Finding Godly Financial Counsel

Many Christians seeking advice on financial matters ask the question, "How can I find good Christian counsel that I can trust?" But perhaps a better question would be, "How can I tell when I find good Christian counsel?"

There are two areas to consider when beginning you search:

• The first is how they are compensated. It is very difficult to receive unbiased advice from someone who is trying to sell a financial product. So, an obvious limitation that Christians should easily recognize is whether the people giving them financial advice are actually giving wise advice or just a sales pitch. Seek a fee-only financial planner or investment advisor that is also a believer in Christ.

• The second part is to find financial counselors with like minds, attitudes, and principles. Many financial advisors who profess to be Christians live lifestyles that are far from Christ-like. Likewise there are those who are very good Christians, but they have no knowledge or wisdom concerning the biblical principles of finances.

There are many guidelines in God's Word for seeking and selecting good godly counsel. So, although seeking counsel is advised, selecting wise counsel is crucial. 

Principles for seeking and selecting good financial counsel

There are four basic principles that Christians need to consider in seeking and selecting good godly financial counsel.

1. Seek and choose Christian counsel. 

Seek and select financial counselors on the basis of a common value system. For Christians, that means to seek counsel from those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Psalm 1:1 says "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!". This does not imply that non-Christians can't give good financial advice. But the standards by which decisions are made must be based on God's Word and a Christian character, rather than on the world's humanistic get-ahead-at-all-costs standards. A non-believer is foreign the beliefs of Christians.

2. Seek and select wise counsel. 

Proverbs 13:20 says "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm". The fact that people are professed Christians does not qualify them to be good financial counselors. All too often Christians throw wisdom and caution to the wind when it comes to taking advice from professed Christians. Christian counselors must be in regular communication with God and seek His wisdom before any decision is made. So, not only must counselors be knowledgeable in areas of biblical principles in finance but they also must regularly seek God's wisdom in prayer and in the study of His Word. 

3. Seek and select multiple qualified counselors. 

proverbs 15:22 says "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed". No financial counselor can be expert in all areas of finance. The areas of taxes, securities, stocks, bonds, and real estate are so complex in today's society that only with a variety of good financial counselors who are expert in their respective fields of finance can Christians hope to attain a well rounded perspective of biblical financial principles. 

4. Weigh all counsel given. 

Proverbs 14:15 says "The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps". The purpose of counsel is to offer suggestions, alternatives, and options, not to make decisions on behalf of counselees. Even the best financial counsel in the world lacks an essential element necessary to make sound and wise financial decisions God's plan for the lives of the counselees. Therefore you should always pray before making any financial decision. Remember its His money you are managing. The peace of God or lack of peace as a result of prayer is an indisputable indicator of God's preferred directive. In addition, each decision should be tested against God's Word. If it is not consistent with the purity and the spirit of God's Word, the decision should be rejected. Counselors' motives and actions also should be evaluated. If counselors will deceive others on the counselees' behalf, they also will most likely eventually deceive the counselee. Review the track record of any and all people who offer their counsel. Just because they are Christian does not mean that they have been successful in their financial counsel.

Conclusion

The best method for locating good, godly financial counsel is from other Christians who have been helped. This could be fellow church attendees, pastors, or Christian businesspeople. Additionally, this type of information could perhaps be found at Christian professional associations, societies, and organizations, both locally and nationally.

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