7 Key Principles For Christian Investing

H ow does "Christian investing" differ from investing generally? Is it a matter of avoiding all risk? Of refusing to invest in certain companies? Of seeking out only "Christian" investments?Actually, a Christian approach to investing begins with an attitude -- an attitude of seeking God's glory. Indeed, our premise at Sound Mind Investing is that the number one priority for a Christian investor is to glorify God.In this SMI Special Report, I will discuss seven core principles of "investing for the glory of God." And I'll explain how these seven concepts also yield great benefits to you, the Christian investor. Because not only does investing for God's glory honor the Lord, it also provides significant safety for investors.I have become convinced that it is ultimately impossible to self-destruct financially if your decision-making is pointed in the direction of God's glory.I also have learned that to find peace of mind in investment decisions, it's important to become an initiator rather than a responder. Initiators have a concrete game plan in mind. They have made the effort to develop a strategy consistent with their long-term financial goals and personal investment temperament.An investor who is an initiator is like a grocery shopper buying ingredients for a specific recipe. When confronted with "great deals" that aren't on your shopping list, you can simply pass them by and stay focused on your plan!Another thing to keep in mind is the difference between investing and speculating. Speculating involves taking a level of risk so great that it's theoretically possible to lose most (or all!) of the money you have invested.Investing, on the other hand, involves putting your money to work, subject to modest levels of risk, in a commercial undertaking where you expect a reasonable return over a long period of time.What's reasonable? I would suggest 3%-5% above the rate of inflation.Think of it this way. Investing isn't about getting rich quick. It is about growing wealth over a long period of time, so that you can (1) provide for future needs (such as college and retirement), and (2) have more resources to give to support the Lord's work.With that bit of background, let's focus now on seven "core principles" that I hope will guide your thinking and your actions as a Christian investor.

James Investment Research, Inc. prides itself on following seven guiding principles that inspire clients, students, and television and radio audiences to take a disciplined approach to investing. In the 7 Timeless Principles of Investing, youll learn how the principles may improve your chance of making smart investment decisions for years to come. Barry R. James, the firms president and CEO, explains that while the ideas may seem simple, theyre not easy to implement, which is why this book includes bonus guides, worksheets, and examples that will help you stay on the right track. Heres some of what youll learn: why investing never means gambling with your future; the hallmarks of a trustworthy money manager; how to winnow thousands of investment options into a successful portfolio; what to do if your investments lose value and when to take action. The simple guiding philosophy may help you avoid investment pitfalls and raise your chances for successeven when the financial markets go down. Filled with inspiring and funny quotes, written in straightforward prose, and filled with activities that reveal your investing style, this guidebook is essential reading for both new and seasoned investors.

Are you happy with where you currently are in life? Do you want more out of life? Do you seek to be fulfilled and have a greater sense of purpose and understanding? Most people don't realize that their thoughts, words, and actions determine their future. You are where you are right now in life, good or bad, because of everything you've thought, said, and done in the past. The purpose of this book is to simplify seven key biblical principles to help the reader discover and understand that they have control over their future. However, the key to understanding these biblical principles is to awaken the spirit within in order to live an emotionally stable, blessed, and prosperous life. We live life through the seeds we plant each day in our thoughts, words, and actions. - Begin to understand the true power and importance of your thoughts, words, and actions, and the role each plays in manifesting your future. - Have a clear understanding of certain biblical principles, that as Christians, we cannot ignore if we truly wish to live a faith filled abundant life. - Learn that everything comes from God and that developing a relationship with God is the key to everything. - Be drawn closer to God and have a new perspective in your thinking with an open heart and a clear mind. - More importantly, awaken your inner spirit to the simple truths that God has laid out for every one of us to live by.

Gathered here are seventeen sound investment principles that will help people make sensible choices for financial security. What is surprising, however, is how applicable these principles are to life. Sir John Templeton, founder of the Templeton Mutual Funds, shares the basic rules he has used to create the world's best-performing mutual funds. For the first time, the underlying moral or spiritual principle is also explained to investors. Through the inspiration of this accessible book, we can see how interconnected our money is with the other choices we make in our lives. Through a consistent pattern of decision making, we can learn to judge the true value of our investments—materially and spiritually. Using these simple guidelines, we can learn to create peace and harmony in our approach to life and, at the same time, create financial security.

Do your investments align with your values? Alignment of values is increasingly in focus. You've seen it, for instance, when advertisers withdraw their support from a celebrity. But what about Christians and their investment portfolios? Do their investments support their underlying faith values?In the past, Faith-Based Investing (FBI) was not always looked upon positively, whether because of a perception of poor performance or the limits of uncertain capabilities. But this is a new day. Analytics have advanced, and outcomes demonstrate that it's possible to have great financial performance and investments that align with faith-based values.This book, led by Steve French, president of The Signatry, as general editor, points to this day in Faith-Based Investing. Twelve authors, experts in their fields, collaboratively present three life-changing realities:1) The competitiveness of returns on investments,2) The Christ-centered environment that encourages godly stewardship,3) Biblical screens that avoid supporting organizations inconsistent with your values.Stewardship is more than just growing and protecting assets that God has entrusted to you-how you invest also matters. Let's rewrite the reputation of Faith-Based Investing and rethink where we invest the resources God has entrusted to us."To become excellent stewards, we must first see God's ultimate vision for His creation and for His vast, royal family-beginning with the end in mind."-Rachel McDonough

Faith Based Investing, Seven Biblical Rules For Investing. Learn how to make your investments grow and prosper with God's blessings on you by following these seven rules. Rev. Wright is an ordained minister for twenty years as well as a Christian Investment Advisor Representative.

NEWLY REVISED/NOW IN PAPERBACK Your Guide To: and * Understanding the Economy and * Minimizing Risks and * Maximizing Assets and * Strategizing as You Go and * Becoming Debt-Free by Retirement Sensible Advice for the Sensible Investor In our fast-paced, ever-changing financial climate, even classics need updating. And that is exactly what respected Christian counselor Larry Burkett did in this updated edition of Investing for the Future, the bestseller with more than 175,000 in print since it was first published in 1992. In addition to the latest financial trends and advice, this book provides a solid foundation that doesn't shift from season to season: wise, Bible-based principles for every category of investor regardless of age or available capital. Some of the key topics discussed in Investing for the Future: and * Why invest? and * The six best investments and * Seven investments to steer clear of and * Where to go for specific and reliable investment advice and * The "seasons" of investing If you desire to be a good steward of the money God has entrusted to you and want to plan effectively for your family's financial future, this book will ensure that your investment decisions are informed ones. The late Larry Burkett was founder and president of Christian Financial Concepts, a nonprofit ministry that teaches biblical principles of finance and trains others to counsel and teach, using these principles. Larry held degrees in marketing and finance and hosted two radio programs heard on 1,100 stations. He was the author of more than fifty books, among them Financial Parenting and The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples (both from Victor).