INVESTING

One of my "Good" friends recently commented while I was adding her score up in dominoes, "You probably were good in math in school.  If you are good in math, you usually are not good in English."  Well NOW YOU KNOW why these posts are a little lack luster---I was a poor English student a hundred years ago-(-:

BACK to the subject.  In a life long ago, I LOVED investing in the stock market--actually it was more like "Playing in the stock market".  That was the good old days of moment by moment volatility in the indexes.  Up and down the prices would go in a short period of time.  At that time, I was married to a stock broker.  I love numbers. I had the time to watch the market.  It was the perfect storm!



I made some and lost some, but I REALLY LOVED to play!  I branched out from there and learned about puts and calls, futures, all kinds of financial instruments.  Investing at that time had short term goals--make as much as possible in as short of time period as possible.  THAT is NOT a sustainable nor smart investment goal!



With life changes and aging, my goals shifted from the short term to the long. (The long term is getting shorter every day)  My master plan was headlined by security and return.  Retirement and the financial needs of my senior years took the front burner.  Having adequate funds to last until I become the dearly departed was my number one investment goal.  I made a switch from the wild and woolly playing the market days to no losses allowed days.  My investment strategy made a 180 degree turn based upon long term investment goals.

Certainly this is all important.  God intends us to be good stewards of our financial resources, but He does not intend it to be our entire investment portfolio.  We have also been given "gifts" of a spiritual nature to invest.  Recently we talked this over in our discussion of Ephesians in Sunday School.  Those "Spiritual Gifts" are given AFTER our decision to follow Christ.  We are then given nudges by the Holy Spirit of how to use them or invest them, if you will.  It dawned on me, my love for children and tutoring is a gift.  I was recently handed another opportunity to invest my time and abilities in another child---quite by surprise and when I least expected it--while waiting for a play to begin.  YES--I will invest in this child. Another opportunity presents itself- YES--I will invest in these young women.  Every time I am given an opportunity and I feel the push of the Spirit--I will invest my Spiritual Gifts.  AND--these investments not only have great returns--but eternal consequences.

What is your investment strategy?  Who is reaping the benefits of your gifts?  What long term--eternal consequences are you sowing with your investing?


10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10

8 comments

  1. What a wonderful post today, Lulu. A great message to take to heart. The gifts given to us by God are to be shared and invested in others. I admire you for all your good works.

    God bless.

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  2. What a blessing that God not only gives us these spiritual gifts, but also nudges ius aa He purposes us to use them. He is such a good God!
    Blessings, My Friend!

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  3. Yes, Lulu, investing in others, using our God-given gifts, is the best investment ever! So glad those opportunities are coming your way. Blessings!

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    1. I am thankful as well, Martha. It takes my breath away to think He would use me!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  4. Great post, Lulu. I'm horrible with math (can keep a checkbook balanced), but good with histoiry/facts.

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    1. And though I love history, can’t remember the date I was born some days! Thankful God made us all different!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  5. Did you not have my mother in 9th grade English? Don’t you remember diagramming sentences? I fear you have no leg to stand on as your writing speaks for itself

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    1. Your mother was a wonderful teacher. Do they still diagram sentences? I fear not!
      Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!