Opportunity Cost: A Biblical Principle of Wise Investment
Money is valuable for at least two reasons: it symbolizes the time, talent and effort of those who labor, and it can be used to purchase many goods and services. When any money is to be spent for any purpose there are two considerations for the wise manager: First, is the amount to be paid a reasonable exchange for the product or service to be received? Then, is that expenditure at the top of one’s list of current needs/wants for which that money could be spent? For most Americans, an answer of “yes” to both, i.e. the “price is right” and “I want this,” results in a purchase.
Whenever a purchase is made, no matter how attractive the expenditure may seem, one has then lost the opportunity to ever do anything else with that money. Losing the opportunity to use those funds for something that might have even greater potential for achieving priority goals is called the “opportunity cost.” Every price tag actually has two elements: the amount which is required to purchase the item, and the hidden cost of the lost opportunities to use those funds elsewhere, which might be a greater value.
The Bible compares the Christian to a servant to whom God has entrusted the management of varying sums of His largesse (Matt. 25:14-30). He will “settle accounts” one day, and He will require each of us to show the outcomes of our choices. It is obvious from scripture that our management for God includes finances (Matt. 6:19,20; Luke 12:15-21; 16:19-26; Jas. 5:1-5, et al), but also other assets which God lends us for our earthly journey and to invest for eternity (Matt. 19:16-30; I Cor. 3:10-17; 4:7; 6:19,20; et al). The Christian is told to live carefully, making the most of every opportunity, and that failing to do so is “unwise” and “foolish” (Eph. 5:15-17).
A modern heresy is the “prosperity gospel” or “health and wealth” heresy. This is particularly advocated by certain mass media ministers, but has actually influenced most of the Church in America. It is based upon the value system of our post-Christian society and its humanistic materialism, furthered by the pervasive and persuasive modern communicators of consumerism. However, it is a colossal tragedy to see sincere Christians adopting a lifestyle advocated by those who even go so far as to distort scripture to suggest that God is pleased by our pleasurable self-indulgence.
This heresy is commonly justified with claims that as long as those blessed with wealth are thankful to God for His largesse, then they are at liberty to enjoy everything that can be purchased to support a pleasant lifestyle, or to hoard it for the satisfaction of the sense of security that it brings. A more reasonable assessment is given by John Piper (Desiring God, Multnomah Press, p. 163), “God is not glorified when we keep for ourselves (no matter how thankfully) what we ought to be using to alleviate the misery of unevangelized, uneducated, unmedicated and unfed millions.”
Each Christian will stand before Christ Himself and “settle accounts” one day. Some protest that choices of this nature are strictly a personal matter. However, the cost of missed opportunities negatively impacts the millions mentioned above, and thus the entire Body of Christ. Hank Hanegraaf says (Christianity in Crisis, Harvest House, p. 230), “Folks, it’s your choice. You can swallow the … nonsense about your right to wallow in self-indulgence, or you can set your heart on the deep satisfaction that can only come through using your resources generously to further the gospel and improve the lot of those around you. You can live responsibly as a steward of God’s resources and expect to hear Him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,’ or you can squander His gifts and let these words fall in full force upon your foolish soul: ‘I tell you the truth, you have your reward in full.’”
The “opportunity cost” of the failure of an American Christian to be faithful in stewardship today is unprecedented. The “average” American income is near twenty-fold higher than the average income where more than half of the world’s population lives (even after adjustment for purchasing power differences). Modest personal sacrifice by most American Christians, or even just a little more spending discipline, could have a huge impact in bringing the message of God’s love to millions of poverty-bound people in practical and life-changing ways. We cannot afford such opportunity costs in exchange for luxuries or pleasures that are simply unnecessary or excessive. It is time for uncompromising abandonment of the cultural materialism that compellingly grips the unwary and undisciplined. We must ask tough questions of ourselves, and of all those who make decisions about the expenditure of our donated funds. We are accountable to make “the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16).
The suffering millions (particularly fellow Christians) are actually our responsibility, especially if we live with excessive luxury and conspicuous over-consumption. God just might not be as impressed with how much money we give as how we demonstrate our stewardship over what we spend on ourselves (Matt. 6:19-21; 13:22; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 12:33,34; 16:13; 18:24,25; I Tim. 6:6-11; et al). Where are the Christians who will consider the third necessary question with each discretionary expenditure: 1) “Do I want it?” 2) “Can I afford it?” and, 3) “What other opportunity to invest that money for more eternal consequences do I then lose, forever?”
