John Wesley (1703–1791) was the founder of the Methodist Church (the Uniting Church in Australia was formed by the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches). In 1760 Wesley delivered his oft-quoted sermon on “The Use of Money”. Widely considered the model for modern day ethical investing, “The Use of Money” stresses the importance of the right use of money, in essence advising you to “gain all you can, save all you can, then give all you can”.
However he cautions that we should gain all we can but “not at the expense of life, nor at the expense of our health…nor without hurting our mind. Therefore we may not engage or continue in any sinful trade; any that is contrary to the law of God or of our country…without hurting our neighbour … in his body … nor by hurting our neighbour in his soul”. He concludes by advising “to gain all (you) can by using in your business all the understanding which God has given you … and … make the best of all that is in your hands".