Investors Seek Financial, Spiritual Enrichment

April 1, 2006 — -- The Bible's main financial lesson may be to avoid debt, but a growing number of the faithful are taking the Bible's message a step further -- using it as a guide to blending faith and finance.

The Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil, but at a special financial seminar at the Free Church in Gainesville, Ga., worshippers are asked what their money management tells them about their walk with Christ.

"I choose to not let money rule my life," says Pat Turner, a member of Free Chapel Worship in Thomaston, Ga. "And I want to learn how to just do what the Lord wants me to do with my money -- not what I want to do with it."

Shane Moore from Clarksville, Ga., believes that "anything you're going through in life, you know you can always find the answer in the Bible -- and so just as well financial matters."

The Bible contains more references to money than to heaven. Crown Financial Ministries, which runs monthly seminars, says that makes the good book a good guide for all financial decisions.

'Set a Good Example'

Dane and Kristi Robertson of Flowery Branch, Ga., found a mutual fund that invests only in companies that adhere to their Christian values. Kristi says her choices are all about her faith and her children.

"I'm not out to boycott anyone," she says. "I'm just out to feel good about what I'm putting my money into, and to set a good example for my children."

The Robertsons turned to Christian financial planner Steve Walker, a fellow worshipper at their church. He asks his clients: "If you really believe God owns it all, do you think they he wants his money invested in abortion, pornography and the gay agenda?"

Nearly all religious funds screen out companies involved in alcohol, tobacco, pornography and gambling.

Many also bar companies involved in abortion, or companies that offer same-sex benefits to employees.

Funds Differ

But there are dozens of funds, and they can be highly specialized:

Christian Science funds bar pharmaceutical companies.

Islamic funds bar companies that sell pork.

Presbyterian funds bar companies involved in firearms.

The Robertsons have no worries their decision to avoid certain companies will hurt their bottom line.

"I have faith the money will grow," Dane says. "And it doesn't matter because it meets my convictions. I feel better about it, and I'd rather invest in something I feel good about going into."

One of the funds that the Robertsons are invested in -- The Timothy Plan -- earned 19 percent last year. That is higher than any other fund of its class, religious or not.

But do you have to sacrifice some return in order to follow your religious conscience?The religious-driven funds in general do perform slightly under the market. But analysts say it may be because they have not yet attracted the most talented fund managers, not because they are screening out some companies.

ABC News' Andrea Canning and Felicia Biberica reported this story for "World News Tonight."