Any Biblically Responsible investors out there?

[TBAR]

So, my first thread showed me how much I do not know about investing. However, I do know that I want to be biblically responsible with what God has given me. Charitable gift annuities, investing in companies that are biblically responsible (Timothy plans) etc. Any others with knowledge of or the desire to do the same.

 

[Totoro]

You might want to read into Islamic Banking (yes!) and a specific initiative, started later, Christian Finance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_banking_and_finance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_finance#United_States

It mentions a "Christian index" created in 2015, a bit more info here:
Standard and Poors launch S&P 500 Catholic Values Index - Business Insider

Have no experience with that, but that's where I would start.

 

[travelover]

Can't help. People being what they are, I go for the money and invest in tobacco, booze and gambling.

 

[kitesurfer2]

Biblically responsible? so you will do what Jesus said....give up all your wordly possessions and follow Him.

 

[Big_Hitter]

Can't help. People being what they are, I go for the money and invest in tobacco, booze and gambling.

those sectors always do well

 

[travelover]

Biblically responsible? so you will do what Jesus said....give up all your worldly possessions and follow Him.

I think that would be the Eye of the Needle Fund.

 

[Meadbh]

Many years ago when I was in business school, we had a presentation by an executive from a socially responsible fund, which was faith based. It all sounded very good, except that their returns were very mediocre in a strong market. The dual mandate of the faith based fund limited its opportunities.

My classmates and I concluded that it would be simpler to invest in profitable companies and then give charitable donations with the earnings.

 

[MRG]

The folks I'm familiar with are now Thrivent. Used to be Lutheran Brotherhood.

Here's a link:

https://www.thrivent.com/

 

[ERD50]

I think that would be the Eye of the Needle Fund.

And the supporters could have their own website "Camelheads. org".

-ERD50

 

[Huston55]

The folks I'm familiar with are now Thrivent. Used to be Lutheran Brotherhood.

Here's a link:

https://www.thrivent.com/

I went to grad school with one of the senior execs responsible for the transition of Lutheran Brotherhood to Thrivent; interestingly enough, he would toss out potential names for the new organization during our between class discussions. He's a very serious and dedicated guy, and not at all 'on the fringe' as some might suspect of "religiously responsible" investing.

 

[CaliKid]

Can't help. People being what they are, I go for the money and invest in tobacco, booze and gambling.

Yup. Hard to beat those through the good or the bad!

 

[Whisper66]

May want to consider if your investing choices are where you want to spend your efforts for God. I think one's impacts are much greater if you focus on meaningful volunteer work and charity giving than by trying to limit your investments by judging the good / bad every company may be having you may be invested in.

Having said that, I personally do choose to avoid buying individual stock in companies that I feel are detrimental to his people. But I recognize that my judgement is very subjective. People often don't agree on what are "good" vs "bad" companies. (BTW - recently watching the movie "The Shack" made me think a bit harder about how we judge things rather than just leaving them in God's hands.....good movie). I also choose to invest mainly in broad mutual funds. Clearly a broad fund likely has some company(s) that I might not choose to invest in individually. I recognize that but take no specific action to avoid it.

Good topic, hope you come to some conclusion you are comfortable with.

 

[2017ish]

Not directly on point, but here is a timely article from today's WSJ, which focuses on financial advisors who specialize in religion/faith oriented investing--including Thrivent: https://www.wsj.com/articles/financial-advisers-put-faith-in-religion-based-investing-1490363559

If paywalled, maybe can get there by searching the headline: "Financial Advisers Put Faith in Religion-Based Investing" or first sentence: "Want to organize your financial life in a way that is consistent with your faith?"

 

[Chuckanut]

I find that it is best to evaluate the prophets and give according to the need of others. (Pun intended).

Back in my foolish stock buying days I did avoid direct investing in companies and products I thought were particularly bad. For example, I did not buy tobacco stocks. Today, I freely admit that my index funds may hold small amounts of such stocks. Like my old grand-pappy used to say "Never let the perfect become the enemy of the good".

 

[Tetto]

Can't help. People being what they are, I go for the money and invest in tobacco, booze and gambling.

No room for women in there?!

 

[Fedup]

I never buy tobacco stocks and that's the extend of my investment in this category.

 

[Nemo2]

There are two rules for successful investing:

#1: Never tell others everything you know.

 

[tfudtuckerpucker]

It's a noble cause, but I find it very difficult to find companies that never behave unethically or illegally, depending on how you view it. I agree that some companies produce products that are probably never ethical (tobacco, pornography), but some folks may feel differently. It's further compounded by the lack of clarity of ethics from the Bible (slavery, war, tobacco, etc)

 

[FANOFJESUS]

https://avemariafunds.com/

 

[RE2Boys]

https://avemariafunds.com/

With expense ratios around 1%, it may be in violation of it's own principles, such as, avarice. Do they donate most of their proceeds to charities Investment advisor is an employee owned firm out of Plymouth, MI

 

[razztazz]

Biblically responsible? so you will do what Jesus said....give up all your wordly possessions and follow Him.

Let's not get panicky

 

[razztazz]

It's a noble cause, but I find it very difficult to find companies that never behave unethically or illegally, depending on how you view it. I agree that some companies produce products that are probably never ethical (tobacco, pornography), but some folks may feel differently. It's further compounded by the lack of clarity of ethics from the Bible (slavery, war, tobacco, etc)

Lack of ethics and ongoing modus vivendi to skirt/ violate without consequence the law is concomitant with business. Because it's good for profits

Think mafia not Adam Smith

 

[CaptTom]

Assuming the sentiment is sincere in the OP, it begs a larger question in my mind.

Is the unbridled drive for profit over all other considerations ethical?

What's wrong with the old-fashioned concept of a "company" being a group of people serving some higher purpose than each could achieve on their own? What's wrong with making a respectable and steady profit instead of growth at all cost?

When I first started at MegaCorp #1, the word "stakeholders" was tossed around a lot. This was understood to include not only stockholders, but also customers, employees and society in general.

After several M&A's, those days are gone.

I'm not claiming to be following any particular religion or God in this belief, but my gut feeling is that the current system is ethically flawed. One could, by extension, cast aspersions on anyone who participates in it.

On the other hand, we all play the hand we are dealt to the best of our ability. We take care of ourselves and our families, and try to do as much good as we can beyond that.

I like to think that's sufficient.

 

[haha]

Assuming the sentiment is sincere in the OP, it begs a larger question in my mind.

Is the unbridled drive for profit over all other considerations ethical?

What's wrong with the old-fashioned concept of a "company" being a group of people serving some higher purpose than each could achieve on their own? What's wrong with making a respectable and steady profit instead of growth at all cost?

When I first started at MegaCorp #1, the word "stakeholders" was tossed around a lot. This was understood to include not only stockholders, but also customers, employees and society in general.

After several M&A's, those days are gone.

I'm not claiming to be following any particular religion or God in this belief, but my gut feeling is that the current system is ethically flawed. One could, by extension, cast aspersions on anyone who participates in it.

I have discovered that humans are ethically flawed in that their respirations produce carbon dioxide. Perhaps that is the original sin so widely celebrated?

Ha

 

[Nemo2]

I have discovered that humans are ethically flawed in that their respirations produce carbon dioxide. Perhaps that is the original sin so widely celebrated?

Ha