The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church is committed to responsible stewardship of financial resources. Such stewardship means balancing our fiscal obligation to obtain a reasonable rate of return on investments with our responsibility to use such economic power for the realization of the goals outlined in the Social Principles and the Book of Resolutions of our Church. We affirm that all financial resources of the Church and its members are God-given resources, to be held in trust for use or investment in ways that promote the reign of God on earth. Further, we recognize that every investment has ethical dimensions.
Financial investments have consequences that are both fiscal and social.
We believe social justice and social usefulness must be given consideration together with financial security and financial yield in the investment of funds by the General Board of Church and Society. Socially responsible investing by Christian institutions and individuals must take into account both sets of considerations. Grateful for all of God's gifts in creation, and affirming our belief in the Church as an accountable steward of these, we renew our commitment to become faithful and just stewards to the ends of the earth, and within the depths of our life and work together. The combination of fiscal and social responsibilities mandates the need for a set of policies to guide our investments and other related activities. Military contracts can be for gasoline, buttons, etc.