Faith plays a significant role in shaping individual beliefs, values, and behaviours. Christianity, in particular, emphasises moral responsibility, stewardship, and ethical decision-making (Smith et al., 2022). This project explores how Christian faith influences ethical financial decision-making among business students at Avondale University. Using semi-structured, in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, it will investigate how students navigate financial choices such as budgeting, giving, and investing through the lens of faith-based values like stewardship, honesty, and generosity, and the extent to which their faith guides their financial choices.
Key insights:
Previous research has explored the intersection of Christian faith and financial decision-making, emphasising ethical considerations grounded in biblical principles such as stewardship, honesty and social responsibility (e.g., Smith et al., 2022). Studies also suggest that Christian beliefs influence attitudes towards wealth accumulation, budgeting, saving, debt management, charitable giving, ethical consumption and investment (e.g., Romero, 2025). Religious teachings may therefore shape not only financial behaviour but also moral reasoning, personal identity and understandings of financial success, responsibility and vocation, particularly among business professionals and church leaders (Ante & Sutrisno, 2025; Romero, 2025).
However, comparatively little is known about how Christian students, particularly those studying business-related disciplines, interpret and apply faith-based principles in everyday financial decisions. University represents an important formative period during which students develop financial habits, professional identities and future leadership aspirations. Further research is therefore needed to understand the moral frameworks students use—including duty-based principles such as honesty, accountability and debt repayment, and virtues such as prudence, generosity, integrity and compassion.
The project will also examine whether faith-informed financial decision-making involves straightforward adherence to religious principles or a more complex process of discernment and negotiation. Particular attention will be given to how students navigate tensions between generosity and financial security, vocation and income maximisation, ethical convictions and attractive financial opportunities, and faith commitments and the practical realities of student life. These insights may strengthen understanding of how business education can integrate financial literacy with ethical, spiritual and vocational formation.
Impact and outcomes:
Using a mixed-methods approach, this study contributes to scholarship on ethical finance, management and spirituality, Christian higher education, business ethics and responsible management education. It advances understanding of how faith, moral identity and vocational purpose shape everyday financial decisions and the development of future business professionals.
The findings have practical implications for business education by demonstrating the value of integrating financial literacy with ethical and spiritual reflection. They can inform curriculum development, teaching cases and classroom activities that help students critically examine budgeting, saving, debt, consumption, giving, investment and career choices through ethical and faith-informed perspectives.
More broadly, the project may support the development of graduates who are technically competent, ethically reflective, socially responsible and purpose-driven. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations and translated into teaching resources for business and accounting education.
Researchers:
A/Prof Seedwell Sithole, Associate Professor (School of Arts & Business), Avondale University
Dr Monique Moore, Senior Lecturer (School of Arts & Business), Avondale University
Jacqueline Calvo, Lecturer (School of Arts & Business), Avondale University
Research outputs:
Funder(s) and amount:
Scripture, Spirituality & Society Research Centre Small Grant: $2,500
Fields of Research Codes:
3501 Accounting, auditing and accountability
3502 Banking, finance and investment
5001 Applied ethics
5004 Religious studies
Status:
Current (2025 - 2026)
Sustainable Development Goals:
