Faith & Finance - 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 financ