When we are considering the subject of Christian investments, the first point which requires clarification is, what is actually meant by this term? What are people actually looking for when they search for Christian investment advice or Christian investments?
Historically many businesses were started by Christians with a desire to influence the society around them; Boots, TSB and even Guinness have their roots in making a social impact. Now we live in exciting times where businesses are again being formed with the intent of positively affecting the environment, healthcare, living standards.
In 2015 the United Nations adopted 17 global goals for sustainable development and, although not necessarily intentionally, these goals are desires which should strike a chord among Christians.
The UN Sustainable Goals have given ethical investments and investment funds a benchmark by which their social impact can now be measured. Trinity Wealth Management uses the services of an expert third party to score the impact of several funds which would fall into the category of “socially responsible” or “ethical”.
However, “ESG” (environmental, social and governance), “CSR” (corporate social responsibility), “sustainability” and “social impact” are terms which investment houses’ marketing departments look to use so they can get a piece of the action. Beware of “greenwashing”, which can make a company seem more environmentally friendly than it really is! Even British American Tobacco has a sustainability policy!
This is where established independent specialist knowledge separates the wheat from the chaff. At Trinity we incorporate this expertise into our model socially responsible investment fund portfolios.
For other investors, searching the term Christian investments may rather mean looking for a Christian investment or financial adviser (IFA) for general investment advice. In our view, by using financial advice and planning based on biblical principles, you can promote God’s kingdom and indirectly make a Christian investment in its strictest sense, irrespective of where the funds are ultimately placed.