Sometimes, you have to travel far to learn about things close to home—like your finances.

They say that “travel is broadening”—that it expands your horizons and increases your understanding of how things really work. Sharon Epps experienced that recently on the tram in the Netherlands, and today, she’ll share some financial lessons she learned along the way. 

Sharon Epps is the President of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi’s parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.

Faith, Finance, and the Tram

During a recent Christmas visit to The Hague, Sharon enjoyed time with her family and learned valuable lessons riding the Dutch tram system. These lessons beautifully parallel financial wisdom rooted in faith. Let’s explore these five lessons and how they can guide us in making faith-filled financial decisions.

1. Plan in Advance

Before boarding the tram, you need to purchase a card or use an app like Apple Pay—cash isn’t accepted. If you’re unprepared, you’ll find yourself stuck.

Financial Takeaway: Life transitions and financial goals require preparation. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Look ahead and make thoughtful plans for the future.

2. Make Decisions Based on Principles

Interestingly, there are no instructions on using the card readers. Observing others reveals the steps: scan in when boarding and scan out when exiting. It’s a system based on principles rather than explicit instructions.

Financial Takeaway: Life doesn’t come with a step-by-step manual for every situation. However, God’s Word is full of enduring principles. Base your financial decisions on these, rather than rigid rules, to stay aligned with His will.

3. Avoid Decision-Making Traps

Sharon missed her tram stop because she was looking in the wrong direction. She realized too late that the doors she needed were behind her.

Financial Takeaway: Evaluate multiple alternatives before making decisions. Avoid getting stuck with the first option that comes to mind, as it might not be the best one. Broaden your perspective to avoid costly mistakes.

4. Seek Godly Counsel

After missing her stop, Sharon was unsure what to do next. A kind pair of Dutch women guided her to the next stop and helped her find her way back.

Financial Takeaway: Life is full of unexpected turns. Seeking wisdom from God and godly counselors can help you navigate challenges and make wise choices. Proverbs 15:22 teaches, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

5. Know What You Have

After several rides, Sharon realized she needed to check the balance on her tram card and top it up.

Financial Takeaway: Just as you must track the balance on your card, you need to know the condition of your financial resources. Proverbs 27:23–24 reminds us, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever.” Awareness of your financial position is crucial for wise stewardship.

Life Moves Fast—Stay Prepared

Riding a tram requires quick decision-making—boarding, exiting, and navigating—all while staying prepared for the next leg of the journey. Financial decisions can feel the same way. By applying these five lessons—planning ahead, basing decisions on principles, avoiding traps, seeking counsel, and staying informed—you’ll be better equipped to navigate life’s financial challenges.

If we adopt these principles in our financial decision-making, we won’t find ourselves getting off at the wrong stop and scrambling to figure out our way back.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I have a seven-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, and I'd like to know how to begin investing in her college education.
• Can I roll my TSP over to an IRA? I'm getting ready to retire within the next five years, and I was told that if I did, the amount would be fixed and could only go up. However, I could still keep my TSP open and contribute to it. Would that be a wise move?
• I had a CD for $10,000 that matured, and I told the bank to reinvest it. It ended up being $10,210. Do I have to pay taxes on the $210 profit when I file my income taxes?
• I have been steadily losing money in the TCW MetWest Total Return Fund, and I would like to switch to a Timothy Fund. I'm 80 years old, so I want to change it to something that would make me a little money and keep the fees low. Who would I talk to if I wanted advice about which Timothy Plan fund to use?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Publication
• SavingForCollege.com
• Timothy Plan
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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