At the end of December I took some time to look at the state of our long-term investments. I’m more of a “put the money away and let it grow” type of investor, although this year the “grow” part got lost somewhere. I’m hoping for better results this coming year.

I just read about one investment that sounds too good to be true. Listen to its description: Perfect, refreshing the soul; trustworthy, making wise the simple; right, giving joy to the heart; radiant, giving light to the eyes; pure, enduring forever; sweeter than honey and more precious than much pure gold.

What makes up this otherworldly prospectus? The words of Scripture sitting within arm’s reach of my chair.

The best stake I plant this coming year will be the time and energy spent in the Bible. Stocks may soar and the economy boom, but wealth never totally satisfies. In contrast, as the words of God sink deeply into our souls they slowly produce wisdom and joy and a sparkle in the eye.

The decrees of the Lord expand our lives and yield hope like nothing else. The words on the page aren’t magic, but they point us to the God of the universe, whose actions are better than magic.

Trustworthy, radiant, pure, sweeter than honey and more valuable than gold—that’s an investment to grab and not let go.

Psalm 19 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Markus Spiske