Are you causing Satan to laugh? Could your values be undermined by your investments without you even knowing it? You might be surprised.

Hundreds gather, signs raised with conviction. A group huddles, holding hands, some on their knees, praying. Cars honk in response to the message. Some in agreement... some in angry rebuttal. Across the street a lady talks at a camera, using the scene as a backdrop as she broadcasts the event for the morning news. Skillfully she chooses her words as she slants her broadcast regarding the human chain across America. A human chain dedicated to enlightening the nation to the God given right to life, the sanctity of the unborn. Sally is one link in that Chain.

There she stands, giving her time, her life, to save the unborn. But this is normal for her and many of the others she stands with. Sally has always been available to spread the message "life is sacred". Volunteering every precious moment possible to counsel pregnant women. Dedicated to prayer and giving whenever and whatever is needed.

Yet Satan laughs!

Monday comes and on her way out of the office Sally picks up her paycheck. Her mind anxiously focused on tonight's Right to Life meeting. Does she know she just contributed a part of her hard-earned pay to an organization that supports abortion!

The laugh grows even wickeder!

Does she realize the voluntary contribution she makes to her 401k plan is being invested in companies that promote many of the principles she fights so hard against? Is it possible she doesn't know her mutual fund is investing in companies that manufacture RU486! With all her dedication, with all her conviction and clearly rightful heart the only conclusion is… she just doesn't know.

And the sickly laugh . . . Continues.

A disturbing bit of fiction that quite possibly is happening day in and day out across the nation. Whether it is abortion, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or any other moral conviction, some of us are, often unknowingly, compromising our principles with the investments we hold. Unknowingly financing the very concerns we so strenuously oppose. Because of quick mergers and takeovers, and the utilization of mutual funds it has become very difficult to be conscious of what your investment portfolio is supporting.

The haze of misinformation or lack of information has hindered or totally hidden the possibility of making a person's principles a part of the investment criteria. But, what if it was possible to invest without compromising your principles or rate of return? Why would anyone do otherwise?

Faith Based investing is accepting the responsibility for the impact our financial decisions make in this world.

Responsible investors realize that their financial decisions affect the future, for themselves, their children and their children's children. Investing money, irrespective of your values, will fund a future that may be void of your values. By realizing your financial influence and being aware of the choices you have available, you can begin to shape your society.
You do this by rewarding those companies that strive to do well in the site of the Lord,

• Fueling family friendly companies,
• Funding pro life alternatives, and
• Financially encouraging moral entertainment.
  

By positioning your financial resources in this manner they fuel the flames of a moral society and starve the wild fires of an out of control society.

Some may argue that over the years there have been discussions that Socially Responsible Investing does not keep up with unscreened investments. If this were true then you would have a decision to make. Either compromise your investment return or compromise your principles. However, results from recent studies save us from either compromise, showing no significant difference in investment returns of a screened portfolio compared to a corresponding now unscreened portfolio.

Once we conclude that we can invest without compromise we are free to develop an investment plan that includes the best of both worlds. We need to be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove. We must utilize strategic investment concepts such as asset allocation formulas, historic data research, and analytical analysis and other worldly knowledge of investments to be wise as serpents. Only investing in companies that do not actively harm people and/or compromise your values, confirm being as gentle as doves. To be the good steward I believe God calls us to be, we must not forsake one for the other.

Investing with Integrity is a choice. God gives us each a free will to choose how we spend our money, how we invest. Don't underestimate the power of your investments; they may bring about more than just a good rate of return. In Gods hands our limited finances become infinite finance. Look what he did with a couple of loaves of bread and a few fish.

Some say that our culture is at war. The good news is our God has extended each and every one of us an invitation to participate on the side of the Victor.

You may already be doing this with your prayers or your personal involvement in outreaches, helping the poor, feeding the hungry, filtering your internet, not spending your money on products or services you find offensive. And after reading this I hope you have seen how the same integrity can be brought to your investments.

I encourage you today to actively seek out the investment adviser who can help you realize financial peace within your investments by helping you invest your principles and convictions as well as your money.

Mark is co-founder of the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants, host of the "Financial Peace" weekly radio program, and featured columnist for CBS Marketwatch, Money Talk, etc.