By Zak Lutz
Zak Lutz, CFP®, RLP®, CKA® is the Chief Investment Officer and a Partner at LifeGuide Financial Advisors.
September 10, 2025 | Field Guide
This is the second post in our two-part mini series, Faith in Finance. Read the first post here: Faith in Finance (Part 1): Why should I work with a Christian financial advisor?
“What makes a Christian financial advisor different from any other advisor?” As a Christian faith-based financial advising firm, we hear this question often. And while we can’t speak for every Christian advisor out there (after all, each advisor brings their own convictions, experiences, employer limitations, and frameworks to the table), we want to share how our faith shapes our approach.
Let me start with a story. This is a true story about a couple I recently met with (names changed for anonymity):
Mark and Rachel were planning for retirement and needed some guidance.
After decades in a high-pressure, high-paying career, Mark felt a deep pull to step away from his job and into ministry. He wanted to do a lot more to mentor youth and support refugee relief efforts through their local church.
When they first met with a large national investment management company to discuss their next steps, the advisor told them, “If you’re making that kind of money, you should keep making it as long as possible.”
Looking to gain another perspective, Mark and Rachel decided to meet with us. And as they recounted this conversation during our first meeting together, Rachel described having a sinking feeling in her stomach. She and Mark didn’t want to just keep accumulating “more”; they wanted their finances (and their lives!) to serve a bigger purpose.
I remember feeling saddened hearing about their experience! Here was a couple clearly passionate about what truly mattered and getting advice to “stuff that down” so they could keep accumulating more.
A few weeks after our conversation, Rachel emailed me to let me know that they were thinking about using a good portion of what they were going to invest with us to instead buy a house for a family in need.
I can’t tell you how excited I was to read that email. Would that decision ultimately mean less money invested through LifeGuide? You bet. But did it mean more going toward the ultimate investment—an investment in the Kingdom of God? 100%!
I share this story because THIS is what comes to mind when someone asks me how what we do is different than a “secular” advisor.
Yes, there are a lot of practical ways this plays out. But above everything else, it’s a difference in overall priorities and focus.
In his book, Redeeming Money, author Paul Tripp sums it up like this:
“Could it be that when it comes to finances, we have the whole thing upside down? When we think of money, we tend to think of it as God’s primary means of providing for us and, oh, yes, he has called us to give. Could it be that Scripture teaches that God’s primary purpose for money is that we would be tools of his generosity mission on earth and, oh, yes, he also uses it to daily provide for us?”
Another illustration we frequently use to embrace this perspective shift comes from author Randy Alcorn. He uses a simple but powerful illustration of our earthly life as a single “dot” and eternity stretching from that dot like an endless “line.”
While we can’t speak for every Christian financial advisor out there, here are six ways our faith-driven worldview defines our approach to financial advising:
We’ve all felt that familiar voice inside telling us “Once I have $____, then I’ll be [happy, content, more generous, at peace, etc.].” But be honest: has that voice ever proved to be correct?
That’s because wealth is a great tool but a lousy goal.
At LifeGuide, we help our clients look past the cultural obsession with “keeping up with the Joneses”, encouraging (and even challenging!) them to ask, “How can my resources support the dreams God has placed on my heart?”
Through our in-depth, biblical Financial Life Planning process, we help our clients discover and live out the truth that real success—true riches—isn’t found in the pursuit of “more”. It’s found in aligning our financial lives around what’s most important: partnering with Him to make an eternal, Kingdom-sized impact on the people and causes closest to our hearts.
In other words: We help clients view their wealth as a powerful way to join in God’s mission.
In traditional financial planning, the goal is often to accumulate as much wealth as possible, with “more” seen as inherently better. But we’ve seen how this mindset can create stress, anxiety, and dissonance, ultimately leading to an endless need for security in wealth rather than in God.
Jesus teaches that “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
At LifeGuide, we embrace a counter-cultural approach to money. Instead of simply pursuing “more money”, we help our clients pursue more purpose, more contentment, and more generosity.
Practically speaking, we love helping our clients adopt both an accumulation finish line (a cap on what they aim to amass) and a lifestyle finish line (a maximum threshold for their lifestyle).
We’ve found that when they’re able to decide what “enough” means and looks like for them, they can finally liberate themselves from the powerful hold money can have. They’re freed from the need to accumulate wealth obsessively and can now use it to make a lasting, eternal impact!
In other words: We help free clients from constant consumption and redirect resources toward what truly matters.
The traditional, cultural view of retirement is about escaping work (finally!) to enjoy some much-deserved leisure. But we believe this view sells retirement far short!
Work is one of the primary ways to serve others, and therefore, we don’t see retirement as a time to stop contributing—we see it as a season to realign priorities.
Instead of focusing on retirement as “leisure for as long as possible,” we want our clients to view it as a new chapter to make a meaningful impact in ways that give them new life and energy—whether through continued work, volunteering, or mentoring.
This shift dramatically impacts the financial plan, as retirement is seen not as an escape but as an opportunity to live out God’s calling in fresh ways!
In other words: We help clients reframe retirement as a purpose-filled new chapter in life.
In traditional advising, leaving a substantial inheritance to children is often the default. And while leaving all your wealth to your children may seem like the most loving choice on the surface, research and experience suggest otherwise. 1
In his book, The Millionaire Next Door, author Thomas Stanley highlights an unexpected truth: too much money can actually harm families rather than help them.
Excessive wealth can unintentionally diminish a person’s drive to be productive, foster a sense of entitlement, and create family conflict. It can even erode self-confidence, cause marital strain, and, as 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns, lead to spiritual struggles and “many griefs” by creating a dependency on money rather than on faith and values.
We understand that every family situation is unique, and we work closely with clients to determine the right balance. Our goal is to help our clients leave a thoughtful inheritance that supports their children’s growth without undermining their independence or sense of purpose. By helping them set an intentional limit on what they leave for their family, they’re free to use their estate to make an even greater impact on other people and causes closest to their hearts.
In other words: A thoughtfully planned inheritance nurtures resilience and faith in the next generation, allowing clients to make an impact beyond just their family.
Traditional financial life planning has many people leaving their wealth to charitable causes after they die. While this can be beneficial, Jesus calls us to be generous while we’re still here on Earth! Giving during one’s lifetime requires faith and intentionality, showing trust in God’s provision and experiencing the joy of generosity firsthand.
By helping clients set an accumulation limit and clearly define what they wish to leave to family, we help them free up their resources to make a difference now! This approach is not only personally fulfilling, it’s also often more tax-efficient! And it allows clients to make the most of their wealth while actively living out their faith.
In other words: We encourage clients to experience the joy and faith-building impact of generosity now.
Investing with purpose and integrity is increasingly important in today’s landscape—which is great! However, traditional investment advice too often emphasizes growth without regard for ethical considerations.
In contrast, we help clients align their portfolios with their unique Christian values and convictions. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, we encourage our clients to explore their personal convictions, finding investment opportunities that honor God while still allowing for growth!
One way we do this is by offering Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), which screens for companies that reflect biblical principles. This approach prioritizes moral clarity and stewardship, helping investors avoid profiting from industries or practices that contradict their values (such as abortion, pornography, or human rights violations). BRI goes beyond avoiding harm and seeks to generate a positive impact through investments that uphold human dignity and care for creation. You can read more about BRI here.
Because every client’s conviction is different, we offer a spectrum of values-based strategies—from governance-focused models focused on maximizing shareholder value, to “zero tolerance” approaches with rigorous screening that often goes beyond BRI. This range allows us to build portfolios that don’t just reflect market realities but reflect the heart and mission God has given each client.
In other words: We help our clients invest with intentionality, building portfolios that reflect their Christian values and convictions.
So, what makes a faith-based financial advisor different? For us at LifeGuide, it’s our commitment to keep God at the center, reshaping financial goals with an eternal perspective in mind. Each aspect of our guidance—from helping clients set finish lines to redefining retirement—flows from a desire to invest in what truly matters and will truly last!
For us as Christian advisors, it’s not just about the “dot” of this life; it’s about investing in the “line” of eternity. And by helping our clients align the resources entrusted to them around God’s greater purposes, we help them take hold of a truly rich life!
Our approach is best summed up in Paul’s letter to Timothy:
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
– 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 (NLT)
Verses like this and stories like Mark and Rachel’s remind us that biblically-based financial planning is about realigning our financial decisions around God’s greater purposes—trusting that when we seek first the Kingdom, everything else will follow.
If you’d like to learn how LifeGuide Financial Advisors can help you achieve financial peace and live your most faithful and fulfilled life, we invite you to book a free Exploration Meeting through our website, or call us at (717) 796-1700.
This complimentary meeting will help us get to know you and better understand your needs and what you’re hoping to accomplish through our work together.
Whether you’re looking for flexible hourly planning and advice through our popular LifeGuide Hourly service, or you’re ready to explore a comprehensive investment management strategy, the first step is to have an introductory conversation with our team.
With offices in Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and Mount Joy, PA, we welcome in-person meetings for clients located in southcentral PA and surrounding communities. Virtual appointments are also available at any time, as we service clients across the United States!
Aligning your faith and finances can start with a simple, no-pressure conversation.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information, and “LifeGuide Financial Advisors, LLC” shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.View and opinions are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.Index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. Index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss, and the reinvestment of dividends and other income. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.
When an investment process considers environmental, social, and governance factors (“ESG”), the advisor may choose to avoid investments that might otherwise be considered or sell investments due to changes in ESG risk factors as part of the overall investment decision process. The use of environmental, social, and governance factors may impact investment exposure to issuers, industries, sectors, and countries, potentially resulting in higher or lower returns than a similar investment strategy without such screens.