Faith And Finances

CJ writes, "I try to give what I can when I can; stopped trying to tithe years ago when I had larger sums of money—stepping out on faith—only to get totally destroyed financially. Last time I gave larger amounts regularly, I had a home emergency pop up that led to several overdraft charges in the checking account. I still have a joyful heart when I can give what I can."   In This Episode, We Look At: In response: The tithe is a spiritual issue, not a mathematical or economic one. It is God's design that we are to be completely dependent on Him. Deut. 14:23 that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. The tithe belongs to God—it is His, not ours. Lev. 27:30 it is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD It requires faith Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11,Heb.10:38 Our flesh fights to operate by sight, especially in finances Who is more capable of providing finances for us? God or ourselves? Whose ways work better? Our ways or God's ways? Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, n

Are you hoping to receive an inheritance? Are you putting pressure on yourself to leave an inheritance to your "children's children?" Let's look at both; hoping to receive and planning to leave.   In This Episode, We Look At: Hoping to receive an inheritance. If you have family who leave assets behind, those should pass to beneficiaries as opposed to being tied up in probate. If you are good at managing your current income, then you will likely manage an inheritance well. If you are not responsible with the income you currently manage—chances are you are in for an extra dose of stress! Unearned riches tend to magnify one's character—to the negative as well as the positive. Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If your hope is in the inheritance, then your hope is misplaced It is not the answer to your financial needs. Scripture clearly teaches the importance of labor. Proverbs 12:27 The slothf

People often ask me if a Christian investor can be broadly diversified and avoid immoral companies?   In This Episode, We Look At: What factors would be utilized to determine whether a company is immoral or not Do they sell alcohol? Do they sell pornography or Rated R movies? Do they support Planned Parenthood? Do they financially promote lifestyles that God says are sinful? Do they directly or indirectly financially support human trafficking? Investment products aimed at screening company stocks based on morals Are they expensive? How much is someone paid to sell you one? Spending your money on their products and services is much more support than owning a few shares of their stock The shares of stock you buy today are sold on the secondary market—you are not buying them from the company. Don't want to support immoral companies? Don't buy pornography, alcohol, drugs, etc.   Improve Your Faith and Finances: If you wish to have a real impact on companies that you consider moral, purchase produc

The most overlooked aspect of financial health has little to do with having the right strategy, having more income, or being excellent at math. Many writers don't want to talk about it because it doesn't sell books. We are talking about self-control.   In This Episode, We Look At: Money is an area where many lack self-control In his book, Behavioral Finance & Wealth Management, Michael Pompian states that The Saving Decision "…reflects an individual’s relative preferences over present versus future consumption." In other words, "Do I want to buy this now or would I rather save my money for something more important later?" Holding onto money in savings is not exciting There is a huge temptation to do something that is exciting or more enjoyable with that savings. It requires self-control. Having money that is accessible is very important in life. Some solutions to self-control problems Negative motivation Automate savings/paying bills Reward substitution   Improve Your Faith and Finances: I

While I certainly recommend having up to 6 months of living expenses saved up, we ought to completely depend on the Lord and not trust in our savings.   In This Episode, We Look At: Could you save enough to withstand a worst-case financial scenario? Should that even be the goal? We should not strive to replace the role God has in our financial life. God's role is Provider, even when (and especially when) it seems impossible. We may find ourselves in a devastating financial situation where we see no way out. God's promises and His ways are beyond our understanding. God can do the miraculous. This is where faith trumps sight—and that’s exactly what God wants. His ways may seem impossible. The last thing that would make sense during a financial crisis is to give. In 1 Kings 17, we meet a widowed woman who has no substance and is about to make a final meal for her and her son. The solution to her dire situation, as communicated by God through His prophet, Elijah, is to feed the prophet first. Put yours

The internet, developing science, and our own personal experience have turned our thinking upside down in so many areas.   In This Episode, We Look At: We turn conventional beliefs on their ear, from cars to food; from fitness to finances. Is sodium bad for your health? Does it cause heart disease? (We are not doctors, but we share some recent research). Does a longer workout at the Gym equal greater health benefits? Should we be prepared to retire by age 65? Should we strive for the biggest tax refund? We have fun in this episode and we hope it causes you to challenge some of your own conventional wisdom.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim Twitter Troy Twitter

The average American will easily work over 100,000 hours during the course of their working years. This is a huge portion of our lives. It should not be solely for a paycheck.   In This Episode, We Look At: God thinks bigger! "We must do wordly jobs, but if we do them with sanctified minds, they become offerings to God" - A.W. Tozer God is our supervisor and rewarder.  A Christian does not merely work for an earthly employer. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Col. 3:23-24 We will not always be treated well or fairly The "Golden Rule" And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31 Phil. 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Cultivating and working in th

Why do we complicate our finances? The rules of financial health are simple. Honor the Lord Spend less than you earn Save a portion Avoid debt   In This Episode, We Look At: It's our behavior that drives our finances. Do we consider God when making money decisions? We remind ourselves that we work hard and that we deserve nice things. We pay now and deal with the consequences later. We have no one telling us what to do. We either self-destruct or flourish based on the decisions we make. Doing it our way can be expensive, frustrating, and even destructive. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov 16:25 We have no clear, written financial path to follow. We wing it and try to do our best. Let's look at those basic rules again, but focusing on God's ways instead of our ways (Isaiah 55:8). Honor the Lord: Prov. 3:9-10 Spend less than you earn: Prov. 27:23 Save a portion: Prov. 21:20 Avoid debt: Prov 22:7   One Thing You Can Do Today

Dr. Bryan Stensaas is a Vietnam veteran, church planter, has an accredited Ph.D. in education, and is a former radio host and college instructor—but most of us know him as a Veteran Missionary to Uganda. We had the privilege of sitting down with Bro Stensaas and speak with him about some of his experiences in the field and what God has taught he and his wife, Cheri, in their 32 years of serving as Missionaries.   In This Episode, We Look At: From the Gulf of Tonkin, to the plateau in Uganda, we'll hear the incredible story of how God orchestrated His plan for Bryan Stensaas's life. Bro Stensaas candidly shares mistakes he's made along the way and what he believes today's Missionaries ought to do to prepare for life in the field. His story of how God greatly expanded his reach and multiplied his preaching efforts will inspire you. His financial and deputation advice will surprise you (It surprised us). We will also hear how God used peripheral neuropathy to bring Bro Stensaas back to the States and how

What comes to mind when you hear the word "rich?" Maybe an unattainable goal? Other people? A few select? Sin? In the New Testament, people equated wealth with spirituality. The Pharisees were wealthy—the common folk looked up to them spiritually and were impressed with them financially.   In This Episode, We Look At: Is God against His people being rich? No… But neither is it His design that all His children would be rich in financial resources. "If you have real character, money will not spoil it. Persons with genuine character can handle adversity and prosperity." S Truett Cathy Wealth that will actually last Riches passing through the hands of eternally minded Christians can do great things for the Kingdom of God. See Matt. 6:20 Yesteryear: J.C. Penney was saved after the Great Depression and the loss of his personal wealth. Soon after, he began giving cheerfully and sacrificially to the cause of Christ and other benevolent pursuits. Cautions Riches can also bring on great destruction in t

Is Capitalism a Christian system? Gov. William Bradford made a poor decision in the early days of what would become the Massachusetts Bay Colony: He believed that devout Christians would all work together equally for "The Greater Good." Collectivism (socialism) failed miserably. Many simply didn’t want to labor to produce food—over 50% died.   In This Episode, We Look At: Here are a handful of freedoms granted not only in our founding documents, but in Scripture as well. Freedom: to assemble and of religion—1st Amendment This is often taken for granted. We have freedom in Christ (Romans 8:2) and we have individual freedoms in this great nation. Property rights: 5th Amendment to the Constitution In Acts 4:36-5:1-5, Barnabas "having land, sold it, and gave it". It belonged to Barnabas and he could do as he wished. He chose to sell it and give it. Ananias and Saphira also owned property. Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Incentive: also

I believe we start our adult lives with the erroneous and dangerous belief that revolving debt—and the interest payments that go along with it—are normal and acceptable.   In This Episode, We Look At: The average American pays a significant amount of interest every month;  profiting a lender and not themselves. They do it for the privilege of having something now and paying for it later. The average interest paid in car loans is $895 per year ($74 per month) according to a recent Experian survey. The average interest paid on credit card debt is $855 per year ($71 per month) according to a report by TransUnion. The interest rate charged by the IRS for repaying taxes due is over 3% The average interest paid on student loans is $641 per year ($53 per month). It's worth pointing out that some households are way above average! With approximately $200 or more per month being paid out in interest payments, we ask you: Are you earning at least $200 per month on your savings/investments? Are you making some company

Considering all the innovations that supposedly save us time—we are a people who tend to live life at a frenzied, break-neck pace.   In This Episode, We Look At: Culture celebrates living a busy life We have a myriad of digital notifications constantly chiming for our attention. We have habitually check multiple e-mail accounts much too often. We applaud multi-tasking. We have more innovation and technology than our parents had growing up Today: The average American works less hours, earns significantly more (adjusted for inflation), and enjoys more leisure time than those of just two generations ago. We are able to communicate with loved ones around the globe using a device that fits in the palm of our hand. We vacation more frequently and fly more frequently for less money than those of two generations ago. More patients survive heart attacks and are cured of diseases that would have killed those of two generations ago. And yet we feel as stressed and pressed for time as those two generations ag

Our lives are surrounded by technology. It is at play in every aspect our lives, and yet some have not harnessed technology to improve their finances. It's the Twenty-first Century—come on in, the water's fine!   In This Episode, We Look At: Here are some tools we can utilize to improve our finances from the moment we receive a paycheck. Pay Day: Set up Direct Deposit if you have not yet Tithe/Offerings: If your church offers online giving it gets your financial gift to the church quicker and out of your checking account sooner Bill Pay: Automate paying bills Automate Savings: Fire and forget Automate Investing: Beyond a company 401(k), invest monthly from your checking account to your investment account and remember the Roth IRA Add to savings through purchases (takes the change up to the nearest dollar of purchase and sends to your savings with Acorns or your bank/credit union)   Today's Resources and Links: Digit Acorns   One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances: S

We are interesting creatures when it comes to money. Can you identify with some of these adjectives regarding money? Affluent, Broke, Stressed, Generous, Stingy, Protective, Easygoing, Frivolous, Spendthrift, Content, Discontent, Boastful, Lavish, Conservative, Bitter, Joyful, Jealous, Grateful All of these money attitudes stem from the heart. Scripture supports this conclusion. There are over 2,300 verses in the Bible directed toward money and possessions. That's twice as much as faith and prayer combined—why is that?   In This Episode, We Look At: Our hearts are drawn to trust and love money. Psalms 62:10 If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Matthew 12:34 for of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. When we feel we do not have enough money we worry. When we feel we have enough (or even too much) money, we trust in money rather than God. Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be

I'm no fan of learning by making mistakes, but there is value in learning not to repeat that same mistake. It's easy to remind ourselves of past money mistakes and convince ourselves that we are still that person who failed—so why try?   In This Episode, We Look At: You can turn things around and improve your financial health For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:But the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16 Change your thinking ("I'm a spender." "I just can't save" "I was born this way") When you change your thinking, you change your money beliefs Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: qfor the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Mat 12:33–35 Take ap

How easy is it for us to accept our own dishonesty?   In This Episode, We Look At: Do we embellish our tax returns or expense reports? Company time—If we are texting, making personal phone calls, or just chillin', while being paid, then we are stealing from our employer. Entertainment—We do not view ourselves as pirates. Have you found ways to watch movies without needing to buy or rent them? Do we download free music that has not been offered as free from the owner or company that owns it? "Everyone else is doing it" will not help us when we stand before Jesus Christ and give an account for all we have done in life. 2 Cor. 5:10 "…that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."   One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances: No matter how popular or publicly acceptable an activity may be, if it even "smells" like it is dishonest, run from it. Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself:But t

The just shall live by faith. This truth is stated four times in Scripture. We also know that "without faith it is impossible to please God." Do we then demonstrate faithlessness if we accumulate savings and invest?   In This Episode, We Look At: In many areas of our lives we tend to lean on faith and ignore action We have a tendency to think that God will take care of us when considering our future financial needs.  That is true to an extent; (Matthew 6:33) but, what is our part in effort and labor? Consider the source of your income today It is very likely that you sought the Lord to help you and guide you concerning your present job. An interview was conducted during which you presented yourself and your qualifications. You had to prepare for your job or career with college education or prior work experience. Your ability to work comes from the Lord (Deut. 8:18). What about Pastors and Missionaries in retirement years? We think, "Surely God will provide for their future income because they gav

We want to help you prepare your teen for their future, financial independence—from you!   In This Episode, We Look At: The Starting Point: Your influence Some of you are thinking, "We're doomed!" The most impactful action you can take to help your teens is to set the best example . Not only are they watching you; they are listening to you. Include Them in Family Finances Include them when you review or write the family budget and when you shop or pay bills. Teach Them the Value of Money. Talk about how various work efforts demand higher compensation, but that in all labor there is profit. Proverbs 14:23 Teach them the importance of learning a skill or trade. Help Them to Live Within Their Means Explain the Credit Industry Credit card companies are after their own benefit and their offers are designed to cause failure and indebtedness. While credit cards provide easy access to what teens want, there are over-limit fees which lead to much higher interest rates and late fees which quickly add u

The investing experience can stir a flurry of emotions; most common are fear and greed. There are also many traps that investors fall into. Christians are not exempt from these traps. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.   In This Episode, We Look At: Being anxious to increase wealth  God warns us of the dangers of desiring to get rich quick. In Proverbs 28 verse 20, we are made aware that, ”A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” And in verse 22, “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” Pleasure and pain We look at our statement and half of our portfolio is down (US Large stocks)—**Pain** The other half is up (Bonds)—**Pleasure** The temptation is to flee pain by dumping the one that went down and put that money into the one that went up. That is common investor (bad) behavior. Doing that breaks ALL the investing rules! Fal