Christians are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to them, using their time, talents, and resources in ways that honour Him and serve others. While some may view investing in the stock market as a form of financial stewardship, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes working diligently, providing for one’s family, supporting the poor, and avoiding participation in systems that exploit others or promote greed. This study examines what it means to manage wealth biblically, considering God’s call to labour, give generously, and act justly, and asks whether engaging in the stock market aligns with the principles of faithful stewardship.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. — 1 Corinthians 4:2
Christians are called to be good stewards of what God has given them. In view of the Parable of the Talents, some Christians may consider investing in stocks or bonds as a form of wise stewardship, especially if it involves what they consider thoughtful planning, risk management, and aligns with long-term goals like providing for family or supporting ministry.
While the Bible doesn't address the stock market directly, using Biblical principles for interpreting scripture, let's consider the question "should Christians play the stock market?"
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. — Psalm 50:10-12
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. — Deuteronomy 8:17-19
Each of us will have to give an account.
All the earth and all the wealth in the earth belong to God and it is God who gives us the power, or ability, to get wealth. Scripture repeatedly reminds us how, one day, each of us will have to give an account as to how we used our talents, our opportunities, and our wealth; whether or not these blessings were used in accordance with His covenant.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. — Jeremiah 31:33
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. — Matthew 22:37-40
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. — Ecclesiastes 12:14
All who are able are to work for their own bread.
It was God's design from the start that man would labour for his wealth, not profit passively off of the labours of others.
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. — Psalm 128:2
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; — 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. — Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. — Ezekiel 16:49
Notice how the sin of wicked Sodom is tied to idleness and the neglect of the poor!
Labour a gift from God for our good.
Enjoying the fruit of our own labour is a gift from God. It helps develop discipline, and foster gratitude, as well as keep us out of trouble. As the saying goes, "idle hands are the Devil's workshop" after all.
...cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; — Genesis 3:17-19
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. — 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. — Galatians 6:4-5
God even made provisions for poor and unemployed.
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God. — Leviticus 19:9-10
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. — Exodus 23:10-12
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. — Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? — Isaiah 58:6-7
Wealth to be invested in others.
Those who are blessed with the financial means are to help the poor. Means and opportunities for those who are able to likewise labour for their own bread, and charity for those who are not able to work. It is difficult to do so if your wealth is tied up in investment.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. — Ephesians 4:28
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. — 1 Timothy 6:17-19
It is difficult to invest in others if your wealth is tied up in the market.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. — Acts 20:35
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19-20
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. — Proverbs 19:17
What about “ethical” investments?
An ESG investment refers to investing in companies or funds that prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance factors alongside traditional financial metrics. The goal is to generate long-term competitive returns while also promoting ethical and sustainable business practices.
It is extremely difficult to know for certain whether a company whose stock we invest in is one that we can trust to operate with integrity. Time and time again, so called ethical or socially responsible investments prove to be misleading, if not outright fraudulent!
Many companies and funds claim to be "ethical" or "sustainable" without meeting meaningful standards. "ESG" ratings, besides being subjective, are often inconsistent across providers, making it easy for firms to appear responsible without any real accountability.
Many companies in ESG funds may engage in questionable practices elsewhere (e.g., supply chain violations, lobbying against climate regulation), and some ESG leaders have been caught in scandals, undermining the trust in ESG ratings. ESG metrics can be vague, unstandardized, and difficult to verify. There is a lack of transparency on how some funds screen and select investments.
So called ethical investing can become a way for individuals or institutions to feel morally good without making harder, more impactful lifestyle or policy changes.
If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. — Job 11:14
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. — Proverbs 13:11
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; — Jeremiah 22:13
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. — 1 Timothy 6:10
Right treatment of labourers & justice for the poor.
Employers will have to give account for how they treat their labourers and whether or not their workers were fairly compensated. Workers are not to be worked to exhaustion or sickness, nor are they to have to work such hours that they don’t get to spend time with their family. And fair wages should not keep hard working, honest and responsible labourers in poverty, or one pay cheque away from financial ruin.
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. — Colossians 4:1
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. — Exodus 23:12
And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day. — Deuteronomy 15:13-15
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. — Malachi 3:5
Those who profit from injustice, even if not directly responsible, not blameless.
Scripture shows that God holds people accountable not only for what they do, but sometimes for what they allow, enable, or benefit from, especially when it comes to exploiting others or ignoring injustice.
God’s word rebukes people who benefit from economic systems that exploit the poor, even if they are not directly the ones doing the cheating. He condemns those who participate in or benefit from systemic injustice—such as laws that favour the rich and hurt the vulnerable. And even if the person isn’t directly the one doing the oppressing, benefiting from exploited labour is condemned.
Christians are to be like Christ. We are to rebuke unjust practices, advocate for the poor and oppressed, help relieve suffering, and show by example how to live and treat others justly.
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. — Proverbs 10:2
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? — Micah 6:8
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. — Proverbs 31:8-9
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. — Isaiah 1:17
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. — Matthew 23:23
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:14-17
Abstain for all appearance of evil. — 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Tying up wealth a gamble.
Time and again the stock markets have proven to be unpredictable forces, swayed by emotion, speculation, and events beyond anyone's control. God warns how riches, especially those gotten through ill-gotten gain, will be taken away, and suddenly.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. — Luke 12:16-21
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. — Ecclesiastes 11:2
Greed and exploitation of workers in the last days.
Greed, selfishness, and the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable are nothing new. However, prophecy tells us that this disparity of wealth will be unprecedented in the last days and will have been accumulated through the oppression of the labourers and neglect of the poor.
And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! — Revelation 18:16-18
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. — James 5:1-6
Profiting off the labour of others, especially labourers who are being exploited or abused, is most certainly not in agreement with the spirit of God’s word.
Stock market exploitative by nature.
The very nature of the stock market is exploitative. Here are just a few examples:
- Shareholder value is maximized over wages and conditions which encourages wage suppression, benefit cuts, and job outsourcing.
- Short-term focus on quarterly earnings discourage long-term investment in employee development, sustainability, and job security.
- Investor-backed companies often rely on gig workers or contractors who lack benefits, job security, and are forced to absorb business risks themselves (e.g., vehicle costs, insurance).
- Investors may demand layoffs or restructuring when stock prices fall or fail to grow as expected.
- Private equity firms often buy companies using debt then strip assets, cut (especially labour) costs, sell the company or make it public again at a profit leaving workers worse off.
- Low-income individuals lack means to invest thus missing out on one of the primary ways wealth accumulates in modern economies creating a wealth feedback loop.
- Stock market returns grow faster than wages.
- Executives are incentivised to boost stock prices via outsourcing jobs, automating work, and layoffs as their pay is tied to stock performance.
Christians should avoid any unethical or dishonest investment practices or anything that contributes to injustice.
In light of God's assessment of means by which rich men in the last day have accumulated their wealth, it's not a stretch of the imagination to reckon genuinely ethical stock investments are far and few between, if such investments exist at all, and fair to say that Christians should not play the stock market.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; — Romans 12:10-13