Getting Started with Ethical Investing: Aligning Money with Values?

Ralph, I'm worried that some of my investments might be supporting things I don't believe in. How do I make sure my money reflects my values? That's a powerful question, isn't it? Let me ask you, have you thought about that yourself?Now before I get into it too deep today, remember this, you can share your own questions with the show anytime you want. Just go to justaskralph.com so you ever wonder if your money is quietly funding things that you never personally support?Well, that's where ethical investing comes in with ethical investing helps you align your finances with your faith and your values. It's all about balancing those investments with your faith. And that's exactly what I'm going to talk about on today's show.This is Financially Confident Christian, your daily dose of gospel, grounded insight and faith driven tips to help you break the cycle of financial shame with confidence. Well, welcome and thank you for joining me today on the show. I really appreciate you being here.We're continuing our journey of bringing faith and finances together as we talk about investments. You don't know much about me. My name is Ralph.I've worked with believers just like you who wanted to align their financial life with their spiritual life. And let me tell you right now, and this shows particularly important, it's not always easy to do that.It's not always easy to keep those things in alignment. And I've worked with hundreds of clients over the years.We've researched ethical and faith based investment strategies to help clients just like you invest with peace of mind and find that balance between investments and faith. And let me tell you right now, it's not always easy.For example, I work with a couple, it's been a few years ago now, they discovered their retirement fund was invested in industries they were strongly against. I'm talking about diametrically opposed to.And when I shared that with them, we looked at their funds and I pulled it up on the computer, said well here's what this investments shock on their faces were like, I can't believe that Ralph. I would never support those things. The good news is we were able to shift to more aligned investments.And I'll never forget the wife said to me, she goes Ralph, I had no idea what we were putting our money into.And when they were able to move those things around, they felt peace and they knew that their money was working for their values instead of against it. And I love what Larry Birkett said. He said what you do with your money reveals what you believe about God. So let me ask you right now.And this might be across the bow question, what are you doing with your money? Because that's what we really need to talk about today. What are you doing with your money? Are you living in your ethical values?And see, a lot of people think, well, Ralph, wait a second. If I'm going to invest ethically, that means I'm not going to get any return on my money. I'm never going to make any money. That's just not correct.But it does mean this. It means investing with purpose.Because the truth is, now you can filter out industries, industries like gambling or pornography or alcohol or weapons, any of those things that conflict with your values. And I'm not even judging any of those things today, but in your own value set, if they conflict with your values, guess what?You don't have to invest in that. But the key to this, and it's a lot of people don't know this. One of the reasons I did today's show, you got to know what you're investing in.Because once you understand what you're investing, once you understand the stocks or what's underneath of that investment, then you can invest in businesses that promote human dignity, that promote stewardship, maybe Christian values, those things that are going to have a positive impact and not contradict your values. And here's the exciting part, and I'm loving this.There are more and more Christian people, people of faith, who are asking these questions of their brokers, who are are asking these questions of investment houses. How do we connect our faith to our finances? And it's a growing trend, and it's a trend that allows you to finally bring into alignment that peace.And you don't lose your testimony, because remember this and listen. This is going to step on my own toes a little bit here. Your money tells a story.It tells a story about what you value, what you believe in, what you hold as sacred, what you treasure. My grandfather was famous for saying this. He said, put your money where your heart is. See, your values matter more than your investment returns.That's true, isn't it? Let's talk about the Bible. I found the perfect verse for today's show. It comes from Colossians, chapter 3, verse 23. It reminds us this.Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. And I just want to park here for a second, because this applies to investments, it applies to our jobs, it applies to everything we do.What is the Bible telling us? Whatever you do, whatever that thing is, work at it with all your heart. Like my grandfather said, where's your heart? And think about this.Who you answering to? You're not answering to your boss. You're not answering to some market. You're answering to the Lord, not for human masters.So whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord. It's all about honoring those values, those things that keep you in the will of God. And I'm going to give you a bonus verse today.Yes, it's bonus first day. This is from Proverbs, chapter 16, verse 3. It says this. Commit to the Lord whatever you do. Here's the promise. And he will establish your plans.I want to say something that's a little bit strong, but when you do that, when you commit to the Lord, whatever you do, he becomes your investment advisor. That's what I want you to do today. Well, how about we pray together right now? Lord, we just thank you for godly discernment, Lord.Help us to clarify, to see that if our money truly affects our values, will reflect what you want us to do and what you want us to invest in. So right at this moment, Lord, we ask you to grant us wisdom in choosing investments that honor you, that honor things that we believe in.Help us to find those things. Give us that biblical discernment to understand what we're vesting in, the courage to ask questions and the strength to make wise decisions.That may not be what the world sees as the best decision, Lord, but what our faith and our values tell us to do, Lord. And we just thank you for the privilege of stewarding resources faithfully. And we ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.So here's your action step for this week. A lot of people are amazed by this.I want you to just go and review just one of your current investments, go find out what they invest in, and ask yourself this completely difficult question sometimes. Does this align with my values? And I know it's not easy. Does it align with my values?If it doesn't, I'm going to encourage you to do something, explore some opportunities, if not, explore some alternatives, because there are some great alternatives out there. And ask yourself this, where is your faith showing up in your finances? One of the things I would encourage you to do is support the show.I want to talk a little bit about that. One of my goals this year is to reach more people.I feel like we have a positive message here, a message of faith, a message of hope, and a message of love. And if you could support the show by going to financiallyconfidentchristian.com/support. It's going to allow us to buy more advertising.It's going to allow us to be on more platforms. It's going to allow us outreach to reach more people. And I'm going to say something today I've never said on this show before.You can be a critical member of my team, of our team working together. I need you today. So why don't you consider going to financiallyconfidentchristian.com/support and support the show. Your money reflects your values.It's like looking in a mirror. Ethical investing helps you align your finances with your faith. It's about stewardship, not just profit and real peace.True, lasting peace, like my clients found, comes when your money works in harmony with your beliefs. Now tomorrow we're going to talk about another common misconception in investments. What does it mean to buy high and sell low?And is that even possible? We're going to unravel that common phrase together on tomorrow's show. So make sure you don't miss it.So today I want to encourage you to support the show, share with others. Let's spread this positive message about faith filled finance. Let's spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.And remember this, you can invest ethically. So I want to encourage you today, be that financially confident Christian that I know you can be. Stay financially savvy. God bless you.And you have a great day today.