By Tracy Simmons
In his debut book “Investing with Integrity,” local financial advisor Loran Graham argues that Christians can and should honor God through their fiscal investments.
In the text, which emphasizes the national movement Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), he says believers’ investment choices should align with their values and urges readers to consult with an advisor or firm who can help them become better stewards.
According to the Christian Investment Forum, BRI is a term coined about 15 years ago used to describe an approach to investing assets in a way that aligns with an investor’s faith and biblical beliefs.
“The idea is that you look at what activities, products or services a company provides and what impact that has on others in society,” Graham explained.
If a company has caused physical or mental harm by playing on one’s gambling addiction, for example, then Graham said that’s not a company a Christian should invest in.
John Siverling, executive director of CIF, explained that being a Christian investor doesn’t have to mean investing strictly in Christian companies, but in those that meet social and faith-based criteria.
Graham said many people own stocks through their mutual funds, but don’t know what stocks they own. A financial advisor, Graham said, can help people have more control over that.
“It doesn’t make someone a better Christian to have a personal portfolio,” Graham said. “It’s not an act of self-righteousness. I’m most passionate about the larger population, which is to have every Christian believe and invest this way , which would have a significant, collective impact on the capital market.”
In his book Graham, 37, writes that Biblically Responsible Investing is also about financial gain and leaving a legacy.
“We want to support companies that are making a positive impact, but at the same time we can’t forget the reason for investing, which is to aim for a return on investment and to meet our individual’s family needs,” he said.
He said Christian investors have an opportunity to train the next generation of stewards by walking the walk and teaching children about compassion in the marketplace.
Graham and his wife, Kjirstin, have 4-year-old twins. Graham is also a certified public accountant and serves on a number of non-profit boards, including the YMCA of the Inland Northwest, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.
He said he felt now was the time to publish his book because there seems to be an emerging awareness about conscientious spending.
“I really feel like we’re on the cusp on a much larger movement that’s just getting underway. You can see it even with millennials, who are very much cause driven,” he said. “It’s exciting. If more investors start asking for this way of investing, then that will put the pressure on firms to offer it. If we change the way Wall Street operates and does business, there really is the potential to change the world.”
Rob West, president of Kingdom Advisors, a nationwide community of Christian financial professionals, said there’s an interest in faith-based investing because money is reflection of one’s heart.
“When we invest in a company, or give to an organization, we’re more interested in what they’re doing. Our heart follows the money,” he said. “Money is a barometer of our heart. And it goes all the way back to the Bible (Matthew 6:21).”
