By Bonnie Clark | Investment Advisor Representative, Kratos Wealth Management, offering investment advisory services through Gradient Advisors, LLC.
Discover the key lessons from Robert Netzly’s Biblically Responsible Investing and learn how Christian investors can align their faith with their financial decisions.
This blog post reflects the author’s independent views on a published book. No compensation was received from the author, publisher, or any affiliated investment firm in connection with this content.
Introduction
Can Christians honor God not only with their giving and spending but also with their investing? That question is at the heart of Robert Netzly’s book, Biblically Responsible Investing: For God’s Glory and Your Joy. As Christians become increasingly intentional about stewardship, many are asking whether their investment portfolios reflect the same biblical values they seek to live out in other areas of life.
“Does my portfolio reflect the same values I try to live out every day?” That is a question this book attempts to help us answer.
This book challenges believers to think differently about investing. Rather than viewing investments solely as vehicles for wealth accumulation, he encourages Christians to consider the impact their investments may have on society and whether the companies they own align with biblical principles.
This conversation has become increasingly important as more Americans participate in retirement plans, mutual funds, ETFs, and brokerage accounts. While many Christians carefully evaluate where they spend their money, a lot less have explored where their investment dollars are working.
A Summary of Robert’s Message
The central premise of Biblically Responsible Investing is straightforward: faith and finances should not be separated. Netzly argues that if Christians desire to honor God in every area of life, their investments deserve careful consideration as well. I agree wholeheartedly!
Investing involves ownership. When an investor purchases shares of a company, even indirectly through a mutual fund or ETF, they become a partial owner of that business. Because ownership carries responsibility, Christians should understand what businesses they own and how those businesses operate. Most Christian investors definitely don’t.
Throughout the book, he shares personal stories (such as when he and his wife were committed Christians who supported a local crisis pregnancy center and was advancing the pro-life cause through his church and personal life. Then he discovered that, through mutual funds and other investments, he indirectly owned shares in companies that supported or profited from activities he opposed. The realization was deeply troubling to him because he saw himself as simultaneously fighting against something in one area of life while financially benefiting from it in another), biblical principles, and practical examples illustrating why Christians may want to evaluate their portfolios through a biblical lens.
The Three Components of Biblically Responsible Investing
Netzly describes three primary approaches that often characterize Biblically Responsible Investing.
Avoidance
Many BRI strategies seek to avoid companies involved in activities that conflict with biblical values. Investors may choose not to invest in businesses associated with practices they believe are inconsistent with their faith convictions.
Affirmative Investing
Some investors intentionally seek companies that demonstrate strong ethical practices, positive treatment of employees, responsible corporate governance, and products or services that contribute positively to society.
Shareholder Engagement
Investors can also use their ownership position to encourage positive change. Through shareholder advocacy and corporate engagement, investors may influence company policies and practices.
The Biblical Foundation for Stewardship
One of the strengths of this book is its emphasis on biblical stewardship. While Scripture does not discuss modern investment vehicles, it provides numerous principles that can guide financial decisions.
Psalm 24:1 reminds believers that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” This verse establishes the principle that all resources ultimately belong to God.
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 highlights the importance of faithfully managing resources entrusted to us. Wise stewardship involves diligence, responsibility, and accountability.
Colossians 3:23 encourages believers to work wholeheartedly for the Lord. Many Christians apply this principle not only to their careers but also to their financial decisions.
Luke 16:10 teaches that faithfulness in small things demonstrates readiness for greater responsibility.
Together, these passages form a foundation for viewing investing as an extension of stewardship rather than a separate category of financial activity.
Why Ownership Matters
Maybe the most powerful concept in the book is ownership.
Most investors never think of themselves as business owners. Yet every stock held in a portfolio represents ownership in a real company with real products, services, and corporate initiatives.
This realization often prompts deeper questions:
What companies do I own?
What products do they produce?
How do they treat employees and customers?
Do their activities align with my convictions?
Netzly argues that asking these questions is part of responsible stewardship.
Two Common Misconceptions About Biblically Responsible Investing
Misconception #1: BRI Means Sacrificing Returns
One of the most common concerns is whether faith-based investing requires investors to accept lower returns. While no investment strategy can guarantee performance, many faith-based investment options seek to provide competitive risk-adjusted returns while incorporating biblical values. Risk tolerance and time horizon should also be factored in to one’s investment choices.
Misconception #2: There Are No Diversified Options
The faith-based investment landscape has expanded significantly over the past decade. Today, investors can access a variety of mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and portfolio solutions designed around biblical principles.
BRI Versus ESG Investing
Many people confuse Biblically Responsible Investing with ESG investing. While there may be occasional overlap, the two approaches differ significantly.
ESG investing generally evaluates environmental, social, and governance factors based on specific sustainability criteria.
Biblically Responsible Investing evaluates investments through a biblical worldview. Investors may consider issues such as human dignity, sanctity of life, religious liberty, family values, ethical business practices, and stewardship principles.
Understanding these distinctions helps investors choose an approach that aligns with their personal convictions.
Practical Steps for Christian Investors
If you are interested in exploring Biblically Responsible Investing, consider taking the following steps.
Review Your Current Holdings
Examine the mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities in your portfolio. Understand what companies you own and what activities they support.
Clarify Your Values
Determine which biblical principles are most important to you when evaluating investments.
Discuss Options with a Professional
Work with a financial professional who understands both traditional investment principles and faith-based investment solutions. Not all Christian financial advisors focus on Biblically Responsible Investment options. I have met many financial advisors who happen to be Christian who have never heard of BRI.
Focus on Long-Term Stewardship
Remember that investing is only one component of a comprehensive financial plan. Retirement planning, tax strategies, proper protection, estate planning, and charitable giving all contribute to faithful stewardship.
Why This Matters for Christian Families
Financial decisions influence future generations. Parents teach children about generosity, stewardship, and wise money management. Evaluating investments through a biblical lens can become another practical expression of those values.
Many faith focused families appreciate the opportunity to pursue financial goals while seeking alignment with their faith convictions.
A Growing Movement Among Christian Investors
The growth of faith-based investing reflects a broader desire among Christians to integrate faith into all aspects of life. Increasingly, investors are asking questions about transparency, accountability, and stewardship.
The Biblically Responsible Investing book has helped bring these conversations into the mainstream Christian financial community.
What This Means for Arizona Investors
Throughout Arizona, Christian families, retirees, business owners, and ministry leaders are seeking financial strategies that reflect their values. Whether preparing for retirement, managing a business, or building a legacy, many desire confidence that their financial decisions align with their faith.
At Kratos Wealth Management, I believe stewardship involves more than investment performance. It involves helping clients make informed decisions that reflect both their financial objectives and their personal convictions.
Please note: Values-based screening can potentially limit diversification, faith-based funds can sometimes carry higher fees, depending on the particular fund and provider, screening approaches vary by provider, and like all market based investments, past performance never guarantees future results.
Conclusion
The book Biblically Responsible Investing offers a thoughtful and practical framework for Christian investors. The book reminds readers that investing is not merely about pursuing financial returns. It is also about stewardship, ownership, and intentionality.
While every investor’s journey is unique, the principles of faithful stewardship remain timeless. By understanding what they own and considering how their investments align with their beliefs, Christian investors can pursue financial goals while seeking consistency between faith and finances.
Are your investments building the kind of world you want to see? If you would like to learn more about Biblically Responsible Investing and explore whether your portfolio aligns with your values, schedule a complimentary conversation with Kratos Wealth Management. Together, we can discuss your goals, your convictions, and the role stewardship can play in your financial future.