Getting Started with Ethical Investing: Aligning Money with Values?

Are your investments quietly funding stuff that doesn’t vibe with your values? That’s the big question we dive into today. We’re talking about ethical investing and how it can help you align your cash flow with your beliefs. Getting Started with Ethical Investing: Aligning Money with Values? It’s not just about making a buck; it’s about making sure your money reflects what you really stand for. I share some real-life stories and tips on how to spot those investments that promote good vibes without going against your faith. So, grab a comfy seat, and let's figure out how to get your dollars working for you in a way that feels right!

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Ever wonder if your hard-earned cash is sneaking off to fund things you don’t even vibe with? Yeah, me too! Ralph dives deep into the world of ethical investing, where our dollars can actually reflect our values instead of just filling the pockets of corporate giants. He shares real-life stories—like that couple who found out their retirement fund was invested in stuff they were totally against. Talk about a wake-up call! This isn’t about sacrificing returns; it’s about investing with purpose. Ralph encourages us to filter out industries that don’t sit right with our conscience and choose investments that uplift human dignity and promote good vibes. So, let’s get our finances aligned with our faith and make sure every dollar tells a story we’re proud of. Because at the end of the day, our money should work for us, not against us!

Takeaways:

• It's super important to align your investments with your personal beliefs and values, so you feel good about where your money is going.
• Ethical investing is not just a trend; it's a way to connect your faith with your finances and make sure they match up.
• Your money tells a story about what's important to you, so be mindful of how you invest it.
• Investing ethically can lead to peace of mind, knowing that your money supports causes you truly believe in.
• Don't shy away from asking tough questions about your investments; it's all about finding harmony with your values.
• Remember, you can always shift your investments to better reflect your beliefs and achieve financial peace.

Links referenced in this episode:

• financiallyconfidentchristian.com/support

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Ralph, I'm worried that someof my investments might be supporting
things I don't believe in. Howdo I make sure my money reflects
my values? That's a powerfulquestion, isn't it? Let me ask you,
have you thought about thatyourself? Now before I get into it
too deep today, remember this,you can share your own questions
with the show anytime youwant. Just go to justaskralph.com

(00:21):
so you ever wonder if yourmoney is quietly funding things that
you never personally support?Well, that's where ethical investing
comes in with ethicalinvesting helps you align your finances
with your faith and yourvalues. It's all about balancing
those investments with yourfaith. And that's exactly what I'm
going to talk about on today'sshow. This is Financially Confident

(00:41):
Christian, your daily dose ofgospel, grounded insight and faith
driven tips to help you breakthe cycle of financial shame with
confidence. Well, welcome andthank you for joining me today on
the show. I really appreciateyou being here. We're continuing
our journey of bringing faithand finances together as we talk
about investments. You don'tknow much about me. My name is Ralph.

(01:02):
I've worked with believersjust like you who wanted to align
their financial life withtheir spiritual life. And let me
tell you right now, and thisshows particularly important, it's
not always easy to do that.It's not always easy to keep those
things in alignment. And I'veworked with hundreds of clients over
the years. We've researchedethical and faith based investment
strategies to help clientsjust like you invest with peace of

(01:26):
mind and find that balancebetween investments and faith. And
let me tell you right now,it's not always easy. For example,
I work with a couple, it'sbeen a few years ago now, they discovered
their retirement fund wasinvested in industries they were
strongly against. I'm talkingabout diametrically opposed to. And
when I shared that with them,we looked at their funds and I pulled
it up on the computer, saidwell here's what this investments

(01:48):
shock on their faces werelike, I can't believe that Ralph.
I would never support thosethings. The good news is we were
able to shift to more alignedinvestments. And I'll never forget
the wife said to me, she goesRalph, I had no idea what we were
putting our money into. Andwhen they were able to move those
things around, they felt peaceand they knew that their money was
working for their valuesinstead of against it. And I love

(02:11):
what Larry Birkett said. Hesaid what you do with your money
reveals what you believe aboutGod. So let me ask you right now.
And this might be across thebow question, what are you doing
with your money? Becausethat's what we really need to talk
about today. What are youdoing with your money? Are you living
in your ethical values? Andsee, a lot of people think, well,

(02:32):
Ralph, wait a second. If I'mgoing to invest ethically, that means
I'm not going to get anyreturn on my money. I'm never going
to make any money. That's justnot correct. But it does mean this.
It means investing withpurpose. Because the truth is, now
you can filter out industries,industries like gambling or pornography
or alcohol or weapons, any ofthose things that conflict with your

(02:53):
values. And I'm not evenjudging any of those things today,
but in your own value set, ifthey conflict with your values, guess
what? You don't have to investin that. But the key to this, and
it's a lot of people don'tknow this. One of the reasons I did
today's show, you got to knowwhat you're investing in. Because
once you understand whatyou're investing, once you understand
the stocks or what'sunderneath of that investment, then

(03:14):
you can invest in businessesthat promote human dignity, that
promote stewardship, maybeChristian values, those things that
are going to have a positiveimpact and not contradict your values.
And here's the exciting part,and I'm loving this. There are more
and more Christian people,people of faith, who are asking these
questions of their brokers,who are are asking these questions

(03:35):
of investment houses. How dowe connect our faith to our finances?
And it's a growing trend, andit's a trend that allows you to finally
bring into alignment thatpeace. And you don't lose your testimony,
because remember this andlisten. This is going to step on
my own toes a little bit here.Your money tells a story. It tells

(03:57):
a story about what you value,what you believe in, what you hold
as sacred, what you treasure.My grandfather was famous for saying
this. He said, put your moneywhere your heart is. See, your values
matter more than yourinvestment returns. That's true,
isn't it? Let's talk about theBible. I found the perfect verse
for today's show. It comesfrom Colossians, chapter 3, verse

(04:19):
23. It reminds us this.Whatever you do, work at it with
all your heart, as working forthe Lord, not for human masters.
And I just want to park herefor a second, because this applies
to investments, it applies toour jobs, it applies to everything
we do. What is the Bibletelling us? Whatever you do, whatever
that thing is, work at it withall your heart. Like my grandfather

(04:42):
said, where's your heart? Andthink about this. Who you answering
to? You're not answering toyour boss. You're not answering to
some market. You're answeringto the Lord, not for human masters.
So whatever you do, work at itwith all your heart as working for
the Lord. It's all abouthonoring those values, those things
that keep you in the will ofGod. And I'm going to give you a

(05:02):
bonus verse today. Yes, it'sbonus first day. This is from Proverbs,
chapter 16, verse 3. It saysthis. Commit to the Lord whatever
you do. Here's the promise.And he will establish your plans.
I want to say something that'sa little bit strong, but when you
do that, when you commit tothe Lord, whatever you do, he becomes

(05:24):
your investment advisor.That's what I want you to do today.
Well, how about we praytogether right now? Lord, we just
thank you for godlydiscernment, Lord. Help us to clarify,
to see that if our money trulyaffects our values, will reflect
what you want us to do andwhat you want us to invest in. So
right at this moment, Lord, weask you to grant us wisdom in choosing

(05:46):
investments that honor you,that honor things that we believe
in. Help us to find thosethings. Give us that biblical discernment
to understand what we'revesting in, the courage to ask questions
and the strength to make wisedecisions. That may not be what the
world sees as the bestdecision, Lord, but what our faith
and our values tell us to do,Lord. And we just thank you for the

(06:06):
privilege of stewardingresources faithfully. And we ask
this in the name of Jesus.Amen. So here's your action step
for this week. A lot of peopleare amazed by this. I want you to
just go and review just one ofyour current investments, go find
out what they invest in, andask yourself this completely difficult
question sometimes. Does thisalign with my values? And I know

(06:27):
it's not easy. Does it alignwith my values? If it doesn't, I'm
going to encourage you to dosomething, explore some opportunities,
if not, explore somealternatives, because there are some
great alternatives out there.And ask yourself this, where is your
faith showing up in yourfinances? One of the things I would
encourage you to do is supportthe show. I want to talk a little

(06:49):
bit about that. One of mygoals this year is to reach more
people. I feel like we have apositive message here, a message
of faith, a message of hope,and a message of love. And if you
could support the show bygoing to financiallyconfidentchristian.com/support.
It's going to allow us to buymore advertising. It's going to allow
us to be on more platforms.It's going to allow us outreach to

(07:10):
reach more people. And I'mgoing to say something today I've
never said on this showbefore. You can be a critical member
of my team, of our teamworking together. I need you today.
So why don't you considergoing to financiallyconfidentchristian.com/support
and support the show. Yourmoney reflects your values. It's

(07:31):
like looking in a mirror.Ethical investing helps you align
your finances with your faith.It's about stewardship, not just
profit and real peace. True,lasting peace, like my clients found,
comes when your money works inharmony with your beliefs. Now tomorrow
we're going to talk aboutanother common misconception in investments.

(07:53):
What does it mean to buy highand sell low? And is that even possible?
We're going to unravel thatcommon phrase together on tomorrow's
show. So make sure you don'tmiss it. So today I want to encourage
you to support the show, sharewith others. Let's spread this positive
message about faith filledfinance. Let's spread the gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Andremember this, you can invest ethically.

(08:15):
So I want to encourage youtoday, be that financially confident
Christian that I know you canbe. Stay financially savvy. God bless
you. And you have a great day today.