by Tom Teckmeyer

Ecclesiastes 11:1 - 2 is often associated with saving and investing:

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

     Farmers have understood this issue for centuries. That is why a farmer chooses to plant some corn, some soybeans, some wheat and some milo. In the event that one or two of the crops fare poorly, there are other resources to fall back on that have by faith done well.

     These same principles need to be applied in a sound investment strategy. No one knows what might happen to the stock market, interest rates, our nation's economy or the banking system.

     However, by applying Ecclesiastes 11:1,2, we can "plant" the resources God has entrusted to us in a variety of places. As a result, we spread our risk and thereby effectively manage that risk in a way that honors God. If you are not currently well diversified upon "seven or eight," you might want to take a close look at your situation, spend time asking the Lord for wisdom and make changes as the Holy Spirit leads.

     Please keep in mind that the best investment you can make is in the Lord's work. Whatever disaster may come upon us, we must trust the Lord. What we have is His. We are simply His managers.

     Tom Teckmeyer is president of Teckmeyer Financial Services in Omaha, Nebraska. You can contact Tom at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .