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"If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?" – Luke 16:11Managing money wisely in today’s fast-paced world isn’t always easy. With so many financial demands, it’s tempting to take shortcuts—grabbing coffee on the go, eating out instead of cooking, or neglecting a budget altogether. But faithfulness in finances requires intentionality. Here’s how you can stay faithful in managing your money according to biblical principles.Before making financial decisions, seek God’s wisdom. James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Set aside time each week to pray over your finances and seek God’s direction.Create a Spending PlanA budget is essential for financial faithfulness. Without one, it’s easy to overspend and struggle to meet obligations. If you don’t have a budget, download the free FaithFi app, which provides step-by-step guidance for setting up a plan and tr

A.W. Tozer once wrote in The Knowledge of the Holy, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Our understanding of God influences everything—including how we handle what He has entrusted to us.In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus tells a story that reveals how our perception of God directly affects our stewardship. Three servants are given different amounts of money while their master is away. Two invest what they receive and are rewarded for their faithfulness. The third, however, buries his portion out of fear. His failure wasn’t just financial—it was a failure of understanding his master’s character.A Misunderstanding That Led to FearAt first glance, the punishment of the third servant might seem extreme. After all, he didn’t lose the money—he simply didn’t invest it. But Jesus’ parable isn’t just about financial stewardship; it’s about how we see God.The third servant viewed his master as “a hard man” (Matthew 25:24), someone to be feared

Martin Luther once said, “There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.”A strong marriage is a blessing but requires intentional effort, especially in a blended family. Today, Ron Deal and Greg Pettys join the show to discuss a valuable resource for second marriages.Ron Deal is a bestselling author, licensed marriage & family therapist, podcaster, and popular conference speaker who specializes in marriage enrichment and stepfamily education and is the co-author of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning: Money Management Before and After You Blend a Family. Greg Pettys, CLU, ChFC, CFP, has thirty-four years of specialized experience in securities and life insurance sales and services. He is the co-author of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning: Money Management Before and After You Blend a Family.Understanding the Financial Challenges of Blended FamiliesWhen two people enter a marriage with previous financial histories, child

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… “ -   Matthew 6:19-20Would you like to rethink your approach to money? Six powerful principles can shift your focus from the temporal to the eternal…and best-selling author Randy Alcorn is here to talk you through them.Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM) and the New York Times Bestselling author of more than 60 books, including Heaven, Money, Possessions, and Eternity, The Treasure Principle, and Giving Is the Good Life. His books have been translated into over seventy languages and have sold over ten million copies.The Foundation: God Owns EverythingWhen we take our cues from the world, it’s easy to develop a flawed perspective on money. But Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That transformation begins with the first principle:God owns everything, and I am His money mana

“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth…” - Deuteronomy 8:17-18This passage powerfully reminds us that God owns everything, and we are merely stewards of what He has entrusted to us for a season. Today, Cody Hobelman joins us to discuss how you can establish your first financial finish line.Cody Hobelmann is a Certified Financial Professional (CFP®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), and is the Chief Business Development Officer at Turning Point Financial. He and his brother Kealan founded the Finish Line Pledge and cohost the Finish Line Podcast, where they discuss the intersection of faith, generosity, and personal finance.The Challenge of ProsperityProsperity presents a significant challenge—perhaps more so than hardship. While we live in one of the most prosperous nations in history, this struggle with abundance is not unique to our time.The book of Deuteronomy

Many people consider frugality to be a Christian virtue—but is it, really?We often equate frugality with good financial stewardship, but they’re not exactly the same thing. While frugality can be a wise practice, it doesn’t necessarily lead to true peace or biblical financial wisdom. Let’s explore the key differences and signs that frugality might be going too far.What Is Frugality?Frugality is about being careful with resources—spending less than you earn, saving money, and making economical choices. If you or someone in your household is a conscientious penny-pincher, you likely embrace frugality as a lifestyle.Frugality certainly has virtues, such as self-control and patience. Benjamin Franklin’s well-known phrase, “A penny saved is a penny earned,” supports the idea that being financially cautious is a wise practice.At Faith and Finance, we encourage people to:Save for the futurePay down debtsAvoid overspendingHowever, biblical financial stewardship is much bigger than frugality.The Biblical Perspective o

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17Despite living in an era of unprecedented wealth, many individuals and families struggle to meet basic needs like food and shelter. Today, Brian Holtz joins us to discuss a new resource aimed at helping communities in need. Brian Holtz is the CEO of Compass Financial Ministry and the author of Financial Discipleship for Families: Intentionally Raising Faithful Children.A New Focus: Addressing Financial HardshipNavigating financial challenges can be overwhelming, especially for those who struggle to make ends meet. While many financial ministries focus on middle- and upper-income groups, Compass Financial Ministry has taken a bold step to address the needs of those with little to no financial margin. Their latest initiative—Making Ends Meet—is a resource designed to help individuals and families move from financial struggle to stability.Key Takeaways from the ResearchMany of the financial issues we associate with low-income communities ar

They’re not listed on stock exchanges, yet private market investing opportunities are becoming increasingly popular.So, just what are private markets? Why would you want to consider making them a part of your portfolio? And how would you go about it? Cole Pearson is here today to break it all down for us.Cole Pearson is the President of Investment Solutions at OneAscent, a family of companies seeking to help people align their investments with their Christian values. OneAscent is also an underwriter of Faith & Finance. What Is Private Market Investing?Private market investing involves putting capital into companies that are privately held rather than those listed on public stock exchanges. Unlike investing in publicly traded firms, private market investments focus on businesses that are in earlier stages of development.You might think of the local hardware store or a manufacturing plant in your area—these are privately held businesses. Private market investing tends to focus on rapidly growing for-profit

You might be surprised to learn that most Americans are satisfied with their healthcare insurance. But the rest are more than a little dissatisfied.A vocal minority of health insurance policyholders are frustrated with their insurers for any number of legitimate reasons. If you’re in this group, you don’t want to miss today’s show. Lauren Gajdek joins us with details about an efficient, affordable alternative to health insurance.Lauren Gajdek is the Vice President of Communications and Media at Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), an underwriter of Faith & Finance. Why Are People Frustrated with Traditional Health Insurance?Healthcare is a significant concern for many families, especially as costs continue to rise. Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) offers an alternative rooted in faith and community support for those who feel frustrated with traditional health insurance. Some of the most common frustrations they see are:Complicated Policies—Many insurance plans have intricate rules and coverage limi

Paying off debt is always a smart financial move—but eliminating it before retirement is one of the best decisions you can make. With more people than ever retiring with debt, financial security in retirement is at risk. Let’s explore why carrying debt into retirement can be problematic and what you can do to avoid it.The latest statistics reveal a concerning trend. According to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, 65% of individuals aged 65 to 74 carry debt—a significant increase from 50% when the Fed began tracking this data 35 years ago.Debt in retirement severely limits lifestyle choices and, for many, leads to an unwelcome necessity: returning to work. A study by T. Rowe Price found that 20% of retirees have gone back to work full-time or part-time, and another 7% are actively looking for jobs. The primary reason? They need more income.Inflation has only worsened the situation. Prices today are around 15% higher than they were three years ago, catching many retirees off guard and stret

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That teaching is true for everyone, and yet men and women have different perspectives on money. So how do wise women manage the resources God entrusts to them? Miriam Neff is here to talk about that today.Miriam Neff is the founder of Widow Connection, the author of 11 books, a counselor, a Bible teacher, and a speaker. She supports widows through sewing and bakery projects and is the co-author of Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More with her daughter. Her radio features New Beginnings and Starting Over Financially air nationwide.Managing money wisely is a critical skill, and for many women, the responsibility of financial stewardship comes unexpectedly. Whether due to widowhood, divorce, or simply taking on a more active role in household finances, women today oversee 51% of the wealth in the United States, a figure that continues to grow.However, with the right mindset and pract

The Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet once wrote, “Wisdom without an inheritance is better than an inheritance without wisdom.” These words are just as relevant today as they were in the 17th century, especially as we approach one of the largest wealth transfers in history.It’s estimated that Baby Boomers will pass down as much as $68 trillion to their heirs by 2030. But is the next generation prepared to manage this wealth wisely? Research suggests that many are not. Let’s explore what this historic transfer means, the potential challenges, and how families can prepare.Biblical Wisdom on Wealth and InheritanceAnne Bradstreet was undoubtedly inspired by Ecclesiastes 7:11-12, which says:“Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.”While passing down financial assets is important, passing down financial wisdom is even more crucial. However, r

Albert Einstein reportedly once said, “The hardest thing in the world is to understand the income tax.”Well, if Einstein thought the U.S. tax code was mysterious, imagine how difficult it is for the rest of us. So, it’s a real blessing that Kevin Cross joins us today with some much-needed tax tips.Kevin Cross is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who has headed CPA firms in Florida and now Georgia. He has studied the tax code extensively and specializes in representing taxpayers before the IRS. Key Tax Changes When Filing 2024 TaxesWith W-2s and 1099s now in hand, taxpayers are beginning to file their returns. Here are some important updates to keep in mind:1. Crypto and Stock Reporting is More SophisticatedIf you’ve traded stocks or cryptocurrency, be aware that financial institutions are now required to provide more detailed and structured reporting to the IRS. Trying to avoid reporting crypto losses or small transactions? That’s not an option anymore. Even if you had minimal gains or losses, it’s crucial

It’s often said that wisdom may create wealth, but wealth rarely creates wisdom.What’s more valuable, wisdom or wealth? Before you answer, consider that wealth is fleeting, but wisdom is never lost. John Cortines joins us today to discuss why wisdom over wealth is always the right choice.John Cortines is the Director of Grantmaking at The Maclellan Foundation and previously served as the Chief Operations Officer at Generous Giving. He is the co-author of God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School and True Riches: What Jesus Really Said About Money and Your Heart.A Study in Ecclesiastes: Wisdom Over WealthFor the last year, John has been working on an in-depth study for FaithFi titled "Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money." The study is designed to help believers align their financial decisions with biblical principles.At the heart of the study is a profound truth: while wisdom and wealth are both valuable, only wisdom can preserve life.A Tale of Three Siblings

Why don’t credit cards ever drown? Because they always have a float to keep them afloat!A little humor to start your day, but in reality, credit card float is no laughing matter—it can quietly put you one step behind financially and even lead to unexpected interest charges. Today, Chad Clark joins us to break down what credit card float is and how you can steer clear of its pitfalls.Chad Clark is the Executive Director of FaithFi: Faith & Finance and the co-author of Look at the Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety.What Is Credit Card Float?Credit card float refers to the period of time between when you make a purchase with your credit card and when you actually pay for it. Since using a credit card means borrowing money, this float period allows you to delay paying for purchases—often up to 55 days—without incurring interest, as long as you pay your statement balance in full by the due date.Let’s say you purchase a pair of shoes on January 1st, right at the start of your billing cy

"Do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words." – Matthew 6:7In Matthew 6, Jesus warns against meaningless repetition in prayer. Thankfully, He doesn’t leave us wondering how to pray. Instead, He gives us the Lord’s Prayer—an example of how we should approach God with our needs.But have you ever noticed how often we overlook a key part of this prayer? The request for provision:"Give us this day our daily bread." – Matthew 6:11This simple yet profound verse reminds us that God is our provider. He wants us to come before Him humbly, asking for what we need. And in a world where self-sufficiency is often celebrated, this truth is more important than ever.God Is Our ProviderJesus’ words in Matthew 6:11 serve as a powerful reminder that we depend on God for our most basic needs—starting with food. It’s easy to take this for granted, especially in a time and place where food shortages are rarely a daily concern.But do we truly recognize that all provis

You’re generous; you love to give. But how do you know that your giving is having a real impact?It’s great that you have a heart for giving. The next step is to make sure your giving really counts…and that’s by aligning it with God’s heart. David Wills is here today to help us do that.David Wills is President Emeritus of The National Christian Foundation (NCF). He is also the co-author of Investing in God’s Business (The “How To” of Smart Christian Giving) and numerous articles and lectures nationwide.  The Three Big Questions of GenerosityWhen it comes to giving, most Christians wrestle with three fundamental questions:Why should I be generous?How do I give?Where should I give?The first two questions deal with the heart and the head—our motivations for generosity and the practical ways to implement it. But the third question—where should I give?—often receives less attention. Instead of starting with our passions, we should begin with God's priorities.God asks us to be generous on every occasion so that it b

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:19This verse is a powerful reminder that God is our ultimate provider, no matter the economic uncertainties we face. Recently, we have seen that many have been concerned about trade tariffs and their potential impact on the economy. Today, Bob Doll joins us to explain what this means and what we can expect moving forward.Bob Doll is the CEO and CIO of Crossmark Global Investments. He regularly contributes to Faith and Finance and other media outlets like Bloomberg TV, Fox Business, and CNBC. What Are Tariffs and How Do They Affect Us?Tariffs are essentially taxes. If a 10% tariff is placed on imported goods, the price of those goods increases. That means consumers pay more for the products they need, which can slow down economic activity.However, tariffs are not just about taxation; they are often used as a bargaining tool in international trade negotiations. Sometimes, it depends on the day of the w

"Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house." - Proverbs 24:27That verse underscores the need for planning and execution, key elements for long-term financial success. Matt Bell joins us today to discuss how to put planning and execution to work for you.Matt Bell is the Managing Editor at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. The Importance of a Financial PlanLife tends to happen to us while we’re making other plans. Unfortunately, for many people, life happens without any financial planning at all. Millions of individuals fail to establish a clear strategy for managing their money, and even those who attempt to plan often struggle to stay on track.Without a plan, it's easy to drift financially, reacting to circumstances rather than proactively building a stable financial future. The impact of financial planning—and, more importantly, execution—can be profound.A 2011 study analyzed data from over 1,200 individuals aged 50 a

If you’re worried about your financial future, struggling to figure out how to pay for college, or feeling the pinch at the grocery store, you’re not alone. Financial challenges can make joy seem out of reach, but as Christians, we are called to face difficulties with a heart at peace.When financial worries—or struggles of any kind—overwhelm us, God’s Word offers wisdom and reassurance. Here are three biblical principles to hold onto in difficult times:Hardships are opportunities to grow in your faith.Joy and peace are not dependent on your circumstances.Your struggles have a purpose.Hardships Can Strengthen Your FaithThe book of James opens with a powerful challenge:"Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." – James 1:2-3At first glance, this perspective on financial struggles might seem counterintuitive. Why would we consider trials to be beneficial? James isn’t saying that we should enjoy hardship itself but that thr