I lost some money in the late 2000s during the capital market crisis. It was my first foray into that kind of investment. I was lured by the reported success of some stock traders. Unfortunately, after I bought mine, the market took a tumble. I took my loss as the tuition paid for learning a powerful lesson: never invest in what you are not knowledgeable about. I later learned that there are two principal groups of people in the stock market – speculators and investors. Speculators watch out for price movements and trade to make quick profits. I went in as a speculator, and the result was not good. The investors, on the other hand, have a long-term perspective. They have generational wealth in view. They are not perturbed by price dips because they know that prices will pick up again.

“Your determination to remain loyal to God even when things seem not to be looking bright is the key to breakthroughs.”

This teaches us a vital lesson in our walk with God. You cannot afford to walk with God as a speculator. Unfortunately, we have so many speculators in the Church today. When you see someone hopping from one ministry to the other, he is probably a speculator. He needs one miracle or the other; and if it is not happening soon enough in one place he moves to try another. Long-term commitment is the real deal. Your determination to remain loyal to God even when things seem not to be looking bright is the key to breakthroughs. Jesus gave kingdom appointments to those disciples who went through thick and thin with Him. Only those who continue will be rewarded.