Three Questions to Ask a Faith-Based Financial Planner Before You Commit

Introduction

Picking the right advisor is one of the most important steps you’ll take to steward your money well. If faith matters in your finances, you need more than competence. You need an advisor who starts from your beliefs and builds practical plans from there. Below are three focused questions to ask any faith-based financial planner before you sign anything. Ask them, listen for specifics, and let your values lead the conversation.

Question 1: How do you integrate faith into financial advice?

This is the core question. A faith-based financial planner should be able to explain, in concrete terms, how faith informs recommendations. Listen for examples, not slogans. Do they start by asking about your giving goals, church commitments, and the causes you care about? Do they talk about biblically responsible investing, estate plans that honor legacy, or tax strategies that support generosity?

If the advisor speaks only in numbers or pivots quickly to product options, that’s a red flag. A Christian financial advisor who truly puts values first will describe processes: how they assess your charitable intent, how they translate stewardship language into allocation choices, and how they structure giving to be tax efficient. That’s different from merely adding a “faith-friendly” fund at the end of an otherwise standard plan.

Question 2: What does biblically responsible investing look like in your practice?

Not every faith-based financial planner screens for the same things. Ask for specifics. Do they use negative screens to exclude certain industries? Do they favor positive screens that tilt toward companies demonstrating strong stewardship, ethical governance, or community impact? Can they show examples of funds or ETFs they recommend and explain why?

A good Christian financial advisor will outline trade-offs: stricter screens can limit diversification, while broader faith-friendly strategies might include more sectors but still reflect values. Ask how they balance conscience and performance. Ask also how they verify that a fund’s stated values match its holdings. Look for transparency and a willingness to explain methodology in plain language.

Question 3: How will you help me make charitable giving part of the plan?

Generosity is a central expression of faith, and it should be embedded in your financial roadmap. A faith-based financial planner should walk you through practical ways to give that also support long-term goals. Will they recommend donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, or charitable remainder trusts when appropriate? How do they model legacy gifts and annual giving into retirement income projections?

A Christian financial advisor who values giving will show how philanthropy fits inside budgets and withdrawal strategies, not as an afterthought. They should be able to present scenarios: what happens if you increase giving by X percent, or if you set up a legacy gift of Y dollars. The planner should help you make choices that are spiritually meaningful and financially sustainable.

Follow-up: Ask for a sample plan and references

Once you hear answers to those three questions, ask for a sample plan or case study that reflects faith-first planning. This gives you insight into how the advisor actually writes recommendations. Also request references from clients whose priorities match yours. Talk to those clients about both the technical skill and the planner’s sensitivity to values.

A Christian financial advisor who is confident about their approach will not hesitate to provide examples and references. A faith-based financial planner who values transparency will offer clear documentation of how they implemented biblically responsible investing, estate planning, and ongoing stewardship coaching.

Red flags and what to avoid

There are a few things that should make you pause. If an advisor claims to be faith-centered but can’t describe concrete methods for screening or integrating giving, that’s a warning sign. If they push high-fee products without explaining alternatives or minimize questions about legacy, proceed cautiously. Also be wary of advisors who promise guaranteed returns or who pressure you to make quick decisions.

On the flip side, a Christian financial advisor worth your time will speak plainly, welcome tough questions, and align recommendations with your stated convictions. A faith-based financial planner will make your spiritual priorities central to the planning process and will be able to show how each recommendation honors those priorities.

Practical next steps after the interview

After the interview, compare notes. Which advisor described a clear path to biblically responsible investing? Who gave concrete examples of integrating giving into retirement? Which planner offered a sample plan you could follow? Use those comparisons to narrow your choice.

Make sure the advisor operates as a fiduciary. Confirm credentials and check for any disciplinary history. Schedule a second meeting when necessary to review a draft plan. Your relationship with a faith-based financial planner should feel collaborative, not transactional.

Conclusion

Asking three direct questions, how faith is integrated, what biblically responsible investing looks like, and how charitable giving is embedded, will reveal whether an advisor is truly values-first. A Christian financial advisor who answers these questions with clarity and examples will help you craft a financial plan that reflects your faith, supports your family, and honors your commitments. Don’t settle for vague language. Ask for specifics, insist on transparency, and choose the planner who treats your spiritual priorities as essential to the work.