Chris Gardner, Financial Advisor, on Mobilizing $1 Billion for the Kingdom (Ep. 150)

Chris Gardner’s journey began in Mexico and Peru, where he was raised on the mission field as the son of a missionary. Those early years shaped his faith and calling—he began preaching at a young age and, by 18, was already pastoring and planting churches. His experiences in ministry gave him a deep understanding of stewardship, generosity, and the role money plays in Kingdom work.  

Years later, Chris transitioned from leading a large ministry in Peru to a career in wealth management in the U.S., carrying with him a bold goal: to help deploy a billion dollars for Kingdom purposes in his lifetime. Today, he works with clients to view their wealth not as something to own, but something to steward.  

Major Topics Include:

• Chris’s spiritual background and history on the mission field
• His broadened perspective on the world from life on the mission field 
• How he became a pastor at 18
• Viewing generosity from both sides
• How fundraising with his family on the mission field still impacts his life today
• His story of transitioning back to the US and getting into financial advising
• The importance of a finish line for financial advisors
• Encouraging clients to set a finish line 
• A steward, not an owner
• A walk through his yearly finish line thought process
• Generosity lessons from a Peruvian Christmas
• The story of his book and what is covers
• Security comes from God, not money
• Influencing the Church to generous giving
• A call to surrender your assets to God daily

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

• “Generosity is not measured by how much we give away, but how tightly we hold on to what we keep.”
• “The idea of enough is a fallacy, and it will never be reached.”
• “My goal in life is to deploy one billion dollars for Kingdom impact.”
• “You don’t need to wait to be wealthy to live generously. You need to decide that generosity is your wealth.”
• “We’re always going to need more unless we have a finish line.”
• “Generosity is not found in an amount, it’s found in a mindset.”
• “Invest what you can for the impact of someone else.”
• “Impact is the true dividend of wealth. And generosity is how you compound it.”
• “Don’t wait to give your money away from a pine box.”
• “How much am I willing to charge the Owner to steward His wealth?” 
• “God doesn’t need your money, He desires your heart. And generosity is the clearest map to where your heart really is.”
• “Surrender is not a one-time decision, it’s a daily choice.”

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

• Arkos Global Advisors (see our interview with founder, Jeff Thomas)
• Life Ranch
• Check What You Are Chasing by Chris Gardner
• ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker)
• The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
• The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

2 Timothy 2:2 | Teaching Teachers  

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

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