In the last few years, a new way of thinking about where to invest money has become more popular. It’s called Biblical Responsible Investing (or ‘BRI’ for short). BRI refers to investing money in businesses that follow Christian beliefs and values. This means avoiding companies involved in activities Christians might disagree with, such as selling alcohol or tobacco. BRI is similar to another popular investing strategy called environmental, social, and governance (ESG). ESG investing, as the name implies, focuses on environmental, social, and governance issues. But BRI is different because investors look at things through a biblical lens and use the Bible to decide if an investment is good or bad. So, BRI is the concept of investing in companies that follow Christian beliefs. If a company does things that the Bible says are not good, then BRI says not to invest in that company. This way, Christians who follow BRI make sure their money is used in a way that they believe pleases God.
What should Christians know about BRI?
The main idea behind BRI is that all things on Earth (including our money) belong to God. We are only looking after these things for a little while. As good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to His people, we all have a responsibility to use these things in ways that make God happy. In other words, we must be careful where we invest our money. When choosing investments that reflect our Christian beliefs, we do more than secure our financial future. We are also showing others what we believe is right. Tools like eVALUEator make BRI easier for Christian investors. These tools screen companies to see if they match Christian beliefs. For example, they avoid companies that make money from things that clash with Christian values, like certain types of movies or selling alcohol. Tools like these give Christians plenty of options to invest their money without going against their values. While BRI is not as common as ESG investing, it’s becoming more popular. After all, there is a growing desire among Christians to match their financial decisions with their faith. But this growth is also partly driven by many companies taking stands on political and social issues these days, and people want to invest in companies that think like they do. Keep in mind that when you adopt a BRI strategy, it does not mean you will have to compromise on returns. Studies like the one from the Biblically Responsible Investing Institute (BRII) show that you can make as much (or even more money) with BRI portfolios than with traditional investments. But you need to be open to investing in different companies, not just the biggest ones, so you can find good investment opportunities that also fit your Christian values.
Final thoughts
BRI allows Christians to make financial decisions that reflect their values and honor God. As this investment strategy continues to grow, it reminds us of all that our financial choices can be an expression of our faith. We hope this blog makes it clear that BRI strikes a balance between faith and finances. With investments that agree with their religious values, Christians can manage their finances in a way that honors God.
