It is common for most Christians to make donations to causes they believe in. This is Christian giving and it is important, good, and often is necessary. “However, donations alone are insufficient and can be damaging” (Don Simmons, p.44). Don Simmons goes on to say that “when we deploy God’s resources through business, we participate in creating wealth” (p.50), something Moses affirmed in Deuteronomy 8:18.
We must be stewards of all that God has given us such as financial wealth, but also social, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual wealth. As stewards, we go beyond and on to investing (i.e. expecting a return on investment.) Most likely, if you are reading this, you have a portfolio which includes investments. Again, to quote Don Simmons, “what percentage of your after-tax investments have you allocated to missional investments?” It is this option which broaches the question of investing in Business as Mission operations.
How to start thinking about this?
- Start by reading the book, The Steward Investor, by Don Simmons
- To get the “lay of the land” of investing in Kingdom Frontier Markets (BAM companies), download the Pragma Investment Market Study, 2024. https://www.pragmaadvisors.com/investment-study
- Connect with a Kingdom-minded financial advisor, experienced investor, other trusted friend, and a training course.
- IBEC partners with Triventure, where courses, coaching, and capital combine to help startups get on their way, using a loan approach to startup capital.
- Other capital funds which we have experience with are Lion’s Den Birmingham, OPEN Capital Fund, Talanton, Transformational SME, YWAM Investment Fund, AgGrandize, and Impact Foundation. These, among others, are described in the Pragma Investment Market Study.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com