How Can You Find Financial Wisdom You Trust? with Brian Cochran

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” — Proverbs 12:15

Wise financial decisions don’t happen in a vacuum—they often require wise counsel. But how do you know if the person giving you advice shares your convictions and values? Brian Cochran joins us today to explore how biblical wisdom should shape not just our decisions, but the voices we trust.

Brian Cochran is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), and also serves as the Chief Stewardship Officer at John Moore Associates. 

The “Why” Shapes Everything

At John Moore Associates, a recently celebrated milestone tells a powerful story—over $50 million in charitable giving facilitated through the families they serve. This achievement isn't about accolades or financial performance. It reflects a deeper belief: money is a gift from God, but it was never meant to be the ultimate goal for an individual. It's a tool designed for Kingdom impact.

Certified Kingdom Advisors® take a distinct approach to financial planning. While they certainly aim to help clients grow their wealth, they are equally—if not more—committed to helping them give it away with wisdom and purpose. The core question isn’t just, “How can you accumulate more?” but, “How can you steward it more faithfully?”

Their mission is to walk alongside families and help them become wise and generous stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. That vision informs every client meeting, every piece of advice, and every long-term strategy. They don’t see themselves merely as business professionals—they see themselves as called to influence families toward biblically grounded financial decisions that reflect God’s character and priorities.

They refer to this role as being “stewards of stewards.” Their job is to help others manage God’s money in a way that aligns with His will—not just to build bigger portfolios, but to foster hearts that reflect His generosity.

The Art of Financial Planning

Although financial planning encompasses technical elements such as taxes, investments, and estate strategies, it is far more than just numbers. Financial planning is as much an art as it is a science.

That’s because personal values, priorities, and convictions ultimately shape every financial decision. Two families with identical balance sheets may receive vastly different advice depending on the worldview and values of their advisor. Even the most technically sound recommendations can lead a client astray if they don’t align with their faith or purpose.

Families excited to step into greater generosity have occasionally faced resistance—not from financial limitations, but from professionals who didn’t understand why anyone would want to give so much away. Similarly, some clients have discovered their portfolios include investments in industries that conflict with their convictions, such as pornography, abortion, or addictive products. These disconnects are more common than many realize.

When an advisor doesn’t understand a client’s “why,” they may unintentionally work against it.

When Values Align

By contrast, working with an advisor who shares a client’s biblical values can be transformational. Rather than resist generosity, they champion it. They help clients move beyond conventional financial goals and pursue eternal ones—cheering them on as they give, invest, and plan with Kingdom purpose.

This values alignment also fosters deeper conversations about contentment and purpose. Advisors who understand the biblical call to stewardship help clients shift from an accumulation mindset to one that asks, “How much is enough?” That change can lead to greater peace, joy, and impact.

It also affects how clients invest. With the guidance of a biblically aligned advisor, many discover new confidence and clarity by investing in companies or funds that reflect their values. In many cases, clients feel more engaged and excited knowing that their investments are not only earning a return but also honoring God.

Questions to Ask a Potential Advisor

For those seeking this kind of partnership, here are a few essential questions to ask any prospective advisor:

• What are your core values, both personally and as a firm?
• How do those values shape the way you serve your clients?
• How do you define success in a client relationship?
• How are you compensated? Are there any potential conflicts of interest?
• Most importantly: How will your advice support and strengthen my faith?

These questions open the door to alignment—and can help avoid unnecessary confusion or compro