BIBLICALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
A
POSITION PAPER
PRESENTED AT THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF
CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS
BY
RICHARD A. DEYO
IN DALLAS, TEXAS
APRIL 30, 2009
BIBLICALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
Historically speaking, the concept of screening investments is not new; in fact our liberal friends have championed this concept for over 50 years. They have passionately championed the implementation of Socially Responsible Investing. This has been at the forefront of shareholder activism for many decades. Most notably the movement has successfully challenged and changed the human rights polices of South Africa known as Apartheid. Recently, within the last ten to twelve years, the concept of Socially Responsible Investing has been adopted by Political Conservatives as a means to change the declining moral values in America. Values Based Investing and Morally Responsible Investing have been embraced as a means to counteract the liberal agenda. One must ask a fundamental question, namely, “Is the restoration of a moral society best accomplished through shareholder activism?” And is changing the moral culture of our society a proper motivation for activism? A new activism has appeared recently based upon the theological and biblical principles of the Bible. Biblically Responsible Investing is based upon and motivated by a sincere desire for the believer in Christ to live and respond biblically in a post modern culture. A persuasive argument can be made that the proper motivation for Biblically Responsible Investing is a life time of stewardship. Stewardship for live is not just about money. Attitudes about money are the by-products of a proper focus and priorities based on stewardship. The concept of Stewardship challenges the believer in Christ to think differently about worship and obedience. Yes, we desire to change the culture but the motivation for Biblically Responsible Investing is not to change the culture but rather obedience to Christ as revealed through Scriptures. The powerful result will be a God initiated change in the culture.
OBSERVATIONS REGARDING BIBLICALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
Hebrews 13:18 The believer’s quest for honoring God (Our Faith honors God, Doing the right thing for the right reason. It takes Faith to do this.)
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
Revelation 4:11 The believer’s desire is to glorify God in all that he does.
You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Exodus 20:3-6 The believer’s worship is motivated by not having any idols.
3You shall have no other gods before me.
4You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Leviticus 19:2 The believer’s life is to be characterized by purity and holiness.
Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
Matthew 25:15-30 The believer’s Accountability for the Stewardship of his/her life.
15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The one who had received five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one who had two talents gained two more. 18But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five, ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24Then the one who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid, and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26But his master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, and when I returned I would have received it back with interest!
28'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
II Corinthians 6:16-18 The Believer's conduct is to be an example of Biblical Separation from the world. (We are not to be unequally yoked.)
16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the LORD. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. 18I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty."
Romans 1:16 The believer's witness is not to nullify the demonstration of the power of the gospel.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Matthew 28:19-20 The believer's testimony is to manifest the spreading of the Gospel to the whole world.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Romans 12:1-2 The believer's paradigm is to change one's thinking and develop a biblical worldview.
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
INTERPERTATIONS REGARDING BIBLICALLY RESPOSIBLE INVESTING
Micah 6:7-9 The believer is to act justly and to love mercy.
7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 9Listen! The LORD is calling to the city and to fear your name is wisdom "Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.
Isaiah 58:7 The believer is to have compassion for the poor.
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
James 2:14-16 The believer is to care for the sick.
14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16I f one of you says to them, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
Matthew 22:37-39 The believer is to love people enslaved by addictions.
37Jesus replied: 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Hebrew 13:4 The believer is to up-hold the institution of marriage.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Genesis 1:28 The believer is to be a responsible caretaker of the environment.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
1 Timothy 6:6 The believer is to discourage greed by being content. (No debt)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
APPLICATIONS REGARDING BIBLICALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
Justice and Mercy for the defenseless: Abortion, stem-cell research, persecuted Christians and oppressed people.
Compassion for the poor and needy: Any abuses of the poor, children, elderly or political oppression.
Care for the sick: Neglect of those facing terminal illness or basis health care.
Love for those addicted and/or engaged in a sinful lifestyle: Alcohol, gambling, tobacco, pornography and homosexuality.
Protection of the institution of marriage and the traditional family: Entertianment that seeks to destroy biblical attitudes and efforts to promote sinful lifestyles.
Responsible caretakers of the environment: Any polluters of the air, water, land, etc.
Economic growth: Obtained by revenue, positive cash flow, saving and not by debt.
CONCLUSION What results can one expect? Uphold biblical truth, biblical absolutes.
Biblically Responsible Investing for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ:
- We are to continue our efforts and not faint.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- We are to do this faithfully until HIS return.
Revelation 2:25
Only to hold on to what you have until I come.