Knoxville Investments | Storehouse Advisory Group | Knoxville | Tennessee | Investments | Insurance | Retirement | Financial Planning
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our Founder
  • Services
  • Moral Investing
    • The Dilemma
    • What is BRI?
    • Scriptural Basis
  • Contact
  • Links
  • Blog

S. Truett Cathey, "It Was My Pleasure..."

9/8/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today, as I reflect on the life and death of S. Truett Cathey, founder of Chick-Fil-A, I am reminded why I have chosen to do business in an entirely unique, almost un-American, way. I am also encouraged by the countless number of people who are choosing to follow in Mr. Cathey's footsteps.

I am thankful for the life of Mr. Cathey, for his unyielding pursuit of being in business without becoming like the business world. His commitment to do business with the highest biblical standards was, and is, rare in the American economy. So many forget that God wants us to be Christian in our business endeavors too. Not, Mr. Cathey. 

Most American food chains would tell you that they couldn't survive without Sunday business, yet Chick-Fil-A does. I am told that virtually every mall lease requires all mall stores/vendors to be open on Sundays. Malls across America have consistently made an exception for Chick-Fil-A. Why? Because Chick-Fil-A has consistently demonstrated that they could produce more business in six days than the mall's other stores could in seven. God blesses obedience to His word. God has obviously blessed Chick-Fil-A.

So, what does a Godly business look like? First, it is courageous - daring to be different. It treats it's employees fairly and maintains high standards for their conduct and appearance. It is kind, serving each and every customer and vendor, with respect, courtesy and joy. It maintains the highest standards of quality for both it's product and it's service. It gives back to the community around it, in purposeful and meaningful ways. And, most importantly, it reflects Godly character to a lost world, pointing people to Him.

I am told by those who knew Mr. Cathey, that he consistently modeled Christian character in both his personal and business life. Can a business be Christian? We will leave that up to you to decide, but nobody can argue that Mr. Cathey's business didn't reflect his belief in God.

In the early hours of this morning, S. Truett Cathey heard his Master say, "Well done My good and faithful servant." I can just imagine Mr. Cathey's response... "It was my pleasure." 

0 Comments

The Product of Careless Humans...

9/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
This may be my shortest blog post ever, in part because few words are needed to make the point. 

The Facebook post at right appeared on my news feed this morning and I was struck by the irony of the words and society's failure to see the much larger issue at hand.

What if we were to substitute these images with pictures of aborted babies?  Will our moral compass allow us to say that unwanted pregnancies are the "product of careless humans?" Aren't those babies being "thrown away like trash?"

Like these kittens, abortion is not an "isolated incident or uncommon drama." Each year, in the United States alone, more than 1.2 million babies are aborted. Since abortion was legalized in 1973, more than 50 million children have been killed because of "careless humans." Right here in Tennessee, in an average year, 16,000-18,000 babies are aborted. Yet, where is the outrage?

Where is our sense of priority?

0 Comments

One Semi-Politician's Comments on Values...

8/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dr. Ben Carson is being courted as a potential GOP candidate for President in 2016. This is not intended as an endorsement of him as a candidate because there simply is not enough information to form such an opinion at this time. This is, however, a close look at a statement Dr. Carson recently made regarding the source of his strength.

Dr. Carson was asked, "From where do you expect to draw the most support." His answer was candid and priceless, "Honestly, I don't care." Of course, his answer drew a round of laughter from The National Press Club, to whom he was speaking, but he followed that statement by saying, "I'm serious. As long as I have the support of God, that's what matters to me." It would appear Dr. Carson is more concerned about what God thinks of him than he is the image he creates with the media, which is in and of itself a value.

Tying in to yesterday's blog post, Dr. Carson went on to say that the reason America rose to such a prominent place in the world as quickly as it did was because we live by Godly principles such as, "loving your fellow man, caring about your neighbor, developing your God-given talents to your utmost so that you become valuable to the people around you, and of having values and principles that govern your life." Carson went on to say that if we can regain those attributes, we will truly be One Nation.

Over the last 20-30 years, we've been told that we can't exercise our beliefs and values in the public square. Furthermore, it would appear, based on results, that the current system isn't working. My question for you as readers is, would a return to these values return America to the right track? If so, how do we begin to change the culture of business, government, education, and more to accept values and beliefs that are right and good? That isn't intended as a rhetorical question, how do we do it? What steps need to occur in order to get us back on track?

0 Comments

Should Businesses be Social Activists?

8/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Do businesses have a soul or a conscience? Can a business express a belief and if so, who determines that belief? These questions and more come to mind when Hobby Lobby refuses contraception coverage or Pepsi gives to a homosexual cause.

First, as Christians, God instructs us (people) to serve others, to give and to be fair in our dealings. But, does the Bible say anything to business entities? Does God hold businesses or people accountable? What is a business entity and what makes some types of businesses different? These are the questions I began asking myself over the last year, as more and more businesses on both sides of the issues find themselves struggling to serve their markets without alienating substantial portions of their market.

Perhaps the most important element for us to consider is the legal structure of the business and how that impacts a business' social activism. Businesses can be organized in any number of formats, but at the end of the day, one factor seems to draw a distinction in whether or not a company can legitimately and fairly express itself in the social arena. That is who owns the business? In its simplest form, a business could be a sole-proprietor, LLC, or even corporation, that is owned by a single person. A slightly more complex company might be owned by a family or a smaller group of associated people. On the more complex side, you would have companies that are owned by large groups of stockholders, or perhaps even other companies.

In the simplest of those business forms, it would be fairly easy for a business owner to make a moral decision regarding his company - it is, after all, 100% his company, his values, and his risk.  One such example might be a local baker that chooses not to cater homosexual weddings, or another that elects to refuse service to a local company that isn't considered environmentally-friendly. In the middle you have a company that, while its ownership pool is a little wider, could still reasonably make decisions base on its ownership's values - think Hobby Lobby, which is family owned. On the far end of the spectrum, however, we have companies that typically have thousands of shareholders (owners); companies like Apple, whose CEO, Tim Cook, recently said, "We want to leave the world better than we found it." That is certainly a nice soundbite, but according to whose standards? His? Shareholder #213,549? Who decides how Apple makes the world better? Can companies like Apple reasonably reflect the values of all their shareholders (owners)?

Here is my bottom line. I don't think a publicly-traded company can have a values system. Values are a creation of the mind, heart and soul, not an assembly line. Values are human and should always be expressed by humans. Economist Milton Friedman famously said in 1970, "There is one and only one social responsibility of business -- to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits." Companies should generate their profits, return them to the shareholders and allow the individuals to make decisions about how and what they will support with their profits. Publicly-traded companies that do otherwise are robbing owners of their possessions and their right to determine what those possessions support.  

Publicly-traded companies would do themselves (and their bottom lines) a major favor by refusing to become activists (on either side) and avoiding alienation of potential buyers. This is what they owe their ownership (you). On the other hand, when privately-held (closely-held) companies want to stray into those waters, that is within their rights. After all, they own 100% of the company and assume all the risks of activism. 

I'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts? 

If corporate activism concerns you, then you should learn what the companies your mutual funds and retirement accounts are supporting. Visit www.StorehouseAdvisors.com to learn the details. 
0 Comments

Abortion on Wall Street, Part 2

10/5/2011

0 Comments

 
Unfortunately, abortion is alive and well on Wall Street. And, many pro-life investors are unwittingly making a killing from this killing business.

While Planned Parenthood and other women’s rights groups have been extremely successful in a campaign to draw support from America’s corporations, Wall Street support for abortion comes in a variety of formats. 

Some companies, such as Pediatrix, are direct participants in the abortion business. Some, such as Stericycle, indirectly provide critical services needed by the industry (Stericycle contracts with PP clinics to dispose of aborted babies). Danco Labs, and similar companies, manufacture abortion inducing drugs. Yet others, like Starbucks, provide financial support through corporate giving to organizations like Planned Parenthood - America's largest provider of abortion services.

So, you ask, “What’s a pro-life investor to do?” In short, the same thing liberal investors have been doing for years - participate in a Values-Based Investing (VBI) program - specifically a Biblically-Responsible Investing (BRI) program. 

Until recently, VBI funds have been dominated by socially- liberal causes. Now, however, conservative-minded investors can take advantage of this concept. Many Christian financial advisors now have tools to screen companies and mutual funds that contradict biblical values.
0 Comments

Abortion on Wall Street, Part 1

10/5/2011

0 Comments

 
There's a moral dilemma facing many Christian investors. The question surrounds the concept of moral investing. Where does a Christian investor draw the line? We are sometimes encouraged to forego purchases by boycotting companies that engage in anti-Christian behavior. And, while the intent is noble, I would suggest that there is an even greater (and more important) consideration.

Certainly, there is Biblical support for avoiding (where possible) doing business with such companies, but what about OWNING such a company? Should a Christian OWN a company that produces pornography or participates in the abortion industry? 

As stockholders in such companies, Christians ARE owners. Each share of stock represents a proportional ownership interest in the company. Shareholders in a company have bought that company's stock because they have expressed an interest in profiting from the company's business activities. 

So, I ask again. Should a Christian OWN stock in such a company? Is it possible to own stock in the porn or casino industries, and at the same time genuinely pray for an end to porn and gambling? What about a company in the abortion business? Can we OWN it and pray for an end to the holocaust that makes it profitable? 

You say, "But I just own mutual funds or a variable annuity." Guess what... ownership of shares in a mutual fund or variable annuity represents proportional interest in the underlying stocks - so we remain stockholders in every company that mutual fund holds in it's portfolio. Do you know what you OWN? 
0 Comments

Is Gold Set to Crash? The Answer...

9/28/2011

1 Comment

 
As gold has soared, there has been much speculation as to when the gold bubble will burst.  And, with its recent slide, many wonder if its already bursting. 

Is gold overvalued?  Taking into consideration its historic pricing in inflation-adjusted dollars, gold is actually nowhere near its previous highs.  At its inflation-adjusted peak in 1980, gold was trading at about $850/ounce.  Based on today’s prices, one would assume that gold is trading at multiples over its historic highs.  In reality, gold would have to reach almost $2,420/ounce to match its inflation-adjusted 1980 high.  

With such widespread uncertainty in the world economy and a deepening concern over the stability of the world’s major currencies, investors are turning to gold as a safe haven.  As a result, gold's prices have skyrocketed.  That being said, is there really any reason for investors to feel any better about the world markets and economy?  In fact, the current pullback is likely no more than a brief respite before the next shoe drops on the economic news front.

Since President Nixon removed the US Dollar (USD) from the gold standard in 1971, our currency has been manipulated by the Federal Reserve to the point of near worthlessness.  Over the 24 months proceeding September 2011, the USD lost as much as 31% against the currencies of Japan, Switzerland, Australia and Canada, and lost more than 20% to the much maligned Euro in the last 18 months alone.  There's no realistic reason to believe this devaluing isn't going to continue.

With the USD and other major currencies in a tailspin, investors are turning to gold as a trusted store of value and the increased demand has driven its prices northward. 

So, will gold's trend continue?  Adjusted for inflation, it would appear there is more room for growth.  Any significant trend downward would depend largely on the world’s economic powers exercising good stewardship.  Given their track record, I’d bet on gold!
1 Comment

Your 401(k): Take It or Leave It?

9/24/2011

0 Comments

 
Many workers routinely leave their retirement plans behind when they leave for another job, or when they retire.  And, in the interest of full disclosure, there are some legitimate reasons for doing so.  On the whole, however, holding onto an old 401(k) is not the wisest strategy.  Here’s why…

EXPENSES

By conservative estimates, disclosed and hidden plan expenses cost participants an average of 3-5% annually, with as many as 14 different entities profiting from literally dozens of potential charges. 

Discussing 401(k) expenses in a PBS interview, John Bogle, founder of Vanguard, said, “The financial system puts up 0% of the capital, takes 0% of the risk and gets almost 80% of the return… That is a financial system that is failing investors…”

And, as the industry increasingly markets fee-stacked Asset Allocation and Target Date offerings, average total expenses could easily soar beyond current estimates to 5, 6 or even 7%.

LIMITED INVESTMENT CHOICES

If your plan is like most, it probably offers fewer than 20-25 investment options.  How those particular funds found their way into your plan should concern you.  

Conflicts of interest may be influencing fund selection recommendations.  In some cases, Providers manage or own the funds they are recommending.  In other instances, they are receiving compensation from the recommended funds.  Too often, these conflicts result in the inclusion of inferior investment options inside your plan.

Additionally, these limited offerings often provide investors with little opportunity for proper, high-quality allocation among small, mid, large and international sectors. 

WASHINGTON MONEY GRAB

Congressional and White House debate concerning a potential government takeover of 401(k) plans has created quite a stir over the last few months.  Most of the discussion has surrounded the idea of consolidating 401(k)s into something akin to the Social Security system, a plan that presents many problems. 

As proposed, the government would become the beneficiary of your plan at your death – not your family or heirs.  Essentially, the government would give you an annuity payment, and eliminate your access to the cash value of your account.  And, finally, the government would also select the investments. 

Is this possible?  The government might attempt to justify the seizure under ERISA, the law that governs employer plans.  There are many motivations for such a wealth confiscation.  Aside from the obvious, politicians could see this $6-8 Trillion source of wealth as a resource to shore up the struggling Social Security and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation programs.  

THE SOLUTION

In most cases, rolling over your 401(k) to a personal IRA is the optimal choice.  Done properly, you maintain the tax advantages, while opening your account to a universe of investments.  Proper allocation, utilizing higher quality investments, becomes more realistic.  And, many, if not all, of the hidden expenses associated with 401(k) plans are eliminated, increasing your opportunity for greater returns.  A rollover into an IRA will give you and your advisor the tools to manage risks, return and expenses more effectively.

0 Comments

Worldy or Wordly: Comparing Two Health Corporations

9/13/2011

2 Comments

 
The Storehouse Advisor: Steve Arnold (steve@storehouseadvisors.com)

You are a Christian investor - investing what the Lord has entrusted to your care.  Which of the following health care corporations would you prefer to own and profit from?  Where would the Lord prefer His money be placed?  Let's hear your thoughts... 

Lifepoint Hospitals (LPNT), based in Brentwood, TN, operates 52 facilities in 17 states, employing almost 17,000.  Lifepoint is driven by its High Five guiding principles, which “guide our actions and decision making and define what communities can expect from us as a healthcare partner.”  Aside from its outstanding record of satisfaction and care, Lifepoint is also civic minded.  In response to Haiti’s earthquake disaster, Lifepoint founded the national Hope for Haiti campaign, which has proven to be one of the most important contributors to Haiti relief efforts.  Lifepoint’s CEO even finds time to serve his church as worship leader.  

Stericycle (SRCL) is a $7 Billion corporation providing medical waste services in nine countries.   According to sources, Stericycle maintains contracts with more than 500 Planned Parenthood clinics, and hundreds more abortion facilities around the US and the world.  Under these contracts, Stericycle agrees to dispose of the medical waste generated by these facilities.  Of course, abortion procedures produce aborted babies, which Stericycle must incinerate under the terms of its contracts.  Among the larger mutual fund families to hold Stericycle are American Funds, Fidelity, Vanguard and Morgan Stanley.  Contact Storehouse Advisory Group to see if your mutual fund or 401(k) is holding Stericycle, and therefore subjecting you to profit from abortion-related businesses.

Send comments to: steve@storehouseadvisors.com




2 Comments

Solutions to Health Insurance Cost

9/8/2011

3 Comments

 
Guest Blogger: Nick Smith nick@smithhealth.org

There’s one thing no one is telling you about our current healthcare problems…
Whether you’re working for a large corporation, running a small business, or happen to be unemployed, there’s a good chance you are paying more for healthcare than you should. 

So what is the solution?  I could get really boring and impress you with a bunch of insurance jargon, but instead I’ll sum it up this way.  Over the last 10 years, Congress has passed several laws and tax incentives that could easily decrease your out-of-pocket healthcare expenses by $2,000 to $8,000 annually.  For a variety of reasons, most health insurance agents have not taken the time to adequately understand these changes.

We believe that the key to fighting extreme health insurance costs is YOU, the American consumer, who throughout history has been able to adapt and overcome all types of obstacles. We believe that with the right tools and knowledge everybody can play a role in busting up the currently broken system. 

As we launch new consumer health insurance solutions, we have made some commitments.  We are dedicated to busting up the “old school” approach of the greedy, commission-focused insurance agent. We will team with businesses and individuals, providing them with the knowledge and innovative resources they need.  Together, we will become the solution to out-of-control health insurance costs.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
ABOUT NICK: Nick Smith, founder of Smith Health, has spent much time and energy learning the nuances of the health insurance industry, as well as the intricacies of the laws and IRS regulations that govern it.  Nick’s innovative solutions for driving down costs aren’t winning many fans in the insurance industry, because they put the client’s needs ahead of the agent’s.  Discover how Nick can help you control the cost of your healthcare.

3 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    Stephen R. Arnold
                                E-Mail

    About the author...

    Stephen Arnold is the Founder of Storehouse Advisory Group, a Tennessee-based financial planning and investment advisory firm specializing in Biblically-Responsible Investing. 

    Storehouse Advisory Group is registered with the Securities Division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

    Archives

    September 2014
    August 2014
    October 2011
    September 2011
    June 2011
    April 2010

    Categories

    All
    401k
    Abortion
    Banking
    Bible
    Capital Gains
    Christian
    Commodities
    Economy
    Fdic
    Fed
    Financial Planning
    Gold
    Health Care
    Insurance
    Investing
    Investments
    Irs
    Moral
    Retirement
    Stocks
    Taxes

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.