Contrary to popular belief, faith-based investments do not entail buying and selling stocks in religious organizations. Churches and other houses of worship do not sell shares on public markets because they are non-profit organizations.
However, that does not rule out the possibility of integrating faith and investing. The best way to start is by studying bible verses about money, which can help guide your financial planning and investment choices.
Much like financial planning strategies that aim to maximize investment returns, faith-based financial investment and planning fundamentals help Christians build wealth.
However, faith-based financial advisors’ choices of investment options and financial tools usually differ from secular planning and investment strategies. Individuals who invest with these advisors because they align with their faith-based convictions and choose values-based investment and planning.
Below is a further breakdown of some of the primary factors in faith-based investing and planning.
Features of Faith-Based Investment and Planning
- Faith-based investors desire to help their clients build wealth by investing in companies that share their values and beliefs.
- Faith-based investment and planning methods strongly emphasize socially responsible and ethical investing.
- Christian financial philosophies bar investment options with companies that align with sinful enterprises, like alcohol, pornography, tobacco, and LGBTQ values.
Faith-Based Investing and Financial Planning
The essential concept of faith-based investing is similar to other conventional strategies: Investors invest their funds into financial institutions that produce a high rate of return.
However, rather than chasing the latest trend, true Christian investors make judgments based on Christian values, taking ecological, moral, and social concerns into account.
A Christian could work with a Christian financial planner who exclusively offers financial strategies that adhere to core biblical principles. An excellent Christian financial advisor firm will avoid investing your money with companies that promote sinful activities.
Final Thoughts
Faith-based financial planning can help you maximize your investments in a righteous and just manner. There are several bible verses about money management and financial planning, and a faith-based financial planner will help you abide by them while also helping you earn interest from your investments.
Christian faith-based financial investing and planning are intrinsically more biblically ethical and perform just as well as traditional, secular investing strategies because faith-based investors make decisions based on biblical convictions.
Every Christian should have a financial plan that seeks the glory of God. Christians should choose a Christian financial firm that imparts biblically responsible investment planning and tools like biblically responsible exchange-traded funds.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Sahyadri Times journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.