As a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, one of my favorite questions to ask prospective clients was “What’s important about money to you?” My real goal was always to know as possible about each person’s purpose in life so that I could design a financial plan that connected their money with their purpose. I make no assumptions about what your purpose in life is or should be. The self-discovery you’ll experience in these interviews with my two dear friends can help you clarify your life’s purpose so you can connect your financial decisions to what matters most to you. (Stay tuned, there are four or five episodes ahead featuring Joe and Morgan.)

As I explained how this works to a friend of mine, he gave a half smile and shook his head. He told me, “Yeah, but most of the financial planning people I know who are Christians have the subtle—or not so subtle—intention of getting people to donate their money to the church’s building fund. Is that your angle, too?” No, I told him, that’s not even on my radar. I hope people will think, dream, and plan so they accomplish something that gives them personal fulfillment. That “something” certainly involves their family’s security, but it may also involve serving people in need through a host of organizations: Amnesty International, their church, Habitat for Humanity, or any of dozens of other groups that are trying to make a difference in people’s lives.

As you’ve probably guessed, I’m a follower of Christ, so my own purpose in life is shaped to a large degree by my understanding of God’s desires for me and every other person who follows him. The most powerful motivation I’ve known is the deep sense of gratitude that comes from experiencing the unconditional love and acceptance of Jesus Christ. Knowing his love and acceptance is by far the most incredible experience of my life. But in my work as a financial planner, I meet with Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, Jewish people, and others from every kind of religious stripe. Most of the principles of spending, saving, investing, and giving transcend all religions. We can apply them no matter what we believe about God. My faith, though, directs me to look beyond my own needs and try to help others.

My hope is that The Money Bible Radio Show (and these personal interviews) will give you a few “Aha!” moments when a light comes on and you realize a truth or an opportunity you’d missed before. Those moments inevitably lead to choices to move in a new direction (or go back to a previously beaten path). As you clarify your purpose and connect your resources to what you really value, I believe you’ll feel relief and contentment, and you’ll celebrate knowing your life counts for something much bigger than yourself.

The process of connecting our resources to what matters most is exhilarating, but sometimes, it’s not easy. The Money Bible Radio Show is intended to help you look at some aspects of your life—your heart and your money—as if you’d never seen them before. Have courage. It’s worth the trouble!