Eternal Dividends

Lately I have been pondering what the purpose is in investing. Are my motives right?

A few friends who know about my journey and my desire to teach others about dividend investing have been asking me for advice and I've been enjoying sharing with them. One such friend is in the process of selling her possessions and minimizing with the hopes of moving overseas long-term. We've talked many times about retirement, dividends, student loans, etc. I love the conversations we have about these things, as well as the deep, intimate conversations about God and how He loves people.

So, I had to ask her. What's your motive? Why are you wanting to build up a portfolio? If it's to become so economically self-sufficient that you stop relying on God, we're done talking.

In the words of Jesus,

19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." -Matthew 6:19-24

There is so much that we can focus on around us and lose sight of the end goal. Having to trust God with my finances after leaving a cushy job to work part-time and have just enough is entirely worth it! It's actually more motivating to know that I don't have to go sit in a cubicle 8-5 every day. I have the privilege of spending hours alone with God or talking with people from other nations. I have the freedom (and obligation) to set my own hours and schedule each week. I have to make choices about whether to geek out on the internet or write emails and make phone calls. I enjoy this life.

So, back to the question of "Are my motives right?" I think sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't. Ultimately, my goal needs to be focused on that which stores up treasures in heaven, treasures that last for eternity. When I idealize going back to the high-paying corporate job for "one more year just to set myself up for life" it becomes about those treasures that don't last, where moth and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal. I become slave to the almighty dollar. If my focus is on investing so that I can devote more of my time to loving God and people, then my heart is right. I can rightly serve God and make my money obedient to that end. Money becomes the slave, not me.

I would love to help my friends and anyone else learn to invest for eternity. To put their money to work for them so that they can work for that which lasts. And that work can be in a cubicle, a coffee shop, at home, in front of a classroom, or anywhere else. The goal of investing isn't to live a life of unfettered luxury, but to have freedom in choosing what work to do and to have abundance to give to others.

As I sit in my home, and ponder how great a home it is, I am grateful for what God has allowed money to provide. When I think about the fact that my current job pays slightly above the poverty line and I have no trouble paying bills, I am grateful. Even if another year of a corporate job might've meant not needing any job in order to pay my bills, I know that like Mary (Martha's sister) I have chosen the better thing. (Luke 10:38-42)

What would you choose?