Ever wonder, “How could there be anything spiritual or truly eternal about financial planning?” If you’ve puzzled over money’s kingdom significance, questioned God’s view of tedious ledger keeping, or pondered how desperately mundane—even unspiritual—portfolio management might seem, then you will appreciate Brandon’s story.
The community inspiration-and-action endeavor, For Evansville, produced a captivating video vignette titled “Beyond Sunday: The Sacred Side of Spreadsheets.”
Watching and contemplating this brief, compelling story, we catch Brandon’s deeply personal encounter with three fresh perspectives.
Clarifying God’s Calling
Brandon wrestled over whether to train for a profession in church ministry or pursue financial planning. Where did God want him to focus his time and talents on his vocational path?
Landing in a money management career, Brandon also vibrantly led men’s ministry in his local church. However, he continued to struggle in his perspective. He kept wondering, “What really counts as God-glorifying ministry?”
The clarity he gained regarding his own call marvelously spotlights the priesthood of all believers. The Apostle Peter declared: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Peter proclaimed this to a wide audience of Jesus’ followers, not just clergy.
From God’s perspective, all work by Christians is sacred, priestly work, whether accomplished by ordained church leaders or fast-paced money managers. Every Christian is called to declare praise through every daily word and deed. That includes tedious spreadsheets, laborious meetings, and even pesky clients. In one marvelous eureka moment in the video, Brandon says, “Financial advising is my ministry.”
Discovering Surprise in Biblical Insights
While wrestling with his own life mission, Brandon encountered another powerful personal realization: the Bible includes over 2500 verses on stewardship, money, and possessions.
Expounding true kingdom vision during his Sermon on the Mount, Christ confidently declared, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). With this rich statement, Christ was hearkening back to God’s ancient wisdom, the importance of guarding our hearts (Prov. 4:23), and his clarion call to love the LORD our God with all our hearts (Dt. 6:5).
Across numerous parables, Christ’s teaching is replete with references to wise financial planning, selfless generosity, and the resulting kingdom connections both now and forever. In the divine economy, being deliberate with money, leveraging wealth and other possessions, and utilizing all our God-given gifts ripple with dynamic kingdom influence.
Leaving a True Legacy
Further perspective emerges in Brandon’s story. He wisely shares: “When someone invites you into their finances, they’re also inviting you into their fears, their hopes, and their legacy.” He relates a stunning moment when one of his business clients asked him to join the family for prayer at his failing wife’s bedside. She was ready to step into eternity. That opportunity proved to be a stunning moment. Again, God used Brandon’s heart and actions in holistic ministry.
Legacy language saturates the lines of Psalm 112. The psalmist spotlights the generational impact of a solid financial perspective. Ponder these highlights in verses 3-7:
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Brandon wisely observes, “Legacy isn’t simply something we leave behind. It’s something we’re building together right now.”
When Jesus’ church dynamically integrates kingdom generosity, bold community investment, compassionate justice, and wise financial planning, cities like Evansville—even neighborhoods and regions like yours and mine—can be blessed with greater flourishing.
