First and foremost, I study the bible to know and understand what the LORD has to say on the subject of giving, work, money management, saving, investing, and wealth building. I also read a lot of books and articles to learn how to avoid scam artists because some people believe a sucker is born every minute and they try to make you one of them. Nobody cares more about what God has entrusted to me and making sure that it is used to do His will than God and I do. Thus, guidance I come upon that does not line up with biblical principles and methods that fit therein do not get utilized in my life no matter who the advisor is. I wish the same for you and therefore I am providing this guide.
Let’s be clear some financial advisors are trustworthy and should be consulted and used. They have a heart to do the best to help you get into a sound financial condition and to bring increase to your life and family via righteous standards and methods. They help you get a complete financial picture of your situation, let you know what is lacking, what you need to do, how that will help you, and where in a LORD glorifying way it will take you. They do not exert the high level of pressure many other advisors exert in order to sell things you do not really need in order to make lots of money from you via exorbitant commission and fees.
Many financial advisors or whatever they call themselves (brokers, counselors, agents, CFP’s, CFA’s, retirement investment specialists, etc.) push financial products upon people that are not suitable for the individual’s financial condition or for anyone’s financial condition for that matter. Thus, you must be knowledgeable, intentional, and watchful when selecting and using a professional that is paid via commissions and fees on the sale of financial products. Also, be careful of those who want any type of control over decisions regarding your money and how it can be given, invested, and/or spent. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!!!
Each person who desires to be a good steward of the money and resources to which God entrusts Him should have at least several counselors from whom he/she gleans knowledge and understanding so wisdom can be employed in the use of money and resources including the making, giving, saving, investing, and spending of it. Such counselors can be a conglomeration of people you personally interview after referral by people you know who have a lengthy history of being good stewards from a biblical perspective. This could also include advice given by organizations like Crown.org, DaveRamsey.com, SoundmindInvesting.com and other Christian based financial teaching sources.
The fact that you use advisors does not mean that you actually have to give a particular financial advisor or brokerage house carte blanche (control or power of attorney) over money entrusted to you. For example, I am the best person to manage what I've been given, so I oversee it as a general contractor does his/her subcontractors on a construction site. I will not utilize everyone I come into contact with and that includes some very close friends that work in the financial services industry (for whom I have a great personal respect). Yet, I glean knowledge from them and they from me on occasion on a variety of subjects in which we’re both interested. Only God and I reserve the right to choose advisors I will use and where income and assets He entrusted to me will be given, saved, invested, and spent. I exhort you to follow a similar method to make sure you choose financial advisors and sources of guidance who can teach you well and show by example the godly things you should consider and pathway you should intentionally walk in order to please the LORD.
Please pray for this ministry and email me with any questions. May the LORD bless you richly as you follow His plan!
Proverbs 11:14, 22:3, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Matthew 6:33, 2Corinthians 11:3, 2John 1:10
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