Episode Details

In Genesis 11, the people of Babel said, “Let us make a name for ourselves.” That ancient temptation is still alive today. It can surface in seasons of success, when achievement becomes less about serving God and others and more about building a monument to ourselves.

Success is not inherently wrong. Scripture commends diligence, wisdom, excellence, and faithful stewardship. But prosperity also brings spiritual danger. It can reveal what is already happening in the heart.

That was the focus of today’s conversation with Jim Wise, Senior Partner, Senior Private Wealth Advisor, and Director of Ministry Services for Blue Trust in Orlando. Jim is also a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®), bringing both financial expertise and a deep commitment to biblical stewardship.

Jim recently gave a presentation to Kingdom Advisors titled, “My Practice: A Ministry to My Clients or a Monument to Myself?” While the message was directed to financial advisors, the question applies to all of us.

Are we using what God has entrusted to us for His glory, or are we quietly building a name for ourselves?

The Warning of Saul

Jim’s message grew out of his study of King Saul. Early in Saul’s life, we see humility and dependence on God. He did not begin as a man obsessed with power or reputation. But as he experienced success as king, something changed.

What began as humility slowly gave way to pride, arrogance, and self-protection. Eventually, Scripture tells us that Saul went to Carmel and “set up a monument for himself” (1 Samuel 15:12).

That image stayed with Jim. Saul’s story is not merely an ancient warning about a fallen king. It is a mirror for anyone who has experienced influence, achievement, wealth, or vocational success.

Success often does not create pride as much as it exposes it. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Prosperity has a way of bringing hidden desires to the surface.

When Pride Replaces Humility

Many people begin their careers with a deep sense of dependence on the Lord. They pray for guidance, wisdom, provision, and open doors. But over time, success can distort our vision.

We may come to believe that the results are mainly due to our talent, intelligence, discipline, or strategy. Jim described this as “believing our own press clippings.” In a culture that celebrates wealth, platform, and achievement, even a small measure of success can bring attention and praise.

That attention is spiritually dangerous if it leads us to forget the Source of all we have.

Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” Everything we have comes from God and belongs to God. Our abilities, opportunities, influence, and resources are entrusted to us. They are not ours to use however we please.

Choosing an Advisor: Character Matters

This conversation also has practical implications for those choosing a financial advisor. Credentials, experience, and technical knowledge matter. But according to Jim, character matters even more.

A highly competent advisor who lacks character may not lead to the kind of relationship or results a client needs. For Christians, it is especially important to find someone who shares a biblical worldview and understands generosity, stewardship, and accountability before God.

A faithful advisor does not merely ask, “What can we accumulate?” but “What has God entrusted to you, and how can it be used wisely for His purposes?”

That kind of counsel requires more than financial knowledge. It requires wisdom, humility, and a