Faith & Finance

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29 Have you ever wanted to take back words, maybe even right after saying them? We often use the phrase, “That came out wrong.” Kathleen Edelman joins us today to talk about getting communication right the first tim...

Employment scams skyrocketed last year, increasing by nearly 120%. Would you be able to spot one? The FTC routinely handles thousands of employment scam complaints each year, but that number is rising dramatically as technology makes conning job seekers easier for online thieves. The Bible warns us about living in a hostile and deceptive world. In Matthew 10:16, Jesus reminds us:  “Behold, I am se...

Many rules come with exceptions. Perhaps that’s nowhere more true than with financial decisions. In most situations, paying off the mortgage and becoming debt-free is the right decision, but it may not be possible for everyone. Harlan Accola joins us today to discuss “red doors” and exceptions to the rule. Harlan Accola is the National Reverse Mortgage Director at Movement Mortgage, an underwriter...

You’ve heard the saying, “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” Does that apply to Federal Reserve policy? The Fed is finally cutting interest rates for the first time in four years. What does this mean for investors? You might be surprised. Mark Biller has the details. Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing , an underwriter of Faith & F...

You’ve heard the identity theft protection ads for years, but do you really need it? Today, dozens of companies sell identity theft protection, so people obviously buy it. But what exactly are they getting, and is it really worth it? Understanding Identity Theft Protection: Is It Worth It? Identity theft is a growing problem that affects millions of people every year, with schemes ranging from cre...

Giving is supposed to be a source of great joy for God’s people. But sometimes, we act like it’s just another pain in our wallet. Christians are supposed to be generous, but maybe you’re having trouble getting excited about the idea. Today, we’ll point you back to the radical joy of godly generosity. Has Your Giving Become Automatic? Let’s start with an honest confession—has your Sunday donation b...

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” - Isaiah 1:17 Widows are often unprepared to face a range of difficulties, including grief, social isolation, and, of course, financial challenges. Valerie Hogan joins us today to discuss some ways we can help. Valerie Hogan is an attorney, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a member...

Many folks with 401ks and IRAs probably don’t think much about proxy voting…but it can be a powerful tool for the Kingdom. As investors, we have an opportunity to make our Christian values known to the companies in our portfolio. We just need to take advantage of it. Brandon Pizzurro joins us today to tell us how. Brandon Pizzurro is the President and Chief Investment Officer of GuideStone Capital...

English statesman Francis Bacon once wrote, “Money is a great servant but a bad master.” If we don’t learn to manage money wisely to take control of it, it will soon master us. It’s one way or the other. Today, Bob Lotich tells us how to be the master and not the servant when it comes to money—and he makes it pretty clear, as well. Bob Lotich is a high-performance financial coach and Certified Edu...

One of the enemy’s favorite tools for discouraging Christians is the question, “What if…?” Unfortunately, those “What if” questions lead right down the road to fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” How many times have you worried about your finances, asking those scary “what if” questions like: “What if I lose my job?” “What...

Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, “ every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.” The Bible calls work a gift . But if you have to work more than one job, it might not feel like it. Today, we’ll offer a few practical and spiritual insights for working multiple jobs. Work: A Gift and a Struggle God created us for work. Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of work, no...

When a low-income person asks your church for help, what do you do next? God is extraordinarily generous, and our churches should be, too. However, helping low-income people often requires going beyond meeting their material needs. Dr. Brian Fikkert joins us today to talk about how your church can help the poor in ways that lead to lasting change. Dr. Brian Fikkert is a Professor of Economics and...

Christians are generous people, as God calls us to be. That means we must also be discerning . We should always give with our hearts out of a passion for advancing God’s Kingdom, but we must also use our heads to strategically choose which organizations or causes receive our financial support. Ron Blue joins us today with some advice before you write that check. Ron Blue, co-founder of Kingdom Adv...

Are you worried about a recession? Some economists say there’s still a 35% chance it could happen in 2024. People often ask, “Will we have a recession?” The answer, of course, is “Yes.” We’ll always have another recession—the real questions are, “When?” and “Are you prepared for it?” If you’re not, now’s the time to get started. With the economy showing signs of slowing down, preparing yourself fi...

God’s Word says a husband and wife become one flesh…but it doesn’t say anything about prenups. It’s true; you won’t find “prenuptial agreement” in your concordance. So, does that mean a Christian should never have one? God’s Design for Marriage: Oneness and Covenant A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is a legal contract that couples agree to before marriage, outlining how their assets—money, property...

So you’d like to give more, but you don’t know how? Good news! If money’s scarce, it doesn’t mean your giving has to be. Hebrews 13:16 reads: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” It doesn’_t say, “unless you’re broke.” Today, we’ll give you some ways you can give _without money: 1. Give Your Time to Your Church One of the easiest ways to...

There are plenty of Christian retirement plans out there…but is retirement itself actually biblical? The answer depends on your definition of retirement. For Christians, that should be quite different from the world’s view of retirement. Work: A Biblical Calling The world often sees work as something to escape—a negative experience endured under the pressure of a demanding boss. However, the Bible...

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” - Proverbs 11:14 At one time, finding someone who shared your Christian values and could give you expert financial guidance was quite a challenge. But today, a nationwide network of Christian financial professionals fills that void. Sharon Epps joins us today to explain “What is a CKA®?” Sharon Epps is...

The definition of synergy is two things put together, having an effect greater than the sum of the parts.  Synergy can play a beneficial role in family finances. A case in point is an ABLE account working together with a special needs trust for a person with disabilities. Matt Syverson joins us today to talk about it. Matt Syverson is Managing Partner & Senior Wealth Advisor for Sound Stewardship...

You should have 3 to 6 months’ living expenses in your emergency fund…but what if you can’t get to that money? Does your emergency fund need an emergency fund? That would be money you actually have on hand , not in a bank. And if so, how much? Today, many of us rely heavily on debit and credit cards for everyday transactions. They’re convenient, especially with the added perks of reward points or...

There’s a saying… “When the wolf comes in the door, love creeps out the window.” Money problems are always listed among the top reasons couples divorce. This is all the more tragic because money problems are fixable . Rachel McDonough joins us today with a three-step approach to better money and marriage. Rachel McDonough is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®)...

Many believers would agree that churches should follow the same financial principles that God’s Word provides for individuals.  But even within that agreement, there’s still plenty of room for debate. For example, should churches borrow for building and expansion projects? Borrowing for church projects can be a sensitive topic, raising important questions about finances and faith. While the Bible...

Can you name two things that don’t seem to go together—but actually do? How about freedom… and budgeting? We hear from folks all the time who feel that living on a budget cramps their style, hems them in, and makes them feel trapped. Brandon Sieben is with us today to make the case that just the opposite is true. Brandon Sieben is the Chairman of the Board at Compass Financial Ministry .  How Simp...

Today’s parents have better ways to save for their kids’ college than existed a generation ago. So, are you making the most of your college savings program? It’s been less than 30 years since Congress authorized the tax-advantaged 529 plans. More options soon followed. Mark Biller joins us today with the pros and cons of several college-savings programs. Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior...

They say life insurance is like a parachute. If you don’t have it the first time, odds are you won’t need it again. While that’s a funny line, all kidding aside, life insurance is the only way most people can provide for their families if they should die. But what happens when it ends? Term life insurance is often recommended due to its simplicity and affordability. Unlike whole life insurance, it...