A Christian financial advisor is a financial professional who builds retirement, tax, investment and giving plans that reflect Christian convictions such as stewardship, generosity and contentment. The technical work is the same as with any qualified advisor. What differs is the purpose behind the plan and the questions asked along the way. To choose one, check credentials and registration first, understand exactly how the advisor is paid, and then ask how their faith actually shapes their advice.
Written by Will Snodgrass, CFP® professional, Matt25 Capital, The Woodlands, Texas. Educational only.
There is no legal definition and no license called "Christian financial advisor." The phrase usually describes an advisor who:
Being a Christian does not make someone a qualified advisor, and being qualified does not make someone a good fit for a Christian family. You want both.
Anyone can call themselves a financial advisor. Registration and credentials are what you can actually verify.
People who sell securities or give investment advice for pay are generally registered with FINRA, the SEC or a state. Two free tools show their history:
Read the disclosures section. A clean record is not a guarantee, and a single old item is not automatically disqualifying, but you should understand anything you see.
Many advisors are independent business owners who offer securities and advisory services through a larger broker-dealer or registered investment adviser. That organization supervises their work and usually holds client assets with a third-party custodian. Ask who it is and what role it plays. Your money should be held by a custodian in your name, not by the advisor personally.
Every pay model has potential conflicts. What matters is that the advisor explains theirs plainly and puts it in writing.
| Pay model | How it works | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Asset-based fee | A percentage of the assets managed, billed regularly | What is the rate? Does it change as assets grow? What is included? |
| Flat or hourly planning fee | A set price for a plan or for time | What will I receive? Is implementation extra? |
| Commission | Paid by the product provider when you buy | What do you earn on this product? What else did you consider? |
| Combination | Some advisors are registered to do both fee-based advice and commission-based sales | Which hat are you wearing for this recommendation? |
"Fee-only" means the advisor receives no commissions. "Fee-based" usually means fees plus the ability to earn commissions. Neither label is good or bad on its own. Clarity is what you are looking for.
A fiduciary must put your interests ahead of their own. Many advisors act as fiduciaries for some services, such as managing an advisory account, and under a different standard for others, such as selling an insurance product. Ask directly: "For each thing you would do for me, what standard applies?" Then ask for the advisor's Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary), a short document that answers this in plain English.
This is where a Christian advisor should be specific. Good questions:
A vague answer, or one that is only a slogan, is worth noting.
Advisors tend to specialize. Some focus on young families and budgeting, others on business owners, physicians, ministers, or people near or in retirement. Ask who they mostly work with and what problems they solve most often. If you are 60 and planning your retirement income, an advisor who spends most days on Social Security timing, required minimum distributions and Medicare will already know your questions.
Also decide how you want to meet. Video meetings and secure document portals make distance less important than it used to be, but some people simply prefer sitting across the table. Either is fine. Note that advisors can only provide advisory services in states where they are registered or exempt, so ask about your state.
Be cautious if you see any of these:
Affinity fraud targets religious communities because trust runs high. The SEC and FINRA warn about it regularly. A trustworthy advisor will be glad you checked.
Then narrow the list to two or three, look each one up, schedule introductory calls, and ask the same questions of each. Pray about it, talk with your spouse, and take your time.
For a longer list of interview questions, see How to Choose a Christian Financial Advisor: 10 Questions to Ask. For background, see What Is a Biblical Financial Advisor? and How Faith-Based Retirement Income Planning Works.
Will Snodgrass is a CFP® professional and the founder of Matt25 Capital, a practice in The Woodlands, Texas, named for the parable of the talents. He works with Christian pre-retirees and retirees on retirement income, taxes, giving and legacy, and acts as a fiduciary asset manager in advisory relationships. Will is an Investment Adviser Representative with Commonwealth Financial Network®. You can look him up on FINRA BrokerCheck (CRD 5154888).
Based in The Woodlands, TX. Serving clients in Texas and other states where permitted.
Texas readers: see Christian Financial Advisor in Texas, The Woodlands and Houston.
If you would like to talk, take the free Retirement Income Scorecard at scorecard.matt25capital.com or call 620-670-9455 (calls only).
A financial professional who plans retirement, taxes, investments and giving in a way that reflects Christian convictions such as stewardship and generosity, alongside standard financial planning.
No. It is a description, not a license. Check registration on BrokerCheck and credentials with the organization that issues them.
Ask your church, search CFP Board's Let's Make a Plan, browse faith-based advisor directories, and verify anyone you find on BrokerCheck.
Many serve everyone. If family members hold different beliefs, ask how the advisor handles that.
It can be, if you are comfortable with video meetings and secure document sharing, and the advisor is registered or exempt in your state.
Fraud that exploits trust within a group, such as a church. Verify credentials, avoid pressure and promises, and make sure your money is held by an independent custodian.
It depends on the pay model: asset-based fees, flat or hourly planning fees, commissions, or a combination. Ask for every cost in writing.
This page is for education only and is not individualized tax, legal or investment advice. Mention of any designation or directory is not an endorsement.
Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth.
The Financial Advisor(s) associated with this website may only discuss or transact business only with residents in which they are properly registered. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state. Please check FINRA's BrokerCheck for a list of current registrations. Information presented on this site is for informational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any product or security.
Investments are subject to risk, including the loss of principal. Environmental, social, governance (ESG) and faith-based criteria is based on a set of nonfinancial principles in addition to financial principles used to evaluate potential investments. The incorporation of nonfinancial principles can factor heavily into the security selection process. The investment's focus may limit investment options available to the investor. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Form CRS: Client Relationship Summary
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Matt25 Capital is a separate entity from Commonwealth Financial Network®.