"Faith-Driven Investing" (Various Contributors)

TITLE: Faith Driven Investing: Every Investment Has an Impact--What’s Yours?
AUTHOR:  Tim Keller, Andy Crouch, Cathie Wood, Henry Kaestner, Obie McKenzie, Finny Kuruvilla, Luke Roush, Greg Lernihan, John Marsh, Ashely Marsh, Will Thomas, Efosa Ojomo, Richard Okello, Jessica Kim, Bryce Butler, Casey Crawford, Ron Blue, Rob West
 PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2022, (240 pages).
 

There are many Christian books teaching us how to disciple, live, serve, give, and how to exercise various other Christian virtues. However, when it comes to investment and investing, resources are few and far between. Apart from the Word-of-Faith adherents or the Health-and-Wealth gospel proponents, the rest of the evangelical world remains cautious when it comes to things related to money, stocks, and wealth-making capital investments. From a conservative biblical standpoint, that is understandable because of the belief that the love of money is the root of all evil. Yet, there are parables that teach us to be faithful with our gifts and talents as well, such as the parable of the talents and the shrewd manager. This book fills in the gap to show us that it is possible to have "Faith-Driven Investing." The "Faith Driven Investor Team" aims to help believers become better stewards of their gifts, talents, and various financial resources. All of these have one common theme: Faith. The team's conviction is that our faith affects the way we invest. The contributors come from all walks of life. Not only are there business professionals, and investment gurus, but there are also stories from entrepreneurs, leaders, teachers, preachers, and others. The contributors deal with questions like:

• What is the standard of excellence for a Christian investor?
• What does the Bible say about investing?
• What types of returns make for a great investment?
• What about the role of risk in investments?
• How do eternal mindsets influence the way we work, live, and invest?
• ... and many more.

Part One of the book looks at who "Faith Driven Investors" are. Tim Keller believes that such investors derive their identity from Christ instead of getting their identity through their work. Andy Crouch helps us distinguish between serving God and serving Money before showing us how to resist the temptations of Mammon. Obie McKenzie goes to the source of Faith-Driven Investment: The Bible. Finny Kuruvilla reminds us that with great wealth and influence comes great responsibility. Luke Roush looks at the laws pertaining to rules and regulations and shows us the importance of cultural engagement. He shares some stories about meaningful work derived from faith convictions. Cathie Wood shares her story of "disruptive innovation" to find creative ways to invest in opportunities often discarded by others. Greg Lernihan redefines returns beyond mere financial numbers and exhorts us toward biblical living, hiring the marginalized, and learning from faith-filled leaders. 3

Part Two looks at the consequences of Faith-Driven Investments. John and Ashely Marsh help us see the beauty in broken things. More importantly, God fixes broken people as well. Henry Kaestner uses the parable of the talents to help us understand the difference between reckless and wise investments. Will Thomas shares the story of "Ambassador Impact Network" to provide faith-based entrepreneurs with help in integrating faith and work. Efosa Ojomo and Richard Okello take us toward global investments, with a particular focus on Africa. Jessica Kim looks at the critical relationship between entrepreneurs and investors. Bryce Butler tells us about "One-Pocket Investing" and invites us to ask questions about the link between our investing and our values. Casey Crawford ends the chapter with a renewed focus on eternity. 

My Thoughts

This book boldly urges us to let our faith do all our investing. It affirms the need for us to steward the financial resources that God has given to us. It warns us about the dangers of letting money do all the talking. No. Our faith should be the one that is talking. It is the conviction of the authors that our faith informs the way we work, live, and invest. The famous phrase in this world is: "Money makes the world go round." Indeed, people point to how money matters can drive people to do the most incredible or insane things. For the sake of money, people uproot their families or make drastic lifestyle choices. Some sell their bodies while many sell their souls. Christians often face a stark choice: Choose either the ways of the world or the Way of Jesus. In fact, if we are not for God, we are for everything else that is against God. Sounds drastic? Not really. There is no such thing as neutral. For all of us in the world have already sinned against God. Refusal to choose God explicitly means we are still in sin. 

The contributors justify their approach by referring often to biblical teachings about money, stewardship, and the faithful use of the resources God has given to us. With stories that link their faith to their work, readers will find the book an encouraging read. The stories also tell us the human side of the contributors. With the wide range of people sharing the common goal of faithful investment, I believe there is at least one story that readers will identify with. There are many ways to invest our time and resources and this book essentially gives us a respectable range of testimonies to inspire us in our work. Our faith matters to our work. There is no dichotomy between faith and work. For Faith-Driven Investing is the link for us to practice our faith in whatever we do. Let this book guide even the most skeptical hearts to consider once again the redemptive and restorative aspect of Faith-Driven Investing.

Henry Kaestner cofounded the Faith Driven Entrepreneur, Investing, and Giving ministries, where he seeks to serve faith-driven investors, funds, partners, advisers, and entrepreneurs through content and community. He is also a cofounder and partner at Sovereign’s Capital.

Timothy Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. He is also the chairman and cofounder of Redeemer City to City (CTC), which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for ministries in an urban environment.

Cathie Wood is the founder and CIO/CEO of ARK Invest. With over forty years of experience identifying and investing in innovation, Cathie founded ARK to focus solely on disruptive innovation while adding new dimensions to research.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale Momentum Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.