Faith and Finances

Is there an implied obligation that parents are to save up and leave their children an inheritance? Are we bad parents if we do not leave an inheritance? What about the verse in Scripture that says a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children?

Saving or not saving for your children is a personal value.

Solomon warned against leaving an inheritance.

We'll talk about some "Do's and Don'ts" for those wishing to help out the kiddies.

Proverbs 13:22 is often misunderstood for meaning money rather than the family farm (which would provide the means for children's children to work the land, laboring for their income)

Do plan wisely for the passing of whatever funds we may leave behind, utilizing beneficiary designations, or see an estate planning attorney for legal documents to do so.

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

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Wealth is not always observed. The reality is that many Americans are quietly saving and accumulating wealth. You'll not see them living in the priciest houses in the neighborhood, nor driving the newest luxury car. Paycheck after paycheck they are willing to forgo the temporary pleasure that spending can provide, choosing rather to pay their "future selves."

Accumulating wealth does happen quickly, which is a challenge as many of us today are conditioned to see and receive immediate rewards.

Time and diligence are key.

Lifestyle are required, and possible (You may be surprised by what you are able to do without).

Proverbs 28:22 "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

Christians and Wealth— Episode 03 of Faith and Finances which discusses whether it is right or wrong for Christians to accumulate wealth. This has been a sticky subject among Believers.

"One of the greatest deterrents to accumulating wealth is the consistent hesitancy to consider the future."—Tim Rosen

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

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The timing belt needs to be replaced in your car, you get a speeding ticket, someone in your family needs a PT scan not covered by your health insurance. We've all been there; the unexpected bills!

Life can hit with expenses that nearly knock the wind out of us. One sad statistic is that most American households could not handle an unexpected expense of $400.

You do not have to be part of this statistic.

How to plan for the unexpected. First, acknowledge that expenses arise, and you do not have to be caught off guard.

Make the time to stop and consider all the possible expenses that may come up in one year's time: Consider your medical plan and the extent of your out-of-pocket responsibility; consider the condition of your automobile(s) and identify what parts may need to be replaced or repaired and research the cost ahead of time; consider the age and model of your cell phones and identify when they might need to be replaced—the same for computers.

Designate a specific, monthly dollar amount to add to savings.

Be keenly aware of your obstacles to saving; the desire of enjoying things today may be one of the biggest.

Realize that there may be a need that only God can meet—allow Him.

Nearly Half U.S. Can't Afford Unexpected $400 Bill—link to article

Striving to be faithful stewards, we should do our part in saving and planning for the unexpected, while trusting in the Lord's provision.

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

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Our lives are driven by many pursuits. There are career pursuits, financial pursuits, relational, physical and even status pursuits.

How common is it to list "seek wisdom" at the first action item on one's daily planner?

The Bible promises that those who pursue wisdom find life and obtain favor from the Lord. "Life" and "favor" can be easily overlooked, as we tell ourselves I have eternal life and I have favor of the Lord because of Christ, but we may be missing some key truths.

The word life in Proverbs 8:35 means green- as in vegetation, flowing- as in fresh water, and reviving- as in Spring time. This is the kind of life God wants us to have and we can experience such a rich life as we pursue wisdom.

Wisdom is greater than riches.

Proverbs 8:19 says, "My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than fine silver."

Verse 11 states, "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."

The wisdom from above is pure and peaceable; the wisdom that is not from above is earthly, devilish, and sensual (See James 3:13-18)

Proverbs 8, Acts 9:26-31, Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 111:10

Anything that can be imagined and pursued fails in comparison to seeking and obtaining wisdom.

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

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"What is God's will for my life?" is a common question among Christians.

That is a wonderful question to ask, as well as a spiritual goal to pursue. God has three wills for every person: Salvation (2 Peter 3:9), Sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3), and to be Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:17-18).

If we are saved but not sanctified, we are not in God's will. If we are saved and sanctified, but not living Spirit-filled, we are not in God's will.

While this is helpful to know, you may be thinking, What does this have to do with money?

We should not fool ourselves into thinking that we are in God's will if we aren't yielding our finances to Him.

It is God's will that we are to be completely dependent upon Him.

God uses money to develop trustworthiness in our lives. (Luke 16:11)

God proves His love for us by demonstrating that He is our Provider. (Matthew 7:7-11)

When we fully embrace our role as steward and God's role as Provider, we will experience peace in the area of finances.

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

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I get asked regularly about students loans. Usually, the question is "What can I do about these loans?"

The percentage of college graduates who carry student loan debt is staggering, ranging from 66% to 88%, depending on the type of college or university they attended. The debt balances range from $23K to $160K, with the average in 2017 being $39K.

The tough love answer to this question (which is Biblical truth) is to pay it. A "vow" has been paid, defer not to pay it (Ecc. 5:5)

In this episode we address a couple of methods which can be used to accelerate the elimination of student loan debt in record time.

We also talk about means of avoiding student loans and still have the college education paid for.

U.S. Student Loan Statistics 2018

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

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"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20

We are familiar with the term, ambassador, but do we know the implications of truly living as an ambassador?

What is an ambassador?

Definition: an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country

We live in a foreign country (this brief life on earth), but we will not remain in this foreign country. We will return from where we have been sent.

It's so easy to lose sight of who we are, who has sent us, and why we are here.

Ambassadors are held accountable for their representation.

What are the consequences of failing to properly represent?

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

2 Corinthians 5:10

Rewards earned and lost are real. We have these promises to motivate us to live with eternity in mind, to live further the Kingdom, and enjoy real, eternal rewards.

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

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I talk with my family frequently about the quality of food (or junk) that we put in our bodies. Yet there are times when I would see an amazing-looking dessert (just Google "Monster shakes") and all of a sudden I'm now telling my family how awesome this thing looks and that we ought to try it!

That is not integrity!

The healthy talk is somewhat recent in my life, but the junk food temptations stems from decades of bad habits.

Deep seeded bad habits and bad behavior do not suddenly disappear overnight. This applies to financial habits and behaviors as well.

You cannot dig yourself out of a 20, 30, or 40-year hole in just weeks or months.

Financial integrity means handling money in a manner consistent with your beliefs—and words.

Listen as we provide an Integrity self-test for Christians .

Saturate yourself in God's Word, seeking to learn what is acceptable, and then practice awareness of your own thoughts, words, and deeds.

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

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Many of us grew up being encouraged to "Be all you can be!" and to climb the ladder of success—which generally translates to more!

Learn more, do more, get more, keep more…

We do not want the opposite do we? Learn less, do less, get less, keep less…

What is the problem with more?

Can Christians strive for more?

A biblical look at the real problem and how to avoid it.

What is the purpose for more?

The traps of seeking more for the purpose of more

The blessings and promises when we seek to honor God with more

Seek God's will for your life, be faithful with that which He has provided, and He can entrust you with more. (Luke 16:10)

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

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Millennials get a bad rap for being easily dissatisfied with jobs, but that seems to be an unfair stereotype. Forbes reports that 60% of Millennials are currently open to a new job opportunity and are by far the most likely generation to switch jobs.

Interestingly, the data shows that it's largely the younger Millennials and not the older ones that job-hop.

Job-hopping is not new. It has been common for all generations based on age, not culture.

Possible reasons for job-hopping

The downsides of job-hopping

Possible benefits to job-hopping

Millennials Aren't Job-Hopping, Young People Are

If you leave a job, keep a good name and don't burn bridges. Strive to gain and retain experiences from past jobs to apply to future jobs.

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

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