This past Sunday Lucy, Mireya and I had the pleasure of attending a workshop on
“Sabbath Economics.”
“Sabbath Economics?” You say. No, this wasn’t a workshop on what
circumstances Sabbath-keepers are allowed to spend money on Saturdays. The
workshop focused on how a conscience Christian can invest their money in ways
that help their neighbors. Chad Meyers, the presenter, used an analogy of two
banks:
The first bank is the traditional bank that we’re all familiar with. In
this bank you take your “beans” and deposit them. The bank takes your
beans and turns them into a commodity to be traded in the open market.
They might trade your beans for other beans, for oil, for coffee, anything they
want so long as it results in the maximum profit for them and interest for you.
The second bank takes your beans and gives them to the other farmers in your
community to plant with. When the farmers produce their own beans they
give back to the bank along with a little interest. This bank is more
interested in the community well being rather than getting you the most
percentage back on interest.
These analogies are, of course, very simplistic. The three of us who
attended the workshop also received 2 books about the topic and we’ll be reading
them and incorporating the best parts into the tithe appeals and hopefully other
financial workshops throughout the coming year.
Now, a long list of links that would helpful to anyone considering socially
conscientious investing.
Bartimaeus Coopertive, Chad’s ministry
bcm-net.org
UFE raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy,
corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart.
www.faireconomy.org
More info on Sabbath Economics
www.sabbatheconomics.org
More info on Socially Responsible Investing
sristudies.org
Inter-faith Center on Corporate Responsibility
www.iccr.org
Oiko Credit provides micro-financing to third world entrepreneurs.
www.oikocredit.org
More info on community investing
communityinvest.org
More info on community investing
opportunityfinance.net
More info on socially responsible finances
socialfunds.com
Fair-trade coffee, tea, chocolate
equalexchange.com
A socially responsible faith based bank in Chicago.
sbk.com
Socially responsible investing
calvert.com