2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
If you’ve watched the news for any amount of time this past month, then it’s no surprise to you that people have different beliefs and values. If you’ve paid any attention to life in general, then you were aware of that even before today. You didn’t need a new headline to inform you that people disagreed on many topics. From how we should live, to how we should raise our children, or even where we should spend our money. People can also be very passionate about these beliefs and differences.
Being around people who disagree with us can be beneficial in many ways. It can challenge us to think through what we believe and why. It can help us learn the motivations behind another set of beliefs and values. It can also help to strengthen your own beliefs and how to argue your side.
Spending too much time with those with whom you disagree can also be harmful. It can make you doubt whether your beliefs and values are correct. It can influence you to no longer hold those values and beliefs. Those who disagree may have far different motivations and goals than you.
One example that comes to mind is going to marriage counseling. If your goal was to save your marriage, would you visit a marriage counselor who was motivated to break up your marriage? Or another could be to visit a doctor who wanted to keep you ill, but you wanted to be well. They may have very persuasive agreements as to why their way is the best, but it contradicts what you value and what your goals are. What about where you’re getting advice on money? Does that person share your values? Are their motivations in line with yours?
So, God’s word tells us to not be unequally yoked. While many believe that this is strictly speaking about marriage, this principle can be used in all our relationships. It’s been my experience that many people will research their doctor and their counselors to find out how they practice their field. Want to know their experience and their background. They ask questions like “Why did you get into medicine?” Or “Why do you help married couples?” but they’ll never ask their Financial Advisor why they do what they do. They don’t ask what they believe about money and why. They don’t ask what their motivations are and why they decided to help people in that way.
Getting advice is important. But it’s only good advice when it aligns with your values, your beliefs, and your goals. That’s why we do what we do here at Provident Oak Financial. We want to have those tough conversations with you. We want to give advice that you can trust because you know that we share your values.
If you want to know more and how to aligns your Financial Plan with your Values and work with a Firm that shares those values, click the link below and fill out our Values-Based Questionnaire.
https://www.providentoakfinancial.com/values-based-investing/
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