Guestsplaining: Chris McMahon on Faith-Based Investing
Jan 22, 2024
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Chris McMahon, CEO of Aquinas Wealth Advisors, discusses faith-based investing, the intersection of faith and finance, unethical practices in portfolios, the role of faith in business, and the significance of prayer and the church in forming authentic relationships.
Investing in faith-based companies allows individuals to align their investments with their Catholic values, ensuring they are not supporting organizations that contradict their beliefs.
Living out the Catholic faith in the workplace involves practical steps such as displaying religious symbols, declining questionable activities, praying openly, and fostering authentic relationships with other men of faith for support and encouragement.
Deep dives
Investing with Faith: Honoring Catholic Values in Investments
Investing with faith and aligning investments with Catholic values is becoming increasingly important. The shift towards social activism and the support of radical views by corporations has raised concerns among faithful investors. Previously, it was easier to invest as companies primarily focused on profitability and dividends. However, there has been a recent trend of companies supporting progressive and controversial causes, which conflicts with Catholic teachings. This has led to the need for investors to form their consciences and invest wisely by considering the values and beliefs upheld by the companies they support. One way to do this is by utilizing tools like the Faith and Finance Score, a technology developed using artificial intelligence. This tool enables investors to gain insight into the alignment of their investments with their faith and provides a detailed report on the performance and faith compatibility of the companies in their portfolio. By taking control of their investments based on their faith, investors can be confident that they are not supporting organizations that contradict their deepest-held beliefs.
The Importance of Living Out the Faith in the Workplace
Living out the Catholic faith in the workplace can be challenging, but there are practical steps that individuals can take. Displaying a crucifix or religious symbol on one's desk or office can be a simple yet powerful way to witness to one's Catholic faith. Politely declining invitations to engage in questionable activities or environments can also convey one's commitment to their beliefs. Additionally, having the courage to pray openly and invite others to join in prayer is a meaningful way to express one's faith. These small acts can make a significant impact on coworkers and create opportunities for conversations about faith. Encouraging authentic relationships with other men of faith and engaging in fellowship can provide much-needed support and encouragement for Catholics in the workplace.
The Role of Priests in Supporting Faithful Catholics in the Business World
Priests play a vital role in supporting Catholics in the business world. By modeling normalcy and kindness, priests can demonstrate that faith is approachable and relatable. Encouraging authentic relationships with priests and creating opportunities for priests to engage in fellowship with Catholic businesspeople can help foster a sense of community and support. Priests can also draw attention to the importance of integrating faith in the workplace through their preaching and pastoral guidance. Providing practical advice, such as displaying religious symbols and having the courage to live out one's faith openly, can empower Catholics to be steadfast in their beliefs.
Do we have to make a choice between investing in faith-based companies or making money on an investment? How to can we be bold Catholics in the workplace? How do we know that we are investing in a morally good company?
In this week's episode, Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Patrick welcome Chris McMahon, CEO of Aquinas Wealth Advisors, to answer these questions and to discuss faith-based investing.