How Can Christians Be Sure Their Investments Are Not Funding Abortion?
National Association of Christian Financial Consultants Leader Mark Minnella Says a Free Tool Can Help Investors Honor God with Their Money
October 16, 2019
ORLANDO, Fla.—October is Respect Life Month and Abortion Recovery Awareness Month, but those marking these somber observances need to remember the 60 million babies aborted since 1973’s Roe v. Wade and may not make a connection to their finances.
But potentially millions of Christians are unknowingly and unwittingly funding abortion and abortion-related causes through their investments, says National Association of Christian Financial Consultants (NACFC, www.nacfc.org) leader and co-founder Mark Minnella.
“An enormous number of Christians have no idea that the voluntary contributions to their 401(k) plans are being invested in companies that promote many anti-biblical practices such as abortion,” Minnella said. “They may also manufacture RU486—the morning-after abortion pill—or write big checks to Planned Parenthood. Christians want to do good and find ways to accomplish that in society. But when it comes to what their finances are funding, they just don’t know. Many are, often unknowingly, compromising their principles with the investments they hold and, thereby, financing the very concerns they so strenuously oppose.”
Because of quick mergers and takeovers and the utilization of mutual funds, it has become very difficult to be conscious of what investment portfolios are supporting, he added. The haze of misinformation or lack of information has hindered or hidden the possibility of making principles a part of investment criteria.
Now, a free online screening tool at nacfc.org (click on “free screening tool” banner) enables investors to find out with just a few clicks if companies are supporting facets of society that are unbiblical. Christian investors can use this biblically based dynamic and moral investment screening tool to uncover immoral corporate activity. Users can simply type in any fund name, stock name or ticker symbol and click the search button. A percentage of violation is shown as part of the free service, as well as the option to view a more extensive report through a subscription.
“If it was possible to invest without compromising our principles or rate of return, why would anyone do otherwise?” Minnella asks.
Biblically responsible or faith-based investing is accepting the responsibility for the impact financial decisions make in the world, he says.
“Responsible investors realize that their financial decisions affect the future—for themselves, their children and their children’s children—especially when it comes to abortion,” he said. “Investing money, irrespective of our values, will fund a future that may be void of those values.
“Some may argue that over the years there have been discussions that biblically responsible investing can’t compete with the returns of unscreened investments,” he added. “If this were true, then we would have a decision to make. Either compromise our investment returns or compromise our principles. Recent studies, however, save us from either compromise. Once we conclude that we can invest without compromise, we are free to develop an investment plan that includes the best of both worlds.”
Biblically sound financial plans, says Minnella, also the author of “The Wall Street Awakening,” are aided by the availability of tools that identify if companies violate certain biblical screenings, such as contributing to a pro-abortion agenda.
“Investing for real world results, here and now, without negating the eternal significance of our investments decisions,” Minnella says. “It is purposely choosing to invest without compromise.”
The mission of the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants is to teach, train and encourage financial professionals to learn, share and instruct biblical stewardship to individuals and families believing that “it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world and lose his soul” (Matthew 16:26). Members will glorify God by impacting their world for Jesus Christ through teaching and practicing biblical stewardship.
For more information on NACFC, visit nacfc.org. View the media page for NACFC here.
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To interview NACFC president and co-founder Mark Minnella, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Patrick Benner, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, or ext. 102.
