Biblical Investment Principles

The Investment and RRSP season is in full swing and with that comes investment choices. In the Fall Update Publication I wrote about Biblical Stewardship - Six Biblically Transcendent Principles. They were a high level overview of money management principles, but what about managing the actual money? Are there Bible verses that we can apply to that topic too? As it happens YES! I am glad you asked!

What stands out to me is the prudent and wise theme throughout. Like the Six Transcendent Principles you will find many of these points in credible finance text books. I’ve chosen to write out the verses on some points. In reading them, I suspect the reason I did so will make sense.

• Preservation and Steady Growth of Capital (Proverbs 28:20) “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished”.
• Long Time Horizon (Luke 14:28) With investing goals versus saving goals, depending on the investment chosen to fit the goal identified, you could be looking at many years.
• Cycles are inevitable (2 Peter 3:4b) “For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation”. Investment cycles are normative and markets go up and down.
• Diversification (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2) To paraphrase this is the age old adage “don’t have all your eggs in one basket.”
• Seek Wise Counsel (Proverbs 19:20-21) In keeping with the biblical view of seeking advice I continue to recommend a Certified Financial Planner identified by the initials CFP®. The CFP® designation is widely considered one of the most stringent and comprehensive certification programs in the industry.
• Avoid High Leverage (Proverbs 22:7)
• Monitor Your Anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7) Why is this important in the area of managing your money? To avoid panic selling during market volatility. Dealing with a CFP® qualified (or in progress) advisor can help you stay on track during the rough times in the market.
• Establish Limits on the Amount You Invest (Proverbs 15:16) and (Proverbs 30:8) Advisors will tell you to have a discipline and parameters in your investments.
• Where to Invest (Matthew 5:13-16) Let me give you my views on this using biblical principles to navigate the answer. Is God really interested in where and how we invest? I believe He is but the where and the how is about the use of guiding principles and precepts in decision making more than a directive. Honest dealings, all things in moderation and the points examined above give a good Biblical and textbook framework to make the right choice for you. I’ve recommended looking for the CFP® designation. The designation requires the advisor to complete an annual declaration of compliance in addition to required hours of further technical education. These requirements are a strong protective benefit for you. It is a delight to me to verify financial courses with biblical principles but that point is actually backwards isn’t it? Shhhh don’t tell Wall Street, I’m pretty sure they think they invented it!

Our planning team can help you make the right investment decision for you. To those that already deal with us we thank you. Your support makes a difference, you are valued and your decision to bank and invest with us has impact. If you think we may be right for you please give us a call for a free second opinion. David van Berkel and Rob Drost are focused mainly in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. My main focus is to build the Lethbridge and Southern Alberta market though we all assist members across Canada. We are so pleased to serve and genuinely care about your financial wellbeing.

On behalf of the planning team,
Carol Haayema, CFP®
Senior Financial Advisor

Kingdom Advisors is a network of Christian advisors throughout Canada and The United States who seek to promote Biblical wisdom in their practices. References have been made through their resources. The Biblical verses were from the NKJV. Opinions expressed are those of the writers.