***News Release***
Christians Must Choose the Right Financial Planner to Commit to Biblically Responsible Investing
Timothy Plan: BRI Allows Believers to Grow Their God-Given Resources, Invest and Give Without Supporting Moral Corruption
ORLANDO, Fla.—A growing number of Christians want to honor God with their resources while impacting the culture through Biblically Responsible Investing, or BRI. Finding the right financial planner who will be a committed partner in that journey is key, says Timothy Plan founder Art Ally.
Timothy Plan helps investors achieve their financial goals while investing in a biblically and morally responsible manner by thoroughly researching each company to determine the actions of the firm on several levels. For instance, Timothy Plan does not invest in companies that support pornography, the abortion industry or have other policies and procedures contrary to the teachings of Scripture, or that are actively participating in activities that have proven to be destructive to our communities-at-large.
“Money, like other material things, is good because God made it,” Ally said. “Money allows us to take care of ourselves, our families and our neighbors who have legitimate needs. Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Biblically Responsible Investing allows us to grow our finances and to be able to give without supporting moral corruption. We have true peace of mind when we lean for all of our needs on the One who made us: ‘Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all’ (1 Chronicles 29:12).”
Until 1994, Christians, conservatives, pastors or churches had few options to invest without compromising their beliefs. That year, Timothy Plan unveiled its fund aimed at evangelical Christians, and Ally has had a leadership role in steering investments toward biblically responsible outcomes for 24 years.
Today, some Christian employees who work at secular companies with company-sponsored retirement plans may struggle with the investment funds their employers choose. What should they do if their investment options amount to only a few mutual funds that include immoral investments?
“There’s nothing wrong with bringing your employer’s attention to the possibility of adding some investment choices that incorporate BRI,” said financial adviser Mark Minnella, author of “The Wall Street Awakening.” “First, Christian employees should be thankful and approach the employer with respect and thanksgiving for what they are doing. They could then point out that their current 401(k) includes an environmentally friendly fund—because most do—and they could say: ‘That’s great. We wonder if you would consider also doing that for those of us interested in BRI?’”
Minnella also recommends downloading a letter provided by the screening site eVALUEator, a tool to analyze mutual funds based on moral integrity, and sending it to the employer—even anonymously, if necessary.
BRI authority and nationally syndicated host Dan Celia of Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries agrees. He has little patience for advisers who try to steer clients away from BRI-focused portfolios.
“If a financial adviser tries to talk you out of it, fire him,” he added. “Advisers shouldn’t question someone’s convictions. They should be helping their clients fulfill their goals and their objective of being responsible with God’s money. If they don’t find an adviser who can help them do this, they should keep looking.”
Plus, there’s no reason a financial planner shouldn’t feel comfortable advising in BRI. A 2016 study at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business found that screened investments performed favorably against unscreened investment funds. The study, “Great Expectations: Mission Preservation and Financial Performance in Impact Investing,” also found that “market-rate-seeking impact investments in the sample, therefore, may be financially competitive on a gross basis with other equity investing investment opportunities. This financial performance may be why impact fund managers often assert that there is little inherent tension between profits and purpose.”
The first of its kind, Timothy Plan is a family of mutual funds that screens its funds to ensure that no money is invested in companies that are supportive of ideals that are contrary to their biblical, moral imperative. The trend of biblically responsible investing, or BRI, is growing rapidly. In fact, last year, Timothy Plan alone reached $1 billion of assets under management.
For nearly a quarter-century, Timothy Plan has existed to help advisers and investors achieve their financial goals through a pro-life, pro-family approach to investing—not only to benefit the investor but the broader culture. Timothy Plan is firmly committed to running a mutual fund company with the integrity, excellence and wisdom that brings honor and glory to Jesus Christ and is a beacon for Godly stewardship in the financial community.
Mutual funds are available through a prospectus by contacting the fund or a financial professional. When considering a mutual fund, investors should always carefully read the prospectus before investing to analyze the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses.
Timothy Plan is distributed by Timothy Partners, LTD a member of (FINRA).
For more information on Timothy Plan, visit timothyplan.com or connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Vimeo or YouTube. View the media page for Timothy Plan here.
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