Investing is full of complexities and challenges. Whether one is a seasoned trader or a novice, understanding investment decisions is vital to financial success.
We often discuss risk tolerance and long-term security, but business ethics offers a fresh perspective.
The Divine Nature of Wealth:
Wealth, a blend of human effort and divine endowment, shapes the investor’s role beyond profit-seeking. As stewards of their assets, investors should invest with intention, ensuring that their financial decisions resonate with a deeper sense of purpose and responsibility. This approach emphasizes the meaningful impact of investments, aligning financial strategies with core values and long-term societal betterment.
Protection and Preservation (Sanctity) of Human Life:
At the heart of ethical investing is respect for human life. This principle supports companies that prioritize their employees’ well-being and ensure their products and services enhance human life. Such enterprises minimize harm, advocate for workers’ rights, and contribute to community betterment. Investing in these companies signifies a commitment to uplifting humanity.
Avoidance of Fraud and Misrepresentation in Sales Transactions:
Honesty is the cornerstone of reliable investing. Lessons from the cryptocurrency sector, where many investors faced losses due to undisclosed fraudulent activities, highlight the risks of overlooking transparency. Companies committed to genuine openness build trust, protect their reputations, and foster stability, emphasizing the value of discerning and ethical investment choices.
Charitable Giving — The Ethical Power of Philanthropy:
Beyond mere financial returns, investing carries a moral dimension. Ethical investors often allocate part of their wealth to charitable causes. Companies that support charitable initiatives gain trust from stakeholders, showing that business success and social responsibility can coexist.
The Moral Requirement to Go Beyond the Letter of the Law:
Investing isn’t just about numbers and percentages; it’s also about values and intention. Investors who allocate funds with intention consider companies that have strong ethical foundations and not just those that merely comply with legal requirements. Such companies often demonstrate a commitment to positive societal impact and sustainability.
What I love about these principles is they encourage a balanced approach to investing, where profit-making coexists with moral responsibility and societal welfare. Incorporating values into all your financial dealings can lead to both financial prosperity and a sense of fulfillment in your investment journey.
Are you ready to invest with intention?
Connect with our team (02-624-2788) to put an investment plan in place that not only enriches your own financial future, but the world and community at large.
Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, GFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.Profile-Financial.com He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation on how to set up your American assets to meet your financial goals. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates give tax or legal advice.
Published November 28, 2023.