Faith and Finances

Many of us start out our adult lives in financial reactive mode.

Needing their own place to live, many young adults will naturally rent a place, bringing with it a slew of new bills: electricity, gas, water, internet, groceries.

It is easy to understand how we can get to the point where it feels like we are working just to pay bills. For many it may feel as if money controls us, instead of us controlling our money.

The good news is that we can turn this around. We can get to the position of controlling money matters, rather than letting money matters control us.

In This Episode We Look At:

Two Financial Muscles to Train:

The Proactive Muscle

The First Step: Assess

You need a clear picture of your current financial system. [fitness illustration: What do beginners need to do?"]

Everyone has a financial system; although many of us are uncertain as to what it really looks like.

Write out a list of your monthly totals for everything.

The second Step: Choose to reduce/eliminate

The wonderful news is that as adults, we have the power to choose our path.

The majority of the time we make a conscious decision to take on bills and obligations - they are rarely thrust upon us.

The Building Muscle

By flexing the Proactive muscle, you've recaptured monthly sums that can now work for you in building financial health.

What can an extra $100 or $300 a month do for you?

Debt Elimination–an extra $100 or $300 a month can be the difference between paying off your consumer debt in months versus 11 to 20 years!

Savings–Those recaptured dollars can quickly build the 3-6 months living expenses fund that you absolutely need.

Giving–Perhaps it's been on your heart to give more to the work of the Lord, but the burdens of bills have prevented you. $100-$300/month can have a great impact on eternity.

Investing–Consistent, monthly investing of even a modest sum can result in an amazing accumulation of wealth for your future. And in many cases, it's not too late if you haven't started. $300 invested monthly at an average of 8% growth amounts to approximately $275,000 in 25 years.

Today's Resources and Links:

Against The Grain, Avoiding The Financial Pitfalls of Conventional Wisdom - Tim Rosen [Affiliate Link]

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Choose a time and place where you (and your spouse if married) can go through these two exercises undistracted. Be sure to bring print outs of your last two or three month's bank statements.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Our call-in number: 401-753-2484 401-75-FAITH. You are invited to leave a recorded message.

Our lives are driven by habits.

We may have healthy habits or we may have negative and destructive habits.

What you do is habit and what you do not do is a habit.

In This Episode We Look At:

Identifying your own money habits

What is the first financial transaction you make on payday?

Are you addicted to receiving those Amazon boxes on your doorstep?

Not saving or investing–is a habit.

Many habits cannot be eliminated, but they can be changed

Establish an "anchor" habit. One habit that creates other supportive habits. An example would be the habit of logging everything that you eat to develop the habit of avoiding M&M's and other sweets; because it is not motivating to report that you ate a bag of M&M's.

A financial anchor habit for the Christian could be honoring the Lord first with your paycheck. This strengthens your dependence upon God and causes you to consider how you spend the remaining income. This can develop into other supporting habits like budgeting and adding to savings.

Today's Resources and Links:

The Power of Habits by Charles Duhigg [affiliate link]

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

Identify just one money habit that should be replaced with a healthier habit and make that one change. An example could be the habit of over-spending when shopping. The replacement habit would be to bring only the cash budgeted for grocery shopping. Not only will you not go over budget, it is possible that you may spend less as it is emotionally harder to spend cash than swipe a card.

Bonus Idea:

Create the habit of carrying Gospel tracks with you and be prepared to feed a hungry person. Be a blessing by giving them food and a gospel track in Jesus' name.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

We love sweets and deserts just as much as the next guy, but even common sense says that that one's diet shouldn't be mostly Snickers and ice cream.

Wanting to be faithful stewards in finances, we dive into a discussion of the cost of unhealthy eating versus the cost of healthy eating.

In This Episode We Look At:

The cost of junk food

How much of our hard-earned income goes to purchasing food with little or no nutritional value?

The personal and national cost of obesity

Poor food choices create many unneeded costs: over-the-counter medications, prescriptions, doctor visit co-pays, and medical treatments.

The personal and national cost of treating diabetes

In addition to out-of-pocket expenses, loss of wages due to diabetes can be devastating. Also consider the personal and emotional price of missing important life events due to illness or premature death.

The savings created by eating responsibly, and practical tips for identifying delicious and nutritious foods

It's amazing what happens when we start eating highly nutritious foods instead of empty- calorie foods; our energy increases and we do not have the need to eat as much as before.

A practical look at exercise

You don't have to workout until you puke. For many, a simple daily walk around the block is a great start to increasing metabolism and energy levels.

Today's Resources and Links:

Oh, How Sweet It Isn't – Chris Chadwick

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Take a close look at everything you plan to put in your mouth and ask, "Will this help me or hurt me?" Decide to stock the fridge with foods which God made (and He made them good!)

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Our call-in number: 401-753-2484 401-75-FAITH

There are some things in this life that we desire more than others. People often desire such things as attention, fame, wealth and the accumulation of possessions.

Those all have a common factor: we can physically see them.

I submit that Christians tend to overlook the most valuable riches–the ones that are normally not seen or felt.

How often do we focus on fleeting riches, when all along we have Christ's power within us to live boldly and victoriously for Him.

In This Episode We Look At:

The riches of Christ's power within us

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." Eph 1:19

The Riches of Redemption

We were once condemned while still living and the wrath of God abode on us. We were children of the Devil.

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" Eph. 2:2

The Riches of our Inheritance

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." Eph. 1:18

Today's Resources and Links:

Col. 1:27 "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"

Acres of Diamonds, Temple University website

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Daily, ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139) and provide guidance to His will in your life. Consciously yield to His will, not your own. You can confirm God's will by reading His Word.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

There are countless books on the subject of money management and many more web articles on the subject. While many can be of practical help; as Christians, we have the most valuable resource–God's Word.

In This Episode We Look At:

Eight steps to biblical money management and how to apply biblical principles to today's financial needs.

Some of the topics we work through: Honoring the Lord with our substance, Paying Ourselves, Avoiding Assumptions, and the inevitable "Writing a Budget"

Tim expounds on Scripture that is focused on helping to have victory in the area of finances. That further enables us to experience peace, joy and a godly testimony.

Today's Resources and Links:

The Faith and Finances Cash Flow Worksheet [Follow the link and then either download or make a Google Docs copy for yourself]

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Download our Cash Flow Management Worksheet and work together to fill in your own dollar amounts. Having a visual helps in your efforts to improve your financial world.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

Children love to be rewarded with treats or candy for learning Bible verses.

Teens love to be rewarded with cash or privileges like driving Dad's car.

Adults love being rewarded with bonuses from work, gifts, or even a trip to somewhere beautiful!

Who doesn't love rewards?

In This Episode We Look At:

God is the creator of the reward system. He wants us to live and strive for eternal rewards. Sometimes these are physical rewards, and sometimes they are privileges.

Heaven is not a reward; it is a gift (Eph. 2:8-9).

There are Temporal Rewards:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. Proverbs 10:3

But heavenly rewards are forever.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:20

Today's Resources and Links:

The Law of Rewards, by Randy Alcorn [Affiliate Link]

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Be mindful that all we do for Christ will be eternally rewarded; while all we do for self will perish.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

What do you when you get married and discover your spouse has over $40,000 in debt?

Today we'll hear from Bob and Ellie Kay about how they addressed this serious issue and paid this debt off in only 2 1/2 years. Hear how this strengthened their marriage and set the foundation to put several children through college while remaining debt free!

In This Episode We Look At:

What decisions and adjustments they had to make and live with.

How they determined each other's financial roles and responsibilities.

How they got out of debt and paid cash for the necessities in life; all while honoring the Lord in tithes and offerings.

Today's Resources and Links:

The 60-Minute Money Workout: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Finances into Shape [Affiliate Link]

EllieKay.com

Ellie's Contact Page

Tim's blog post on the subject

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

Decide to have open dialogue with your spouse and talk about your financial goals and frustrations. Purpose in your heart that you will not avoid serious talks regarding money.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

I am resigned to the fact that I am aging; my declining vision reminds of this. I can no longer simply buy a pair of prescription glasses and go on my merry way. My continually declining vision demands that I regularly replace my lenses.

Recently I went in to have my lenses replaced, left my current glasses at the store, and had to resort to wearing an older pair of glasses.

This was not good... I experienced headaches, got drowsy while reading, and couldn't read fine print.

It was evident I was seeing my world through the wrong lenses! I contend that our default financial lens is the temporal–the here and now. But Scripture teaches of another lens that may seem ethereal or fictional–eternity.

In This Episode We Look At:

We as Christians are already citizens of Heaven.

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Phil. 3:20. Conversation, as used here is not dialogue. The Greek word politeuma (pa -lē-tyu-ma) means, "the commonwealth of citizens".

This life is very short. Very Short!

We often hear the world proclaim, "Life is short so…live it! Have fun while you can, Carpe Diem!"

The world believes that this life is the best there is. That is wrong

The reality is that this present life is infinitely shorter than our eternal life. We are wise to put more effort into preparing for our eternal life, rather than allowing this temporary life to distract us from what really matters.

This life and this earth will soon pass away with all its lusts.

Everything that we may treasure here on earth will be destroyed.

This is NOT the best that God has to offer. The best is coming: a new heaven and a new earth without sin and corruption–as God had originally intended. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Rev. 21:1

The correct perspective is an eternal one.

In Acts, we see that all their wondrous works were done "in the name of Jesus Christ"–giving Him glory and impacting eternity!

If we pause and consider our own daily actions, which can we truthfully say we are doing in the name of the Lord Jesus?

Today's Resources and Links:

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" Psalm 90:12

"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cast down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not." Job 14:1-2

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves, treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal". Matthew 6:19-20

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Begin each day prayerfully, acknowledging that it is "…appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." and purpose in your heart - by God's strength - to live fully for Him today. Our words and actions do impact eternity.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

As parents, we want the best for our precious children. Does that include paying for their college education?

In This Episode We Look At:

Parents should prioritize providing for their household: Avoid saving for college if it is detrimental to the family's financial health.

Continue (or begin) your financial commitments to the Lord: Ecc 5:5 "better is it that thou shouldest not vow, that that shouldest vow and not pay"

The Problem with Student Loans: Don't be hasty in moving toward indebtedness.

Those that choose to save and invest for their children's education: Remember that time passes quickly! Start when they are very young–time is a factor.

Today's Resources and Links:

DOL Scholarship search tool

Financial Aide Resources

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Financial World:

Talk with your teenagers about various careers that they find interesting. Help them research average salaries and required education for those fields. Build a plan to prepare now for the education required.

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.

There is obviously a disparity in beliefs, evidenced by a Barna study reporting that only 16% of evangelical Christians tithe.

In This Episode We Look At:

The Purpose of the tithe: According to Scripture it is, "…that ye may learn to fear the Lord thy God always." Deut. 14:23. What does that mean to us today?

The Great Divide: Various reasons why many Christians do not tithe.

What we miss out on when we do not honor the Lord with the tithe.

One Thing You Can Do Today to Improve Your Faith and Finances:

If you are not currently tithing, decide to take a step of faith (and strengthen your faith) by committing to prayerfully honor the Lord with thanksgiving for His provision and trust Him to provide for you!

What Are Your Thoughts?

If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts.