Trading as a spiritual exercise?

When I first gained an interest in trading I approached a friend of mine who formerly traded commodities for a living. He is someone I greatly respect, quite a bit older and wiser than I. He told me that in his day he had made some decent money trading grains, beans, coffee and the like the old fashioned way; drawing his own charts from the daily quotes and having to pick up the phone and call in orders. It was fun to hear the stories.

We certainly have come a long way technologically, but for the most part, trading remains the same. He told me that trading has always been and will always be a battle against yourself. Technical and fundamental analysis can be learned by anyone, but very few master themselves. It takes great discipline to conquer fear and greed. As a committed Christ follower, he said that trading will actually be "one of the most spiritual exercises that you will ever do." I was perplexed. This man is a former seminary professor and is deeply knowledgeable about spiritual exercises. And yet he was telling me that trading will stretch me more spiritually than most other activities? Well, he was dead right!

Trading financial markets is like holding a mirror to your soul. It won't take long until you clearly see all the "uglyness" that's on the inside.The lusts and craving for material things, the anger that makes you want to take revenge on the market, the fear and indecision, the guilt that comes when you go against everything you know is right to do (i.e. money management) and from making so many foolish mistakes. This ugliness all comes out like a flood when learning to trade. This is where the gospel can come in and give us hope, yes, even in the trading realm. You see, I think the greatest thing about becoming a successful trader is not the financial rewards, but the personal growth that one experiences. No one has ever become a long-term success in the markets without becoming a much stronger person. For the Christian, this has to mean more trust in Christ and less confidence in the flesh. In trading, I clearly see my sin, which is a blessing because it leads me to seeing Christ and the cross even clearer. As Martin Luther advised, "For every one look you take of your sin, take ten looks at the cross!" And so my old friend was right. Trading for me has become a great spiritual exercise, valuable for mortifying the flesh by God's grace. Christian, I hope it becomes so for you as well.