What Does Your Investment Do?
I have developed a phrase over the last couple of years composed of two questions; “Does it make sense on paper”? and “Does it make sense on purpose”? I use these questions to describe to a potential church borrower how we generally consider their loan application, but I think the same questions could be posed to how we invest our money.
Making sense on paper refers to the alignment of the numbers. When you calculate the risks and the returns of the investment does it work in your favor? In the investment world, this might mean a favorable interest rate and the likelihood the investment will grow. These are common goals when evaluating an investment from a numbers perspective, or in other words, evaluating if it makes sense on paper. There are many places to invest and you have likely noticed the competitiveness of the current environment. It is easy to see how these rates compare on paper.
Comparing the purpose of an investment or investment firm is not as easy. What does your investment help that firm accomplish? This may be obvious in the bank’s mission or marketing material. Your investment may be used to make loans to various borrowers which will assist with the bank’s bottom line. The purpose may be on making grants or supporting the community. Or the purpose may simply be to offer services to the clients.
I Timothy 6:17-19 is a theme verse for the MB Foundation ministry. In verse 18, Paul instructs Timothy to share the opportunity to use money and the resources God has given us “to do good”. To use our resources for the Kingdom of God to see God’s mission accomplished on earth. This addresses the purpose and invites us to consider how we might use our money for the glory of the Lord.
As I talk with churches and am evaluating what is being accomplished, I am listening for what the Lord is doing within the church. I am looking for how the church is accomplishing its mission, i.e. its purpose. This could be reflected in testimonials of life transformation for Christ, or it could be the fruit of the Spirit in the ministry (Galatians 5:22-23). It could be outreach initiatives in the community or around the world.
There are many places to invest for a rate of return. There are fewer places that earn you a rate of return and also allow you to further the Kingdom of God with your investment. I invite you to ask – what does my investment do? And follow that up with “does it make sense on paper and does it make sense on purpose? We invite you to take a prayerful look at what our certificates have to offer!
Bruce Jost, Chief Development Officer
An investment at MB Foundation allows us to minister to churches and pastors seeking loans for buildings or homes while earning you a rate of return. It is a great way to partner together for the Kingdom of God!