Counsel – Notes

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On your financial discipleship journey there will be one constant — a variety of people offering a variety of advice on how to handle your finances in a variety of ways. Some of this may be great advice, some of it may be absolutely terrible! So before we dig deep into topics such as debt, saving, giving, and investing, it’s crucial that you are equipped with a filter to seek and receive advice that honors the Lord and empowers you on our financial discipleship journey.

Why Seek Counsel?

Two things keep us from seeking counsel. The first is pride. Our culture looks at seeking advice as a sign of weakness. The second attitude is stubbornness, marked by the statement, “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is already made up!” We generally resist seeking counsel because we don’t want to be told we can’t afford what we already have decided to buy.

God encourages us to use a gift He has provided for our benefit — godly counselors. In Proverbs 19:20 we read, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and in the end you will be counted among the wise” (NIV). Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a person who listens to advice is wise.” And Proverbs 10:8 says, “The wise man is glad to be instructed, but a self-sufficient fool falls flat on his face” (TLB).

We seek counsel to get insights, suggestions, and alternatives that will aid in making really good decisions. It’s not, however, the counselor’s role to make the decision for us; that’s our responsibility.

Gather Facts, but . . .

We need to assemble the facts that will impact our decisions, but we also need to seek God’s direction as well. What we have to remember is that He will sometimes direct us in a way contrary to our assessment of the facts alone.

We can see this illustrated in the chapters of Numbers 13 and 14. Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land, and they all returned with an identical evaluation of the facts: it was a prosperous land inhabited by terrifying giants. Only two of the twelve spies, Joshua and Caleb, understood that the Lord wanted them to go in and possess the Promised Land anyway — in spite of the obstacles! Because the children of Israel relied only on the facts and did not act in faith on what the Lord wanted for them, they suffered 40 years of wandering in the wilderness until that entire generation died.

Sources of Counsel

What are the sources of counsel we need to seek? Before making a financial decision, particularly an important one, subject it to three sources of counsel.

The Bible

First, what does God’s Word say about an issue? The psalmist wrote, “Your laws are both my light and my counselors” (Psalm 119:24, TLB). “Your commands . . . make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes” (Psalm 119:98-99, NIV). “I understand more than those who are old, because I have complied with Your precepts” (Psalm 119:100).

When we think of people who are skilled in financial decision making, we often think of experts, or those who are older and more experienced. 

Yet the Bible offers us more insight and wisdom than financial experts who don’t know God’s way of handling money. I would rather obey the truth of God’s word than risk suffering the consequences of following my own inclinations or the opinions of so-called experts.

The Bible makes this remarkable claim about itself: “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and . . . able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The truths in the Bible are timeless. It is truly a living book that talks about God’s direction to all generations.

Godly People

“The godly man is a good counselor because he is just and fair and knows right from wrong” (Psalm 37:30-31, TLB).

Parents

Our parents are also a source of counsel. “My son, comply with the commandment of your father, and do not ignore the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you” (Proverbs 6:20-22).

Our parents have the benefit of years of experience, and they know us well. In our opinion, we should seek their counsel even if they don’t yet know Christ or have not been wise money managers themselves. Asking their advice is a way to honor our parents and to build a closer relationship with them. It’s an expression of admiration.

Experienced People

We should also consult people experienced in the area in which we are attempting to make a decision. If you are considering buying a used car, find the most qualified car mechanic you know to counsel you on what the best cars are – and which ones are the worst.

A Multitude of Counselors

We read in Proverbs 15:22, “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” And Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”

I meet regularly with a small group. The people in this group know each other really well. Over the years, each person has experienced challenges. We have learned that when someone suffers a painful situation, it can be difficult to make wise decisions. We have experienced the safety of having a group who love one another and can give objective counsel — even if it hurts. We are more open to constructive criticism when it comes from someone who cares for us.

The Lord

During the process of evaluating the facts, searching the Bible, and getting the counsel of godly people, we need to seek direction from the Lord. In fact, this is the most important thing we can do. In Isaiah 9:6 we are told that one of the Lord’s names is “Wonderful Counselor.”

The Psalms also identify the Lord as our counselor. “I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8). “You [the Lord] guide me with your counsel” (Psalm 73:24, NIV).

The Bible contains numerous examples of the unfortunate consequences of not seeking God’s counsel. It also reveals the blessings of those who listened to His counsel. After the children of Israel began their campaign to capture the Promised Land, some of the natives (Gibeonites) attempted to enter into a peace treaty with Israel. The Gibeonites deceived the leaders of Israel into believing they were from a distant land. Joshua 9:14-15 reads, “The men of Israel took some of their [Gibeonites’] provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live.”

The consequence of not seeking the Lord’s counsel was that the Promised Land remained populated with ungodly people, and Israel became ensnared by their false gods. The leaders were influenced by the “facts” they could see — facts deliberately designed to deceive them into thinking that the Gibeonites lived far away. In many situations, only the Lord can reveal truth and proper direction.

Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to wait on the Lord. Whenever you feel hurried or pressured or confused concerning a decision, wait until you hear His still, small voice. The world screams “Hurry!” but our heavenly Father’s advice is worth waiting for . . . a thousand times over.

Counsel to Avoid

The Wicked

We need to avoid the counsel of the wicked. “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” (Psalm 1:1). A “wicked” person is one who lives without regard to God. A wicked person can be one who does not yet personally know the Lord or one who knows Jesus Christ as Savior but is not following Him.

In our opinion, when you are searching for facts or technical expertise, you may seek input from those who are knowledgeable in that area, whether they know Christ or not. Then, after considering their input, you are responsible to make the final decision.

Fortunetellers, Mediums and Spiritualists

The Bible clearly forbids seeking the advice of fortunetellers, mediums, or spiritualists: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31, NIV). Or consider this passage: “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord . . . and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14, NIV). Saul died, in part, because he went to a medium. We should also avoid anything they use in forecasting the future, such as horoscopes and all other practices of the occult.

Biased Counsel

We need to be cautious of the counsel of the biased. When receiving financial advice, ask yourself: “What stake does this person have in the outcome of my decision? Does he or she stand to gain or lose from it?” If the advisor will profit, be cautious when evaluating this counsel and always seek a second, unbiased opinion.

A Word to the Counseled

When you are seeking advice, supply your counselor with all the important facts. Don’t attempt to manipulate your advisor to give the answer you want by concealing information.

As you seek counsel, don’t be surprised if the answer comes out of your own mouth! Interacting with others allows you to verbalize thoughts and feelings that you may never have expressed clearly.

A Word to the Counselors

Counseling others can be frustrating if you misunderstand the proper role of the counselor. Simply stated, counselors should lovingly communicate their advice — and then leave the results to God. I have made the mistake of becoming involved emotionally in whether people would act on my recommendations. I discovered that some people aren’t yet prepared to follow advice. It may have been the right word for them but in the wrong season of their lives. On other occasions, I later discovered that my counsel was flawed, and I was happy that they hadn’t listened to my words!

When you don’t know the answer to a question, be careful not to make one up. Simply respond: “I don’t know.” Often people come with problems that are outside of our experience. The best way to serve them is to refer them to someone who has expertise in their area of need.