Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

• Newsprint, markers, and tape

Preparation for Activity

• Write on newsprint and post:
  • For investment basics: the “Tutorials” page of investopedia.com or the “Investments” page of SaveAndInvest.org.

Description of Activity

Invite participants to brainstorm a list of words that come to mind when they think of the word “investment.” Encourage them to think broadly and creatively. Then offer this definition:

An investment is a contribution of time, energy, or money in hopes of future benefit.

Ask:

When have you invested time, energy, or money in something or someone in hopes of future benefit—for yourself, for society, or for the person or entity in which you made the investment?

Allow a few moments for participants to reflect. Then ask:

When have you made a financial investment in hopes of future benefit, either through the stock market, or within your community and family networks? What was your goal? What did you learn in the process?

Again, allow a few moments for reflection. Invite a few reflections and responses. If your group explored microcredit in Workshop 7, remind them that microcredit loans are also a form of investment.

Acknowledge that participants have varying degrees of familiarity with financial investment terminology and processes and that some may know little or nothing about the subject. Explain that the purpose of this workshop is not to provide education for investing in the stock market, but rather to explore the spiritual and ethical issues that surround investment. Tell them that financial investment, including investment in the stock market, concerns us all because whether or not we personally participate in that form of investment, institutions to which we are connected- congregations, cities, states, banks and insurance companies, for example- do invest money in the stock market. Call attention to the links you have posted, saying that these are good places to find out more about how to invest funds.