Christian investing, also known as Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), is a financial strategy that aligns your investment portfolio with your Christian values and biblical principles. It’s a thoughtful approach to wealth building that goes far beyond simply avoiding “sin stocks”—though that’s part of it. Instead, Christian investing represents a comprehensive philosophy about how God’s people should steward the resources He has entrusted to them in the capital markets.
For many faithful investors, the question isn’t just “Will this investment make money?” but “Does this investment honor God and reflect kingdom values?” This dual focus on both financial returns and moral alignment distinguishes Christian investing from conventional investing strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned investor looking to align your portfolio with your faith, or someone just beginning to think about how your investments might reflect your beliefs, Christian investing offers a practical framework for making financial decisions that matter.
The growth of faith-based investing over the past two decades has made Christian investing more accessible and mainstream than ever before. Today, multiple investment vehicles—including mutual funds, ETFs, and personalized advisory services—allow individual investors to build diversified, competitive portfolios while maintaining their biblical convictions. This isn’t a niche strategy reserved for a small group of believers; it’s a robust investment approach backed by research, professional management, and decades of proven performance.
As you explore Christian investing, you’ll discover that this approach isn’t about achieving lower returns or accepting inferior performance. Rather, it’s about making intentional choices that reflect your worldview while still pursuing your long-term financial goals. The biblical foundation for this strategy runs deep, from the Parable of the Talents to the stewardship principles woven throughout Scripture. Understanding these foundations helps explain why Christian investing matters—not just financially, but spiritually and morally as well.
Defining Christian Investing
Christian investing is the practice of deploying capital in the financial markets in ways that honor God and align with biblical principles and Christian values. It represents an intersection between the world of high finance and faith, where investors deliberately seek returns on their investments while simultaneously ensuring those investments support companies and practices that reflect Christian ethics.
The core idea is straightforward: your money is a reflection of your values. Where you invest sends a signal about what you believe matters. When you buy shares of a company, you’re becoming a partial owner. This ownership stake means you have—directly or indirectly through fund managers—a voice in how that company operates. Christian investing recognizes this reality and treats investment decisions as moral decisions, not merely financial ones.
It’s important to understand that Christian investing isn’t monolithic. Because there are thousands of Christian denominations and traditions, each with their own theological emphases and interpretations of Scripture, Christian investing philosophies can vary considerably. What one Christian investor or organization prioritizes might differ from another. Some might emphasize environmental stewardship especially heavily, while others focus more on labor practices or family values. These differences reflect the diversity of the body of Christ and the varied convictions of believers worldwide.
Despite these variations, certain core principles unite Christian investors: a commitment to honesty and integrity in business, respect for human dignity, environmental responsibility, and a general opposition to industries built on vice or harm. Christian investors tend to support companies that treat workers fairly, produce quality products, demonstrate good governance, and contribute positively to their communities.
Modern Christian investing has evolved significantly from its earlier incarnations. While negative screening (avoiding “sin stocks”) remains important, today’s Christian investment managers increasingly employ positive screening strategies. Rather than only asking “What should we exclude?”, they ask “What companies are actively demonstrating Christian values?” This shift toward identifying companies that proactively advance biblical principles has expanded the universe of investment options and improved overall portfolio diversity and performance.
For a deeper look at the different approaches within Christian investing, explore our guide on types of Christian investing. Understanding these variations helps you choose an investment strategy that aligns most closely with your own faith convictions and financial goals.
The Biblical Foundation for Investing
The biblical case for Christian investing rests on several foundational truths found throughout Scripture. The first and most fundamental is the concept of stewardship—the principle that everything we have belongs to God, and we are accountable for how we manage His resources. This isn’t a modern concept invented by financial advisors; it’s central to Christian theology and practice.
The Parable of the Talents, recorded in Matthew 25:14-30, illustrates this principle vividly. In the parable, a master entrusts talents (an ancient measure of wealth) to his servants before traveling away. When he returns, he evaluates how each servant has managed their resources. The servants who invested wisely and grew the master’s wealth are praised with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.” The servant who buried his talent and failed to invest it is severely criticized. The master’s response—”Cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness”—makes clear that failing to invest and grow what God has given us is not acceptable.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” – Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
This parable establishes that investing itself is not only permissible but virtuous. God expects His people to prudently grow and manage the resources entrusted to them. However, the parable doesn’t address the moral dimensions of how we invest, which brings us to other biblical principles.
Throughout Scripture, there’s a consistent emphasis on justice, fairness, and care for the vulnerable. The Bible condemns oppression, exploitation, and greed. Proverbs 22:16 warns that “whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor will end up giving it all to the rich, who will be ruthless toward them.” This suggests that Christians should be mindful of how their investments might contribute to injustice or harm.
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
The biblical foundation for Christian investing also includes the principle of dominion and stewardship of creation. In Genesis, humans are called to “tend and keep” the Garden—not merely to extract resources without regard for consequences. This principle extends to how Christian investors should think about environmental stewardship and supporting companies that operate sustainably and responsibly.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
Consider also the biblical instruction to “do no harm” and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). When you invest, you’re allocating capital to businesses and practices. Choosing not to support industries that exploit workers, destroy environments, or promote vice is one way of living out this commandment in the financial realm.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39 (NIV)
The apostle Paul provides additional guidance in 1 Corinthians 10:23: “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.” This principle acknowledges that while investment is permissible, wisdom demands that we consider the broader impact of our choices.
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
For a more in-depth exploration of how biblical principles apply to investing, visit our article on the Parable of the Talents and our comprehensive guide to biblical principles for investing.
How Christian Investing Works in Practice
Understanding Christian investing in theory is one thing; understanding how it actually works when you’re building a portfolio is another. The practical mechanics of Christian investing primarily operate through screening and engagement strategies, combined with a growing ecosystem of faith-based investment vehicles.
The screening process is the foundation of most Christian investing. Screening is a systematic method of evaluating companies to determine whether they align with Christian values. Most Christian investors start with negative screening—identifying companies and industries that violate Christian principles and excluding them from investment consideration. These exclusions typically include companies primarily engaged in abortion services, adult entertainment/pornography, gambling operations, tobacco production, and alcohol manufacturing. Some Christian investors also exclude companies involved in weapons manufacturing or predatory lending practices. The specific exclusions can vary based on different theological traditions and investor convictions.
Negative screening alone, however, creates a narrower investment universe than necessary. This is where positive screening comes in. Positive screening actively seeks out companies that demonstrate commitment to Christian values and biblical principles. This might include companies known for excellent labor practices, fair wages, strong environmental stewardship, community investment, ethical leadership, and product quality. A company might manufacture necessary consumer goods in ways that treat workers well, respect the environment, and serve communities responsibly. These are the companies Christian investors actively want to support with their capital.
In practice, this means that if you invest in a Christian mutual fund or ETF, professional fund managers conduct rigorous research on companies to assess both what they do and how they do it. They analyze business practices, examine supply chains, evaluate leadership integrity, and consider impact on communities and the environment. This research-intensive approach creates a curated portfolio of companies that meet both financial performance standards and biblical value alignment.
Another important practical element is shareholder advocacy and engagement. When a Christian investor or fund holds shares in a company, they have the right to engage with that company’s leadership. This might involve attending shareholder meetings, submitting shareholder proposals, or directly communicating with company executives about practices of concern. Rather than simply divesting from companies with problematic practices, some Christian investors use their ownership stake to advocate for positive change. This engagement strategy recognizes that dialogue and influence can sometimes be more effective than divestment alone.
Consider a concrete example: A Christian investment fund might hold shares in a manufacturing company because the company produces quality consumer goods, treats workers fairly, and demonstrates good governance. However, if the company begins expanding into areas the fund managers deem problematic—perhaps by acquiring a company involved in abortion services or gambling—the fund managers might engage directly with the company’s board to express concern about the acquisition. If engagement fails and the direction doesn’t change, divestment becomes the next step. This approach balances practical investment considerations with moral convictions.
Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) funds represent the most direct way for individual investors to access this screening and engagement infrastructure. Rather than attempting to research and evaluate hundreds of companies individually—a task that would be impractical for most investors—BRI mutual funds and ETFs provide professional management, diversified holdings, and systematic application of Christian investing principles.
These funds operate much like any other mutual fund or ETF, offering different risk profiles and investment styles (growth, value, international, fixed income, etc.). The key difference is that the selection of holdings is filtered through a values-based lens. You get the professional investment management, diversification, and economies of scale of a traditional fund, combined with the moral alignment that Christian investors seek.
For more information about how these specialized funds operate, see our detailed guide to what Biblically Responsible Investing is.
Negative Screening — What Christian Investors Avoid
Negative screening is the process of identifying companies and industries that violate Christian principles and systematically excluding them from investment portfolios. While this isn’t the only component of Christian investing, it’s an important one, and understanding what Christian investors avoid and why is essential to understanding the strategy as a whole.
The most common exclusion in Christian investing portfolios is companies engaged in abortion services or abortion advocacy. This includes abortion providers, manufacturers of abortion-related equipment, and companies that financially support abortion access. For Christian investors with pro-life convictions, this exclusion reflects the belief that all human life has inherent dignity and value.
Pornography and adult entertainment represent another major exclusion. Christian investors avoid companies that produce, distribute, or profit from pornographic content. This exclusion is based on biblical teaching about sexual purity and the dignity of the human person, as well as concerns about exploitation and harm associated with the pornography industry.
Gambling companies—including casinos, online gambling platforms, and manufacturers of gambling equipment—are typically excluded from Christian portfolios. The biblical concern here relates to addiction, the odds being deliberately structured against players, and the targeting of vulnerable populations. Gambling can also encourage greed and the false hope that money can be quickly and easily obtained without productive work.
Tobacco companies represent another standard exclusion. The Christian objection to tobacco isn’t based on absolute prohibition but on concern for bodily harm and the addictive nature of nicotine. Since tobacco companies knowingly market a product that causes serious health problems and addiction, many Christian investors view tobacco stocks as incompatible with biblical teaching about caring for the body and avoiding unnecessary harm to oneself and others.
Alcohol manufacturers may be excluded by some Christian investors, though this exclusion is less universal than others, reflecting different theological perspectives on alcohol consumption. Some traditions emphasize total abstinence, while others permit moderate consumption. This difference in interpretation means some Christian funds exclude alcohol, while others do not.
Beyond these primary categories, some Christian investors also avoid companies engaged in weapons manufacturing, particularly those producing weapons used primarily for civilian harm. Others exclude companies involved in predatory lending or payday loan operations that target vulnerable populations. Some also screen out companies with serious labor violations, significant environmental destruction, or leadership integrity issues.
It’s important to understand how screening is actually applied. Fund managers don’t simply look at company names; they conduct thorough research into business activities. A large conglomerate might have one division engaged in problematic activities while others are entirely unrelated. Christian fund managers evaluate whether the problematic division represents the company’s primary purpose or a minor part of its business. They use thresholds (e.g., a company might be excluded if more than 5% of revenue comes from problematic activities) to make these determinations.
Modern screening also recognizes the complexity of supply chains. A company might not directly produce cigarettes, for example, but might have significant financial investments in tobacco companies. Comprehensive negative screening investigates these indirect connections to ensure consistency with stated principles.
Learn more about how these exclusions work in our comprehensive guide to negative screening in Christian investing.
Positive Screening — What Christian Investors Seek
While negative screening receives significant attention, the increasingly important side of Christian investing is positive screening—actively seeking out companies that demonstrate commitment to Christian values and biblical principles. This approach recognizes that Christian investors don’t just want to avoid harm; they want to actively support and reward good corporate behavior.
Positive screening looks for companies that demonstrate fair labor practices. This includes paying wages sufficient to support families, providing safe working conditions, respecting workers’ right to organize, and treating workers with dignity. Companies that genuinely invest in their employees—through education, development opportunities, and genuine care for their wellbeing—rank highly on Christian investors’ lists. When a company shows that it views workers not merely as cost centers to be minimized but as valued human beings deserving respect, that company becomes attractive to Christian investors.
Environmental stewardship is another key criterion in positive screening. Christian investors increasingly recognize that caring for creation—a principle established in Genesis—is part of their stewardship responsibility. They seek out companies with strong environmental practices, commitment to sustainable resource management, efforts to minimize pollution, and investments in renewable energy. Companies that view environmental responsibility as integral to their business, not as an afterthought, gain favor with Christian investors.
Product quality and safety matter significantly in positive screening. Christian investors prefer companies that prioritize product safety, provide accurate information to consumers, and stand behind the quality of what they sell. Companies that cut corners on safety to maximize short-term profits don’t align with Christian values, whereas companies that invest in quality and consumer wellbeing do.
Community engagement and corporate citizenship factor into positive screening decisions. Companies that meaningfully invest in the communities where they operate—through philanthropy, job creation, environmental cleanup, or supporting local organizations—demonstrate values alignment with Christian principles of loving neighbors and stewarding resources for the common good.
Leadership integrity is another dimension of positive screening. Christian investors pay attention to whether company executives demonstrate honesty, ethical behavior, and alignment between their stated values and actual actions. Leaders with track records of integrity, who stand up for what’s right even when it costs them, appeal to Christian investors. By contrast, companies with leadership plagued by scandals, dishonesty, or ethical compromises become investment concerns.
Companies providing beneficial services to underserved populations also attract Christian investor interest. For example, financial services companies serving low-income populations (through financial literacy programs, accessible banking, or microfinance) demonstrate the biblical principle of preferential concern for the poor and vulnerable. Similarly, companies providing clean water, affordable housing, or healthcare services to underserved regions receive positive consideration.
Positive screening is more complex than negative screening because it requires defining and measuring “Christian values” in corporate practice. It’s not as simple as saying “no tobacco stocks.” Rather, it requires nuanced evaluation: “Does this company genuinely treat workers fairly? Are its environmental practices truly meaningful or merely cosmetic? Is its community investment authentic or public relations?” Professional fund managers skilled in this analysis become essential.
The beauty of positive screening is that it expands rather than restricts the investment universe. Instead of saying “here are a few hundred companies we can’t invest in,” positive screening says “here are thousands of quality companies actively advancing biblical values—let’s identify the best ones.” This approach typically results in better diversification and less performance drag than negative screening alone.
Discover more about identifying companies that align with Christian values in our article on positive screening in Christian investing.
Christian Investing vs. ESG vs. SRI
Christian investing occupies a space within the broader landscape of values-based investing. Understanding how Christian investing relates to ESG investing and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) helps clarify what makes Christian investing distinct.
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. ESG investing has become mainstream on Wall Street. It focuses on three dimensions of corporate performance: environmental impact, social responsibility (labor practices, community impact, etc.), and governance quality (board independence, executive pay, shareholder rights). ESG investing typically aims to identify companies with strong performance on these metrics because research suggests they’re lower risk and better positioned for long-term success. However, ESG investing is primarily motivated by financial performance considerations—ESG factors are seen as risk factors that affect returns. ESG investing is not inherently values-based; it’s financially motivated.
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is an older term for what’s often called values-based investing. SRI involves selecting investments to reflect personal values. Like Christian investing, SRI considers both financial returns and values alignment. However, SRI is a broader category that encompasses many different value systems. An SRI fund might focus on environmental values, animal rights, workers’ rights, or various other principles—not necessarily Christian ones. SRI is the umbrella, and Christian investing is a subset within it.
Christian investing is similar to SRI in that it’s explicitly values-based—moral considerations drive investment decisions. However, Christian investing is distinct in that it’s grounded in specifically Christian biblical principles and values. Christian investors might avoid tobacco not primarily because research shows tobacco stocks are risky, but because the Bible teaches respect for the body and avoiding harm. They might support companies with fair labor practices not only because good labor relations improve financial performance, but because Christian teaching emphasizes the dignity of workers and just wages.
Another distinction: Christian investing has a more defined, consistent set of principles rooted in Scripture, whereas ESG can be more fluid and SRI can reflect virtually any value system. This doesn’t make one approach superior to another—they’re different tools with different purposes. ESG helps identify financial risk, SRI allows expression of diverse values, and Christian investing specifically aligns with biblical principles.
There’s also overlap. A company might perform well on ESG metrics, be attractive to SRI investors for multiple reasons, and simultaneously align with Christian values. In fact, companies demonstrating good governance, treating workers fairly, and managing environmental impact typically score well on all three frameworks. The frameworks are complementary more often than they’re contradictory.
Christian investors should understand that ESG metrics don’t automatically indicate Christian value alignment, and vice versa. An ESG-focused fund might hold tobacco stocks if those stocks score well on governance metrics—ESG doesn’t inherently exclude them. Conversely, a company might fail some ESG metrics but align perfectly with Christian values if the ESG metric in question isn’t morally relevant to biblical principles.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 (ESV)
For a deeper comparison of these different investing approaches, see our article on Christian investing versus SRI and ESG.
Does Christian Investing Sacrifice Returns?
One of the most persistent questions about Christian investing is whether the values-based filtering reduces financial returns. The conventional wisdom suggests that limiting your investment universe to exclude certain companies would necessarily result in lower performance. But does the evidence support this assumption?
The research tells a different story than many expect. Multiple peer-reviewed studies and fund performance analyses have found that Christian investing does not systematically underperform conventional investing. In fact, some research suggests Christian portfolios slightly outperform. A 2020 comprehensive study found that faith-based investments did not underperform comparable investment alternatives. This finding contradicts the popular assumption that moral convictions must come at a financial cost.
Several factors explain why Christian investing performs competitively. First, the companies excluded from Christian portfolios often carry hidden risks. Tobacco companies face regulatory pressure, litigation risk, declining consumer demand, and potential future restrictions. Gambling companies are cyclical and subject to addiction concerns and social backlash. Companies engaged in predatory practices often face legal challenges and reputational damage. By excluding these companies, Christian investors actually avoid some genuine financial risks.
Second, the companies Christian investors actively seek—those with strong labor practices, ethical leadership, environmental responsibility, and community engagement—often demonstrate stronger long-term performance. Companies that treat employees well typically have lower turnover and higher productivity. Companies with strong governance are better managed. Companies with good environmental practices avoid future regulatory and cleanup costs. These characteristics correlate with better long-term returns.
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” – Proverbs 13:11 (ESV)
Third, as Christian investing has grown, more sophisticated fund options have become available. Modern Christian investment funds include international stocks, emerging markets, various bond categories, and other diversified holdings. These funds can achieve returns comparable to or exceeding broader market funds because they use the same diversification strategies as conventional funds—they simply add a values filter on top of that.
It’s also important to address the “expense ratio” question. Some believe faith-based funds automatically carry higher expenses because of their specialized research. While some do, many Christian funds now have competitive expense ratios comparable to mainstream alternatives. As the Christian investing industry has matured and grown, costs have declined.
That said, it’s fair to acknowledge that in certain bull markets—especially when “sin stocks” happen to be performing exceptionally well—a Christian portfolio might trail a completely unrestricted portfolio. This is similar to how value stocks underperform growth stocks in growth markets, but growth doesn’t always outperform value. Over complete market cycles and long holding periods, the performance difference is typically negligible or favorable to Christian investments.
Perhaps the most important point is this: Christian investors aren’t primarily motivated by squeezing out an extra 0.5% of annual return. They’re making investment decisions consistent with their values. Even if Christian investing resulted in slightly lower returns (which the research doesn’t support), many investors would accept that tradeoff for the satisfaction of investing in accordance with their beliefs. The actual research showing competitive returns simply means Christian investors can align their portfolios with their values without financial sacrifice.
Explore our comprehensive analysis of Christian investing performance in our article on the benefits and performance of Christian investing.
How to Get Started
Beginning your Christian investing journey doesn’t require specialized knowledge or sophisticated financial analysis. Here are the practical first steps:
First, clarify your values and convictions. Different Christian investors prioritize different principles. Some emphasize abortion, others focus heavily on environmental stewardship, others prioritize labor issues. Before selecting specific investments, reflect on what matters most to you. Review Scripture passages relevant to investing and stewardship. Consider consulting with your pastor or a Christian financial advisor about your specific convictions. This clarity will guide your investment decisions and help you choose funds or advisors that align with your priorities.
Second, assess your current financial situation. Before jumping into any investment strategy—Christian or otherwise—ensure you have an emergency fund (typically 3-6 months of expenses), have paid down high-interest debt, and understand your time horizon and risk tolerance. These foundational personal finance principles apply regardless of your values-based investing approach.
Third, consider your options. Christian investors can choose different paths: invest in dedicated Christian mutual funds or ETFs, work with a Christian financial advisor or wealth manager who can customize a portfolio to your values, use robo-advisors that incorporate Christian values filters, or—for the highly knowledgeable—build your own portfolio by researching and selecting individual companies. Most beginning investors find that a Christian mutual fund or ETF offers the best combination of simplicity, professional management, diversification, and reasonable costs.
Fourth, research available Christian funds and advisors. Several investment firms specialize in Christian investing, each with different approaches and emphases. Compare their fund options, screening methodologies, track records, and fees. Look for transparency about how they apply their values filters. Understand their core principles and ensure they align with yours.
Fifth, consider your investment mix. Like any investor, you’ll need to decide how much to allocate to stocks versus bonds, domestic versus international, growth versus value. The fact that you’re using a Christian lens doesn’t change these fundamental allocation decisions. A Christian fund family typically offers multiple options to suit different risk profiles and goals.
Sixth, set up your account and invest according to your plan. Whether you’re investing monthly, making a lump sum investment, or setting up automatic contributions, establish a routine and stick to it. Remember that Christian investing, like any investing, is a long-term endeavor. Markets fluctuate, but disciplined, diversified investing has historically created wealth over time.
Finally, revisit your investments periodically. Christian investing doesn’t require constant tinkering, but annual or semi-annual reviews ensure your portfolio still aligns with your evolving values and financial situation. As your life circumstances change and your convictions develop, your investment strategy might evolve as well.
Get more detailed guidance in our articles on how to start Christian investing and Christian investing tools and resources.
Conclusion
Christian investing is far more than avoiding a handful of “sin stocks.” It’s a comprehensive approach to wealth building that recognizes money as a stewardship responsibility and investment decisions as moral decisions. Grounded in biblical principles from the Parable of the Talents to the mandate to love our neighbors, Christian investing provides a framework for aligning your financial decisions with your deepest convictions.
The practical implementation of Christian investing—through screening (both negative and positive), engagement with corporations, and professional fund management—has matured significantly. Today’s Christian investors have access to sophisticated, diversified, professionally managed funds that compete effectively with conventional investment options while maintaining clear alignment with biblical values.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
Whether you’re motivated by Old Testament stewardship principles, New Testament teaching about caring for the vulnerable, or simply the conviction that your money should reflect your values, Christian investing offers a viable path forward. The research showing that Christian investing performs competitively removes the financial objection. The growing availability of quality Christian investment vehicles removes the practical barrier. What remains is a choice: Will you invest in ways that align with your faith?