Faith & Finance

What if the companies in your portfolio are working against the values you’re trying to live by?

For Christians, investing is about more than pursuing financial returns. Like every other financial decision, investing can be viewed through the lens of stewardship—asking not only, “How is my money growing?” but also, “What is my money supporting?”

Faith-based investing seeks to bring those questions together.

Brian Mumbert, president of Timothy Plan, joined the show today to explain how faith-based investing works, what research suggests about performance, and how Christians can begin aligning their portfolios with biblical values.

Faith-based investing shares many objectives with conventional investing: building a diversified portfolio designed for long-term growth while managing risk appropriately.

The difference is that it adds another consideration—a values-based screen.

For Timothy Plan, that means avoiding companies that profit from or promote activities the fund family believes conflict with biblical principles. Examples may include abortion, pornography, gambling, and businesses that profit from activities that can exploit addiction or vulnerable people.

At the same time, faith-based investors can seek companies producing goods and services that contribute positively to society.

Importantly, biblical screening does not replace traditional investment analysis. Financial fundamentals still matter.

“The screening comes before the portfolio construction,” Mumbert explained.

The goal is to combine disciplined financial analysis with biblical convictions so investors can pursue competitive returns without unnecessarily separating their financial decisions from their faith.

One common concern about faith-based investing is that eliminating certain companies or industries will automatically lead to lower returns.

According to Mumbert, research does not support the idea that values-based investing necessarily requires investors to accept a persistent performance penalty. He points to independent studies examining faith-based and values-aligned investment strategies, some of which have found comparable performance and, in certain cases, favorable risk-adjusted results.

Screening can also remove companies facing significant social, reputational, or regulatory risks.

Of course, no screening methodology guarantees better investment results, and past performance never guarantees future returns. Faith-based investors still need to evaluate expenses, diversification, risk, time horizon, and the quality of the underlying investment strategy.

The larger point is that investors do not necessarily have to choose between financial discipline and biblical alignment.

Knowing what a company truly supports can be more complicated than simply looking at its primary business.

A company may appear acceptable based on the products it sells while supporting other activities through corporate policies, charitable contributions, partnerships, or business practices.

That makes research an important part of faith-based investing.

Timothy Plan has developed a proprietary screening process over more than three decades. Its research examines both what companies profit from and what they promote at the corporate level.

The process also relies on third-party information, and companies are reviewed periodically because corporate practices can change.

That ongoing evaluation is important. A company that meets a particular screen today may change its policies, business lines, or priorities in the future.

Transparency also gives investors an opportunity to examine holdings for themselves. Timothy Plan makes information available so shareholders can better understand how their investments align with its biblical screening standards.

Faith-based investing has expanded considerably over the years. Investors today have access to a growing range of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other investment strategies.

Timothy Plan currently offers 12 mutual funds and seven ETFs covering different areas of the market. Its offerings include strategies focused on various company sizes and investment styles, as well as more specialized options such as an Israel-focused fund.

For investors just getting started, some Timothy Plan mutual funds have relatively low entry points, including a $1,000 initial investment or an automatic investment program beginning at $50 per month.

But investors should never base their choices solely on whether a fund carries a Christian label.

Investors should still consider their overall financial plan, including their goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, diversification, fees, and tax situation. A faith-based portfolio should be both biblically aligned and financially sound.

Many Christians have never examined the companies held inside their mutual funds, ETFs, retirement accounts, or other investments.

That can be a valuable place to begin.

Rather than assuming your investments reflect your convictions, take an inventory of what you actually own. Look beneath the fund names and examine the underlying companies your investment dollars are supporting.

Timothy Plan offers screening resources that can help investors evaluate their current holdings. You may also want to work with a financial professional, such as a Certified Kingdom Advisor®, who understands both investment planning and the desire to integrate biblical principles into financial decisions.

Faith-based investing will not make every investment decision simple. Christians may reach different conclusions about particular companies, industries, or screening standards.

But stewardship invites us to be thoughtful.

Our investments are part of the resources God has entrusted to us. And while financial returns matter, they are not the only question worth asking. We can also consider whether the way we invest is consistent with the values we seek to live out everywhere else.

To learn more about Timothy Plan and its faith-based investment options, visit TimothyPlan.com.

• My husband passed away in January, and I’m the beneficiary of his IRA and 401(k). What taxes might I owe on those accounts? He also had an outstanding 401(k) loan—will I have to repay it or report the unpaid balance as income?
• From a credit-score standpoint, is it better to have more than one credit card, or is one enough?
• My 90-year-old mother has early-stage dementia, and I’m now managing her finances. She continues to spend heavily on collectibles, and we’re concerned her money may not last if she eventually needs memory care. How can my sisters and I address her spending wisely and respectfully?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Timothy Plan
• Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More by Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan, JD. 
• FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? 
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• 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)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the first century B.C., Roman historian Sallust observed, “Prosperity tries the souls, even of the wise.”

Most of us would probably choose financial prosperity over adversity. Yet both seasons bring their own spiritual challenges.

When things are going well financially, it can be tempting to take credit for our success. Pride, greed, and self-reliance can quietly take root. Financial hardship brings different temptations—self-pity, bitterness, envy, or fear.

Scripture offers a better way. Christians are called to live faithfully and with integrity regardless of their circumstances. And according to the Bible, the key to doing that in both prosperity and adversity is wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Fearing the Lord does not mean living in dread of Him. It means recognizing that He is God and we are not. It is a posture of reverence toward His holiness, wisdom, and authority.

God’s commands are not arbitrary restrictions designed to make life difficult. They are loving boundaries given by the One who created us and knows what leads to life and flourishing. Like a loving parent who sets boundaries to protect a child, God directs us toward what is good.

When we understand that, fearing the Lord becomes less about being afraid and more about growing in love, trust, and joyful obedience.

And this wisdom is not reserved for the wealthy, successful, or especially intelligent. It is available to anyone who humbly listens to God and trusts His Word.

Scripture describes many benefits of walking in wisdom.

There is discernment. Proverbs 2:9 teaches that wisdom helps us understand “righteousness and justice and equity, every good path.”

There is guidance. Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

There is blessing. Proverbs 3:13 says, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.”

There is also honor and protection. Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise will inherit honor,” while Proverbs 16:6 teaches that “by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.”

These are not promises that wise people will always become financially prosperous. They are reminders that God’s wisdom produces something far more valuable: a life increasingly shaped by truth, integrity, discernment, and faithfulness.

Those qualities can take root whether your bank account is growing or shrinking.

Scripture often contrasts the wise with the fool. That language is not intended as a petty insult but as a sober warning.

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Biblically speaking, foolishness is the attempt to live independently of God’s wisdom—to determine for ourselves what is good, right, and worthy of pursuit.

That temptation certainly appears in our financial lives.

We may assume that because something makes financial sense, it must automatically be wise. We may pursue more money without asking what that pursuit is doing to our hearts. Or we may allow our circumstances to determine our attitude toward God.

But His warnings are also invitations. God continually calls us back to a better way—a life shaped by His wisdom rather than our impulses.

So what does that look like in our everyday financial decisions?

First, remember who owns everything.

Scripture teaches that everything ultimately belongs to God. We are stewards of what He has entrusted to us.

That changes the goal of financial management. The ultimate objective is not simply to reach a certain bank balance, accumulate enough possessions, or achieve financial independence. It is to become increasingly faithful with whatever God places in our hands.

Ask the Holy Spirit to shape your desires, guide your decisions, and help you use God’s resources in ways that honor Him.

Financial wisdom is more than knowing what Scripture says. It means putting biblical principles into practice.

God’s Word should shape not only what we do with money but also how we treat people along the way.

That means practicing honesty and integrity, dealing fairly with others, keeping our commitments, and allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate generosity and humility.

A financially wise decision should not merely ask, “Will this benefit me?” It should also consider whether the decision reflects God’s character and demonstrates love for others.

Finally, pursue contentment.

Contentment grows as we learn to trust God with what we have, what we need, and what lies ahead.

As we invite Him into our financial lives and depend increasingly on His provision, the Holy Spirit begins loosening our grip on comparison and the constant desire for more.

That is why 1 Timothy 6:6 reminds us, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Contentment does not mean we stop planning, working, saving, or pursuing worthwhile goals. It means those things no longer determine our security or identity.

Whether you are walking through financial adversity or enjoying a season of prosperity, your circumstances do not change who God is.

He remains faithful. His wisdom remains trustworthy. And His provision remains worthy of our confidence.

True financial wisdom is not measured by how much we have. It is revealed in how faithfully we follow God with whatever He has entrusted to us.

In every season—prosperity or adversity—the wisest path is the same: fear the Lord, trust His Word, and faithfully walk in His ways.

• I inherited about $50,000, and a friend is encouraging me to use options trading to grow it faster. How does that compare with investing in more traditional mutual funds? Also, my late mother left $100 in a savings account that the bank says must go through probate. Does that make sense for such a small amount?
• My 75-year-old mother owns her home outright and is considering a reverse mortgage for extra income. She also co-signed a loan for my sister. Could that affect her ability to qualify?
• My wife has an inherited IRA from her father and a separate 401(k) from a former employer. Can those accounts be combined, and what’s the best way to use them for retirement income?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? 
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• 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)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Money has a way of reaching places in our lives that few other things do. It touches our fears, desires, relationships, priorities, and sense of security.

That may be why Jesus spoke so often about money and possessions. In Matthew 6:21, He says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus understood something we often miss: money issues are often heart issues. Our financial choices can reveal what we trust, what we desire, and ultimately what we treasure.

Years ago, Ron Blue once shared a story from his time in Kenya that profoundly shaped the way I think about stewardship.

Ron was sitting on a hillside with a local pastor, looking out over the village where the man lived. Ron asked him what he thought was a practical question: “What’s the greatest barrier to the spread of the gospel here?”

Ron expected to hear about a lack of money, transportation, or other resources.

The pastor didn’t hesitate. “Materialism.”

Ron was stunned. Surely materialism was primarily a Western problem. But the pastor explained that if a man has a mud hut, he wants a stone hut. If he has a thatched roof, he wants a metal one. If he has one cow, he wants two.

That conversation helped Ron recognize an important truth: Materialism isn’t ultimately about how much you have. It’s about what your heart longs for.

If materialism can thrive in a mud hut as easily as in an American suburb, then possessions aren’t the root problem. The heart is.

Money simply has a remarkable ability to expose what is already there.

Money itself is neither moral nor immoral. It is a tool. But because it touches nearly every area of life, the way we handle it can reveal what is happening inside us.

Overspending may reveal a desire for identity, comfort, or approval. Clinging tightly to savings may reveal where we seek ultimate security. Debt can sometimes expose impatience or a desire to live beyond what God has currently provided. Resistance to generosity may reveal a fear that there will not be enough.

In each case, the dollars are secondary. The heart is primary.

The good news is that God cares deeply about our hearts, and He invites us into something better: freedom from fear, comparison, striving, and the belief that everything depends on us.

Over the years, a few biblical truths have become foundational to the way I think about money and stewardship.

Biblical stewardship begins with ownership.

Everything we possess ultimately belongs to God. Our money, possessions, abilities, opportunities, and even the power to produce wealth are gifts entrusted to us for a season.

Recognizing God's ownership changes the question from, “What do I want to do with my money?” to, “God, what would You have me do with what belongs to You?”

When we understand ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we can begin to hold money with greater gratitude, humility, and freedom.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 that our heavenly Father feeds the birds and clothes the lilies—and that His children are worth far more.

That doesn’t mean Christians will never face financial difficulty or uncertainty. It does mean our ultimate confidence is not found in a paycheck, investment account, or emergency fund.

Wise planning matters. Saving matters. Working diligently matters. But none of those things were designed to carry the weight of our ultimate security.

God is our provider. 

As that truth moves from something we know intellectually to something we believe deeply, fear begins to loosen its grip.

Money is useful, but it makes a terrible master.

It was never meant to provide our identity, significance, or ultimate security. Instead, money can become a tool for accomplishing good purposes—providing for our families, meeting needs, blessing others, supporting gospel work, and practicing generosity.

The problem begins when the tool becomes the treasure. Jesus calls us to something infinitely greater: to treasure Him above everything money can provide.

When Christ becomes our ultimate treasure, money can return to its proper place.

Stewardship is about far more than giving.

Every spending decision, saving goal, act of generosity, and financial plan gives us another opportunity to ask, “Lord, how can I honor You with what You’ve entrusted to me?”

That changes the way we approach money.

Instead of treating our finances as an isolated part of life, we begin to see them as part of our discipleship. Spending can reflect gratitude and contentment. Saving can demonstrate wisdom and preparation. Giving can express love and trust. Planning can help us faithfully fulfill our responsibilities.

Money stops competing for the throne of our hearts and becomes a tool we can place in God's hands.

These truths are at the heart of Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship.

We wrote it to help Christians work through foundational biblical principles of money and consider how those truths shape everyday financial decisions.

Our hope is that as you walk through the devotional, you’ll experience God’s peace growing where fear once lived, contentment replacing comparison, and generosity overcoming the instinct toward self-protection.

In the end, money will always reveal what we treasure most. And when Christ is our ultimate treasure, we discover a freedom and security that no amount of money could ever provide.

You can order Our Ultimate Treasure for yourself, your church, or your small group at FaithFi.com/Shop.

• I inherited land from my parents’ trust in 2003 and sold it in 2025. I’m now facing a larger-than-expected capital gains tax bill. Does the inheritance tax exemption apply to the sale proceeds, or only to the property’s value when I inherited it?
• I’m considering tapping my home equity. How does a traditional HELOC compare with newer home equity-sharing arrangements, and what are the pros and cons of each?
• Are there policies that combine life insurance with long-term care benefits? And can those products also include an investment component, or would investing need to be handled separately?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? 
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• 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)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Where you bank may seem like a purely practical decision. We often compare interest rates, fees, convenience, and technology—and those things matter. But for Christians, banking can also be viewed through the larger lens of stewardship.

Every financial decision gives us an opportunity to consider how faithfully we are managing the resources God has entrusted to us.

Aaron Caid, Chief Marketing Officer at AdelFi Christian Banking, joined the show today to discuss financial discipleship, the role of Christian financial institutions, and how everyday banking decisions can support work that advances the gospel.

Biblical stewardship begins with recognizing that everything ultimately belongs to God. The money we earn, save, spend, borrow, and give has been entrusted to us to manage wisely.

That perspective can shape even routine financial decisions.

“For Christians, our financial decisions are an act of stewardship,” Aaron says. Whether a family is preparing for the future, a church is expanding its outreach, or a ministry is developing its budget, finances touch nearly every area of life.

For a Christian financial institution such as AdelFi, that means providing practical banking tools while keeping biblical stewardship at the center of its mission. Families still need checking accounts, savings tools, loans, and credit cards. Churches and ministries still need financing and cash-management solutions. But those services can be offered with an understanding of the faith and mission behind them.

The strength of a financial institution matters because it affects its ability to serve its members.

For families, that may mean access to resources for managing everyday expenses, building savings, and borrowing wisely. For churches and ministries, it can mean working with financial professionals who understand the unique challenges of ministry—including cash flow, property needs, growth, and long-term planning.

One example came during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calvary Chapel South Orange County had been holding services outdoors in an outlet mall parking lot while Southern California churches faced restrictions on indoor gatherings. During that period, the congregation grew significantly and eventually became larger than its previous indoor space could accommodate.

The church needed a new facility.

AdelFi helped provide financing that enabled the congregation to purchase a larger property. While the transaction involved a loan, its impact went beyond dollars and cents. A larger building gave the growing church a place to gather, build relationships, worship, and continue growing together.

It shows how financial resources can serve a larger purpose when deployed thoughtfully.

Christian stewardship isn't ultimately about accumulating as much money as possible. Financial discipleship is about becoming increasingly faithful in the way we handle what God provides.

That includes cultivating wisdom, contentment, generosity, and faithfulness.

Jesus makes the connection between our finances and our spiritual lives clear in Matthew 6. He teaches that we cannot serve both God and money and reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Our financial habits can either reinforce or compete with the priorities we profess.

Practically, financial discipleship may look remarkably ordinary. It can mean following a realistic spending plan, saving for future needs, avoiding unnecessary debt, practicing generosity, and making decisions based on biblical convictions rather than simply following cultural expectations.

These habits aren't ends in themselves. They help us put money in its proper place—as a tool entrusted to us rather than a master that controls us.

Stewardship can also raise another question: What happens to our money after we deposit it?

Financial institutions use deposits to support lending and other financial activity. That means Christians may want to consider not only the products a bank offers but also the purposes their financial institution helps support.

At AdelFi, members' deposits help provide resources to serve Christian families, churches, and ministries.

According to Aaron, AdelFi has funded more than $1 billion in ministry real estate loans, helping churches and ministries acquire or improve facilities while pursuing financially responsible solutions.

The organization also offers products designed to connect everyday financial activity with generosity. Its Cash Rewards Visa®, for example, allows members to earn cash back, while AdelFi also gives to Christian ministries and missions when members use their cards.

None of this means choosing a Christian financial institution is required for faithful stewardship. Christians can honor God through many different financial arrangements. But it reminds us that stewardship invites us to think intentionally about all our financial choices—including where we bank.

Faithful stewardship isn't limited to the offering plate or the major financial decisions we make a few times in life.

It reaches into the ordinary.

How we budget. How we borrow. How we save. How we spend. And even where we choose to keep our money can reflect what we value.

The goal isn't simply to make every financial decision appear “Christian.” It's to recognize that every dollar belongs to God and then prayerfully ask how we can manage His resources with wisdom, generosity, and faithfulness.

When our financial choices are shaped by that perspective, even something as routine as choosing a bank can become another opportunity to align our money with our faith.

To learn more about AdelFi Christian Banking and its Cash Rewards Visa®, visit FaithFi.com/Banking. Apply by December 31 to earn a $200 bonus, plus 1.5% cash back on every purchase and other benefits. With every swipe, AdelFi also gives to Christian charities.

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Medicare may be one of the most important—and confusing—financial decisions you make in retirement.

Between enrollment deadlines, late penalties, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, prescription coverage, and income-based premiums, there are plenty of decisions to navigate. And because some choices can have long-term financial consequences, understanding the basics before you enroll is an important part of wise stewardship.

Eddie Holland, Senior Private Wealth Advisor and Partner at Blue Trust, as well as a CFP®, CPA, and Certified Kingdom Advisor®, recently joined Faith & Finance to help simplify Medicare and explain some of the most important planning considerations.

A good place to begin is with Medicare’s different parts.

Medicare Part A primarily covers hospital-related care, including inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and hospice. For people who have accumulated the required work credits through either their own employment or their spouse’s, Part A generally does not require a monthly premium.

Medicare Part B covers many medical services outside the hospital, including doctor visits, lab work, and outpatient procedures. Unlike Part A, Part B generally carries a monthly premium, and higher-income retirees may pay more.

Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. Those enrolled in Original Medicare—Parts A and B—can generally purchase a separate Part D prescription drug plan.

Medicare Part C, better known as Medicare Advantage, is offered through private insurance companies. These plans combine Parts A and B and often include Part D prescription coverage as well. Some plans may also offer additional benefits such as dental or vision coverage.

Another option for those using Original Medicare is a Medicare supplement plan, commonly called Medigap. These private plans are designed to help cover some of the deductibles, copayments, and other expenses that Original Medicare does not pay.

Timing matters when enrolling in Medicare.

Your Initial Enrollment Period generally lasts seven months: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months afterward.

But turning 65 does not always mean you have to immediately leave employer-sponsored health coverage.

If you or your spouse are still working and you have qualifying employer coverage, you may have access to a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to delay certain portions of Medicare without facing a late enrollment penalty. Holland notes that employer size and the nature of the coverage can affect how Medicare coordinates with the employer plan.

That makes it important to speak with your employer’s benefits or human resources department before making assumptions about which coverage should come first.

If your employer has 20 or more employees, the employer health plan may generally remain the primary payer while you continue working, potentially allowing you to postpone Part B and its monthly premium.

With an employer of fewer than 20 employees, Medicare may become the primary payer once you are eligible. In that situation, failing to enroll in Parts A and B could potentially leave gaps in coverage.

You should also verify whether your employer’s prescription drug coverage is considered creditable coverage for Medicare purposes. That can be especially important if you plan to delay Part D beyond age 65.

The larger lesson is simple: Medicare decisions should rarely be made in isolation. Your employer coverage, retirement date, spouse’s coverage, prescription needs, and other factors all need to be considered together.

For higher-income retirees, another important acronym to know is IRMAA, or the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

IRMAA is an additional charge added to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds.

For 2026, Holland notes that IRMAA begins above $109,000 in modified adjusted gross income for single filers and $218,000 for married couples filing jointly. Medicare generally bases the surcharge on the most recent tax information available, which often means looking back two years. So, for example, 2026 Medicare premiums may be based on income reported on a 2024 tax return.

That two-year lookback can surprise people whose financial situation has recently changed.

If your income has fallen because of certain qualifying life-changing events, such as retirement, marriage, or widowhood, you may be able to request a reconsideration of the surcharge using Social Security Form SSA-44.

IRMAA can also become an important consideration when planning Roth conversions.

Suppose you retire before age 65 and decide to convert a significant amount of traditional IRA money to a Roth IRA. The conversion increases your taxable income for that year.

Because Medicare looks back at previous tax returns when determining IRMAA, a large Roth conversion in the years immediately preceding Medicare enrollment could lead to higher Part B and Part D premiums later.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t complete the conversion. It simply means you should include the potential Medicare impact in the calculation.

Tax planning, retirement planning, and Medicare planning are often interconnected. A decision that makes sense in one area can create consequences in another.

Health Savings Accounts require special attention as you approach Medicare eligibility.

Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA. If you enroll around age 65, you need to coordinate the end of your HSA contributions with the beginning of your Medicare coverage.

The issue becomes even more important for those who enroll after age 65 because Medicare Part A coverage can sometimes be applied retroactively, potentially affecting HSA eligibility for previous months. Holland recommends understanding the retroactive period before enrolling so you don't inadvertently make excess HSA contributions.

Social Security can complicate matters further. If you begin receiving Social Security benefits, you may automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A. Anyone who is still contributing to an HSA should account for that before applying for Social Security.

The good news is that money already accumulated in an HSA remains tax-advantaged and can still be used for many qualified medical expenses in retirement, including certain Medicare premiums. Holland notes, however, that HSA funds cannot be used tax-free to pay Medigap premiums.

Married couples can face another challenge when one spouse becomes eligible for Medicare while the other is still several years away.

If the older spouse continues working, the employer plan may continue covering both spouses. Some companies also provide retiree benefits that extend coverage to a younger spouse after the older spouse retires.

If employer coverage isn't available, COBRA may provide temporary coverage, although it can be expensive. Another possibility is purchasing insurance through the federal or state health insurance marketplace, where the younger spouse may qualify for premium subsidies depending on household circumstances.

Whatever option you choose, don't overlook the cost. If one spouse retires several years before the other reaches Medicare eligibility, higher healthcare premiums may need to become a deliberate part of the retirement budget.

Medicare isn't simply a healthcare decision. It can affect your taxes, retirement income, Social Security strategy, HSA contributions, and monthly spending.

That's why careful planning before age 65 can be so valuable.

Understand what each part of Medicare covers. Know your enrollment windows. Talk with your employer before leaving workplace coverage. Consider the impact of your income on Medicare premiums. And coordinate decisions involving HSAs, Roth conversions, Social Security, and your spouse's health coverage.

Medicare may be complicated, but you don't have to approach it blindly. Taking the time to understand your options can help you avoid costly mistakes, choose coverage that fits your circumstances, and steward the resources God has entrusted to you with greater wisdom and confidence.

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet once wrote, “Wisdom without an inheritance is better than an inheritance without wisdom.”

Every parent hopes the resources they leave behind will bless their children. But a financial inheritance can have very different effects depending on the person receiving it. That is why wise wealth transfer requires more than simply deciding how much to leave—it requires careful thought, prayer, and an understanding of each child’s unique circumstances.

Ron Blue, co-founder of Kingdom Advisors and longtime teacher on biblical stewardship, calls this the uniqueness principle.

Studies show that many parents divide their estates equally among their children. There is certainly nothing wrong with that approach, but Ron encourages parents not to make equality the automatic default.

As he explains, God loves each of His children equally, but He often treats them uniquely. The same can be true within a family.

Children may grow up in the same home and sit around the same dinner table, yet adulthood can take them in very different directions. They may marry differently, parent differently, pursue different careers, experience job losses, accumulate different levels of wealth, or develop very different approaches to money.

Those differences can matter when determining how an inheritance should be passed down.

The question is not simply, “How can I divide everything evenly?” A better question may be, “How can I steward these resources in a way that truly benefits each child?”

When Ron and his wife, Judy, began thinking seriously about their own estate plan, they used three questions to evaluate what an inheritance might mean for each of their five children.

1. What is the worst thing that could happen?

Imagine giving a particular amount of money to a particular child. How could that money negatively affect his or her life?

For one child, the concern may be minimal. The money might simply be given away.

For another, however, a large inheritance could create tension within a marriage, reinforce unhealthy financial habits, reduce motivation to work, or create other unintended consequences.

2. How serious would that outcome be?

Not every negative possibility carries the same weight. Some may be inconvenient but manageable. Others could damage relationships, character, or financial stability.

Parents should carefully consider the seriousness of each potential consequence.

3. How likely is it to happen?

Finally, consider probability. A possible problem is different from a probable one.

Together, these questions provide a framework for thinking beyond percentages and dollar amounts to the actual impact an inheritance could have.

Another important part of the uniqueness principle is recognizing that circumstances rarely remain the same.

When Ron and Judy first began asking these questions decades ago, their children were at very different stages of life than they are today. Careers changed. Marriages developed. Families grew. Financial circumstances shifted.

As a result, Ron says the answers they would give today are very different from the answers they would have given 25 years ago.

That is an important reminder: An estate plan should not necessarily be a one-time decision.

As circumstances change, parents may need to revisit both their assumptions and their plans.

Underlying Ron’s approach is one of his most important principles: Don’t pass wealth unless you pass wisdom.

Wealth does not automatically produce wisdom. In fact, money can magnify whatever attitudes and habits already exist.

Wisdom, however, can help someone steward wealth faithfully—and even create additional resources through diligence, generosity, patience, and wise decision-making.

That means preparing the next generation involves far more than preparing legal documents.

Parents can begin transferring wisdom long before they transfer wealth by talking openly about stewardship, generosity, work, contentment, financial decision-making, and God’s ownership of everything.

The greatest inheritance may not be the money children eventually receive, but the biblical principles they learned while their parents were still living.

The uniqueness principle does not mean every estate should be divided differently. After thoughtful consideration, parents may still conclude that an equal distribution is the wisest choice.

The point is not that equal is wrong or unequal is better.

The point is to avoid allowing cultural expectations, guilt, fear of conflict, or simple habit to make the decision for you. Instead, approach wealth transfer prayerfully and deliberately.

Ask what each child’s circumstances are. Consider what opportunities or challenges an inheritance might create. Think carefully about the consequences. Revisit those decisions as life changes.

Ultimately, wealth transfer is an act of stewardship. The resources we leave behind still belong to God, and our responsibility is to manage them according to His wisdom rather than merely following human expectations.

Before asking, “How can I make everything equal?” consider asking a deeper question:

“What would faithfulness look like for each person God has entrusted to my care?”

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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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An estimated $124 trillion is expected to pass from Baby Boomers to their heirs by 2048, marking one of the largest transfers of wealth in history. And women are expected to play a particularly significant role.

Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined the show today to discuss this historic shift and the opportunity it presents for women to approach wealth with wisdom, preparation, and biblical faithfulness.

Economists have been talking about the Great Wealth Transfer for years, but it is no longer simply a future prediction. The transfer is already underway.

Women are uniquely positioned within it in part because they tend to live longer than men. As a result, many women will experience both intragenerational transfers—wealth passing from a spouse—and intergenerational transfers from parents and other family members.

But inheritance is only one part of the picture.

Women already earn income, manage household resources, invest, give, and make significant financial decisions. Research indicates that women are involved in approximately 94% of household purchasing decisions.

That means the stewardship opportunity ahead doesn't begin when an inheritance arrives. It is already here.

Women using financial resources to advance God’s purposes is nothing new.

Luke 8:1–3 describes several women who supported Jesus and His disciples out of their own means. These women were not merely observers of Christ’s ministry. Their financial generosity helped make the work possible.

Likewise, in Romans 16:1–2, Paul commends Phoebe and describes her as a benefactor of many, including himself. In a culture where women often had limited social and economic influence, Phoebe used what God had entrusted to her to serve others and help advance the gospel.

Their examples remind us that financial stewardship has always been about something greater than accumulating or managing money. It is about faithfully using whatever God provides for His purposes.

1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

That calling applies to every believer, but the practical responsibilities of stewardship can look different in different seasons.

A woman may move through seasons as a student, professional, wife, mother, caregiver, business owner, widow, retiree, or some combination of these roles. At various times, she may be an earner, an inheritor, a household financial manager, or all three.

The circumstances change, but the responsibility remains: stay informed, equipped, and engaged with the resources God has entrusted to you.

That can mean understanding the household finances, learning how investments work, participating in conversations about estate planning, preparing for retirement, or developing a thoughtful plan for generosity.

Faithful stewardship does not require becoming a financial expert. But it does require engagement.

For some women, managing finances comes naturally. Others may quickly say, “I’m just not a numbers person.”

But stewardship is about much more than numbers.

Money is a tool that can help us care for family, support ministries, meet needs, practice hospitality, create opportunities for others, and generously participate in work that matters to us.

Seen through that lens, financial stewardship becomes less about mastering spreadsheets and more about connecting resources with purpose.

Whether wealth is earned, inherited, or managed on behalf of a household, every dollar presents an opportunity to ask: How can I use what God has entrusted to me faithfully?

The Great Wealth Transfer also creates an opportunity for important conversations between husbands and wives, parents and children, and across generations.

Preparing the next steward involves more than transferring assets. It means passing along wisdom. Families can begin discussing questions such as:

These conversations can help transform inheritance from a simple financial transaction into an intentional act of stewardship.

The coming wealth transfer represents an extraordinary financial moment, but for Christians, the most important question is not simply who will control the wealth.

It is how that wealth will be stewarded.

Women have faithfully earned, managed, given, and used resources for God’s purposes for generations. As trillions of dollars change hands in the decades ahead, women of faith have another significant opportunity to continue that legacy.

The goal is not merely to receive more wealth, but to be prepared to manage God’s money God’s way—using it wisely, generously, and faithfully for the purposes He places before us.

This month, FaithFi is releasing its first-ever special edition of Faithful Steward magazine, entirely focused on women stewarding wealth. When you become a FaithFi Partner, we’ll send you this special issue as our way of saying thank you for supporting the ministry.

Learn more at FaithFi.com/Give.

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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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Money is never just about money, and work is never just about a paycheck. Scripture teaches that God owns everything, gives us the ability to earn, and calls us to work with integrity because ultimately, we serve Christ.

Howard Dayton, Founder of Compass Financial Ministry and author of Business God’s Way, says those truths should shape not only how Christians manage money, but how we earn it in the first place.

The foundation of biblical earning begins with recognizing that God owns everything and that He is ultimately the One we serve.

Colossians 3:23-24 says:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… You are serving the Lord Christ.”

That applies whether you own a business, work for a large company, serve in ministry, or earn a paycheck somewhere in between. Your employer may sign the check, but your work is ultimately an act of service to Christ.

Even the ability to earn is a gift from God. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us:

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.”

That perspective guards against pride when things go well. Our abilities, opportunities, creativity, and strength are all resources God has entrusted to us.

If we represent Christ in the workplace, honesty should characterize everything we do.

For business owners, that means treating customers, employees, vendors, and even competitors with integrity. For employees, it means giving an honest day’s work, using company resources responsibly, and refusing to take what does not belong to us—even when no one would notice.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Our conduct at work can either reinforce or undermine the faith we profess. Biblical integrity means doing what is right because we belong to Christ, not simply because honesty is good for business.

Running a business or managing a career requires planning. Scripture affirms the value of order and thoughtful preparation.

1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “All things should be done decently and in order.” While the immediate context concerns worship in the church, the broader principle reminds us that order and intentionality have value.

At the same time, good planning should never become confidence that we control the future.

James 4:13-14 warns those who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit,” reminding them, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring.”

Christians should plan carefully while holding those plans with open hands. We prepare responsibly, but we remain dependent on God.

Many biblical principles such as honesty, diligence, and planning are also recognized as sound business practices. Generosity, however, can run against the world’s instinct to accumulate and protect as much as possible.

Proverbs 11:24-25 says:

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

This is not a promise that generous people will always become materially wealthy. Scripture does not teach us to give in order to get more. Instead, generosity reflects trust in God and loosens money’s grip on our hearts.

For a business owner, generosity might mean giving a portion of profits, caring intentionally for employees, supporting ministry, or finding creative ways to use the company’s resources to serve others.

Some Christian business leaders have gone even further. Entrepreneurs such as Alan Barnhart and Stanley Tam structured their businesses around extraordinary generosity, viewing their companies not simply as vehicles for personal wealth but as resources entrusted to them for God’s purposes.

The form generosity takes will look different for every person and every business. The important question is whether we are willing to ask God how the resources He has entrusted to us can bless others.

Earning money God’s way begins with a different definition of success.

The goal is not merely to maximize income or grow a business. It is to faithfully steward the abilities, opportunities, relationships, and resources God provides.

We work diligently because we serve Christ. We act honestly because we represent Him. We plan wisely while remembering that tomorrow belongs to God. And we hold what we earn with open hands so that generosity can become a natural expression of faithful stewardship.

When we understand that God is both the Owner and our ultimate Employer, work becomes more than a way to make a living. It becomes another opportunity to honor Him with what He has entrusted to us.

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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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Sometimes one glimpse can change everything.

For a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy, fear and uncertainty can make it difficult to know what comes next. But seeing her baby through an ultrasound can bring a moment of clarity—and open the door to compassionate care, practical support, and hope.

Dan Steiner, Founder and President of PreBorn!, joined the show today to explain how the ministry partners with pregnancy clinics across the country to reach women facing unexpected pregnancies. PreBorn! provides ultrasound machines, training, financial support, and other resources to help local clinics serve women at a critical moment.

One of PreBorn!’s primary tools is remarkably simple: giving a mother the opportunity to see her baby.

A gift of $28 can fund one ultrasound, $56 can fund two, and $140 can fund five. For donors with greater capacity, a $15,000 gift can help provide an ultrasound machine for a pregnancy center. According to Steiner, those machines can remain in service for years and help thousands of women.

The ultrasound itself can be a powerful moment. A woman may arrive feeling pressure from a boyfriend, family member, or overwhelming circumstances. But seeing her baby’s arms and legs and hearing the heartbeat can make the pregnancy suddenly feel very personal.

PreBorn! says that seeing an ultrasound significantly increases the likelihood that an abortion-minded woman will choose life. The ministry then seeks to walk alongside her with compassion and practical support rather than judgment.

PreBorn! generally does not operate pregnancy centers directly. Instead, it works alongside local clinics, many of which have limited staff and resources.

The ministry helps provide ultrasound machines, funds individual scans, trains staff, assists with marketing and leadership, and works to increase clinic capacity. Steiner said PreBorn!’s network includes roughly 300 clinics across the United States, with an emphasis on reaching women in communities with high abortion rates.

That partnership allows local ministries to focus on serving women while receiving resources they might otherwise struggle to afford.

Steiner shared the story of one young mother who arrived at a pregnancy center intending to have an abortion. She already had two boys at home, her boyfriend was unsupportive, and she feared another child would make it harder to care for the children she already had.

During her first ultrasound, she saw her baby and began to cry—but she still planned to proceed with an abortion.

The following week, however, she returned for another ultrasound. At 11 weeks, she could see her baby moving. She also learned she was expecting a daughter.

Having always wanted a girl, she decided to continue the pregnancy. Steiner pointed out that a donor funded her ultrasound—illustrating how even a relatively small gift can become part of a much larger story.

For PreBorn!, the work does not end when a woman chooses life for her child.

The ministry also wants women and families to encounter the hope of the gospel. PreBorn! trains clinic staff to share Christ when appropriate while emphasizing that those conversations should never be forced.

Steiner said evangelism remains central to the ministry’s mission, alongside practical care for mothers and their babies.

That reflects a broader picture of Christian compassion: caring for both immediate physical needs and eternal spiritual needs while recognizing the dignity of every person made in the image of God.

FaithFi is partnering with PreBorn! to help fund 1,500 free ultrasounds. Every $28 funds one ultrasound, while larger gifts can provide multiple scans or even help place an ultrasound machine in a pregnancy center.

According to Steiner, PreBorn!’s network saw more than 84,000 babies saved from abortion in the previous year and provided more than 136,000 ultrasound scans across the country.

For Christians thinking about generosity, this is a reminder that stewardship is not simply about giving money away. It is about prayerfully using what God has entrusted to us to serve others, meet tangible needs, and point people toward the hope of Christ.

To learn more or support the campaign, visit FaithFi.com/PreBorn or dial #250 and say “BABY.”

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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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What if the greatest benefit of financial advice isn’t simply what happens to your portfolio, but knowing your financial decisions reflect what matters most?

New research from Kingdom Advisors and Pinkston Group suggests that when financial counsel aligns with a person’s faith and values, the benefits can extend well beyond investment performance. Clients report deeper trust, reduced financial anxiety, and a broader definition of financial success.

Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined the show today to unpack what the findings reveal about values-aligned investing, long-term advisor relationships, generosity, and the future of Christian financial advice.

One of the study’s most striking findings involves values-based investing. While 81% of Certified Kingdom Advisors® offer values-based investment options, only 15% of their clients currently use them.

Why the gap?

Epps believes several factors may be involved. Some investors still assume that aligning their investments with their values necessarily means accepting lower returns. Others may simply be unaware that faith-aligned options are available because they've never brought it up with their advisor.

There may also be a natural progression in a person’s stewardship journey. Christians often begin by thinking about giving as the primary way their faith intersects with money. Only later do they begin considering whether their saving and investing decisions can also reflect their convictions.

That makes education essential. Advisors can help clients understand how values-based screening works, compare investment options, and evaluate them as part of a disciplined and diversified strategy. For hesitant investors, Epps suggests starting with a smaller portion of a portfolio rather than changing everything at once.

The larger principle is simple: stewardship begins by asking what matters to us before asking how our investments are performing.

The research also found that the benefits of working with a Certified Kingdom Advisor® appear to deepen over time.

Among CKA® clients who had worked with their advisor for more than five years, 66% reported a reduction in financial anxiety, compared with 49% among those in shorter advisor relationships.

That may be partly because trust is cumulative.

Over time, an advisor gets to know not only a client’s financial situation but also their family, priorities, goals, and convictions. The relationship becomes less transactional and more of a long-term partnership.

A sound financial plan can also provide perspective during difficult markets. Rather than reacting to every rise and fall, investors can return to a strategy built around long-term goals.

For Christians, there is an even deeper source of peace. Biblical financial counsel continually reminds us that God owns everything and that we are His stewards. That changes the central question from, “How do I protect everything I have?” to, “Lord, how would You have me manage what You have entrusted to me?”

That perspective cannot eliminate financial uncertainty, but it can keep uncertainty from becoming the foundation of our decisions.

Another revealing finding involved the way clients choose advisors.

Only 20% of CKA® clients said fees were the primary factor in selecting an advisor. Epps emphasized that fees still matter. Wise stewardship means understanding what you are paying and ensuring those costs are reasonable and transparent. 

But financial advice is about more than purchasing a commodity at the lowest possible price.

When an advisor understands a client’s values, the relationship can encompass far more than investment returns. It can include planning, accountability, generosity, family decisions, and a shared understanding of what money is ultimately for.

That changes the scorecard. The question becomes not simply, “Did my investments outperform?” but also, “Am I becoming more faithful with what God has entrusted to me?”

The study offered encouraging insight into the next generation as well. Among adults ages 18 to 41, 52% said shared values are extremely important when choosing financial advice.

Epps sees that as an important shift. Younger Christians often want greater consistency between what they believe and the decisions they make in every area of life—including their finances.

Rather than viewing money as a separate, purely financial category, many see it as another tool that should reflect their convictions.

That creates both an opportunity and a responsibility for financial advisors. The next generation is likely to expect conversations about purpose, values, generosity, and stewardship rather than treating those subjects as unrelated to financial planning.

For Christian advisors, that opens the door to something deeper than portfolio management: helping clients understand biblical wisdom and their role as stewards.

Perhaps one of the clearest differences the research reveals is how Certified Kingdom Advisors® think about success. Investment performance still matters. But the scorecard can be broader.

Epps pointed to outcomes such as greater peace, increased generosity, and helping clients faithfully pursue the purposes God has placed before them. The research found, for example, that CKA® clients were twice as likely to report that their giving had “significantly increased” since beginning work with their advisor.

That is particularly noteworthy because many financial advisors are compensated, in some way, based on the assets they manage. Encouraging clients to give generously may reduce those assets, yet a Kingdom-minded advisor can celebrate that generosity because the goal is not merely accumulation.

The goal is faithful stewardship.

If you are looking for financial counsel that incorporates your Christian faith, the first meeting can tell you a great deal.

Notice whether the advisor is asking questions only about your numbers or also about your values. Do they want to understand what matters to you? Are they comfortable discussing how faith influences financial decisions? Can they explain how biblical wisdom shapes the counsel they provide?

Epps also encourages believers to pray about the decision and seek the Lord’s wisdom as they choose whom to trust with such an important relationship.

Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

Financial advice at its best should help us do more than grow wealth. It should help us grow in wisdom, make thoughtful decisions, and faithfully steward everything God has placed in our hands.

If you’d like to find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® in your area, visit FindACKA.com.

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday 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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