Investing in Ethics and the Supremacy of Christ

by Luke Bolton

Working in investment management, I’ve met many Christians who believe there is no such thing as a genuinely Christian ethic for investing – other than “Make all you can!” Of course, they plan to do good with any gains they receive. But is that the extent of a Christian ethic for investing?

Pastor John Piper exhorted many years ago that, “There’s a massive sun that belongs at the center of the universe of our lives and, by its weight and glory and mass and beauty and power, holds the orbits in place. And therefore, my prayer... is that you would press on to know the supremacy of Christ.” We do exalt Christ’s supremacy in worship, but when it comes to ethics and investing Jesus tends to get very little attention.

Since Christ is our Lord and ultimate treasure, overlooking him in our investing ethics is a problem that should be confronted pastorally and theologically. What would happen if we held up the supremacy of Christ as the foundation for a truly Christian ethic for investing?

Why a Christian Ethic?

Some questions have been addressed directly in Scripture, such as “Should I steal?” These questions can be addressed with a direct appeal to Scripture: “You shall not steal” (Exo 20:15). 

But when someone asks, “Should I invest in this or that fund, or in this or that company?” it is unwise to expect a direct, authoritative answer from one Bible verse or passage. The way believers have dealt with questions like these is by a process of moral reasoning, based on biblical principles or themes, shaped by historic Christian teachings, and informed by knowledge about the topic (i.e., in this case, investing). In other words, we need a Christian ethic to deal with lots of modern topics like investing.

Jesus & All Creation

Investing pulls us into relationships with the world of business. Many businesses leverage natural resources and thus manage aspect of the material creation. This includes many industries, from energy and transportation to food production and technology. But what does that have to do with Jesus?

John’s gospel affirms, “all things were made through him” (John 1:3) and we know that, “in him all things hold together” (Col 1:17). Hebrews reminds us that God spoke by his Son, “through whom also he created the world… and he [Jesus] upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb 1:2-3). In other words, Jesus is Lord over all creation.

The natural world is Christ’s own possession and an object of His ongoing maintenance and care. As investors and businesspeople, we have a role in managing and caring for the natural world Christ made and holds together. So, we may ask questions like, how does this company or fund seek to honor Christ as Lord of all creation?

Jesus & Human Life

By their products, services, or management of employees, every company makes decisions about human life. And some industries deal specifically with matters of life and death, such as the medical and pharmaceutical industries. But what does that have to do with Jesus?

John’s gospel notes, “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). Certainly, humans were created in God’s image, but through his incarnation Christ took on “the likeness of men” and was “found in human form” (Phil 2:7-8). Jesus is “the Author of life” (Acts 3:15), and since we “share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things” to destroy the power of death (Heb 2:14). In short, Jesus Christ is Lord over all matters of human life and death.

One implication is that all human life not only reflects God’s image, but also reflects Jesus’ own incarnate person as a human being. Through investing, we can participate with companies that enhance and enable human life, or that destroy and demean it. So, we may ask, how does this fund or company seek to honor Jesus as the Author and Lord of life?

Jesus & Moral Choices

Every company develops guidelines and norms that reflect their collectively held moral values. By investing, we enter into a kind of relationship with those companies. How does this relate to Jesus?

According to the gospel, a day is coming when, “God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Rom 2:16). Not only is he our Judge, but the standard of moral maturity for believers is, "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13). In sum, Christ is our supreme moral authority.

This conviction that Christ is our ultimate moral guide and judge can be expressed in a variety of ways by Christian investors. Some, understanding Jesus is their ultimate “financial advisor”, seek to avoid investing in particular kinds of morally objectionable industries. Others find in Jesus a role model for redemptive engagement, leading them to find and use their voice as investors to encourage companies toward making positive policy changes.

Beyond “oppositional” responses, other investors have taken an “affirmational” response by seeking to invest in companies that embody the Golden Rule, or Jesus’ command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Based on these perspectives, Christians can ask, how does this fund or a company help us honor Christ as our ultimate Judge and moral guide.

Pursuing Maturity

The supremacy of Christ is the foundation for a truly Christian ethic of investing. This ethic goes beyond, “make all you can,” to encompass many other Christ-honoring considerations – from what we invest in to how we use our influence as investors.

Even where investors share the same moral convictions, their implementation strategy in the markets may vary widely. As with other matters of discernment, we must pursue moral maturity by training our “powers of discernment… by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" (Heb 5:14). So as we press on to know the supremacy of Christ over investing, may this be our prayer: “Lord, what are you enabling and calling me to do?”

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No investment strategy assures financial success or protects against loss. All investing involves risk including loss of principal.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. WaterRock Financial, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.