Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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I am struggling with the thought of how much I should give to the church or for donation. I am already giving 10% of my salary and some donations. Is investing part of my money in the stock market a good idea so I may manage my money wisely, or is the stock market a sort of gambling? Should I give more?

Financial investment is not a sin unless it is consuming your time and obsessively occupying your thoughts. The problem with the stock market is that investors usually have to watch the market intensely as it frequently fluctuates and selling and buying often requires swift action. There is potential to conduct oneself as a gambler if the sole purpose resides in just making more and more money. The stock market should be used as a bank or repository to hold your hard-earned money and earn some interest. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the example of the wicked and lazy steward who did nothing with the talents that he received: "So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest" (Matthew 25:27). The Lord's objection here is not that this servant merely did not increase some earnings, but that he did absolutely nothing with what he was given freely. This servant was unwilling to use the talents that he was given in any way. The gambler personality is similar to that also in that the gambler does not want to work with his talents, and thus, becomes wicked and lazy. Rather, the gambler prefers that he receives earnings without any work for them and does nothing good with them. Therefore, invest wisely with the perspective of maintaining your spiritual integrity and the purpose of the use of these finances. The stock market is not the only means of earning interest. Speak to a financial expert and explain your sincere and spiritually sound objectives, and explore all the options of investing your money accordingly. 
 
Read this article to help you grow in virtue in regard to the use of finances and charity: http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/118/the-virtue-of-giving/  
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