In financial planning, there is a growing emphasis on “life planning” – helping people live purposeful, fulfilling lives. Traditional planning often focuses narrowly on money issues. Life planning takes a holistic approach to aligning finances with deeply held values and goals.
This reflects our desire for lives of meaning and impact. As we age, existential questions arise about purpose, happiness, and leaving a legacy. People seek guidance on life transitions and pursuing dreams.
Life planning begins by identifying core beliefs, relationships, and aspirations. It aids in discerning God-given callings versus cultural expectations. Then a financial plan supports pursuing that unique life mission.
For Christians, this entails building wealth to advance eternal priorities, not chasing materialism. Our life purpose transcends retirement. It encompasses serving God and others generously.
Successful life planning integrates your story, values, and goals with biblically wise financial strategies. It stewards resources to maximize your Kingdom impact.
With an eternal perspective, life planning helps apply abilities, finances, and time toward things of lasting consequence. It prevents wasting the life God has given you.
Rather than settling for worldly measures of significance, discover God’s personalized calling. Let your financial decisions flow out of that. True life planning starts with recognizing life was never meant to be about us, but furthering Christ’s work.
In Christ,
Stephen H. Hammond
President
AUTHOR BIO
Stephen H. Hammond, president and founder of Christian Values Investing Inc., established the first “fee-only” Biblical responsible investment advisory firms in 1993 to help Christians align investments with their values and better manage finances from a biblical perspective. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a finance degree and worked in the Investment Banking industry before joining Merrill Lynch in 1988. Stephen is a published author and speaker, a spirit-filled Christian who traces his faith heritage to preacher ancestors. In 2005, he established the nonprofit Covenant Financial Ministries to teach biblical stewardship principles and money management. Stephen has decades of experience in money management and financial planning. and serves with Kingdom Advisors and the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants. He has appeared on radio and television, spoken at churches, and authored books including Mission Possible: An Investment Guide for Christians and The Successful Life Manager. He married Angela in 1990 and has two children.
