Some of the costliest financial mistakes are made in isolation.
When big decisions come our way, pride and pressure can convince us that we need to figure everything out ourselves. But God designed us to walk in community, and His wisdom often comes through trusted voices. Seeking wise counsel is not a sign of weakness—it is a key part of faithful stewardship.
Some of the costliest financial mistakes are made in isolation.
When big decisions come our way, pride and pressure can convince us that we need to figure everything out ourselves. But God designed us to walk in community, and His wisdom often comes through trusted voices. Seeking wise counsel is not a sign of weakness—it is a key part of faithful stewardship.
Have you ever faced a financial decision that felt heavier than your confidence could carry?
Maybe it was whether to buy a home. Perhaps it was changing careers, helping aging parents, navigating a difficult season in marriage, or deciding how to prepare for retirement. In those moments, the questions come quickly:
What if I get this wrong?
What if I overlook something important?
What if I regret this later?
And often, beneath all of those questions is the assumption that you should be able to figure it out by yourself.
But God never intended for you to walk through life’s biggest decisions alone.
Wisdom Often Comes Through Community
One of the clearest themes in Scripture is that wisdom often comes through community. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
That is not only a proverb about leadership. It is a principle for everyday life—including our finances.
Sometimes we think wisdom is found only in personal research, spreadsheets, calculators, or online content. Those tools can certainly be helpful. But biblical wisdom is more than information. It includes discernment, humility, perspective, and the willingness to receive insight from others.
That is why Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Notice the contrast: foolishness is not always recklessness. Sometimes it is simply refusing to listen.
Wisdom begins when we acknowledge that we may not see the whole picture. And that takes humility.
Humility Opens the Door to Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
To fear the Lord means recognizing that God is God and we are not. We submit our plans, our preferences, and even our financial assumptions to Him. We stop asking only, “What do I want to do?” and begin asking, “Lord, what would You have me do?”
That kind of humility also opens us to receive the people God may use in our lives.
Sometimes that person is a mentor who has walked through a season you are now entering. Sometimes it is a trusted friend who knows you well enough to ask hard questions. Sometimes it is an older believer whose experience can spare you from avoidable mistakes. And sometimes it is a professional advisor who brings technical expertise shaped by biblical values, such as a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®).
But ignoring wise voices can have destructive consequences.
Rehoboam’s Warning
Scripture gives us a sobering example in Rehoboam, the son of Solomon.
In 1 Kings 12, when Rehoboam became king, the people asked him to lighten the heavy burdens placed on them. At first, he sought counsel from the older men who had advised his father. They urged him to lead with humility and serve the people.
But Rehoboam rejected their wisdom.
Instead, he turned to younger voices that echoed his pride and ambition. Their advice was simple: be harsher, be stronger, demand more.
He followed their counsel, and the result was devastating. The kingdom was split in two. What began as a leadership decision became a national tragedy.
Why? Because Rehoboam preferred affirmation over wisdom. He chose voices that told him what he wanted to hear instead of what he needed to hear.
That temptation is still with us today.
Wise Counsel Does More Than Validate Us
When making financial decisions, we can easily look for voices that justify our desires, reinforce our fears, or confirm what we have already decided.
But wise counsel does not merely validate us. It helps us see what we cannot see on our own.
Sometimes, wise voices serve as guardrails. They keep us from drifting into the ditches of greed, fear, impulsiveness, or self-reliance. They help us slow down, think clearly, and align our choices with God’s purposes.
That may mean someone helps you recognize that a purchase is moving too quickly. It may mean an advisor helps you see the long-term impact of a financial decision. It may mean a trusted friend reminds you that generosity, contentment, and faithfulness matter just as much as the numbers.
Ultimately, wise counsel leads to wiser decisions.
Don’t Carry the Decision Alone
So, what financial decision are you carrying right now?
Maybe it is time to stop carrying it alone. Ask God to show you who He has already placed around you. Make a list of trusted people you can reach out to. Invite wise voices into your decision-making process.
Do not isolate. Do not assume asking for help is a weakness. Often, it is one of the strongest acts of stewardship you can make.
Faithful stewardship is not just about making the right financial choice. It is about making decisions with humility, wisdom, and dependence on God.
And one of the ways God often gives us wisdom is through the people He places around us.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
My identity was stolen about five years ago, and I’m still receiving notices for debts and accounts I never opened. I’ve frozen my credit and disputed the fraudulent charges, but banks and lenders continue turning me down. What else can I do to clean this up?
I receive Social Security and a pension. How should I think about giving tithes and offerings from that income?
My wife owes me a little over $40,000 from a 0% loan I gave her to help save her late mother’s house from foreclosure. We put the agreement in writing, but the repayment period has long passed, and she would have to wipe out her retirement to repay me. I can afford to forgive the loan, but she hasn’t asked for forgiveness. From a biblical and marital standpoint, should I forgive it anyway?
What’s the difference between a living trust and a will, and how do I know which one is better for my estate plan?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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