President Joe Biden's first veto of his presidency blocked legislation to prevent environmental, social, and governance data from being used in investment decisions. Even so, Christians have an opportunity to lead on this issue differently.

In a 2019 study, 64% of Christian -based financial planners and advisers indicated using faith-based investments with “some” of their clients — a form of investing purposefully aligned with clients' values.

Investing with convictions, not mandates, is here to stay. People of faith are well positioned to leverage this movement to change the world for the better.

In recent years, more organizations have launched faith-based impact funds, valued at hundreds of millions, to give Christians a way to provide not only for themselves and their families but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable as well as in the biblical stewardship of God’s creation.

For example, in a post-Roe v. Wade world, Christians’ efforts to promote the sanctity of life cannot stop at the ballot box. We must also consider how we can elevate the quality of life for everyone from conception to death, and impact investing makes this possible.

Take into account that 81% of women living below the poverty line who chose abortion cited the lack of resources to raise a child as their primary reason. At GuideStone, one of our impact strategies is to invest in securities and companies that support affordable rental housing and build cost-effective, child-friendly communities for low-income women who are heads of their households. Such investments can help remove some of the financial impediments these women may face in carrying the child to term. Access to safe housing does more than just protect the life of the mother and help her in keeping her baby. Stable housing can also directly benefit children by improving their health and education outcomes , decreasing the likelihood they will remain in a cycle of poverty.

This is just one example of many that illustrates the potential of investing for impact. And a growing trend in the finance industry shows that more people, not just Christians, want to participate in this type of intentionality.

While younger generations are already thinking this way , older generations have become interested in shifting their assets to support their values and worldview. As a Christian with a 37-year tenure in the financial services industry, I can attest firsthand how the investing landscape has changed. We believe investors don’t have to sacrifice their financial returns to make an impact or wait until retirement to advance their causes.

In this current cultural climate, more Christians have the opportunity and responsibility to honor God through the way they invest. They can do well and do good at the same time.

We can expect politicians and governments to continue to debate policies around ESG formulas or other cultural flavors of the month, but Christians have an alternative today: impacting society in a biblically responsible way through their investments.

We don’t have to wait on Washington legislators or regulators to usher in a new era of investing. When it comes to the sanctity of life and other shared values, our faith community can put its money where our mouths are to protect all life and to see its flourishing on God’s Earth.

David Spika, CFA, is president and chief investment officer of GuideStone Capital Management, LLC, the investment adviser to GuideStone Funds.