leviticus 24:17 states, "Whoever takes the life of any human being shall be put to death". 

REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T SUPPORT OR BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENTALTY

1)    It’s wrong to kill. We all have the right to life and nobody deserves to be killed; despite what the Bible says. My response is directed at the “despite what the Bible says”. The thought that one’s virtue or self-proclaimed vision of goodness-if above God's Word is a sin and evil. All of God’s attributes are equal, including His mercy and His justice. God makes the rules, not us. The Bible is clear that to knowingly “murder” (premeditatively taking an innocent life) must be paid with the life of the murder of him or herself.

2)    Innocent people will be murdered if we have the death penalty: With the advent of DNA and modern science, changed social norms and the reduction of prejudice in society, the chances of being wrongly convicted are very low if existent at all. Furthermore, the Death Penalty mandates a bi-cameral system that mandates a separate hearing to see if one even qualifies for the death penalty to begin with. The argument is valid one in light of past culture and technology or lack thereof. In today’s world, with the advent of cameras, DNA, Cell phone data, etc. there is few places one can hide. This argument has been so abused in our modern age that innocent people are being murdered-namely those who are let out of jail after murdering to murder again. While possible, it’s highly unlikely for one to be wrongfully convicted and sentenced with the death penalty in our modern age.

3)    The Death Penalty is not a deterrent: The simple answer to this objection is that IF the death penalty would be applied SWIFTLY and WIDELY, it would have an immediate chilling effect on public behavior-especially the murder rate. At present, it takes at least a decade and in many cases much longer to execute a person who is on death row due to the length of the appeals process.

CONCLUSION

The United States or any nation can claim to be a “National of Laws”, but if we don’t properly and biblically execute the law, we quickly become a nation of “Lawlessness”. What the Bible says about Capital Punishment or the “Death Penalty” is just as true as any other Scripture reference in the Bible. We cannot choose to apply or don't apply, or we violate God’s laws, His Word, and His will. In our next entry (Part 2), I will show you in detail that Americans have become a “guilt culture” and how that has led to even more lawlessness-and (for many) a rejection of the death penalty against God’s Word.  Let's remember the Words of God who said, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image” (Genesis 9:6). "Whoever takes the life of any human being shall be put to death" (Leviticus 24:17) .