DECEMBER 2008
REFLECTION by

Bro. James Zakowicz, O.C.D.

Diversify Your Portfolio

The primary rule of investing is "diversify your portfolio". In order to avoid the risk of having all his money in one investment that will at some point decline in value, a good investor puts his money in a variety of different types of investments e.g. cash, stocks, bonds, land, gold etc. This assures a stable income no matter how the markets fluctuate. Those of us who lost money in the latest market dive may have been reminded of this rule all too painfully. 

Although I am not an economist, I have one sure prediction – another market crash will come and it’s called the "end times" or "final judgment." When it comes, everyone’s earthly portfolios will go to zero value. The only investments that will have appreciated and produced profit are the heavenly ones we have made in people and for God.

The last two Sunday’s of the liturgical year featured Gospels that remind us how to do spiritual investing and the consequences of not doing so. On the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time we heard of the man who, going on a long journey, left his servants in charge of some of his wealth. His "good and faithful servants" invested wisely, returning a profit to him upon his return. The "wicked servant" buried the money and had nothing to show for the responsibility he was given.

On the last Sunday of the year we celebrated the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. Jesus tells the story of the end times when the righteous who loved "the least brothers of mine" will be ushered into heaven. Those who ignore the poor, the lonely and the sick will be sent to everlasting punishment.

The Second Coming of Christ the King is imminent just as is another market crash. Unfortunately, sometimes we earthly-minded investors tend to hedge on our heavenly investments. We tend to hoard our treasure so that neither we nor anyone else benefits from it. This is not acceptable to God. Being the ultimate investor, he wants to diversify his portfolio of wealth among all people in the whole world, making a 100% profit in souls. He will not tolerate zero balances, much less negative ones, in his accounts.  In order to gain in the spiritual stock market, we must invest in others by our good works. This is the meaning of "redistribution of wealth."

During Advent we remember the great gift we have been given by Christ's first coming at Christmas. The gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the holy family in the stable are reminders that each of us has been given of God’s wealth. Let's spend our share of God's wealth reinvesting in the lives of those around us so that at his Second Coming we can all reap heavenly rewards.