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What if the most important factor in choosing a financial advisor isn’t performance alone, but alignment?

Many people assume the primary role of a financial advisor is to maximize returns. While wise investing certainly matters, new research suggests something deeper may be at work. When financial advice aligns with your values, it doesn’t just affect your portfolio—it can reshape how you think about money altogether.

That was the focus of today’s conversation with Sharon Epps, president of Kingdom Advisors, who shared insights from a new study conducted in partnership with Pinkston Research.

The study set out to compare the experiences of clients working with values-aligned advisors—specifically Certified Kingdom Advisors® (CKAs)—with those of clients using more traditional advisory relationships.

The goal was simple: determine whether shared values actually change the financial planning experience.

The findings were compelling. When values line up, the advisor-client relationship becomes more than a transaction. It becomes a trusted partnership.

One of the clearest takeaways from the research was the role that trust plays in how beliefs and priorities are shared.

Seventy percent of CKA clients said shared values were the most important factor when choosing an advisor. By contrast, 64% of the general public said investment returns mattered most.

That difference is significant.

When clients feel understood—not just managed—they often experience what Sharon described as a “trust dividend.” Communication deepens. Confidence grows. Relationships become stronger and more enduring.

That’s a fair question—and an important one. The answer, according to Epps, is no.

Values-based investing has been widely studied, and many strategies have demonstrated competitive long-term performance. The key remains the same as with any sound financial plan: discipline, diversification, and wise decision-making.

In other words, it’s not a choice between faith and performance. You can pursue both.

So what actually feels different when meeting with a Certified Kingdom Advisor®?

Sharon explained that the conversation extends beyond numbers on a page. CKAs often ask about:

The research reflected that difference:

That means values-centered planning doesn’t replace technical excellence—it expands it. It becomes whole-life planning.

Perhaps the most meaningful shift happens internally.

As people begin viewing money through a biblical lens, they often move from an ownership mindset to a stewardship mindset—the belief that everything we have ultimately belongs to God and has been entrusted to us for His purposes.

The study found that 63% of CKA clients reported being motivated by a desire to be faithful stewards. That inward shift often leads to outward action. Nearly half of those clients said they had significantly increased their giving, compared with just 23% of general clients.

The more we believe a warning, the more it changes our actions. If the car makes a funny noise, we think, “Hmm, that’s odd.” Now, the elevator makes a funny noise and our adrenaline immediately starts flowing. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us words of insight and warning about what’s to come during God’s Last Days plan. It’s information that gets us excited, but it’s information that some may ignore to their peril. Let’s listen and check ourselves.

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Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

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You want to be open about your faith—but not that person. Pushy. Scripted. Weird. So you stay quiet. Meanwhile, life’s already full—kids’ games, long weekends, surface-level talk. What if sports evangelism didn’t feel like a setup? Heather Reddy, national women's soccer chaplain with Athletes in Action, gets the tension and offers a more natural way to connect—right where you already are, without forcing the moment.

Show Notes and Resources

• For tools to reach out during the FIFA World Cup, check out the Victory Beyond the Cup website and sign up for a free host kit victorybeyondthecup.com
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On today’s edition of Family Talk, Roger Marsh welcomes author and speaker Becky Harling to discuss her book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World.

The post Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World, Part 1 appeared first on Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.

British evangelist J.John and his wife Killy share real stories and practical advice from the ups and downs of 42 years of marriage and global ministry. You’ll hear how “The Four R’s” – respect, responsibility, romance, and resolve can shape your marriage to go the distance.

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I've only been to Israel once, and just for a short visit, but I will never forget the thrill of seeing those places where Jesus walked when He was there, and watching all those names and places in the Bible suddenly come alive. It really was one of the highlights of my life, except for one thing. I went alone, on my way back home from a ministry trip to Africa. As I stood on the Mount of Olives, and as I walked the streets of old Jerusalem, as I experienced the feel of Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee, you know what I kept thinking? "I want my wife to see all of this. I want to experience this with my kids!" Yes, Israel was terrific, but I really wanted to share it with the people I love.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your People In Heaven."

I guess that's just the way it is when you're enjoying a special place; you want the people you care about to be there, sharing it with you. That must include the most special place of all - heaven.

Imagine that you get to heaven and you see Jesus. After you fall on your face in adoration and awe, you begin to thank Him for all He did to get you to heaven. And then you ask a question that's been on your mind since you arrived, "Lord, is Scott here? Is Linda here?" What if Jesus says, "Oh, did you bring him? Did you bring her?" See, Jesus was counting on you to help those people you love understand what He did for them on the cross and to point them to the only One who could get them to heaven.

In our word for today from the Word of God, Paul anticipated the joys he was expecting when he got to heaven. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, he says, "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." Now, when Paul sees Jesus, his joy is going to be that the people he loved - that he loved enough to introduce to Jesus - will be there with him.

I wonder who you'll be looking for when you get to heaven; people who, as far as you know, may not be headed there right now. If you want them to be there in heaven with you, you've got to tell them how they can know the Savior who died to get them there. In fact, that's why God has you in their lives, to help them go to heaven with you. So, how are you doing with that?

There are very few sadnesses deeper in life than standing by the casket of someone you could have told about Christ - you should have told about Christ - but you didn't. Well, you know, we can't have any of those opportunities back, but we do have the friends and neighbors and coworkers and loved ones who are still with us. And we still have time to tell them, but no one knows how much time.

This very day you could start praying what I call the "3-open prayer." First, "Lord, open a door." That's a natural, God-given opportunity to bring up your relationship with Christ. Then, "Lord, open their heart." And then finally, "Lord, open my mouth." You don't even have to pray, "Lord, if it's Your will." It is His will. "Lord, open a door. Lord, a natural opportunity. Lord, open their heart; get them ready, and Lord, open my mouth with the words, and the approach, and the tone, and the courage to tell them what I know about You." Begin to seek opportunities, pursue opportunities to tell the people in your personal world about the Son of God who loved them enough to pay for their sin so they don't have to.

If there are people you want to have in heaven with you, please while there's still time, share with them the only message that can get them there.

What can cause lifelong relationships to end suddenly? Or destroy the credibility of an honored person or institution? One word: hypocrisy. Chip begins a new series that takes on this issue of hypocrisy - we’ll find out what the scriptures say about it, how to see it for what it is, and how we can overcome it.

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