Someone asked me the other day why I wrote the book “The Faith-Based Millionaire”, a book designed to help people incorporate their faith into their financial plan.   As I previously mentioned, I believe that God really put it on my heart to write this book and get this message out there.  I see so many Christians make conscious decisions where they work, spend money, and tithe.  We all have values, beliefs, and morals that help us make decisions in these three areas. However, for most,they never use the same set of principles when it comes to investing. The rules get thrown out the window.   Only a small minority get it.  It breaks my heart and I’m sure that of God’s.   

Take for example: I have a dear friend who is an executive for a major Wall Street firm based in Chicago. He is a strong Christian and EXTREMELY active in the pro-life movement (time and money).  He gives tens of thousands of dollars a year to pro-life organizations and does not screen  his personal investment portfolio.   It is almost as if his donations are cancelled out by his investment dollars. Here he is giving money to help end abortion yet his investment dollars are invested in the very same companies performing abortions on demand and furthering the pro-choice movement. 

I am committed and  passionate about helping others learn what values are important in their lives and helping them understand what their investment dollars are supporting.  Ultimately I find great joy helping individuals allign their faith and finances… I  truly believe it is a God thing that lead me to open this dialogue…  I believe He will help me get this message out to the masses.

I am putting together a promotional/publicity strategy in an attempt to gain national exposure once the book is approved and published.    I see this as a three fold approach:
1) educating advisors about the difference they can make in their client’s lives
2) educating do-it your self investors so they can make a difference
3) educating the general public that there is a better approach
 
I find most investors do not think about these issues until they have a discussion with someone who is passionate about this and they can answer this basic question:  will my returns suffer?
 
The real question is what will this cost me? (in regard to fees and performance).   The fact of the matter is:
 
1) God challenges us to see how strong our faith is.  If we trust in Him, can’t He make up the difference if we are being faithful and achieved a less desirable rate of return?
 
2) THERE IS NO PROOF screening will harm performance.   It all comes down to having a solid investment process.  You can screen out all the bad companies in the world and still put together a portfolio that outperforms the markets.  When a screened portfolio underperforms the market, in my experience, more often than not, it was the investment management that hurt performance, not the screens.
 
I could go on forever…  I love talking about this!  Please let me know your thoughts and questions.
 
Matthew 16:26:  “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”