Faith & Finance - 3 Benefits of Faith-Based Investing with Dr. Finny Kuruvilla
When we invest our hard-earned money, we naturally seek a financial return—but could there be other rewards as well?
Faith-based investing offers more than just financial gains. Today, Finny Kuruvilla joins us to explore the deeper impact of aligning our investments with our values.
Dr. Finny Kuruvilla serves as a Co-Chief Investment Officer, Senior Portfolio Manager, and founding member of Eventide Asset Management, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. He holds an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Harvard University, a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, and a bachelor’s degree from Caltech in Chemistry.
Common Objections to Faith-Based Investing
Indeed, Christians might have different views on some of these, but here are three of the most common that Finny hears consistently:
Objection 1: “I’m not responsible for the actions of the companies I invest in.”
Many investors assume that purchasing stocks or mutual funds does not connect them to a company’s actions. However, investing is ownership. When you purchase shares in a company—whether publicly traded or private—you become a partial owner.
If you owned a small business and that business engaged in unethical practices, it would reflect on you. The same principle applies to publicly traded companies. As shareholders, we are tied to the actions and values of the companies we invest in.
Objection 2: “What difference can I make? These companies are too big.”
Some argue that individual investors cannot influence large corporations. However, history shows that even a small percentage of engaged investors can shape corporate values—just like voting in an election, where small margins can determine the outcome.
Through shareholder engagement, faith-driven investors can influence corporate decision-making. Large companies respond to shareholder resolutions, and when values-aligned investors unite, they can steer businesses toward ethical practices.
Objection 3: “Faith-based investing means I’ll underperform financially.”
A common concern is that limiting investment choices to faith-aligned companies will lead to lower returns. However, research suggests otherwise.
Companies with strong ethical foundations—those that treat employees well, operate with integrity, and provide valuable goods and services—tend to outperform over the long term. Businesses that exploit customers or employees may see short-term gains but often struggle in the long run. Faith-based investing is not just morally sound—it’s also financially strategic.