In the finance industry, numbers often take center stage. However, as a financial planning professional, there’s another dimension that transcends financial performance: faith. Several faith-based books have influenced my approach to money management over the years, both for my own clients and for myself.
Today, I want to talk about a few of these books and how their teachings have changed the way I think about generosity, stewardship, and finding meaning in our financial decisions. Each book summary below starts with a general description of the book followed by my explanation of how the book aligns with my own financial planning philosophy and personal life.
The Treasure Principle
Author: Randy Alcorn
In his book The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn argues that spending our riches to honor God and help others—rather than acquiring material possessions—is the path to ultimate pleasure. By citing Scripture, he encourages his readers to let go of a mindset of scarcity and instead discover the delight of giving generously.
How this book influences me as a financial planning advisor: Giving generously stores up eternal treasure. This is a great philosophyI use in guiding my clients toward generous living while also being a generous giver myself.
Well Done: 12 Biblical Business Principles for Leaders to Grow Their Business With Kingdom Impact
Author: Ken Gosnell
Ken Gosnell’s book Well Done offers advice to business leaders on how to live a life of order and pursue excellence in both career and personal endeavors. Ken explains how 12 biblical business principles can assist any leader who wants to grow their business and its impact on the Kingdom.
How this book influences me as a financial planning advisor: I use the first principle a lot (“take the second step”), as we always attempt to do more for our clients than anticipated—from extra follow-up to praying with a client over a prayer request they may have.
The Bible
The Bible is a collection of historic religious writings that are revered in Judaism, Christianity, and other Abrahamic faiths. With poetry, laws, biographies, and predictions, among other types of writing, it’s like having a whole library all contained in one book!
How this book influences me as a financial planning advisor: The Bible is the greatest business book ever written. The 31 Proverbs contain some of the best wisdom known to man.
Faith Driven Investing
Contributors include: Cathie Wood, Tim Keller, Finny Kuruvilla & Andy Crouch
According to the authors, faith-driven investing is more than merely staying away from industries historically associated with sinful behavior (such as alcohol and tobacco). Rather, it emphasizes matching your investments to your beliefs.
The idea is to utilize your money to fund businesses that, while still pursuing financial gains, foster innovation and human well-being. This could entail making investments in fields that are thought to have the potential to bring about positive change, such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, or genomics.
How this book influences me as a financial planning advisor: This a great book we often recommend to clients about investing for God’s glory. It contains great Biblical wisdom on allowing your investmentsto align with your values.
The Bottom Line
Proverbs 19:20 tells us to listen to advice and accept discipline so you may be wise as you age.
From my perspective as a professional financial advisor, I interpret this important lesson to mean that seeking guidance and staying disciplined are crucial for financial prosperity.
Join Us!
At EagleFlight Wealth Management, our goal is to be a premier company that offers our clients Christ-centered, Biblically based ideas that allow them to make smart financial choices that align with their values.
We want to help our clients live and retire with dignity and financial confidence by planning their financial future from a Biblical worldview. We do this by partnering with our clients to become better stewards of the resources God has put in their care.
To get in touch to schedule an introductory meeting,call (765) 288-1927 or email barry.hickey@cfdinvestments.com.
About Barry
Barry Hickey is the founder, managing partner, and financial advisor at EagleFlight Wealth Management, a financial services firm based in Muncie, Indiana, helping people live and retire with dignity and financial peace by planning their financial future with a biblical worldview. Barry has been in the financial services field since the mid-1980s. In 2006, inspired by Isaiah 40:31 (“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary.”), Barry became an independent financial advisor and founded EagleFlight with the mission to help people plan for their financial future and find financial peace, and to fulfill the mission God gave him.
Born and raised in Muncie, Barry graduated from Muncie Southside and served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He holds a Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses and the Indiana Life and Health Insurance License. He also holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, Certified Kingdom Advisor®, and Retirement Income Certified Professional® designations.
Outside of work, Barry enjoys reading, watching football and baseball, and spending time with his wife (Carla), children (Kristin, Ryan, and Lauren), and grandchildren (Emmi, Cate, Ben, Maddie, Sophia, Bella, and Brady). His favorite Scripture is Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” To learn more about Barry, connect with him on LinkedIn.
Barry Hickey offers Advisory Services through Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Barry Hickey and Ryan Hickey offer Securities through CFD Investments, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC, 2704 S. Goyer Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. 765-453-9600. EagleFlight Wealth Management is not an affiliate of Creative Financial Designs, Inc. or CFD Investments, Inc.