Securities, Stocks, and Bonds

I’m taking an on-line course in managing my financial future. Although no one can actually secure a future, because it’s unknown, the instructor has given “definitions and instructions for you to better understand how to go into your economic future with confidence” (His words, not mine.) Well, not really confidence but maybe a hedge against making a really, really big mistake that affects my future financial well-being. Before this course I might have ignorantly gone to the really, really big mistake area. Now I can confidently say that if I go into the really, really big mistake zone it won’t be out of complete ignorance. I’m not so sure this is advantageous but "knowledge is power" (they say.) The instructor has already commented in one of his lessons that, “A little knowledge is dangerous when it comes to investments.” So now I’m pretty confident that I’ll make a mistake, just maybe not a really, really big one.

 Anyway, here are some terms and definitions I've learned thus far:

Security – anything that belongs to you

Stock – investment in something

Bond – holding part of a debt

Yes, I know these are very simplistic definitions. But remember, I’m used to teaching first graders and always have to get down to the lowest level of understanding to be successful. In other words, I have to understand it before I can use it. It’s taken me 7 weeks to get this far. What can I say? I’m a slow financial learner.

I’m also taking an in-heart course in Ephesians (my Bible study currently) and it seems to be about managing my future too. This book also gives definitions and instructions to better understand how to go into my spiritual future with confidence. In fact, I can have and should have more certainty in my spiritual future than my financial future. And the way things are so unpredictable in in the NYSE and NASDAQ I’m better off having that ultimate security in Christ. Whew, that’s how to spell c-o-n-f-i-d-e-n-c-e.

Ephesians 1:11-14 states (I’ll make my notations as I go):

In Him (God our Creator) we have we have obtained an inheritance; (This is our security. It belongs to us, How’s that for being in the will? This is the ultimate insurance. We don’t have to worry about changes in the market affecting our spiritual retirement plan. We don’t have to make contributions to it. It is an established legacy. ) having been predestined (selected by God Himself) according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will; (This is part of our stock portfolio. God has a proven blue chip investment in us. It is a long term grade A stock that is guaranteed to increase in value as we go through life. Wall Street brokers can’t even compete with this!) In Him you also, when you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit; (This is part of our bond holdings. Christ holds the debt we could never pay through His salvation of us. The Holy Spirit in us is the assurer that the debt has been and is being paid daily for our sin.) He is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, (Hey, I didn't make this up. God says He, the triune God, is the irrefutable warranty that our securities are secure now and in the future, past our retirement and into forever.) to the praise of His glory. (How’s this for the ultimate securities portfolio? The world has nothing better to offer as our present and future protection plan. And we can praise Him and glorify Him and rest confidently in Him.)

   

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Supports me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

                        (Edward Mote)    

While I might be a little unsure about my financial holdings

 I’m very confident in my spiritual holdings.