Periods of financial market volatility can feel unsettling. Such volatility impacts everyone from Wall Street to Main Street, headlines grow sharper, daily fluctuations feel more personal, and uncertainty can quietly shape our outlook. It is vital to realize as people of faith — and as stewards — we are invited to hold two perspectives together: one eternal and grounding, the other practical and time-tested.
1. A Theological Perspective: Finding Order During Times of Uncertainty
Scripture reminds us that uncertainty is not new, nor is it outside God’s care.
Consider the story of manna from heaven in Exodus 16. The Israelites, newly freed yet wandering in the wilderness, faced deep anxiety about provision. Each morning, God provided exactly what was needed — no more, no less. Attempts to hoard resulted in spoilage, reinforcing a daily dependence on divine provision. Just as the Israelites’ anxiety led to waste, modern “spoiling” occurs when we allow fear to drive us to impulsive market timing or reactionary selling.
This narrative is instructive for us today. In seasons of geopolitical instability and financial volatility, the instinct is often to grasp tightly, to react, to control, to secure more than we need out of fear of the days ahead. Yet the manna story teaches a different way of life: trust, daily sufficiency, and faithful stewardship without anxiety-driven excess.
Jesus echoes this truth in Matthew 6:25–34:
“Do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them… Seek first the kingdom… and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NRSVUE)
And again, the Apostle Paul states in Philippians 4:19:
“And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (NRSVUE)
These passages do not dismiss faithful planning, prudence or any fiduciary duties we may have. Rather, they reframe them. Our ultimate security is not found in markets, portfolios or economic cycles — but in a faithful God who always brings order out of chaos and provides what is needed in every season… the God who is always “making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5, NRSVUE)
2. A Financial Perspective: The Option of Diversification
Alongside this theological grounding, we are also called to wise, informed stewardship.
The Foundation’s Merrill Institutional Consulting Group recently highlighted a critical principle during times like these: the power of diversification. Historical analysis — such as comparing the S&P 500 with a diversified 60/40 portfolio (60% equities/40% fixed income) — offers an important perspective.
While equity markets like the S&P 500 have experienced significant downturns over time, diversified portfolios have consistently demonstrated:
- Reduced volatility
- Less severe drawdowns
- More stable recovery patterns
In nearly every major downturn — whether the dot-com crash, the financial crisis of 2008 or the pandemic-driven decline of 2020 — markets eventually recovered. This graphic illustrates such recovery cycles. Notably, diversified portfolios have helped investors remain steady during those periods, avoiding the costly mistake of reacting emotionally to market lows. Our Virginia United Methodist Foundation offers such a diversified portfolio through our Balanced Fund. Perhaps even more importantly, the holdings in this fund (and in all our funds) are invested in a socially responsible way, reflecting the ethical standards of the Church and the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2020/2024, ¶ 717.
The lesson is clear:
Volatility is not an anomaly — it is a feature of investing. But history shows that disciplined, diversified strategies provide resilience over time.
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Holding Both Perspectives Together
These two perspectives — faith and financial discipline — are not in conflict. They are complementary.
- Faith reminds us whom we trust
- Financial wisdom guides us in how we act
Together, they lead to a posture marked by:
- Patience without paralysis
- Prudence without fear
- Confidence without complacency
In tumultuous times like these, the temptation is to focus on what we cannot control. Yet both Scripture and sound investment practices call us back to what we can do:
- Trust in God’s provision
- Commitment to disciplined stewardship
- Long-term perspective over short-term reaction
A Steady Path Forward
Market cycles will continue. Geopolitical destabilization and market volatility will come and go. But neither defines our ultimate security.
As John Wesley wisely counseled: “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” Implicit in this is a life anchored not in fear, but in faithful stewardship and enduring trust.
In this season, may we resist anxiety-driven decisions, remain grounded in both faith and reason, and continue to steward well what has been entrusted to us. Founded in 1971, your Virginia United Methodist Foundation exists to, with excellence, meet the financial needs of our investors, churches, agencies and partners… all with faithful stewardship, fiduciary responsibility, and all to the glory of God.
President & CEO
VAUMF & DEVCO
If the current market headlines are causing you or your finance committee unease, or if you would like to learn more about partnering with the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, please contact the Rev. Chris Allen, VP of Investments & Lending, at chrisallen@vaumc.org. We are here to help you navigate these seasons, ensuring your mission remains steady even when the markets are not.