Faith and Finances

In Jesus' parable of the talents, one servant receives five talents, a second receives two talents, and the third servant receives one talent.

Why did each receive a different amount of wealth?

Today, we see that God has provided Christians with varying amounts of money for the purpose of occupying until he returns.

The key wording in this passage is "…according to their several ability."

Everyone has their own level of faithfulness with God's resources. We see in Scripture that this who are faithful "in that which is least shall be faithful with much: and that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10

God knows our individual strengths and weaknesses.

What does financial faithfulness look like?

Honoring the Lord.

Taking care of our families

Saving a portion

Setting aside for a future need (investing)

Multiply: What the Bible Teaches About Saving, Investing, and Planning for Your Future- by Tim Rosen

Commit your heart and actions to being faithful in the finances God has currently blessed you with, with gratitude. It may be that He provides more at some point, so that you can do more, to His glory!

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

A storyline from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25) guides the reader. Here you have two faithful servants who double their lord's wealth, and one who hides the money. What were these servants' views on ownership?

Whose wealth did they manage and multiply?

In verse 14 the Bible says "… and delivered unto them his goods."

They knew that, while they were in physical possession of riches, the wealth actually belonged to their lord.

The financial resources we have, in a practical sense, is ours. Yet in the spiritual sense it all comes from God, and He calls us to honor Him in our finances.

How is your personal view of ownership?

How wonderful is it, when we acknowledge that our resources are God's resources, that our burdens also are God's burdens?

Multiply: What the Bible Teaches About Saving, Investing, and Planning for Your Future New book, by Tim Rosen

Acknowledging God's ownership of all that we physically have, puts the burden on God, not us, because the Owner bears the burden. Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you.

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

Why write a book on the subject of investing, when there are already so many others?

Christians still experience stress, fear, worry, and confusion over the matter of planning for their future, and yet the Bible has so much to teach. "Multiply" teaches those principles and guides you in today's applications.

Most of us are not planning adequately for the future, for varying reasons.

An estimated twenty-one million American workers say that they are counting on depending on social security for their retirement needs, and yet 56% say they do not understand how social security works.

Many of our pastors have been advised by well-meaning mentors of the past, "just stay faithful and God will take care of you."

While there is some truth to that statement it omits other important truths.

The Bible teaches that there is wisdom in planning for a future need.

Thus, trusting in the Lord, and planning, are not mutually exclusive.

There are some that are doing well financially, and in their investing endeavors, who still need the valuable truths of God's Word, which warn and guide us from trusting in money more than God (Proverbs 30:7-9).

Multiply: What the Bible Teaches About Saving, Investing, and Planning for Your Future

Take a moment to consider your age, health, and probable remaining working years. Are you taking steps to prepare for the today when you will no longer work? We will always need income, and the Bible provides wisdom and guidance for us to follow.

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

Where does money come from and why do we value it so much?

Money is one thing can so quickly turn the Christian's heart away from the Lord and into idolatry. (I am not saying money is bad).

Since antiquity there has always been some sort of money (something of value exchanged for something else of value). The more you have the more stuff you can obtain.

How money is viewed.

Our view of money can be very subjective and often progresses (or regresses) through varying seasons of our lives. Thankfully we have Scripture through which to view money. God provides money for the meeting of our needs, and some God-honoring pleasures (1 Timothy 6:17), equips is for a life of faith ( 2 Cor. 9:8), and we ought not worry, even about money (Phil. 4:6, Luke 12:22-32)

Multiply: What the Bible Teaches About Saving, Investing, and Planning for Your Future

God, who gives you the ability to earn money (Deut. 8:18) promises to meet your physical needs when you: seek Him first and, seek to live righteously (Matthew 6:33)

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

As Christians we need to remain diligent and guard our hearts against the constant push of how we ought to live and be entertained.

Self-inflicted consumer debt.

We take out a loan or use the credit card to get something now, that we cannot afford, and worry about paying for it later.

Is the verse, "Owe no man anything" to be taken literally? We'll tackle that on today's episode.

Multiply: What the Bible Teaches About Saving, Investing, and Planning for Your Future

Resolve to keep yourself and your family out of debt. Patiently save and pay cash for wants in life (this gives you time to consider whether you really want it, or if it was just an impulse!)

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

If you are listening to this Podcast in a developed country, you likely own a Smart phone which costs somewhere between $300 and $900.

Whether you paid for it in full, put it on a credit card, or had the cell company add the balance to your monthly bill, it was important to you and you may a way to obtain the phone.

The same applies to our cars, computers, and other things that are a priority to us; we find a away to obtain.

If we find ways to own Smart phones, cars, tablets and computers, why is it that the bulk of Americans are setting aside adequate dollars for their future?

Isi it procrastination? Is it because we enjoy today's dollars and we don't want to part with that money? Are we in denial about aging and some day needing income? Do we believe what we can afford to invest is not significant, or would make little difference?

We have more than we think.

We will need more than we think.

It takes effort today to have income tomorrow.

You can do it, but you will have to get two things right:

You will have to save appropriately and

You will need to invest correctly.

Resources and Links:

Multiply: What the Bible Teaches About Saving, investing, and Planning for Your Future - Tim Rosen's newest book.

There are many things we give financial priority to in life. Have you reviewed your financial priorities lately? Are there any items on that list that may no longer be a priority today? What adjustments can you make to put investing for you future on that list?

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

Time and time again in Scripture we see Jesus' disciples limiting the power of God in their lives through their doubt or disbelief. Peter cast one net instead of two, as Jesus instructed. And again, when told to come out and walk on the water.

If his disciples, who were physically with Jesus for over three years, had times of doubt and uncertainty, we can be assured that we will also.

We are a people in complete need of God. He is the One who provides for us and protects us. He is the only One who can save us and our loved ones.

At times we limit God from doing wondrous things in our lives, sometimes , because we cannot imagine, or picture our lives being any different, or our finances improving.

He is more than able to exceed all that we ask or think.

God promises that when we ask, according to His will, believing, that He will answer prayer (unless we ask wrongly, James 4:3). How is your prayer life? Are you coming boldly (and humbly) before the throne and bringing your prayers, petitions and intercessions?

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

Like the sights and sounds of a Vegas casino, the investing world is full of "sights and sounds", luring the investor to play.

Some approaches to investing can be considered speculating, or gambling, with your money.

Single stock picking. Attempting to time the market. Even choosing a mutual fund based on the reported past performance.

In this episode we also look at the benefits and applications of diversification in your investing experience.

Jack Bogle said, "Instead of trying to find a needle in a haystack, just buy the haystack."

We talk about striving to make earn market rates of return, rather than attempting to beat the market.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." Ecc. 11:1-2

Investing should be viewed and approached as a long-term discipline. Taking short-cuts or being "hasty" in the process could be very damaging to your financial health.

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

Podcast on Facebook

Tim Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

In your adult years have you ever resisted advice that was good for you? We could respond with "You can't tell me what what to do!"

Hearing that we ought to live within our means can generate that same resistance.

If we are honest with ourselves, we lean toward living how we want to live.

In This Episode, We Look At:

Most Americans live beyond their means, as measured by consumer debt held by the average household. There is not safety in these numbers.

Debt means using someone else's money to obtain what we want and an obligation is created. (Romans 13:8)

It is both possible and rewarding to live within your means.

Guard against: pride, coveting, mindless spending, fear, and comparisons.

Improve Your Faith and Finances:

Take an honest look at where every dollar is going. What area(s) is causing you to come short of financial health. What changes do you need to make?

Think about the rewards and benefits of making those changes.

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 Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter

We work, often full-time, to earn money. We struggle sometimes to meet today's financial demands, set some money aside in savings, while trying to squeeze in some dollars for the future.

In This Episode, We Look At:

We are bombarded with materialism.

We are prone to worry, stress, and hoard.

The very kingdom we spend time, energy, and resources to build will ultimately and literally pass away. It will be burn and God will replace it with a new, perfect earth.

Resources and Links:

Faith and Finances: Eternal Promises for Today's Resources Book, by Tim Rosen

Improve Your Faith and Finances:

We cannot anticipate or desire what we cannot imagine. As long as the resurrected universe remains either undesirable or unimaginable, Satan succeeds in sabotaging our love for Heaven.

Randy Alcorn

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 Website or Twitter

Troy Twitter

Matt Website or Twitter