Does Your Portfolio Consider Others?
Dr. John Piper’s “Look at the Book” series has been a treasure to my wife and me over the years – A pearl of great value! Recently, as I revisited his expository teaching on Philippians, I found myself challenged to apply the mindset of Philippians 2:3-4 to all areas of life—including our financial decisions and investments!
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
If you’ve been in the church for some time chances are you’ve read or studied this passage. Maybe you’ve even committed it to memory! It’s common for us to think of how we should do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit and consider others through our Acts of Service as we volunteer, or through our Generous Giving, but the challenge i’m currently working through is how should this text also apply to the investment portfolio and practice of Faith-Driven Investing?
Clearly, Paul says “DO NOTHING” from selfish ambition or conceit. He doesn’t say when you volunteer don’t do it selfishly. He doesn’t say, when you write a grant check or make a donation don’t do it selfishly. We are exhorted to DO NOTHING from selfish ambition, and instead, act with HUMILITY in all things, considering others more significant than yourself. This command might seem paradoxical in some context because, if we are honest, most motivations and practices for traditional investing today are driven by self-centered goals: Maximize Return, Minimize Risk, Minimize Taxes – Philippians 2:3-4 challenges us to revisit these approaches with more careful thought.
As Piper emphasizes, Philippians 2:3-4 calls us to ‘lower yourself in love like Jesus.’ This principle begs the question:
How do we invest with humility, considering others above ourselves?
Does that impact what companies we invest in?
Does that impact the terms and time horizon?
How do we invest to see not only our own interest accomplished, but also the interest of others?
I don’t have a prescriptive answer to these questions for you, but I am optimistic in knowing so many Faith-Driven Investors and Kingdom Advisors who are wrestling with these texts and how they apply these biblical principles to ALL areas of our life - Including the portfolio.
In his “Look at the Book”, John Piper emphasizes that the humility described in Philippians 2:3-4 is a call to “lower yourself in love like Jesus.” He argues that this passage challenges believers to seek the good of others above their own, reflecting the selfless nature of Christ, who did not cling to His divine status but instead humbled Himself to serve and save humanity. For Piper, this mindset should permeate all aspects of Christian life, including how we handle finances and investments, encouraging a focus on the collective good rather than personal gain.
What’s in your portfolio?
Would you say your investments are motivated by selfish ambition or conceit?
Can you show me where and how your investments are considering others and looking to their interests alongside your own?
If these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. Join us in exploring how to align your investments with your faith through Faith-Driven Investor Foundation Groups, Eventide’s God’s Story for Investing, and The Steward Investor Masterclass.
Source: https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/holy-god-became-like-us
