Is There Any Biblical Basis for ESG and DEI (w/ Don Golden)

On this episode, we’re joined by Don Golden, founder of Just Capital Quotient and Chief Impact Officer at Threefold Private Equity.

Don shares his journey from ministry and humanitarian aid into the business world, focusing on building life-giving economies through Christian principles. Darren asks Don about ESG, DEI, and how business leaders can apply Scripture to modern economic challenges.

Don explains how companies can steward financial, human, social, and natural capital to create intrinsic impact, offering real-world examples of businesses innovating for the good of people and the planet.

https://www.justcapitalquotient.com

Key Takeaways 💡

• Don Golden, founder of Just Capital Quotient, focuses on building life-giving economies by integrating Christian principles into business practices.
• After decades in ministry and humanitarian work, Don shifted to business to directly impact economic systems, recognizing the economy’s power to serve the poor.
• ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is often politicized, but Don encourages Christians to anchor environmental stewardship in Scripture, not media narratives.
• Don promotes a Multi-Capitals Framework, stewarding financial, human, social, and natural capital to create wealth that honors God and serves communities.
• Intrinsic Impact is central to Don’s model: businesses should create positive change naturally through their operations, not only through external charity.
• Threefold Private Equity exemplifies kingdom business by investing in roofing and painting companies that prioritize sustainability, stewardship, and innovation.
• Companies like White Hat Industrials and Power Resources International demonstrate how creativity and stewardship can produce market success and bless communities.
• Don urges Christian leaders to pursue redemptive horizons, moving industries from exploitation toward ethical, regenerative, and sustainable business models.
• On DEI and Affirmative Action, Don stresses that Christians must be agents of reconciliation and equity, despite the political weaponization of these topics.
• Small and medium businesses have unique freedom to build kingdom-centered companies without the heavy-handedness of politicized corporate mandates.
• Don envisions a new economy led by Christian innovators—one that reflects God’s creativity, justice, stewardship, and abundant care for both people and planet.

Christian Business Leader is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God’s will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world, this show is for you.

BIG THANKS to this episode’s sponsor: High Bridge Books

High Bridge Books helps Christ-centered authors build a legacy by crafting and publishing messages and stories that glorify God in all spheres of culture.

• High Bridge Books’ professional book publishing package: https://www.highbridgebooks.com/publishing/ 
• High Bridge Books’ proofreading, line editing, developmental editing, and co-writing services: https://www.highbridgebooks.com/editing-and-proofreading/
• Examples of our books: https://www.highbridgebooks.com/bookstore/

We’re extremely proud that …

• 45% percent of our 204 books under contract were written by authors who have published more than one book with us, and
• 51% percent of our books under contract were referred to us by authors who have previously published with us.

Contact High Bridge Books’ CEO Darren Shearer at [email protected] to get a conversation going about your book!