WISE INVESTMENT

INTRODUCTION
1. Laws of the Bible are paradoxical to the laws of the world Laws of the Bible are more authentic and fruitful Eg. Giving is better than receiving Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 2. You cannot change natural laws Laws are decreed by the creator It is not you who fixed natural laws No man was consulted while formulating and fixing the natural laws No man was alive when God created nature God fixed and finalized them as and when He created nature Genesis 8:22 - While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. {While...: Heb. As yet all the days of the earth} 3. Wealth in this world was created by God God created wealth in the Garden of Eden Genesis 2:8-12
8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah , where there is gold;

12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. (gold, spices & precious stones) 4. Wealth is not money Money represents wealth Money is a medium by which success in this world is measured. Wealth = Human resource + time + Land resource Wealth is made on the basis of how you manage your money, health and time. If you fail in the management of any one of these three, you may not create or sustain wealth Everything in this world is created by God Man cannot create any thing He can only redistribute resources Money represents wealth Money is created by God Money has its own rules WHAT IS MONEY Money is a convenient means of transaction based on value.

Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. (www.wikipedia.org) Notes a written promise of payment (Pocket Oxford Dictionary) Barter system During the age of barter system goods or services were directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money Participants brought things they do not need and exchange them for the unwanted goods of another participant. Exchange is easier when more than two persons are involved. What they need A Mango How the system works B Rice C Wheat

A Rice

B Wheat

= =

A Wheat

B Rice

A Wheat

C Mango

A Mango

C Wheat

Gift Economy A gift economy (or gift culture) is a society where valuable goods and services are regularly given without any explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards. Ideally, simultaneous or recurring giving serves to circulate and redistribute valuables within the community. Informal custom governs exchanges, rather than an explicit exchange of goods or services for money or some other commodity. What they need A Mango How the system works A Rice B Rice C Wheat

B Rice

B Wheat C Mango

C A

= =

C Wheat A Mango

Basic Wealth So before money came into existence there existed economic systems that allowed trading of goods and services. In another sense, money is not the real wealth, but what we own, services and goods we can trade are our wealth. Our wealth: Human Resource (our health) Time (it is personal and everybody have an equal portion) Land Resource services Goods

All these three will worn out as time goes Land resources include gold, water, food etc. some may withstand time and others may not So what we do We exchange or convert them to money Human Resource Time Land resource service goods

Money

UNCHANGEABLE LAWS OF GOD

God has decreed certain laws for our health we cannot change it they do not change with time, place or social situation God has decreed certain rules and laws for time we cannot change it they do not change with time, place or social situation God has decreed certain rules and laws for land resources we cannot change it they do not change with time, place or social situation God has decreed certain rules and laws for wealth or money we cannot change it they do not change with time, place or social situation Birds are governed by Gods laws Plants and trees are governed by Gods laws Rivers and seas are also governed by Gods laws So wealth or money is also governed by God laws. Money has its own rules Money is governed by these rules Leviticus 19: 13 - Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (KJV)

Deuteronomy 24: 15 - At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. {setteth...: Heb. lifteth his soul unto it} (KJV) Malachi 3: 5 - And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. {oppress: or, defraud} (KJV) James 5: 4 - Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (KJV) 1 Timothy 6: 17 - 19 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches} 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {willing...: or, sociable} 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

VIOLATION IS DISASTER
Food, shelter and clothes are three basic necessities of man. Man was placed in a natural surrounding which was ordered by God to provide shelter and food for man Later man found clothes also from nature. So far nature has never said no to any man who demanded anything from its resource Nature means whatever that has life and that has no life Man is a part of nature and he is different Only man has free will a free will to obey or disobey Gods commands. Nature obeys only the laws of God Man cannot subdue nature or bring it under his control Nature never obeys mans laws Man cannot subdue money or bring it under his control Money never obeys man made laws So nature is governed by certain laws decreed by God If you violate these laws disaster is sure Money is governed by certain laws decreed by God If you violate these laws, disaster is sure SUPPLY IS NOT CERTAIN No plant saves for tomorrow No bird saves for tomorrow No animal saves for tomorrow Their needs are guaranteed

Supply is certain Man saves for tomorrow because his needs are not guaranteed Supply is not certain Gods blessings on man is guaranteed, but conditional Man has conditional promises If you obey His laws, He shall prosper you. Plants Birds Animals

No free will

Supply certain Supply not certain

Man

Free will

Genesis 2: 16, 17 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Man violated the condition by committing the racial sins So his life in the Garden was cut short He was pushed out of the blessed place

surely die

No human resource No time No land resource

After sinning, man was placed in a cursed land A land which refuses to provide for him Man has to work hard on it for his livelihood Genesis 3:17-19 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; {bring...: Heb. cause to bud} 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

FUTURE IS NOT GRANTED

Man became anxious of tomorrow So man saves for tomorrow No one can say that you should not save for tomorrow What Christ advised is to keep away from worry It is an advice to His disciples of all ages Do not worry, because God cares for you.

Birds in sky and lilies in the field are not worried about tomorrow They do not save for tomorrow Still they live better than the richest man on earth (Solomon) Luke 12: 22 - 34
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (KJV)

Worrying and saving are two things Saving is for tomorrow For a tomorrow when: Your needs grow larger You cannot work and earn You need a large sum of money for a particular purpose like building a house, childrens education etc. Saving for tomorrow is not a sin Worrying is unnecessary Prudent care is never forbidden by our Lord.

BE PRUDENT
Be prudent is an advice of our Lord Proverbs 30:25,26 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The ants may truly be called a people, as they have houses, towns, public roads, etc.; and shew their wisdom and prudence by preparing their meat in due season Conies - a small animal different from our coney, living among the rocks, and distinguished for sagacity (showing insight or good judgment). Proverbs 6:6-11 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. The story of the prodigal son His tragedy was aggravated by spending all he had Luke 15:11-14 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Let wealth be a blessing of God Proverbs 8: 18 - 21 18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: {lead: or, walk} 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. (KJV) Proverbs 22: 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. {By...: or, The reward of humility, etc} (KJV) Proverbs 10: 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (KJV) Jesus teaches us to invest all we have money, time and health in such a way that we will have a rich harvest in this world as well as the Kingdom of God THE PARABLE OF A RICH FARMER Luke 12: 16 -21
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. He was not rich toward God. He had no inheritance in the kingdom of God. He laid up no riches in heaven. His affections are all fixed on this world, and he has none for God. He is guilty of folly in the eyes of God. Wisdom requires that we should lay up treasure in heaven. If our treasures are laid up in heaven, death will be but going home, and happy will be that moment when we are called to our rest.

WISE INVESTMENTS
There is a difference between investment and saving Saving is simply keeping aside some money for future use Investments are made with an intention of getting back in many fold, once or for a long period of time Matthew 25: 14 - 30 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. {talents: a talent is one hundred and eighty seven pounds ten shillings} 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

Investments we make in this world according to the laws of man will give us a return only in this world . Investments we make in this world according to the advises of Christ will be treated as investments we make in Heaven Every investments you make in Heaven will give you return while you are in this world as well as while you are in heaven till a period of eternity. Wise investments are investments made in the Kingdom of God Matthew 13:44-46 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Let us look at a comparison between investments made in Worldly Banks and investments made in the Kingdom of God

Worldly Bank Our heart will be in this world Moth and rust doth corrupt Thieves break through and steal Accepts only money Return is prefixed and limited Return as money Return only to the investor or to the nominee Return only while you live in this world

Kingdom of God Our heart will be in the Kingdom of God Neither moth nor rust doth corrupt Thieves do not break through nor steal Accepts investments in any kind health / time / land resources / money Return not prefixed The highest return - 30, 60 or even 100 times Return in any kind we want Return to 1000 generations Return in this world as well as in eternity 1000 generations + in eternal life

Matthew 6: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19,20 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Deuteronomy 7: 9, 10 9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Matthew 19: 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

LAWS OF WISE INVESTMENTS

There are 5 laws 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. When to invest What to invest How to invest Where to invest What should you do to get an ample return

1. WHEN TO INVEST
Isaac sowed in famine and he reaped a 100 fold Genesis 26: 1 - 6

1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: Genesis 26: 12, 13 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. {received: Heb. found} 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: {went...: Heb. went going} Famine is the best time to sow Sow in tears and reap with joy Psalms 126: 5,6 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. {joy: or, singing} 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. {precious...: or, seed basket}

Babylonian Law of Financial Success

George Samuel Clason His best seller, The Richest Man in Babylon In this book, the man who lends money for interest advises: A part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should be not less than a tenth no matter how little you earn. . Pay for yourself first. If it is made more clear whenever you have an income, whether it is small or big, before you spent money for other purposes, keep aside and invest a tenth part of your income, for a brighter tomorrow. Investing is letting go The story of the rich young man The rich young man came to Jesus He wanted a certificate of justification But he misunderstood the person he approached Jesus was not the kind of person who give certificate of justification for all rich people Jesus could see into his heart There He saw love for money So Jesus asked him to sell off everything and invest in the heavenly kingdom Matthew 19: 16- 22
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Those who have love of money cannot invest Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Where, or on what occasion, our Lord spake these words we know not, as they do not exist in any of the four evangelists. But that our Lord did speak them, St. Paul's evidence is quite sufficient to prove. Give bountifully Luke 6:38 - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-12 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. {bountifulness: or, liberality: Gr. simplicity} 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Principles of Bible are paradoxical to the principles of the World These days, many worldly people have discovered that Biblical principles are correct Money is controlled by Gods laws and regulations So what God says about money is more correct than what world says Worldly wisdom does not help you understand this principle But the creator of gold and silver says that giving is more blessing Love of money is not the rule of wise investment Love of the heavenly kingdom is the rule of wise investment You miss the seeds you sow It will never be back again

But new crops + new seeds in 100 folds will be back

2. WHAT TO INVEST
The poor widows 2 paise offering She gave all she had But she gave more than anyone else and all of them together Mark 12: 41-44 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. {money: a piece of brass money} 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. {mites: it is the seventh part of one piece of that brass money} 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Invest what you have Invest all you have Kingdom of God accepts all kinds of things as investment It can be your: Money Houses Brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children Lands A glass of water Anything and everything you own Matthew 19: 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Investing all we have at a time on a long term basis is not practical We need some for day to day living Then what should we invest? Let us learn from a farmer

He makes a harvest Stores grain in the granary Start eating them When the sowing time comes, if he has anything left, he sows them He is impoverished. He makes a good harvest He selects and separates the best grains as seeds Stores seeds in a protected area He never eats up this seeds He eats only grains that is separated from seeds

He sows the seeds and reaps a rich harvest again So, if you are intending to do an investment, plan it before you spend any money from your wealth. Invest the first fruits not the left over The first fruits invested makes it sure that you will have a rich harvest later on The first fruits may be attractive, tasty, but give it up as an investment Proverbs 3: 9, 10 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Deuteronomy 26: 1, 2 1 And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein; 2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there. Proverbs 3: 9, 10 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Malachi 3: 6 - 12 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. {pour...: Heb. empty out} 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. {destroy: Heb. corrupt} 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. Matthew 23: 23 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Proverbs 19: 17 - He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. {that which...: or, his deed} Proverbs 21:13 - Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 28:27 - He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Galatians 6: 6 - Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (KJV)

Galatians 6: 6 - But let those who receive instruction in Christian truth share with their instructors all temporal blessings. (Weymouths New Testament) Galatians 6: 6 - And let him who is instructed in the word share with him who is instructing--in all good things. (Youngs Literal Translation)

3. HOW TO INVEST
Our Attitude We are investing nothing of our own King David is exhorting the people to contribute to the construction of the Tabernacle David explains why not he but his son Solomon will build the Tabernacle 1 Chronicles 28: 1 - 6
1 David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. 2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. {blood: Heb. bloods} 5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

David is setting an example by contributing to the cause of the Tabernacle David exhorts people to contribute 1 Chronicles 29:2 - Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be
made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

1 Chronicles 29:9- Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they
offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

1 Chronicles 29:14 - 16 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. Invest with an attitude that we are only investing what God has entrusted us

It has a likeness to the way we pay Income Tax to the Government from the salary the government gives to us. HOW TO INVEST 1. Suffering for the sake of Christ is an investment

Matthew 5: 10-12 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {falsely: Gr. lying} 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 2. Invest not to get a return from man Matthew 6: 1 - 4 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. If we invest and receive a reward in this world, that investment will not be considered for a return in eternity Because the reward is already paid So do it not for the honour in this world Let your right hand know not what your left hand does that is the principle Luke 14: 13, 14 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 3. Every loss for Christs sake is a valuable investment Matthew 19: 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 4. Whatever you do for Christs servants are investments in His kingdom Matthew 10: 41, 42 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Hebrews 6 : 10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

4.

WHERE TO INVEST

Of course, the most simple statement to this question will be: invest in the Kingdom of God. But where? Where while we live in this world? We are investing not for sake the of investment We are not investing to please our fellow men We are investing with an aim to get back a high return So generally speaking, Invest on Gods altar Matthew 23: 19 - Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Jesus once asked the crowd: which is great, the sacrifice or the altar The answer was there in his question itself The altar is great Investments made on the right place brings blessings Investments made on other places may bring you worldly honour But it is not treated as an investment in heaven The bank in the Kingdom of God offers you 3 prestigious products 1. Tithe 2. Offerings 3. Helping the poor All the three means of investments are governed by their own rules Rewards of tithe and offering are similar 1. Tithe and offering Malachi 3: 6- 12 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house , and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. {destroy: Heb. corrupt} 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

2. Helping the poor Matthew 25: 34 - 40

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Proverbs 14: 31 - He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. Proverbs 19: 17 - He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. {that which...: or, his deed}

5. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO GET AN AMPLE RETURN?

Every investment has a lock in period Worldly investments too has a lock in period The return grows as the lock in period is longer Wait like a farmer for the harvest Long suffering is a must Do not be dismayed Do not be disappointed The farmer knows that while he is waiting, the seed is growing to maturity and will yield a good harvest. Look far and see the small cloud in the sky It is growing and growing It shall rain soon, sure It will nor fail. Ecclesiastes 11: 1 - Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. {upon...: Heb. upon the face of the waters} James 5: 7 - Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. {Be...: or, Be long patient, or, Suffer with long patience} Allow your investment to work and earn more for you. www.professorjacobabraham.com