Christian Investments

When we are considering the subject of Christian investments, the first point to clarify is what is actually meant by this term? i.e. what are people actually looking for when they search for a Christian investment or Christian investments?

• Do they mean an investment based on Christian principles?
  
  
• Are they looking to invest directly in Christian companies and organisations because they see them as trustworthy?
  
  
• Are they specifically looking to invest in Christian investment opportunities and initiatives because they are promoting the Kingdom and making a difference to people lives, with investment return not being the primary motive?
  
  
• Alternatively, the person searching may be thinking more along the lines of ethical or socially responsible investments or specifically Christian ethical investments
  
  
• Or they could simply be looking for a Christian Financial Adviser (IFA) or a Christian Investment Advisor who can advise them on their investment decisions

The other thing to consider is where geographically the individual searching is looking to invest if they are thinking along the lines of a few of the examples above. Are they specifically looking for Christian investments in the UK or somewhere else or are they looking for Christian investments that are available to UK residents but could invest anywhere in the world?

Each of these can result in the individual’s funds being invested in very different ways, with very different risks attached. However, at the same time there can also be a crossover where, for example, by using Christian Financial Advisers or Christian Investment Advisors, you can promote the Kingdom and indirectly make a Christian investment in its strictest sense irrespective of where the funds are ultimately placed.

This is now examined in more detail, together with Christian and ethical investments.

About Trinity Wealth Management

When people search for Christian Financial Advisers or Christian Investment Advisors, what should they expect to find? Is the fact that they are simply a Christian enough, based on the assumption that they should therefore be trustworthy and ethical, or should you expect more…?

Trinity Wealth Management is a Christian fee based Independent Financial Advisory firm which is not only owned and run by Christians but also bases its advice and planning on Christian biblical principles. Our unique approach is to help people to take a holistic look at their lives, their goals, their lifestyle and where God is leading them. By helping our clients to approach their lives and finances with the belief that God owns it all, they not only see results through professional financial planning but also become free from financial burdens and the worry of money.

Importantly, a percentage of all of our profits also goes towards promoting the kingdom by supporting different Christian charities, ministries and causes through Trinity Ministries. The aim of Trinity’s founders is to ultimately give away £1m of profits.

Our unique approach means that just by using the expertise of Trinity Wealth Management, our clients are immediately making a Christian investment in its strictest sense because a percentage of their fee will be donated to Trinity Ministries. In addition our unique approach to financial planning also means that for many of our clients they will also be making a further investment in their relationship with God.

Christian Investments

As Independent Financial Planners, we are able to look at the whole of the ‘investment universe’ to find the most suitable investments for our clients, given their specific needs, objectives, risk profile and timeframe. These will of course not necessarily be investments in Christian companies or Christian investments, but the financial planning process which leads to the investment will be based on biblical principles as described above.

Through Trinity Ministries, our clients are also able to support any charity of their choosing. Christian initiatives and ministries that have benefited directly from Trinity Ministries include Joanna (www.joannaleeds.org), who work with women at risk or involved in prostitution in Leeds, Mission Direct (www.missiondirect.org), providing practical assistance to the poor and needy of developing nations and the Louis Palau Evangelistic Association (www.palau.org).

Ethical Investments (Socially Responsible Investing)

Ethical investing has historically meant excluding companies that are involved in industries deemed to have a negative impact on society such as gambling, tobacco, pornography and arms. This is referred to as ‘negative screening’. This sector has now developed to also include funds that use a ‘positive screening’ approach i.e. they will only include a company if it meetsa certain set of criteria and has a positive impact on society. The number of funds through which ethical investing can be achieved has increased significantly in recent years in line with the demand for them.

Although an ethical investment may not specifically be classed as a Christian investment, if the aim of the fund is to invest in companies which make a positive contribution to society then that can only be seen as a good thing. For this reason, we are happy to include ethical investments as part of client solutions, but at the same time any investment must by suitable for the individual in question. As ethical investments are subject to strict criteria, they can often carry a higher degree of risk than their peers and this must be taken into account before an investment decision is reached.    

The term ‘Christian investment’ can therefore be interpreted in a variety of ways and can mean different things to different people. At Trinity Wealth Management we believe that the most important starting point in making a Christian investment is for our clients to take a holistic look at their lives, what they are hoping to achieve and where God is leading then. Only then can they truly make the correct investment decision.

If you found this article to be of interest and relevant to you personal situation, why not talk to Graham or Jon and arrange an exploratory meeting. Please Click here for contact details having checked to see if you fit the profile of the clients that best suit our approach to Financial Planning here.