Capital = Influence
Image by Steve Johnson
With the help of faith friends from our gathering of Faith Driven Investors, we’ve begun drafting a set of Unifying Principles. Our hope is that we can begin to come together under these thoughts and ideas to work toward a more full vision of what it means to let our faith drive our investments.
If you have thoughts, questions, concerns, things you’d change or add, please let us know! We’re relying on you, our community, to make this resource the best it can be.
Investment capital affords the stakeholder with the opportunity to steward influence. Shareholders in both public and private companies can call investor relations with concerns, or advocate for the launch of faith-based employee resource groups (as now exist at Google, Apple, Facebook, SalesForce, Uber and other companies), or even advocate for chaplaincy in some form. This influence might also look like an Angel investor coming alongside an entrepreneur to encourage them in their discipleship.
God has put resources in our hands, and one day he will return and hold us accountable for our faithfulness in stewarding what he has given us. We work urgently with that day in mind.
Just like the servants from the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, God has placed gifts, resources, and talents in our open hands. These things we have are gifts from above and are to be used for God’s glory. Knowing this creates a sense of urgency around the influence we have been given.
Understanding that God will one day return and that we will be held accountable for our faithfulness with his resources, we work hard in an eager anticipation of God’s return. Because we know that the things of this earth are temporary—that life is more than what we presently see—we seek God's wisdom on what to do with the influence He has given us in the here and now to best serve what’s to come.
The Faith-Driven Investor always leans in, always looks forward, always approaches God with an eagerness to receive first from Him before spreading and multiplying His resources in return.
Using Scripture as Our Guide
Romans 11:29 For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.