Biblically Responsible Investing Screens Sin Out Of Investments

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photographer Tim Mullican

Story Created: Jan 31, 2013 at 9:29 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 31, 2013 at 11:13 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Jack Alongi lost 50 percent of his retirement investments in the stock market. He made it all back when he became a Biblically Responsible Investor. "We can invest in wholesome investments, something that the lord would do, and still make money," said Alongi.

Financial Analyst Rusty Leonard helped to pioneer Biblically Responsible Investing when he formed "Stewardship Partners" nearly 12 years ago. Leonard screened the companies on the S & P 500 Stock Market Index. He found 300 of them are not involved with alcohol, gambling, tobacco, pornography, homosexuality, among other things. And thus, worthy of his investment.

"If Jesus was here and he had your portfolio, how would he invest? What would he do?" said Leonard. Leonard has more than 15-hundred investors who put their money in separate accounts. That way, he says, it's easier to donate to charity. Despite that, Leonard says Christian colleges, foundations and wealthy Christian families have been suprisingly resistant. "I think when you have a larger sum of money to deal with, the prospect of losing it is something that weighs on you," he said.

Jack Alongi isn't deterred. He says he's glad his investments are selected with integrity. "I find myself in a place to say, are you willing to pay the price? And so I stay the course," he said. Faith that
fortune can come with a little patience.

Since more and more businesses are reaching out to the L.G.B.T. Community, Stewardship Partners says it has become hard to screen out companies for "homosexuality."

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