Stock Simulation and Mutual Funds: A Pedagogical Tool for Faith-Based Investing and Interfaith Understanding

Abstract

It is increasingly important to understand the fundamentals of investing and, for many, the ability to integrate faith and ethics with investing decisions. This is especially relevant for employees and students in Christian higher education. Most employees in Christian higher education are enrolled in retirement plans that obligate them to make investing decisions and the majority of students, with their first job after graduation, will be making investing decisions that will impact their future. Research indicates that young people lack financial skills, and consequently have given little or no consideration to integrating their faith with investing. This is also true for many working adults, including employees in Christian higher education, and for those that would like to integrate faith and ethics with investing there is often limited or no opportunity offered by their employers. This paper addresses these dynamics and discusses the following: (1) the biblical basis for and against investing for the future, (2) the trends in retirement plans and Social Security that are forcing individuals to invest, (3) a creative method for learning the fundamentals of investing and faith-based and socially responsible investing, and (4) faith-based and socially responsible mutual funds and the lessons they provide beyond investing. The implications for Christian colleges and universities are presented, which include making personal financial instruction available for all students. This should be done in a fashion that is enjoyable for students and teaches additional important concepts such as interfaith understanding.