Publications
GOD’S MONEY, BUT WHOSE VALUES?
If we are really honest with ourselves, there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think about how we, who are believers in Christ alone, by faith alone, and by grace alone, can make a significant difference in our community, state, and nation. We know from personal experience that the moral and ethical values that we cherish so highly are being challenged as never before. For instance, we now have to defend and protect the institution of marriage. And yet, for the most part, Bible-believing Christians in this country have done their fair share of protesting, boycotting, and taking legislative action. They are to be commended for the commitment, dedication, and sacrifice that they have demonstrated. However, there is more to be done in a consistent and honorable way. “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” Hebrews 13:18
It involves a major paradigm shift, a change in the way we think “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”Romans 12:1-2 about a subject that we may not have considered until recently. It is about the way we give, spend, save, and invest God’s money. In other words, how do we, who name the name of Christ, align our giving, spending, saving, and investing more consistently with our values?
Today many are asking the question ... If we could know for sure that the products, services or investments that we pay for with God’s money, such as college savings plans, IRAs, and 401k retirement plans were supporting abortion, pornography, anti-family entertainment, non-traditional marriage, or the gay/lesbian lifestyle, wouldn’t we want to stop supporting those manufacturers, corporations, or investments? At the very least, wouldn’t we, who have been the most outspoken and involved in this great culture war, want to learn more about how we can make a significant difference with God’s money?
Because the moral and ethical struggle that is occurring will not end until Christ returns, every believer in Christ owes it to himself to find out more, to examine, and to become informed about how, through advances in computer technologies and research, one can now align his Christian values with his investments.
Stewardship in investing is about making an effective and efficient difference with God’s money. The opportunity is now available; the choice is yours. What will you do with God’s money and His values?
Richard A. Deyo is an Investment Advisor Representative with Intrust Financial Group, Inc., and is a Baptist Bible College & Seminary (‘82) alumnus.