Building a Kingdom-Minded Financial House for A Life Well Lived

In a world often driven by profit and immediate returns, David Montgomery, a financial coach and advisor with Primerica's Team IronLife, offers a Kingdom-worthy upside-down approach. Drawing on biblical principles, David's IronLife -- named for iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17) -- sets a clear priority ranking when it comes to decision making. They put God first, then family, then business. 

While their intent is to create financial well-being for their clients, their approach recognizes that financial success does not come from focusing exclusively on financial success but rather from living a flourishing life while also doing one's financial due diligence. In line with the Bible's message, to live a flourishing life, one prioritizes God first, family second, and then one's business.

Montgomery's journey into financial coaching began after retiring from a 35-year engineering career. Driven by a long-standing passion for helping others manage their finances, he had facilitated Dave Ramsey courses for years, and now, licensed, IronLife guides individuals and families toward their long-term financial goals. They operate under the umbrella of Primerica, a company that David describes as a 'financial Amazon' for its diverse offerings from various financial institutions.  However, Montgomery and Team IronLife never let the glitter of Primerica's bounty of financial offerings distract from the gold of life well lived. 

Money Is for Purpose, Not the Other Way Around

Montgomery explains that unlike many businesses that place profit above all else, IronLife views its work as a ministry and a service. This distinction is crucial, especially in an industry where the business focus is often on maximizing wealth for the already wealthy in order to provide the greatest earthly return to the financial advising firms even when that means not helping those who need it most.

While most firms target the top 5% of the population with significant investable assets, IronLife intentionally serves the other 95% – those who may have little to no investable assets, are heavily indebted, or are just starting their financial journey. "We will help people that may not appear to be very profitable in terms of how much money we can make working," Montgomery states. This long-term view, focused on building relationships and fostering financial health from the ground up, stands in stark contrast to the short-term, profit-driven models prevalent in the industry. It's a testament to their belief that true success isn't just about accumulating wealth, but about stewarding resources to empower individuals and families.

Let Iron Sharpen Iron

With a culture dedicated to Proverbs 27:17, they provide regular training sessions that go beyond financial expertise to include leadership development and personal growth. This holistic approach aims to cultivate not just skilled financial advisors, but also individuals who are continually striving to become better versions of themselves, aligned with God's purpose for their lives.

This culture of 'iron sharpening iron' reaches also into the details. Montgomery, for instance, takes the unique step of praying with clients when appropriate, a practice rarely seen in conventional financial advising. This personal touch, born from the freedom of an independent business model, allows him to minister to clients beyond just their finances. He also dedicates time to coaching missionaries, offering financial guidance even when there's no direct profit for his business – a clear implementation of the 'giving' pillar.

Seven Pillars and a Roof: How They Do It

Montgomery vividly illustrates his financial coaching philosophy through the metaphor of a 'financial house,' inspired by Proverbs 9:1: "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars." This house has a foundation of income, seven pillars representing key financial principles, and a 'roof' that signifies an individual's God-given goals and purpose.

The seven pillars, derived from various biblical teachings, are practical and actionable steps for financial stewardship:

• Budgeting: As seen in Proverbs 27, budgeting involves planning, preparing, and wisely managing resources.
• Giving: Tithing and generous giving are emphasized as principles that invite God's blessing and strengthen one's financial house.
• Saving: This includes building an emergency fund, saving for specific goals like college or a downpayment, and long-term retirement savings.
• Investing: Strategically growing resources for the future.
• Insurance: Protecting assets and loved ones through proper coverage.
• Legal Planning: Establishing wills and trusts to ensure orderly transfer of assets and care for dependents.
• Emergency Fund: Strategically eliminating debt to free up financial resources. It's like filling a sinkhole in the road to avoid damage or danger.

While these pillars provide the structural integrity of the financial house, the 'roof' is what gives it meaning. The roof represents each individual's unique mission and calling from God. Montgomery's goal is to help clients strengthen their financial pillars so they can shift their focus from daily financial worries to pursuing their God-ordained purpose. "I help you get past that, because [if your] your pillars are strong and they can support the roof, [it] means they're supporting your ability to do what God's called you to do," he explains.

Living Out Faith at Work

Montgomery encourages other Christian business leaders to live out their faith authentically, without being overbearing. He advises being genuine, allowing others to see one's Christian faith in action and in words, but always with sensitivity and respect for others' beliefs. "Do it in a way that Jesus would have done it," he suggests, emphasizing acceptance and meeting people where they are. This approach allows for a powerful witness, demonstrating that faith can be seamlessly integrated into professional life, transforming not just finances, but entire lives.

David Montgomery and Team IronLife exemplify a model where financial success is intertwined with spiritual purpose. By prioritizing God, family, and then business, and by building a financial house on biblical principles, they are not just managing money; they are empowering individuals to live out their divine calling in a life well lived.

Montgomery can be reached at david.montgomery@primerica.com.