The Best Investment You Can Make in a Recession

The stock market doesn't look good these days. I don't like ripping open the statements on our retirement account because they aren't very encouraging. I don't like watching the news because it isn't very encouraging. Come to think of it, I don't find it very encouraging to open the mailbox and find a pile of bills there either. We're in a recession and the reality hits us in the face every day.

Photo from CBS News

This week, someone on the news said we might have a double-dip recession on our hands. Although the double-dipped part sounds yummy, I don't think it's supposed to. I think it's bad. Really bad. As a parent, it's easy to get discouraged by the lack of leftover cash.

We don't take vacations to Disney or Hawaii, or spend a week at a dream destination. We don't go out to eat at sit-down restaurants very often. We don't go to theme parks or water parks, or buy our kids the latest gaming systems. We don't own a High-def or flat-screen TV. We didn't invest money in a college savings fund for our boys because we just didn't have it.

But we did make one big investment and it's the best one anyone can make in the midst of a recession.

You see, we aren't only in a financial recession in our country. We're also in a spiritual recession. So many people are just plain apathetic about Jesus. They are so caught up in acquiring stuff that they have forgotten about the Provider of everything they have. Too many parents believe that if they can just provide their children with the latest of everything those children will be happy. Sadly, they're wrong.

In this financial and spiritual recession the best investment you and I can make is in our children. We can spend time teaching them biblical truth and modeling it for them. We can teach them to trust in God when finances fall apart. We can teach them to live with less and worship God more. We can help them understand that good character and godly actions are more valuable than anything a platinum Visa can buy.

I hope that someday when I look back at our investment, I'll see boys who have become men of integrity. Men who give generously and love like Jesus. Honest men who put others before themselves and do what is right even when it isn't popular. 

Come to think of it, I'm already beginning to see dividends on that investment. Boys, you make your mama's heart swell with joy. I don't give a hoot what's in the bank as long as I have you guys.