Count the Cost: Merging Financial & Biblical Terminology

The virtual trading floor buzzed with the usual lively exchanges, but today, Jacob was contemplating a deeper idea. As he scrolled through market graphs and trading tips, a thought struck him. Typing into the chat, he asked, "Ethan, what about faith? Do you think of faith as a form of capital? If so, how does it fit into our lives?"

Ethan glanced at Jacob's message, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! Think of faith as a crucial component of your personal portfolio—much like capital in investing. Capital is defined as the financial assets or resources that can yield returns, while dividends are the profits you receive from those investments over time. When you invest in faith, it serves as that unseen capital in your life, which can grow and provide dividends of spiritual fulfillment and personal growth."

Jacob felt an exhilarating rush of understanding. "So, having faith is like investing in something that will yield benefits later? But how does that work in practice?"

"Great question," Ethan replied, leaning into the discussion. "Just as with financial investments, faith can sometimes carry its own risks. You don't always see instant returns; instead, you must nurture it over time through study and service. This often requires patience, and it depends on what your faith is in. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." 

When you invest wisely in the proper object of your faith—through belief, prayer, proper engagement, and study—you're setting the foundation for salvation, then growth. Notice what Ephesians 1:13 says?"

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. This verse is explaining after you hear the word of truth, which is the gospel of your salvation, found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, which even states that it is the gospel that saves in verse 2, you believe it, and as a result, you are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. You don't see it, or feel it, or smell it, or physically observe it, you believe it because the words on the page explain that this is the literal operation of God in the believers' life! For believers today, the proper object of faith is Christ's death, burial and resurrection as a fully sufficient payment for all of their past, present and even future sins!"

As Jacob processed this, he slowly started to see better parallels between trading and faith. "So, like market trends, faith can go through ups and downs? Some periods might feel like a bear market, while others are bull markets . . . but the key is to keep investing and nurturing that faith?"

"Exactly!" Ethan exclaimed. "Like a well-timed investment strategy, the cultivation of faith for service, not salvation, often requires deliberate effort and attention. You may not always witness immediate results, but over time, that faith can yield incredible dividends—comfort during hardships, clarity during confusion, and strength during challenges."

Jacob felt a stir of hope at Ethan's words. "But what happens if my faith diminishes? Is there a way to reclaim that or reinvest?"

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "Of course! Just like revising a trading strategy when things aren't going well, you can apply the same principles to your faith. Seeking guidance, or diving deeper into scripture can be seen as strategies for reinvesting your faith. It's all about continual growth and learning to navigate the complexities of both life and trading."

"I see that now," Jacob said, energized by the conversation. "Just as I might diversify my portfolio to mitigate risk, I can diversify my faith practices to strengthen my spiritual health."

"Exactly," Ethan affirmed. "Patience and nurturing are key. Just as we wouldn't abandon a promising investment at the first sign of loss, we must similarly cultivate our faith even when it seems dormant. The ultimate goal is growth, and sometimes that takes time, strategy, and unwavering commitment. After all, even saved believers have to give an account of their service, whether it was good service or bad service at the Judgment Seat of Christ. "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. This is Romans 14:10-12."

In that moment of clarity, Jacob realized that faith wasn't merely a passive notion; it was an active investment in his future, one that would yield profound rewards in every aspect of his life. With a renewed sense of purpose, he felt ready to approach both trading and spirituality as intertwined journeys, each enriched by the virtues of patience, nurturing, and wise investment.