In the journey of faith and stewardship, investing is more than a financial tactic; it’s a strategic way to fulfill our biblical calling. By living prudently and investing the surplus, we don’t just grow our wealth — we expand the resources available for God’s Kingdom. This journey becomes even more meaningful when we embrace Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), ensuring our investments resonate with our Christian faith and values.

 Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI)

BRI involves carefully selecting investments, screening out companies whose practices conflict with Judeo-Christian values. This process means avoiding businesses that contribute to activities opposed to these values, such as those involved in unethical practices. Instead, we seek companies that not only offer financial returns but also align with our moral and ethical beliefs.

Wise Stewardship and Diversification

Following principles like diversification, seeking wise counsel, and focusing on the long-term are fundamental to nurturing and safeguarding our investments. We should exercise caution with speculative ventures, committing only what we can afford to lose without jeopardizing our family’s security or our ability to support ministry work.

Investing with a Kingdom Perspective

Investing is a way to provide for our loved ones and support gospel-centric generosity. However, the pursuit of wealth for its own sake can lead us away from our true purpose. Maintaining an eternal perspective helps us keep our financial goals aligned with our spiritual objectives.

Embracing Disciplined Investment Strategies

Dollar cost averaging exemplifies the disciplined approach advocated in Scripture. By investing fixed amounts regularly, we remove emotional biases and mitigate market timing risks, effectively navigating through market volatility.

Leveraging Market Fluctuations

Instead of trying to predict the market’s movements, dollar cost averaging encourages us to embrace patience and consistency. This approach allows us to turn market challenges into opportunities for disciplined investment.

A Christ-Centered Approach to Investing

With Christ at the center of our financial decisions, investing transcends mere monetary gain. It becomes a tool for impactful giving and supporting the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Our financial efforts are directed towards making a positive impact and promoting spiritual growth.

Humble Yet Proactive Financial Management

While actively managing our investments, we do so with the humility of understanding that God ultimately governs the outcomes. We pursue wisdom, acknowledge risks, but ground our identity in Christ, not in our financial status. Carefully managing speculative investments helps us steer clear of greed.

Vision Beyond Personal Gain

Our investment goals should go beyond personal wealth or retirement planning. They should be about funding ministries, practicing generosity, and caring for others. Our financial resources should serve greater purposes, reflecting our commitment to God and His work.

In conclusion, when we align our investment choices with our Christian values through Biblically Responsible Investing, we use our resources in a way that honors God and furthers His Kingdom. This approach ensures that our financial growth not only benefits us but also contributes to a legacy that mirrors our faith and values.

In Christ,
Stephen H. Hammond
President

AUTHOR BIO

Stephen H. Hammond, president and founder of Christian Values Investing Inc., established the first “fee-only” Biblical responsible investment advisory firms in 1993 to help Christians align investments with their values and better manage finances from a biblical perspective. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a finance degree and worked in the Investment Banking industry before joining Merrill Lynch in 1988. Stephen is a published author and speaker, a spirit-filled Christian who traces his faith heritage to preacher ancestors. In 2005, he established the nonprofit Covenant Financial Ministries to teach biblical stewardship principles and money management. Stephen has decades of experience in money management and financial planning. and serves with Kingdom Advisors and the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants. He has appeared on radio and television, spoken at churches, and authored books including Mission Possible: An Investment Guide for Christians and The Successful Life Manager. He married Angela in 1990 and has two children.