How to Hear God's Voice in Big Financial Decisions (5 Biblical Steps)

Let's be real for a minute: making big financial decisions can feel absolutely overwhelming, especially when you're trying to honor God with your money. Should you buy that house? Take that job? Start that business? The stakes feel so high, and honestly, sometimes it feels like God's being pretty quiet when you need Him most.

I get it. I've been there, sitting at my kitchen table with spreadsheets everywhere, trying to figure out if I'm hearing God's voice or just my own anxiety talking. But here's what I've learned: God actually wants to guide us through these decisions more than we want to be guided.

The trick is learning how to tune into His voice amidst all the noise.

So let's walk through five biblical steps that have helped me (and tons of my clients) hear God's direction when facing major financial choices. Anyone can do this... and so can you!

Step 1: Get Still and Actually Listen

Look, I know. This sounds like the most obvious advice ever. But don't leave yet. When was the last time you actually sat in silence about a financial decision without immediately jumping to pros and cons lists?

Here's what I want you to try: Set aside 15-20 minutes (yes, really) and just sit quietly with your decision. No phone, no distractions. Present your financial choice to God and then... wait. Don't fill the silence with your own chatter.

I sometimes do this in the shower. TMI? Maybe. Real? Yes. I listened for God this morning, in fact. 

Try this practical approach: First, sit with the "no" option. Really imagine choosing not to move forward. What do you sense in that stillness? Then do the same with the "yes" option. Pay attention to what rises up in your spirit and then ask God about it. 

This isn't about waiting for a booming voice from heaven (though hey, if that happens, listen up!). It's about creating space for the Holy Spirit to speak into your decision. Sometimes God's voice comes as a gentle knowing, a sense of peace, or even a persistent thought that just won't go away. 

God spoke to Elijah not in the storm, but in the whisper. That's when Elijah covered his face, because he knew God was right there.

Step 2: Check Your Decision Against God's Financial Principles

Before we get into the specifics of your situation, let's make sure we're building on solid ground. The Bible has a lot to say about money, and any financial decision we make needs to align with God's basic principles first.

Here are some non-negotiables to check your decision against:

• Everything belongs to God: You're a steward, not an owner. Does this decision reflect good stewardship?

• Honor God with your finances: Are you prioritizing giving and tithing?

• Live within your means: Will this choice push you into unhealthy debt?

• Provide for your family: Does this decision meet your real needs vs. just wants?

• Help others: How might this choice enable you to bless others?

If your financial decision violates any of these principles, that's God's voice saying "not this way." But if both your options pass this biblical test, you can move forward with confidence to seek His specific direction.

Step 3: Dive into Scripture with Your Decision in Mind

This is where things get really practical. I want you to grab your Bible and look up passages about finances, stewardship, and decision-making. Read them and pray through them with your specific situation in mind.

Try this approach called Lectio Divina (fancy name for "just let God speak through His Word"):

• Pick a relevant passage (Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:25-34, or Luke 14:28-30 are great starts)

• Read it slowly, multiple times

• Ask God to highlight what speaks to your situation

• Sit with whatever jumps out at you

Sometimes a verse you've read a hundred times will suddenly feel like it was written specifically for your current financial decision. That's not a coincidence. God is using His Word to guide you. 

Don't overcomplicate this. You're not looking for hidden codes or secret meanings. You're simply allowing God's truth to speak into your specific circumstances.

And here's a quick tip when reading the Bible: It can't mean to us now what it didn't mean to them then.

Read that a few times. 

Step 4: Pay Attention to God's Peace (and Seek Wise Counsel)

Here's something I've learned the hard way: God's peace is like a spiritual GPS. When you're on the right path, there's a deep sense of peace, even if the decision feels scary or challenging. When you're heading the wrong direction, you'll feel unsettled, anxious, or like something's just "off."

Important tip: Don't confuse fear of change with lack of peace.

God sometimes calls us to do things that feel scary but are actually the right thing to do. Recently, I had a client tell me she needed to quit her job and move. Did it seem wrong? Yes, and I told her so. Then God checked me and told me that He told her to do it. We then shifted the conversation to how to follow God's lead in her life. 

The question is: Beneath the natural nervousness, do you sense God's peace about this choice?

Also, please don't try to figure this out alone. God uses other people to speak into our lives, and big financial decisions are definitely a "phone a friend" moment. Seek out mature believers who demonstrate biblical financial principles in their own lives. Ask them to pray with you and offer their perspective. You're looking for confirmation here, so find someone who you know knows God. 

Look for advisors who will:

• Point you back to Scripture

• Ask good questions instead of just giving quick answers

• Challenge your thinking without pushing their agenda

• Pray with you about the decision

Step 5: Be Ready to Obey (Even When You Don't Like the Answer)

Okay, this one might sting a little, but I have to say it: You can't hear God's voice clearly if you're only willing to listen to the answer you want.

There are some really good examples of this in the Bible. In Jeremiah 42 and 43, we see the Israelite leaders ask Jeremiah the prophet what they should do. They even explicitly told him, "Whatever God tells us to do, we will do it." Jeremiah then says, "Don't go to Egypt, but stay here."

Well, that wasn't what those leaders wanted to hear, so they said, "Nah, we're going to lead the people to Egypt." I'm paraphrasing, obviously, but that's the gist. God wasn't happy with them and it didn't go well for them, either.

I've seen this so many times. Someone asks God for direction but, deep down, they've already decided what they want to do. They're not really seeking God's will; they're seeking God's approval for their own plan. And honestly? We've all been there.

Here's the hard truth: If you know you're not willing to accept a "no" from God, you won't be able to trust when He gives you a "yes." You'll constantly second-guess whether you're hearing His voice or just your own desires.

Before you make your final decision, ask yourself: Am I genuinely willing to obey whatever God tells me, even if it's not what I want? If the answer is no, spend more time in prayer until you can honestly say yes. Ask God to change your heart.

And here's the flip side: once you've gone through this process thoughtfully and prayerfully, don't let fear paralyze you. God promises to direct our paths when we acknowledge Him in all our ways. Make your decision and move forward in faith, trusting that He'll redirect you.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Listen, hearing God's voice in financial decisions isn't about achieving some mystical spiritual state. It's about developing a real, conversational relationship with Him through consistent prayer, Scripture reading, and faithful stewardship of what He's already given you.

The beautiful thing is that God wants to guide you even more than you want to be guided. He's not playing hide and seek with His will for your finances. He's a loving Father who wants to see you thrive and use your resources in ways that honor Him and bless others.

So take these steps one at a time. Don't rush the process, but don't get stuck in analysis paralysis either. Trust that as you seek Him genuinely, He'll make His path clear.

And remember, you're not just managing money; you're stewarding resources that can make an eternal impact. That's worth taking the time to get right, don't you think?

If you're looking for more practical support in aligning your finances with your faith, I'd love to help you create a plan that honors God and builds the financial foundation you need. Because honestly? When we get our money in line with God's purposes, everything else starts falling into place, too.