Read Time: 4 min 28 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

BUSINESS

Back Online

“Roaring Kitty” is on the prowl again, shaking things up on Wall Street.

Roaring Kitty is a YouTuber named Keith Gill. During the pandemic, he was at the forefront of a frenzy over GameStop stock.

Let’s stop for a second… just in case you didn’t know; companies can either be private (the company itself knows and approves everyone who owns part of it) or public (anyone can own a portion of it). If you own a portion of a public company, you own stock in that company.

Okay, back to Roaring Kitty. In 2021, lots of regular people bought GameStop stock after Roaring Kitty posted a video suggesting it was going to increase in value. The demand made GameStop seem valuable (even though their business hadn't changed).

When online chatter makes a stock go viral like that, it's called a "meme stock." It happened with other companies, too, like AMC and Blackberry.

Meme stocks were pretty quiet for three years. Then, on Monday, Gill posted a picture of a gamer leaning forward in his chair to signal that “the game is on.”

Without any other information, shares of GameStop and AMC soared. The value added was so great that Wall Street had to pause trading on the stock a few times. By Wednesday, the trend had fizzled, and the stock’s values dropped back down to earth.

(Learn more about meme stocks on our Instagram post!)

__

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Stories like this highlight how quickly financial tables can turn. Even if the economy collapses, God remains in control. The market will go up and down, but those who trust in the Lord are rooted to a foundation that won’t be shaken.

“Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
Proverbs 11:28 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
Building wealth is not a bad thing. Greed and misplaced faith are.

The Bible encourages building wealth through hard work and diligence (Proverbs 6:6-8; 12:11). Paul says, “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18 CSB).

Money becomes a problem when it turns our hearts away from God. To fight greed and trust in our own resources, exercise your generosity muscles and use what God has given you to serve others.

What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
Our ultimate goal is to lay up treasure in heaven.

Wealth on earth is great, but riches in heaven are a zillion times better. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul goes on to say that through kindness and generosity, believers are “storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.” (6:19 CSB).

Radical generosity isn’t a foolish waste. It’s an investment in God’s mission that will pay dividends in his kingdom forever.

• Talk about a need you’ve seen in your community. Spend time volunteering as a family to meet that need, or decide how each member of the family could donate sacrificially to help.
   

• Memorize Proverbs 11:28, “Anyone trusting in his riches will fail, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
   

• Pray that God will protect your heart from being choked by greed and motivate you to store your treasure in heaven.

RECOMMENDED

How We’re Teaching Our Kids Compassion
Compassion’s Explorer Magazine*

Wish you had a more tangible way to teach your children gratitude

Navigating conversations around less fortunate children around the world can be… hard. Compassion International’s Explorer Magazine helps kids broaden their perspective about poverty and discover creative ideas to help others.

Issues feature stories from Compassion kids around the world, geography and language facts, activities, crafts, games, projects, and devotionals. The format is engaging, fun, and informative for the whole family. 

Show them the world — no passport needed! Check out Explorer to help your kids’ hearts grow for children living in poverty. Get your free digital copy today.

*sponsored

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Morning routine for avalanche rescue dog…