As we seek to fulfill God's purposes for our lives, we have discussed how finances can play a major role.  With proper planning and discipline, we can make a long-lasting impact for Jesus on our world by tailoring each financial decision we make to the "big picture" of God's kingdom plan.  Planning for the future is obviously a major part of this whole process.

Proverbs 21:20 teaches that the wise man stores up for the future, while the foolish person will spend everything on today.

Proverbs 27:23-24 teaches that we should pay close attention to our financial situation in life, because worldly riches are easily taken away or lost.

Proverbs 30:24-25 teaches us that, if we are wise, we will be like the ant, storing up during the summer for the winter that will surely come.

Proverbs 3:9-10 teaches us that if we put God first in our finances, he will reward us accordingly.  (Principle also found in Malachi 3:10)

God is the ultimate Investor. He owns the whole world and has chosen to entrust part of it to each one of us!  We are his "account managers" and he expects to receive a return on the life, opportunities, and resources He has given us.  (See Matthew 25:14-30)

Practical Side of Saving for the Future

How should we save?

Since we know that nothing in this world is truly secure, we recognize that our most important savings account is in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).  However, as we have already learned from Proverbs, saving in this life is important as well.  "Earthly" methods of saving & investment include:

1. Checking / Savings / Money Market Accounts

2. Cash Reserves

3. Bank CDs

4. Insurance

5. Bonds

6. Stocks

7. Small Business Ventures

8. Mutual Funds

9. Valuables / Goods  / Real Estate / Home

10. IRA's, 401k, retirement-related programs 

11. Personal development & education
    

When planning for the future, it is not a bad idea to incorporate some or all of these methods.  This is the best earthly guarantee that you can have: diversification.  (Eccl. 11:1-6)  Remember that you should always consider the fact that with some investments, loss is a possiblity. We all hope things will improve and make money, but occasionally people lose what they invest. Getting good advice, doing your homework, and diversifying is the best defense against loss.

How do I get started?

With a little bit!  We often think that to be an investor we must have a few thousand dollars to work with, but this is not the case.  You can begin investing today in some very practical and wise ways.  Proverbs 13:11 teaches us that "he who gathers money little by little makes it grow!"

Steps to take to begin a saving/investing plan:
(list these in your notebook)

Determine your needs & goals.   

• College expenses for yourself or your children?

• Home purchase?

• Caring for elderly parents?  Or planning for your own retirement?

• Desire to start a business?

• Desire to support Christian work or project, or go into it yourself?

• Purchase of a new car or large item?

• Planning for vacations?

• Preparing for unexpected issues?  (medical, natural disaster, loss of job, national  problems, car repairs, etc.)  - Prov. 21:20

Note:  You should have a savings plan for any anticipated expenses that are not part of your regular monthly budget.

Determine where you are going to save & invest.

Savings bonds, mutual funds, CD's, IRA, College 529 Acct, 401k, cash, business, real estate, etc.  Make sure you do some research before you jump into an investment or savings plan.  (Some great resources to help beginners in this area are available from Crown Financial Ministries )

Begin today!  It is always easy to put it off until "we are ready" but that time will never come.  Out of every paycheck you receive, something should go into savings--even if it seems to be an insignificant amount.  You can be saving cash for expenses in envelopes, putting $50 per month in an IRA, purchasing savings bonds with extra cash...those little things will add up in the long run.

Thought & Discussion Questions:

Christian financial advisor Larry Burkett recommended establishing a maximum amount you will save...what might some reasons for this be?  Do you agree with them?

What type of investments are most secure?  How should we determine if an investment is ethically responsible to get into?

Is there anything wrong with just having a savings account or cash hidden in a coffee can?

Some people teach that investing in the stock market is just gambling.  Is this true? 

How could you use investments to give to missions, church, or other charitable projects?

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