What should I look for in a Christian financial professional?

Biblical Worldview
God as the Ultimate Authority – A Christian financial professional should first and foremost acknowledge God as his/her ultimate authority and the Bible as His infallible word given to mankind to guide and direct all behavior. A Christian financial professional should seek to incorporate and practice Biblical principles and wisdom into the advice he/she gives to his/her clients.

Emphasis on Stewardship
A Christian financial professional should understand that God owns everything and that we are only managers (Psalm 24:1). He/She should see that every spending decision is a spiritual decision.

Eternal Perspective on Money
The professional should have an eternal perspective on life and the use of money. A Christian financial professional should help the client set a Biblical worldview of his/her financial future as opposed to a “secular” worldview—funding God’s Kingdom as a focal point instead of accumulating money for the client’s use only.

Responsible Spending
A Christian financial professional should see the need to set long-term financial goals (Proverbs 16:9) —seeing time as a tool not an enemy (Proverbs 6:6-8). This includes focusing on avoiding a consumptive lifestyle by living within one’s means, spending less than one earns (Proverbs 13:11) and saving and investing (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The professional should view the use of debt as something that should be avoided whenever possible (Proverbs 22:7).

Integrity
A Christian financial professional should maintain the highest level of professional integrity by maintaining confidential relationships with his/her clients and by having a firm commitment to operate within the law.
A Christian financial professional should demonstrate objectivity when working with the client. This includes the ability to listen carefully to the client as the professional seeks to discern the person’s objectives. When dealing with a married couple, the professional should weigh both people’s goals and interests equally. The professional should also put the client’s best interest above his/her own.

Professional Competency
A Christian financial professional should have obtained the proper education, training and/or designation to prepare him/her to perform comprehensive financial services for his/her client while always striving to improve his/her competence to practice.

A Good Reputation
The professional should work honestly with clients, other associated professionals and government officials. A Christian financial professional should be held in high regard by his/her peers and clients, and he/she should be considered a leader in the community and church in which he/she belongs.