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Matthew 6:28-29: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”John Putnam is a certified financial planner, a Certified Kingdom Advisor, and founder of Smarter Stewardship, a marketplace ministry.  HOW DO YOU COUNSEL PEOPLE WHO WORRY ABOUT MONEY, ESPECIALLY WITH TALK OF A LOOMING RECESSION?John Putnam discusses Matthew 6:28-29 and what it teaches us about God's provision and the importance of not being anxious.Focus on God's provision, as shown in nature, to minimize worry.Striving, or being overly concerned with the future, should be replaced by thriving, or being present in the moment God created.Anxiety does not add value to life; instead, it distracts from experiencing God's blessings. WHAT DOES REPLACING STRIVING WITH THRIVING LOOK LIKE?Replacing the struggle of striving with thriving involves being present in financial moments, patient, and generous, aligning with Jesus' approach to life.Bei

Miriam Neff back on the program. She’s the founder and president of Widow Connection, a ministry dedicated to helping women overcome and thrive after the loss of a husband. She’s also co-author, with her daughter Valerie Neff Hogan, of Wise Women Managing Money.  THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN UNDERSTANDING FINANCESMiriam Neff discusses the importance of women, including widows and single moms, understanding and managing finances. She emphasizes that women manage over 51% of wealth in the U.S., and this number is growing.Every woman should understand finances, regardless of their marital status.It's crucial to acknowledge that all possessions are God's and manage them accordingly.Knowing the 'why' behind financial management is essential as it aligns with God's purpose. EIGHT HABITS OF WISE WOMEN MANAGING MONEYMiriam Neff outlines eight habits for effective money management, particularly for women who may suddenly find themselves in charge of household finances.1. ACKNOWLEDGE ALL BELONGINGS AS GOD'S: Recognize that

REFLECTION ON LAST YEAR'S PREDICTIONSBob Doll reflects on his previous year's predictions, noting that while they achieved a 50% accuracy rate, it fell short of their usual 72% mark. The unexpected strength in the economy and labor market, combined with a decrease in inflation, led to deviations from their projections.The economy was stronger than expected, preventing the anticipated recession.Inflation continued to decrease but did not reach the central bank's target of 2%.Stock market valuations increased, particularly for a small group of high-performing stocks. OUTLOOK ON THE US ECONOMY FOR THE UPCOMING YEARBob predicts a mild recession for the upcoming year, citing residual issues from Federal Reserve tightening and an inverted yield curve. He expresses skepticism about the current optimistic outlook for a soft landing in the economy.A mild recession is anticipated due to ongoing economic tightening and yield curve inversion.The labor market remains strong, posing challenges for reducing inflation.A shif

INFLATION “FELL”?There’s something you need to understand about the inflation numbers you hear in the news, such as, “Inflation fell to 3.2% last month on an annualized basis.” Some folks think that means prices went down, but it really only means that the rate of price increases has gone down.  INFLATION'S PERMANENT PRICE INCREASES:A decrease in inflation rate means slower price increase, not price reduction.Even if inflation drops to zero, the high prices from past inflation remain. WAGE GROWTH NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION:A significant portion of workers report their wages haven't kept up with inflation, leading to financial strain.Many Americans have used their savings or resorted to credit card use due to the discrepancy between income and rising costs.To cope with financial strain, it's essential to adjust one's lifestyle and budget, potentially including major changes like downsizing.IMMEDIATE COST-CUTTING STRATEGIES:Freeze credit cards literally to curb impulse spending.Remove saved credit card infor

WHY ARE BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS IMPORTANT?Beneficiary designations are crucial because they're an easy, quick, and free way to transfer assets, accounts, and insurance benefits after passing away. They take precedence over wills or trusts and are significant because they skip probate and remain private.Beneficiary designations offer a straightforward method to transfer assets after death.They are prioritized over estate planning documents and bypass the probate process.Keeping them updated and accurate is crucial for ensuring assets are distributed as intended. WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO REMEMBER ABOUT DESIGNATING BENEFICIARIES?When designating beneficiaries, it's important to consider various account types like IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance policies, and regularly update these designations. Ensure that primary and contingent beneficiaries are named and understand the implications of each type. It's also vital to coordinate with your will or trust and consider the potential uneven growth of different assets.Review

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it, for he has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2: Mark Regier is Vice President of Stewardship Investing at Praxis Mutual Funds. WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP INVESTING AND HOW DOES IT INCORPORATE CREATION CARE?Stewardship investing is an approach rooted in biblical principles, emphasizing responsibility and management of all that God has entrusted to us. It involves recognizing God's ownership over everything and managing resources wisely and according to His wishes. This philosophy extends to caring for our neighbors, seeking justice, peace, and importantly, caring for the world God created.Stewardship investing is about managing resources as God's stewards, recognizing His ownership.The approach involves investing responsibly and ethically, integrating care for neighbors and the environment.It emphasizes investing in ways that do not harm the world but seek to improve it, aligning with biblical stewa

Art Rainer is Director of the Institute for Christian Financial Health, which administers the Certified Christian Financial Counselor program.  WHAT DO CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL COUNSELORS DO?Christian financial counselors aim to integrate God's design into financial decisions. They guide individuals and couples through making wise financial choices, establishing healthy financial habits, and increasing biblical and financial literacy.They help you understand and pursue God's design for money.They guide you in wise decision-making and developing sound financial habits.They increase your understanding of both biblical and financial principles. WHO NEEDS A CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL COUNSELOR?We actually have a list of signs that may indicate you would benefit from a Christian Financial Counselor:1. Your finances feel out of control. Your finances feel like one big mess. Every month, you are just flying by the seat of your pants. There is no direction, only disorganization. And it stresses you out. You know something must c

“If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8It’s a pleasure to welcome Harlan Accola back to the program. Harlan is with Movement Mortgage, an underwriter of this program. He is also the author of Home Equity and Reverse Mortgages: The Cinderella of the Baby Boomer Retirement.  WHY ARE REVERSE MORTGAGES REFERRED TO AS THE CINDERELLA OF RETIREMENT PLANNING?Reverse mortgages are seen as the Cinderella of retirement planning because they have been underestimated but hold significant potential for aiding in financial stability, especially for widows.These government-insured tools have been marginalized but can provide significant help for those living longer, particularly by offering financial support without the burden of monthly repayments.The concept resonates with the Cinderella story due to its transformative potential and the gradual recognition of its value in the retirement planning space. WHAT I

You won’t find the word “budget” in the Bible, but it does say a lot about stewardship— and budgeting is stewardship. Having a spending plan and sticking to it is the only way to control your money, stay out of debt and gain peace of mind about your finances. When you practice faithful stewardship, you no longer have to worry about your money, because you’ve accepted that it’s God’s money. He owns everything. So budgeting is a key part of stewardship.  BIBLICAL BASIS FOR BUDGETINGProverbs 27:23 emphasizes the need to be aware of one's assets: "Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds."Proverbs 21:20 contrasts wise and foolish financial behaviors: "Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." COMMON EXCUSES AGAINST BUDGETINGMath Skills Not Required: With tools like the FaithFi app, anyone can set up a budget quickly, even without strong math skills.Overconfidence in Income: Assuming one doesn't need a budget due to high income can be ris

The usual “honey-do” jobs are anything but sweet. “Get the oil changed”, “Empty the dishwasher”, and “take the dog to the vet” are a few that come to mind.  But if you think about it, these are jobs we do because we love our family, and we want things to go smoothly around the house.God doesn't require good works for salvation; however, they're a necessary, joyful part of living for Christ. Scripture emphasizes the interconnection of faith and works, underscoring that like a body without spirit is dead, so is faith without works. SCRIPTURE INSIGHTS:James 2: Faith apart from works is dead.Ephesians 2:10: We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.John 11:25: Believing in Christ is the foundational work of God.2 Corinthians 9:8: God will provide all you need to abound in every good work. LIVING OUT FAITH THROUGH GOOD WORKS: Embrace your responsibilities in God's family to keep things running smoothly and to spread God's love. Understand that God has already prepared specific good works for

THE ISSUE OF IDENTITY & BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE:In today's culture, there's pressure to define ourselves by worldly standards, but for Christians, true identity is found in Jesus, not in worldly achievements or possessions.John 1:12 says: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.DANGERS OF WORLDLY IDENTITY & SPIRITUAL PITFALLS:Focusing on wealth or success can lead to pride, envy, constant comparison, worry about finances, and disillusionment, as these pursuits never truly satisfy.Letting money or success define us can make us believe our worth is tied to our work, income, or spending, leading to a lack of peace and misguided identity. SCRIPTURAL GUIDANCE:Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 1:27 teach that our identity in Christ transcends worldly measures like job status or wealth; our true value is rooted in being made right with God through Jesus.LIVING IN — AND OVERCOMING — A BROKEN WORLD:Despite our identity in Christ, we still face challenges d

UNDERSTANDING THE PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE:Tax preparers are typically CPAs (Certified Public Accountants), Enrolled Agents, or specialized attorneys. CPAs have more stringent requirements than Enrolled Agents.There's a shortage of CPAs and Enrolled Agents, leading to firms hiring high school interns at competitive rates to encourage CPA careers.Due to professional shortages, there's a risk of encountering unscrupulous tax preparers, potentially leading to scams like refund fraud and identity theft. SAFEGUARDS AGAINST FRAUD:Seek preparers available year-round, especially useful in case of audits.Verify the preparer’s IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) through the IRS directory.Inquire about their professional credentials and continuing education to ensure they're up-to-date with tax laws.Check their professional history via the State Board of Accountancy for CPAs, the IRS for Enrolled Agents, and State Bar Association for attorneys. WARNING SIGNS TO WATCH FOR:Avoid preparers who base fees on refund p

GOD'S WORD ON PAYING DEBTS:Proverbs 3:27 emphasizes the importance of paying back debts on time: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."DEFINING GOOD CREDIT SCORES:FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with a good score between 670 and 739.A very good score is between 740 and 799, and excellent is 800 to 850.Higher credit scores result in better interest rate offers from lenders.IMPACT OF CREDIT SCORE ON LOANS AND INTEREST RATES:A higher credit score (740+) can significantly reduce interest rates on mortgages, personal loans, and credit cards.Example: Raising a credit score by 100 points (from 640 to 740) can save around $72,000 in interest over a 30-year $300,000 mortgage.A better credit score can also reduce interest rates on a $5,000 personal loan and credit card balances, saving substantial amounts over time. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF A HIGH CREDIT SCORE:Higher credit scores can lead to lower home and auto insurance premiums.Employers may use credit scores in hiri

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN BUDGETING SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT?Perspective is key in creating and adhering to a budget.Budgeting is often viewed as a necessary but challenging task, similar to a diet.Success in budgeting hinges on understanding the 'why' behind it.Differentiating between your financial goals (what you want to do) and the underlying reasons (why you're doing it) is crucial. AS BELIEVERS, WHAT SHOULD OUR 'WHY' BE IN BUDGETING?Our 'why' should align with scriptural teachings, recognizing God's ownership over everything.Believers should form their own 'why' statements, reflecting a commitment to stewardship based on biblical principles. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO START WITH GOD AS OWNER IN BUDGETING AND MONEY MANAGEMENT?Acknowledging God as the owner defines our role as stewards, influencing our financial choices.Seeing ourselves as managers under God's ownership leads to more thoughtful and responsible decision-making. RECOGNIZING GOD AS AN ACTIVE OWNER IN BUDGETING:A passive owner

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:A survey of 2,000 people highlights common resolutions: diet (71%), exercise more (65%), save more/spend less (32%), learn a new skill, quit smoking, find a new job, and spend time with family and friends.These resolutions are often hard to keep due to requiring significant lifestyle changes. THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN RESOLUTIONS:For Christians, resolutions should prioritize God's will and honor Him.Success in resolutions is more likely when they align with God's will.Examples of Christian resolutions include seeking God's guidance for resolutions and praying for wisdom and strength. SCRIPTURAL GUIDANCE:James 1:5 encourages seeking God's wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."Philippians 4:13 emphasizes reliance on Christ: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."Matthew 6:5 warns against hypocritical actions: "When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites...that they

The following is an encore presentation from 2023.Tithing is fairly simple in your working years. Your only decision is whether to tithe on your net or gross income. But tithing becomes a bit more complicated when you retire. So we’re bringing in an expert to help simplify things today on Faith and Finance. Anthony Saffer is a Certified Financial Planner with One Degree Advisorswhere they’ve put together a handy resource to help you decide how to tithe in retirement.WHY TITHE? Let’s start by laying the biblical foundation for tithing because some folks will argue that Christians today are no longer under that law.Tthing is an act of worship that demonstrates trust and obedience to God. Key biblical verses to study include, Genesis 14:20, Hebrews 7:4-10, Leviticus 27:30-32, Luke 11:42, and Malachi 3:8-10.The practice of tithing, as introduced in Genesis 14 precedes God’s law given to Moses to guide Israel. Hebrews 7 of the New Testament refers to the event of Abraham tithing to the Priest and King, Melchizedek

The following is an encore presentation from 2023.Chad Clark is Executive Director here at FaithFi. WHERE DOES STEWARDSHIP BEGIN?Start by envisioning a target with three rings. When we think about stewardship we need to start in the inner circle, the bullseye, which is our heart.At the heart of a good and faithful steward you will find a love and devotion to Christ. Really, it’s our identity that is found in Christ as Galatians 2:20 points out “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me”.This is contrary to the world, which is focused on self. When we think of what it means to be a good and faithful steward we must start with Christ and resist the temptation to put ourselves at the center.DOERS OF THE WORDThe outermost ring of this target is APPLICATION.We are in the world but not of the world. We still have bills to pay, and financial decisions to make, but when we make decisions from the inside out, we recognize that God is the owner of everything and our role as stewards is simply to glorify Him

The following is an encore presentation from 2023.Shaunti Feldhahn is a relationship expert and the author of several very helpful books about marriage, including Thriving in Love and Money.There’s a saying about marriage: “When money troubles come in the door, love goes out the window.” But Shaunti has 3 steps for couples to keep that from happening.  3 STEPS TO ERASE TO AVOID FINANCIAL TENSION IN YOUR MARRIAGE1. ENSURE MARGIN: Make sure you have a cushion — some margin in your budget and finances. The Feldhahns conducted a three-year study involving a couple-thousand people. They found that no matter the income level, it wasn’t the topline income number that mattered. The key to avoiding tension was to spend less than they took in. This was true across all demographics. You’ve got to have a cushion to be able to make that car repair or whatever life throws your way. It’s great stewardship and helps keep you out of debt and bondage. But as it turns out, it’s not just protective of your finances, but of your

The following is an encore presentation from 2023.God’s Word contains dozens of verses about repaying debt, but usually from the perspective of owing it to others. Another example of this is Ecclesiastes 5:5. It reads, “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”We have to dig a little deeper to discern God’s will for us when someone owes us money, but one thing is very clear - the Lord expects us to act differently than the world.For one thing, if the one who owes you is a fellow believer, you should never sue to recover that money. Paul says this in no uncertain terms. In 1 Corinthians 6:6-7 he writes, “But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?”Of course, this applies only if the person owing you money is a fellow believer. The Bible doesn’t say that you can’t sue someone outside the church. If you own a business, you may

The following is an encore presentation from 2023.April is just 72 hours away and it’s one of our favorite months of the year. That’s because April is Financial Literacy Month. This event began some two decades ago to raise awareness about the critical need for financial literacy. It’s just as important as learning to read and write. We’ll talk about that on Faith and Finance. It’s not quite April yet, but we want to give you a head start on gaining financial literacy. It’s important, because if you don’t know how to set up a budget, handle credit cards responsibly, or figure out how much car or house you can afford— you’ll run into all sorts of trouble.And guess what? Financial literacy is just another way of knowing and following God’s financial principles for earning and saving money.Now, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal laid out six practical things you need to know to be financially literate, so let’s go over them one by one.6 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW1. The power of compound interest and how it wo