Faith-based investing grows out of a long Christian tradition often referred to as Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI). At its heart is a simple conviction: money is not neutral, and investing decisions should reflect biblical values—not just financial outcomes.
Historically, BRI focused primarily on avoidance—choosing not to invest in companies whose core activities clearly conflicted with Scripture. Over time, many Christians began asking broader questions about how capital could also support what is good and encourage better behavior in the world. From that work, three commonly used approaches emerged.
The Three Approaches
Avoid
Choosing not to support companies whose primary activities conflict with biblical convictions—especially those that harm life, dignity, or truth. This is typically applied through screening that removes certain companies from investment funds.
Embrace
Intentionally supporting businesses that operate with integrity, serve real human needs, and contribute to human flourishing.
Engage
Using ownership and influence—such as proxy voting or dialogue—to encourage accountability, transparency, and better outcomes over time.
These approaches are often used together.
An Important Note on Discernment
Within the faith-based investing space, there is not complete agreement on every issue or screening decision. Faithful Christians sometimes reach different conclusions about where lines should be drawn or how specific situations should be handled.
Harvest seeks to be Bible-based and thoughtful, applying shared Christian principles consistently rather than tailoring portfolios around every individual conviction. This reflects a posture of humility—recognizing both the importance of alignment and the limits of consensus in a complex world.
Faith-based investing is about intentional stewardship: choosing to invest with discernment rather than simply defaulting to the priorities of the broader market.
How Harvest Applies This
Harvest aims to invest primarily in faith-based investment products, building diversified portfolios through funds that intentionally apply one or more of the approaches above—Avoid, Embrace, and Engage.
Harvest does not select individual companies. This fund-based approach allows biblical principles to be applied consistently and at scale, while remaining disciplined and diversified.
Harvest also seeks wise counsel in this process. We work with experienced faith-based portfolio leadership to help inform decisions and navigate areas where discernment is required.
The focus is to invest faithfully, with conviction and care, while acknowledging the realities of markets and the need for humility.