For any Christian investor, Scriptural beliefs drive everyday decisions, both big and small. How you conduct yourself, shop, raise your children, and structure your business are all modeled after Biblical teachings. The Bible offers instructions for just about every aspect of your life, including the way you invest. But the most important truths are hidden where you might not suspect.
One of the most important verses for investors to understand comes directly from the Bible in the gospel of John.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
At first glance, you wouldn’t think that this has anything to do with investors–but this is a message that directly applies to the way you conduct business and how you use your money to support yourself and the community.
The Bible has a specific word for abundant life: “shalom.” This state of the world describes a place where humans can flourish physically, emotionally, artistically, socially, and spiritually. This is the Kingdom of Heaven, restored from the Fall and original sin. However, in John 14:12, Jesus states that it is not his purpose alone to create shalom:
“Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father.”
Christ instructs us to follow His path in creating a world where people can live abundantly and freely. One of the most important ways we do this is through our work. We spend at least one-third of our entire lives dedicated to our vocation or trade and often choose this area as the place where we make the most community impact. At the onset of your career, you likely wanted to earn a decent living and make a difference in the world by using the talents God gifted you with. Now, as an investor, you have the opportunity to help others flourish–but following Christ’s call to shalom should be the guiding principle in your investing.
Businesses can either operate in the Kingdom of Heaven, creating value through the products and services they provide, the jobs they create, and the wealth they generate that can lead to further advancements in their industry. Or, they can become thieves, extracting profit and work from their stakeholders at any cost. The thieves create lower-quality products, fail to support their employees, or use environmental resources irresponsibly, creating a place where human impact is not valued as highly as profits.
By choosing a values-based investment strategy, you are part of creating the Kingdom of Heaven. Your investments in companies that are changing the world for the better help support abundant human life and a better world for your children and grandchildren to inherit. Just like the decisions you make in your everyday life, the decisions you make as an investor can help create a better place for everyone with the wisdom of Christ.
To learn more about values-based investing options that align with your Christian values, contact OneAscent today.