Discover God’s Story for Investing is an ongoing series that examines faithful investing from the biblical story in coordination with the Eventide Center for Faith & Investment.
How often do you check out online reviews before deciding whether to eat at a restaurant or buy a certain product?
This trend is well known, according to Discover God’s Story for Investing, which encourage people of faith to take it a step further when looking into a company’s background by stressing, “businesses contribute to the common good by producing ‘goods’ that are truly good and ‘services’ that truly serve.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3, 14
Discover God’s Story for Investing reminds us that many passages of the Bible show us that all things were created by Him, and for Him. As such, we are to reflect God’s work in our own work and to work with one another for the benefit of the community, which allows us to honor God’s glory.
Action Steps
How can you research a company to assess if that firm is serving God with the products it creates and the services it provides? It may not be as difficult as you might think.
Check out a company’s website: Specifically, check out the company’s “About Us” page to gain insights into its stated mission on core values. Look for language that aligns with your values, and company statements that suggest ethical practices and community support.
Don’t forget social media: In addition to the website, you may also want to check out what a company says on social media. Some companies may react to day-to-day news events, which can provide more insights into their corporate culture.
What about employees? Several platforms allow former and current employees to comment on a company’s business practices. It’s important to remember that individuals can have bad experiences from time to time, so what you’re looking for are any ongoing patterns or trends.
“Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed companies that profess to be based on biblical principles actually put the almighty dollar in front of those biblical principles, resulting in a bad witness to non-Christian employees,” wrote Mick Owens, author of the popular book Diamond of Life: The Five P’s of Success and Significance.
“Colossians 4:5 instructs us to ‘conduct yourself with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity,’” he said.
While researching a company’s public image can provide you with some insights, it’s important to rely on your own judgment when determining whether a business aligns with your values.
And remember, you’re not alone.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,” Mark 11:24.
