The Christian faith encompasses our heart, our head, and our hands. Faith is not just about belief or conviction, but about aligning head and heart in ways that transform how we live.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23

That includes how we invest. Jesus’ invitation touches every area of life—including how we manage our money. A faithful theology of investing brings our faith to life through practical action.

While we can’t offer a full theology of investing here, we’ll explore three key principles grounded in our relationship with God—illustrated through our interaction with creation, others, and ourselves.

INVESTING IS AN ACT OF CULTIVATING CREATION, LIVING OUT THE MANDATE IN GENESIS.

1 - Relationship with Creation

Investing is an act of cultivating creation, living out the mandate in Genesis.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” — Genesis 2:15

All creation belongs to God. But we’ve been entrusted as stewards, called to cultivate and develop what He’s made. Investing is part of this stewardship. It reallocates resources so they can be used productively—turning raw materials into buildings, barren land into farms, and ideas into life-giving innovations.

While sin distorts this process, the underlying design of creation remains oriented toward fruitfulness. Financial returns are part of this process—but they are a byproduct. The real goal is faithful stewardship that glorifies God by cultivating His world.

INVESTMENTS OFTEN TIE OUR HEARTS TO THE OUTCOMES OF THE BUSINESSES WE SUPPORT. IF WE INVEST WITH GOD’S PURPOSES IN MIND, OUR HEARTS WILL BE SHAPED TO LOVE WHAT HE LOVES.

2 - Relationship with Others

Investing is an act of loving our neighbor, using what God has entrusted to support human flourishing.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22:39b

As civilization advances, investing plays a role in helping people flourish. When we provide capital to businesses, we support meaningful work, job creation, and the production of goods and services that meet real needs.

Investment capital is vital to economic growth. And while investors take on risk, their investment can bless communities and unlock shared value.

In ancient Israel, God’s people were sometimes called to take financial risk for the benefit of others, even without return. Jesus echoes this in Luke 6:35: “... lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” This teaches us that people are not merely a means to profit—they are co-beneficiaries of our stewardship.

An investment that returns all benefit to the investor, leaving none for others, fails the test of neighborly love. Biblical investing should reflect mutual blessing and shared dignity.

3 - Relationship to Ourselves

Investing can be an act of spiritual formation—our investments shape our hearts. 

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21

Jesus points to the deep connection between our heart and our treasure. When we long for God, we steward resources with generosity and faithfulness. But the reverse

is also true: how we invest can influence what we value.

Investments often tie our hearts to the outcomes of the businesses we support. If we invest with God’s purposes in mind, our hearts will be shaped to love what He loves.

INVESTING CULTIVATES GOD’S CREATION BY TURNING UNPRODUCTIVE ASSETS INTO FRUITFUL CAPITAL THAT SUPPORTS JOBS, GOODS, AND SERVICES—AND ULTIMATELY, HUMAN FLOURISHING.

So, What Is a Theology of Investing?

Financial profit alone doesn’t justify investing. Returns are a legitimate outcome—but not the only one. Investing should also aim for creation care, community flourishing, and heart transformation.

A biblical vision of investing might sound like this: Investing cultivates God’s creation by turning unproductive assets into fruitful capital that supports jobs, goods, and services—and ultimately, human flourishing. 

Done well, investing produces returns and blesses others. It engages us in fruitful, mutually beneficial economic activity. And as we do so with God’s heart, we are formed more into the likeness of Christ.

The Trap of Wealth

But a theology of investing must also account for the danger of wealth itself.

“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation... that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” — 1 Timothy 6:9 Wealth wants to be our provider. It tempts us to place our trust in portfolios rather than God. When life seems to flow from swiping cards, we risk forgetting that every breath depends on our Creator.

Greed is idolatry because it offers the same false promise given to Adam and Eve—that we can have God’s blessings without needing God. When we invest for kingdom impact rather than mere financial gain, the grip of wealth weakens. We begin to prioritize impact over return, and may even choose lower returns if they allow us to better love our neighbor or cultivate creation.

Final Thought

When guided by God’s purposes, investing becomes more than a financial decision—it becomes worship. A way to love our neighbor. A tool for shaping our hearts. And ultimately, an act that glorifies God and brings joy to the investor.

This article was published in our Faithful Steward magazine, a quarterly publication filled with encouraging stories, biblical teaching, and practical tools to help you grow as a wise and joyful giver. If you'd like to begin receiving Faithful Steward, consider becoming a FaithFi partner.