Financial Advice Built Around What Matters to You with Sharon Epps

In this episode of Faith & Finance, host Rob West explores the transformative power of aligning financial advice with personal values, featuring Sharon Epps, president of Kingdom Advisors. The conversation centers on a recent study conducted with Pinkston Research, which reveals that 70% of clients prioritize shared values over performance when choosing a financial advisor. The research highlights that faith-driven advisors foster deeper trust, leading to more holistic financial planning that integrates goals, family, and spiritual purpose. Clients of Certified Kingdom Advisors (CKAs) report significantly higher levels of emotional connection, with 87% discussing hopes and dreams and 85% talking about family relationships—compared to far lower rates among traditional advisors. Despite concerns about performance, the data shows values-based investing performs competitively, reinforcing that faith and financial success are not mutually exclusive. The episode also includes practical advice for listeners: Kathy, a 72-year-old widow with $37,000 in credit card debt, is guided toward government assistance, nonprofit support, and credit counseling to reduce interest rates and stabilize her finances. Other callers receive guidance on HELOC management, emergency fund sizing, pre-need funeral planning, and tax-free home sale exclusions. The episode concludes with a strong emphasis on stewardship, community support, and practical tools like the Faithify app and Christian Community Credit Union. Key takeaways include: (1) Prioritize values alignment over performance when selecting a financial advisor; (2) A faith-based approach leads to deeper trust and more holistic financial planning; (3) Values-driven clients are more likely to increase giving and live with greater financial purpose; (4) Use government and nonprofit resources to reduce pressure on high-interest debt; (5) A $1,000 emergency fund is a solid start, but focus on eliminating high-interest debt first; (6) Pre-need funeral planning should balance clarity with flexibility—avoid prepaying through insurance products; (7) Home sale gains up to $250,000 are tax-free for single filers who lived in the home for two of the last five years; (8) Leverage faith-aligned tools like the Faithify app and Christian banking institutions for greater kingdom impact.