No one can question the popularity of NASCAR racing. Whether you are a fan or not, the fast cars, mega corporate sponsorships, and racer lifestyles attract millions of fans a year. According to NASCAR.com, last year the average Sprint Cup gate exceeded 120,000 people and there are over 75 million Americans race car fans. Whether you watch regularly or have never seen a race: what do you think is more important  – the race car (horse power, weight, design, etc) or the driver (the person driving the vehicle)?

Pretty simple: the driver - as long as he has a manageable automobile. Last week, we talked at great lengths about being a faithful manager. As part of the duties of being a manager, you have a responsibility is to maximize the profit of the assets that God entrusts in your care. You may be called to manage your own businesses. You may be gifted as an entrepreneur. Or you may be called to invest in someone else’s business – whether it is a private or publically traded company or you make your investments through other vehicles like mutual funds.

As long as a company does not operate in an unethical or immoral industry, there is no such thing as a bad business – there are only poor managers. A talented manager can turn a poor company in the right direction while a poor manager can take a profitable business and run it into the ground. Whether you are investing in your own business as an entrepreneur or you choose to make your investments elsewhere, God is calling you to get the highest return on the money He provides you.

Investing is not a game to be won or lost. It is simply a means to an end. It is only important when you give up something (money) in exchange for something of value to you in the future. Investing is only meaningful when you have a vision of what you would like to accomplish. What has God put on your heart? How can you further glorify Him? Goals should focus on God’s purpose in your life. We need to take care of our families, but we cannot lose focus on the real reason we are here on earth: to be a part of God’s plan for the world. Are you doing your part or are you just playing by the world’s rules?

Breaking Rules

If you watched NASCAR today you saw Tony Stewart finish first in the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Even though he did not technically cross the finish line first, he was declared the winner because Regan Smith, a rookie, broke the rules: “no passing under the yellow line to advance your position at Talladega”. Even though Regan Smith crossed the finish line first, he was no winner. Just like in this scenario, when you live by the world’s rules you may win the game on earth, but what about the game that really matters in heaven?

God is the ultimate judge and though you may win here on earth, he may declare that you too have broken the rules. Instead follow his plan. It begins with your heart. Make sure your priorities are in line with His will and make investments that do not compromise your faith. By seeking God, He will reveal to you your purpose and where He is leading you.

Invest  God’s Way

There are two investments that God wants us to make. He wants us to invest in our families: 1Timothy 3:5 says, “but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?”(NASB) Timothy goes on to make the point even more clear: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” These are pretty harsh words. We have a responsibility to invest on behalf of our families to provide for them.

God also wants us to invest in others. Mark 12:31 shows this: “‘You must love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” (NIV). He frowns when we become self centered and spend our excess on self indulgence: “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50 NASB).

I Need Your Story

I am deep at work on my next book The Faith-Based Investor. If you would like to share a story of how God has made a difference in your finances, please send me an email at info@jayperoni.com.