Would God Speak about the Stockmarket?
By: Tania Harris
A young man once told me about how God spoke to him about the share-market and whether his stocks were going to rise or fall. The outcome of his God conversation was that he made a lot of money!
I’ve also heard stories about people hearing God about who to marry and where to buy a home. Some of them are wonderful testimonies of God’s love and provision, but it does raise the question: would God really talk about the stock-market?
In the Old Testament Scriptures, God spoke about the rise and fall of nations, ancient covenants and God’s plan for Israel. In the New Testament Scriptures, God spoke about the disciples’ missionary journeys, who should be leaders in the church and how to respond to current events.
So, what topics does the Holy Spirit talk about today?
The Teaching of Jesus
To answer the question, we need to review what Jesus said while he was on earth. Jesus said the Spirit would speak about two areas: the first, to “remind” us of what Jesus had said and done (John 14:26). That is, the truths of salvation, the way of God’s kingdom and God’s character and nature as revealed in Jesus. These truths are now recorded for us as Scripture.
Then there was a second area. Because Jesus had more to say, the Spirit would also speak about what was “yet to come.” (John 16:12,13) That is, the Spirit would show how the ministry and mission of Jesus should continue after he left.
The God Conversations of the Early Church
Following Jesus’ departure, we see his words about the Spirit unfolding in the early church. The Spirit first reminded people of Jesus as the good news was sent forth and the church grew. Then the Spirit spoke about that which was yet to come – applying the Gospel to new places and settings. As the disciples went into all the world, the Spirit went with them guiding them with the wisdom of Jesus all along the way.
One of those God conversations involved a man named Phillip. He was sharing the good news in Samaria when God told him to go south to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. As he did that, the Spirit told him to go up to an Ethiopian man on his chariot (Acts 8:29). The man was an important official who had just been to Jerusalem to worship and was now returning home. It just so happened that the official was reading the book of Isaiah when Phillip approached him. It was a timely moment! Phillip explained how the passage related to Jesus, the Ethiopian accepted the message and was baptised by Phillip on the side of the road! Tradition says that this was the start of the church in Ethiopia.
Phillip’s God conversation is only one of many where God speaks to the early church. There are over twenty incidences in the book of Acts, and they all concern Jesus’ ministry and mission to the world.
Our God Conversations
The same Spirit who spoke to Phillip continues to speak to us today. God reminds us of the things Jesus spoke of and then shows us how to apply them to our lives. That is, the Spirit speaks to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus (Rev. 19:10)
This means we can expect God to speak to us about showing God’s love to others, being generous and kind and how to share our faith. The Spirit will call us to reach out to those in our workplaces, homes and communities. The Spirit may even call us to share the Gospel with a stranger passing by in their “chariot”!
So, returning to our original question… would God speak about the stock-market? Or even a spouse or future home? If God did, there will always be a bigger picture in mind. In the midst of experiencing God’s love and provision for us, there will be a call to continue the ministry and mission of Jesus.
Article supplied with thanks to God Conversations.
About the Author: Tania Harris is a pastor, speaker, author and the founder of God Conversations.
Feature image: Canva
