INVESTING WISELY
Review of Previous Lesson (5 Minutes)
- What did you learn in the previous lesson?
- How are you taking up this responsibility in your community?
Main Text: Proverbs 28:19-20.
Memory Verse: He who works his land will have abundant food but the one who chases fantasies will have their fill of poverty. – Proverbs 28:19.
Introduction
The past years have witnessed the unfortunate collapse of some financial institutions. Among these institutions are a few who promised very high interest rates which attracted people to invest. Unfortunately, many have neither received the interest promised nor the capital invested, thereby bringing upon themselves and their dependents untold hardships. In this study, we shall discuss the precautions to take in order to avoid loss of lifetime investments.
Questions for Discussion
- Identify the two types of investors cited in the text. Verse 19-20.
- Which of the two types of investment would you consider as wise investment? Provide reasons for your answer.
- What are the dangers of being eager to be rich?
- How can we avoid the dangers of being eager to be rich?
- What basic information should one have before putting money in any financial institution?
Conclusion
In the passage read, we understand that honest labor brings wealth while chasing fantasies leads to losses. In the context of this discussion, such fantasies include expected riches from lottery, betting, and investing in businesses and financial institutions that promise unrealistic profit margins. Fundamentally, the pitfalls in investment are sometimes caused by a person’s eagerness to become rich in the shortest possible time. This can lead a person to part with lifetime investments and properties in response to swindlers who promise unrealistic returns. To make wise investment, interested persons need to seek information from the appropriate authority. Thus, people should not invest in a business just because the returns are high. They need to check the legality of the business because it could be illegal in spite of the huge profit margins promised.