Aligning Your Financial Goals with God’s Purpose with Rachel McDonough

“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” - Proverbs 20:5

Man’s ultimate purpose is to glorify God, but deciding how to do that can be challenging. Sometimes, we need help from a trusted advisor. I’ll discuss that today with Rachel McDonough. 

Rachel McDonough is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), and a regular Faith & Finance contributor.

The Cultural Challenge: Are We Asking the Right Financial Questions?

Money is more than just a tool—it’s a reflection of our values, priorities, and ultimately, our faith. But how do we ensure that our financial decisions align with God’s purpose for our lives?

As believers, we all want to honor God with the resources He has entrusted to us. However, navigating financial decisions can be overwhelming—especially when culture pushes us in the opposite direction.

Traditional financial planning often starts with one simple question: “What are your financial goals?”

At first glance, that sounds logical. But the problem? It starts with us—our dreams, our desires—rather than seeking God’s plan first.

Many people feel pressure to already have their financial goals figured out. If they don’t, they may experience anxiety, uncertainty, or even guilt. Instead of feeling liberated, they feel like they’re failing.

So, how do we shift from “What do I want?” to “What does God want for me?”

The Heart of Financial Planning: Start with Your Values

Take a step back before setting financial goals. Instead of ready, aim, fire—we should first seek to understand:

• Our values – What matters most in this season of life?
   
• Our priorities – How should we allocate resources to reflect these values?
   
• God’s purpose – What is He calling us to pursue financially?

As Paul David Tripp once said:

“The thing that is your treasure will control your heart, and what controls your heart will control your words, your behaviors, your choices, and your decisions.”

If we start with financial goals before examining our hearts, we risk aiming at the wrong target.

A Real-Life Example: Aligning Values with Financial Decisions

Rachel shared a story about a couple who initially sought financial advice because they wanted to:

1. Build a cabin on a parcel of land they owned.
    
2. Renovate part of their house to improve their living space.

Sounds reasonable, right? But as they went through a values discovery exercise, something surprising happened.

• The wife valued respect and security, yet she was deeply stressed in her job, to the point of tears during their financial planning session.
   
• The husband valued loyalty and family, which made watching his wife suffer painful for him.

After reflecting on their true priorities, they realized now was not the right season for a cabin. Instead, they needed a financial plan that allowed the wife to:

• Move into a less stressful job (even if it meant earning less)
   
• Find financial stability while navigating a large inheritance
   
• Postpone the cabin to a future season once their immediate needs were met

The outcome? A plan that prioritized peace, purpose, and financial security—without regret.

The Role of a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®)

Many financial advisors focus solely on wealth accumulation and goal-setting. But a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®) brings a biblical perspective, asking questions like:

• “What do you think God is calling you to pursue in this season?”
   
• “Do you need more income or more impact?”
   
• “What does surrender look like in your financial life?”

This kind of financial planning frees people from guilt and regret. Instead of chasing worldly success, they begin pursuing God’s best for their lives.

Aligning values with financial goals isn’t just a nice idea—it requires practical steps. In the case of Rachel’s story from earlier, their financial strategy included:

• The wife transitioning to a lower-stress, lower-income job.
   
• The husband re-entering the workforce to ease financial pressure.
   
• Using their inheritance wisely to cover healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in.
   
• Delaying the cabin goal until it was a better fit for their priorities.

Their financial decisions became intentional—not just reactionary.

The Fruit of Biblical Financial Planning

When people approach financial decisions with a heart of surrender, the results are transformational. The fruit we see in people who adopt this mindset is:

• Freedom from regret
   
• Peace and joy in their financial journey
   
• Stronger relationships as they align finances with God’s plan

You're not alone if you’ve ever felt uncertain about your financial goals. Instead of feeling pressured to have it all figured out, take a step back and ask:

• What are my core values?
   
• What is God’s purpose for my finances?
   
• Am I making financial decisions out of trust or fear?

And most importantly:

How can my money reflect what’s most important to me as a Christ-follower?

If you’re looking for a biblical approach to financial planning, consider working with a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®)—a professional trained to help you navigate money through the lens of faith and stewardship. Find a CKA near you at FaithFi.com and click “Find a Professional.”

Because when your finances align with God’s purpose, everything changes.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I would like to know how to invest $5,000 in my 12-year-old daughter's future, specifically how to do so to ensure that the investments align with my biblical values and that the money can grow over time.

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Publication
• SavingForCollege.com
• Timothy Plan | Eventide | OneAscent
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.