Most people, when asked about their biggest financial regret, will point to mistakes involving debt, missed investment opportunities, or overspending. But for today’s guest, the regret was far more surprising—and far more spiritual. Dr. Art Rainer says his greatest financial regret is not having started tracking his generosity sooner.

On this episode of Faith & Finance, Dr. Art Rainer joins us to talk about how something as simple as recording our giving can strengthen our stewardship, deepen our joy, and align our financial lives more closely with Scripture. Rainer, founder of Christian Money Solutions and the Institute for Christian Financial Health, has spent years helping believers think biblically about money. But this particular practice—tracking generosity—came to him through a friend and quickly reshaped his financial priorities.

Dr. Rainer identifies four compelling reasons every believer should consider tracking their giving. First, generosity is not merely an optional add-on to the Christian life; according to Scripture, it’s a financial priority. Proverbs 3:9 calls us to honor the Lord with our wealth and with the firstfruits of our increase. God created us not to stockpile resources but to act as conduits of His provision. If generosity stands at the front of faithful stewardship, it makes sense to pay attention to it—just as we would with saving, budgeting, or debt reduction.

Second, Rainer explains that we naturally “chase what we track.” What we measure shapes what we pursue. Many of us track our net worth, our spending categories, or our fitness goals—and we make progress because the very act of monitoring fuels intentionality. If that’s true for paying off debt or saving for a car, why wouldn’t it be even more true for generosity, one of the most transformative habits in the Christian life?

Third, he notes that generosity is missing from the financial dashboards believers tend to rely on. Our balance sheets and net worth statements are helpful tools, but they tell only part of the story—and often reward the very behaviors Scripture warns us not to idolize. In fact, traditional financial statements treat giving as a negative, a depletion of wealth, even though Scripture teaches that generosity stores up lasting treasure (Matthew 6:19–21). Tracking giving puts what God values most back into view.

Finally, tracking generosity helps believers remember why they give in the first place. Every dollar represents impact—lives changed, ministries strengthened, needs met, and the gospel advanced. While most of that impact won’t be fully seen until eternity, keeping a record helps us trace God’s faithfulness and celebrate His work through us. It turns giving into worship, gratitude, and mission rather than mere obligation.

Dr. Rainer concludes with simple encouragement to get started: look back at prior giving, record it, and move forward. A spreadsheet is enough. The goal isn’t pride, but praise—remembering God’s provision and rejoicing in the privilege of generosity.

• I’m receiving a substantial inheritance—approximately half a billion dollars—and neither my children nor I need it. I want to use it wisely and not simply pass the responsibility to my kids. How should I approach that?
• My sister and I want to start a Christian film studio to create apologetics content. What does it take legally to set up a 501(c)(3), and how would someone support themselves financially while running one?
• I just had a CD mature, and I’d like to reinvest the $50,000 into an account that yields more than 2%. I remember you mentioned something in the 6% range, which is now around 5%. What are my options for safe investments with higher yields?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Splitting Heirs: Giving Your Money and Things to Your Children Without Ruining Their Lives by Ron Blue with Jeremy White
• Christian Money Solutions
• Institute for Christian Financial Health
• Excellence in Giving | National Christian Foundation (NCF)
• Gainbridge
• Bankrate
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

Investing doesn’t require a fortune — just a willingness to begin with what you have. That’s the message Mark Biller, Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing, emphasizes as he encourages listeners to start small, stay consistent, and keep investing simply as an act of faithful stewardship.

Biller starts by reminding beginners that wise investing is built on a solid financial foundation. Before putting money at risk in the markets, he urges individuals to pay down high-interest consumer debt, establish a modest emergency fund, and follow a spending plan. Paying off double-digit credit card debt offers a guaranteed return that most investments struggle to match. The exception comes when an employer offers matching contributions in a retirement plan—since a match functions like an immediate return on contributions, it’s often worth taking advantage of even while still eliminating smaller debts.

For those ready to invest, workplace retirement plans—such as 401(k)s—are typically the best place to begin. They offer three major benefits: tax-advantaged growth, automatic contributions that promote consistency, and, in many cases, employer-matching contributions. Biller calls the match “free money,” noting that it’s effectively part of an employee’s compensation and should not be left on the table. For listeners without a workplace plan, an IRA—and especially a Roth IRA for younger workers—provides similar tax advantages and helps develop long-term investing habits.

New investors often feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of financial information available today. Biller warns that waiting until you “know everything” often results in never starting at all. The more important step is to build momentum by contributing regularly, even in small amounts. Investing is a habit, and habits gain strength through repetition.

To keep things simple, Biller recommends relying on broad, low-cost index funds—often available through both workplace plans and discount brokerage firms. Index funds offer immediate diversification, require minimal expertise, and allow investors to learn gradually without taking on unnecessary risk. More sophisticated strategies can come later; simplicity removes barriers at the beginning.

Alongside practical guidance, Biller highlights several behavioral realities: choose a few trusted financial voices, tune out noise that stirs fear or greed, and resist a false urgency to time the market. Successful investing requires patience and emotional steadiness more than constant research.

As the conversation wraps up, Biller offers encouragement: while investing can appear complex, most of the benefits come from a few basic disciplines. You don’t need large sums to begin; time in the market is your greatest ally. Maintain a heart-level posture as a steward, trusting that God can multiply small beginnings into meaningful long-term outcomes. Wise investing is ultimately an expression of faithful management, not accumulation for its own sake.

To learn more about Sound Mind Investing, you can go to SoundMindInvesting.org. 

• My wife and I have been blessed, and through our business and frugal lifestyle, we’ve saved a significant amount. We also partner in projects in Haiti, Honduras, and El Salvador. Right now, we have about $250,000 in a stock account and $400,000 with LPL Financial. Would it be smarter to consolidate those investments to make them easier to manage and potentially grow faster? I’d appreciate your advice.

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Sound Mind Investing (SMI)
• Starting Small, Finishing Well by Joseph Slife (SMI Article)
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

Economic forecasters expect U.S. growth in 2026 to settle between 1.5% and 2%—sluggish, but not recessionary. Still, analysts warn that if inflation reignites or global trade pressures intensify, a mild downturn is possible. For many households, this uncertainty fuels anxiety—especially around rising health-care costs.

On today’s program, Lauren Gajdek, Senior Director of External Affairs at Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), joins us to offer practical guidance for navigating health-care expenses in a slow-growth, high-uncertainty environment.

Lauren notes that beyond slower GDP projections, unemployment remains elevated at 4.4% and inflation has yet to return to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. That combination creates financial pressure for both working families and retirees. 

If someone loses their job—and, with it, employer-provided health coverage—Lauren explains the options: COBRA allows continuation of benefits, but the individual must pay the full premium, which is extremely costly. Marketplace plans on Healthcare.gov also carry high premiums and, increasingly, high out-of-pocket maximums. For many families, the total annual exposure can exceed $20,000.

That’s why Lauren highlights an alternative that more Christians are turning to: health-care sharing ministries. CHM—founded on the biblical principle of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)—is not insurance. Instead, members remain legally responsible for their medical bills, and CHM facilitates the sharing of eligible expenses among members.

To help listeners understand the model, Lauren outlines how cost sharing works in practice. Members pay a monthly amount based on the program level and family size. For example, CHM’s Gold program is priced at $299 per “unit,” where each adult is a unit and all dependent children together count as one additional unit—making it particularly advantageous for families. CHM also offers Silver, Bronze, and SeniorShare options, allowing households to tailor participation to their needs and budgets.

When medical needs arise—an emergency-room visit, for example—the member pays their defined personal responsibility amount, and CHM shares the remaining eligible expenses. Related follow-up care from the same incident can also be submitted for reimbursement.

As the nation's oldest health-care sharing ministry and a longtime underwriter of Faith & Finance, CHM has paid more than $13 billion in medical bills since its founding. Lauren emphasizes that while it operates as a ministry, CHM also provides practical financial support, helping Christians manage health care costs during uncertain economic times.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can visit CHMinistries.org/FaithFi for additional details.

• My husband and I own a small, mortgage-free house on 18 acres, and we’d like to purchase neighboring land at a discount to expand our nonprofit's safe haven for domestic violence survivors. We have limited savings and no debt, and I’m turning 62 next month. Should we consider a reverse mortgage, rent out the smaller house, sell the property, or finance the purchase? What’s the wisest option for our situation?
• I’m about to receive a sizable check from an account that closed. While I look for a financial advisor, where should I park the money for a few weeks or months to earn interest? I know money markets are insured up to $250,000, but what if the deposit is much larger? Do I need multiple accounts, or is there a way to increase the insured amount in one place?
• When I tithe and give offerings and then receive a giving statement for tax season, is it wrong to claim that deduction? Am I ‘taking money back from God,’ or am I just misunderstanding how taxes and deductions work?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

Staying on budget doesn’t have to be complicated—or exhausting. A growing number of families are discovering that a simple, five-minute weekly check-in can make the difference between feeling reactive and feeling in control. 

On today’s episode of Faith and Finance, Crystal Payne joins us to offer a practical rhythm for keeping your spending aligned with your priorities. Crystal is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com and the author of several bestselling books on frugal living and family budgeting. She writes extensively on financial stewardship in the latest issue of Faithful Steward magazine.

Crystal’s approach centers on six weekly questions—each one designed to build awareness, reduce stress, and encourage intentionality rather than guilt or perfectionism.

1. What worked this week? Begin with the wins. Identifying progress reinforces good habits and motivates continued change.

2. What didn’t work this week? Honesty about drift or weak spots brings clarity. Patterns often emerge in categories such as dining out or impulse purchases. The goal isn’t shame—it’s information.

3. What do I want to change? Awareness should lead to one small, actionable adjustment for the week ahead—rebalancing a category, revising expectations, or improving tracking.

4. What surprised me? Looking for unexpected expenses, higher bills, or forgotten credits helps reduce future anxiety and highlights planning opportunities.

5. Was I over budget anywhere? Overages aren’t failures; they show where reality differs from assumptions. This is where Crystal recommends treating your budget like a GPS—when life takes a detour, simply recalculate.

6. Any “aha” moments? These reflect where money, values, and emotions intersect. Many people recognize that a bit of planning reduces tension, that habits shape outcomes, or that spending aligns—or doesn’t—with their priorities.

At the heart of this rhythm is intentionality. Crystal notes that a budget isn’t meant to sit in the background until there’s a problem. When revisited consistently, it becomes a tool that works for you rather than a set of rules you feel pressured to obey.

For married couples, Crystal suggests reviewing the budget together, approaching the conversation with curiosity rather than criticism. Shared visibility promotes unity and helps both spouses move their priorities forward without resentment or misunderstanding.

A five-minute weekly review may sound small, but over time it transforms budgeting from crisis-management into stewardship. It helps families spend purposefully, adjust gracefully, and ensure their financial decisions reflect what they truly value.

• My husband and I are trying to decide how to handle our son’s $6,500 student loan. He’s in the military and hasn’t made payments since 2015. Should we pay it off in full from our retirement or savings, or just pay the minimum $75 per month and put that amount into an emergency fund for him and his wife? Also, would paying monthly affect his credit score?
• I’m 36 and have a 401(k), but I contribute about $25 every two weeks. I’d like to invest more, but I don’t fully understand the differences among NASDAQ, S&P, index funds, and other investment options. What’s the best strategy for someone my age who can take some risk?
• I retired at 66 and have never touched my employer retirement account or my IRA. I just turned 73, so I have to start taking RMDs. How are RMDs calculated, and how can I use them in a way that still allows me to tithe, give, and leave money to my children?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• MoneySavingMom.com
• How Can I Keep My Budget On Track? By Crystal Paine (Article in Faithful Steward Issue 4)
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

We live in a culture that stretches us to the very limits of our time, energy, and finances. Every hour gets booked, every dollar gets assigned, and before we know it, we’re operating without room to breathe. Scripture calls that lack of space folly—and the presence of space wisdom. Today, we’re talking about margin and why it’s essential to biblical stewardship.

Margin is the space between our limits and our load—the distance between what we could do and what we actually do. Proverbs 21:20 tells us, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” Wise people don’t consume everything they have. They create space. They build reserves. They plan ahead. The foolish run to the edges, spending and consuming as fast as resources arrive.

One of Scripture’s most beautiful pictures of margin appears in the story of Ruth. In Leviticus 23:22, God instructs His people not to harvest their fields all the way to the edges. They were to leave grain for the poor, the widow, and the foreigner. Boaz obeyed that command. He refused to maximize every inch of profit, and because of that simple act of obedience, Ruth and Naomi survived. Margin became the soil for redemption—leading to the lineage of King David, and ultimately, to Jesus Christ. Margin makes room for God to work.

Think of a beautifully designed page. The words never run from edge to edge. The white space allows the page to breathe. Without it, the text would feel overwhelming. Our lives are the same. When we fill every minute of our schedules and every dollar of our budgets, life becomes chaotic. We lose clarity, rest, and the ability to respond to God’s promptings.

Financially, the absence of margin makes even small disruptions feel like emergencies. A car repair or medical bill can suddenly derail us. But margin absorbs shocks. It quiets anxiety. And it lays the groundwork for stewardship.

Margin produces at least three spiritual benefits:

• Space for Rest. When we’re not bound to every dollar, we can Sabbath—enjoying God’s presence without pressure.
• Space for Faith. When we don’t consume everything, we confess that God—not our paycheck—is our provider.
• Space for Generosity. Living at the edge leaves no room to say yes when God nudges us to give. Margin fuels ministry.

Ultimately, margin is a spiritual discipline. It isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creating space for God’s pace, God’s provision, and God’s purposes. The first step is simple to name and difficult to practice: spend less than you earn. Say no to good things so you can say yes to better things. Margin doesn’t appear on its own—it’s created through intentional choices.

Boaz never imagined that leaving grain behind would shape the family line of the Messiah. But God often uses margin to accomplish eternal things.

————————————————————————————————

If you want to go deeper in learning how our stewardship makes room for God’s work in our lives, our own Rob West wrote about this theme in his new 21-day devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure. It will be released next month. 

You can preorder or place bulk orders at FaithFi.com/Shop, and a digital version will be available soon in the FaithFi App for FaithFi Partners. I’d love for you to experience it.

• I received a notice from my bank regarding an arbitration provision and class action waiver—specifically, a notice about resolving disputes through individual arbitration. I don’t understand what that means or what happens if I opt out. I’m confused and unsure what to do.
• I’m a truck driver, and I’m 62. I’ve got a few years before retirement, and I’m starting to have a little extra money in my paycheck. I’d like to invest some of it, but I’m unsure about the current market conditions. I’m also curious about crypto and Bitcoin, and wanted to hear your take.
• I’m trying to organize several things I’ve inherited—stock, savings, an IRA, an annuity, a CD, an insurance inheritance, and a house. I’m almost 72, and my dad is 100 and still living, so I need to plan for possibly 30 more years. I work part-time and receive Social Security, and my husband, who is bed-bound, also receives Social Security. Overall, our income is about $9,000 per month, which we don’t need right now. I want to know how to organize all of this wisely and plan for the long term.
• I have two adult children in their late 30s who still have a lot of student loan debt. I’d like to help pay it off, but most of my money is in retirement accounts—401(k), IRA, and Roth IRA. Is there any way to use that money without a big tax hit? Is there any option to reduce their debt through repayment programs? One child has federal loans, and the other is in forbearance, with interest accruing. I’d really like to see them free from this debt, but I’m not sure how to approach it.

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” - Proverbs 21:20 

Scripture highlights a simple principle of stewardship: wise people live with margin. They don’t spend everything they earn; they save, plan, and prepare for the future. And in our modern world, the basic tool that helps us live with margin is a budget. Today, Chad Clark joins us to discuss what budgeting really looks like for most Americans and how we can do better.

As FaithFi’s Chief Technology Officer, Chad oversees our digital tools and the development of the FaithFi app. He recently came across research that sheds light on how people actually budget. According to a NerdWallet survey of 2,000 adults, three out of four Americans report keeping a monthly budget. That sounds encouraging—until you read the next line: 84% of them say they regularly overspend their budget. And when people overspend, nearly half bridge the gap with credit cards, while the rest tap into savings—often until savings eventually run out. Chad notes that this is why we say that without a working budget, debt is almost inevitable once savings are depleted.

So why do some people avoid budgeting altogether? After years of hearing excuses, Chad lists the most common: it’s too time-consuming, too complicated, too much math, too restrictive, or simply too hard to stick to—like dieting. Others believe they don’t need a budget because they earn enough, or that a budget limits their freedom.

But as Chad points out, most of those reasons are rooted in misconceptions. A budget isn’t a punishment, and it’s not primarily about cutting expenses. It’s a decision-making tool that prioritizes spending and helps you align resources with values. Nor is a budget inflexible; it can and should adjust as life changes. And even those with high incomes need budgets. If billion-dollar companies operate from a spending plan, “I make enough” isn’t a sound argument for skipping one. Stewardship isn’t about how much we earn but how faithfully we manage what God entrusts to us.

Before wrapping up, Chad shares how the FaithFi app makes budgeting more approachable. First, it accommodates different budgeting styles, allowing you to choose the method that works best for you. Second, it builds habits through daily, weekly, and monthly rhythms—to help you engage consistently rather than merely set up a plan and hope it works. And finally, FaithFi goes beyond numbers. Through biblical content and community, it helps shape the heart behind the decisions—because stewardship is ultimately about walking with God.

If you’re ready to begin budgeting—or begin again—FaithFi can help you take that first step and actually stick with it.

• I have a HELOC at about 7% and about $80,000 in credit card debt. Does it make sense to use the HELOC to pay down that credit card debt at the lower rate, or should we handle it another way? I also have a second question: My husband and I own a couple of rental properties. One of them is basically a wash—no profit. We’ve always assumed the rentals would be part of our retirement, but we don’t have an emergency fund. Would it be wiser to sell the rental property that isn’t generating income, invest the proceeds, and improve retirement and emergency fund strategies?
• I contribute 10% pre-tax and 5% post-tax to my 401(k), and the 5% post-tax is maxed out. With the new rules allowing tax-free overtime up to $25,000, is it still beneficial for me to contribute the 5% post-tax? Or should I redirect it and contribute 15% pre-tax to the 401(k)? Or should I take a different approach altogether?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Credit Counselors
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

Everyone wants financial freedom. But for many of us, freedom gets defined by “more”—more income, more margin, more accumulation. The irony is that the more we chase, the less peace we often feel. The issue isn’t just mathematical. It’s spiritual. Money is one of the clearest mirrors of what we trust. And trust—not strategies or spreadsheets—is where true financial freedom begins.

To explore that idea, we sat down with Ron Blue, cofounder of Kingdom Advisors and a pioneer in modern biblical financial stewardship. For more than fifty years, Ron has helped Christians think about money through the lens of Scripture, wisdom, and faithful discipleship.

Ron pointed out that financial behavior always flows from belief. If we believe we own our resources, then every financial decision carries pressure and fear. But when we acknowledge that God owns everything, that pressure shifts. Instead of performing, controlling, or protecting outcomes, we begin stewarding what belongs to Him. Surrender turns money from a fear-based issue into a faith-based one.

Many of us assume money is a knowledge problem—if we just learn more or find better tools, we’ll finally make progress. But Ron reminded us that Scripture treats money as a matter of wisdom. Knowledge alone can complicate money; wisdom simplifies it. Biblical principles don’t change with markets or trends, and when we make decisions rooted in principle, we gain clarity and peace.

Fear is one of the most silent drivers in our financial lives. Most people quietly wonder, “Will I ever have enough?” and “If I do, will it remain enough?” Fear focuses on what we lack rather than what God has already provided. Jesus counters that fear in Matthew 6:33 by calling us to seek first God’s Kingdom and trust Him with our needs—food, clothing, and shelter included.

Ron also stressed that generosity plays a unique role in financial freedom because it breaks money’s hold on the heart. He described giving as an open hand—letting God put in or take out as He chooses. Giving is unnatural and counterintuitive, but it declares trust in God’s provision and aligns us with His purposes.

If financial freedom is the goal, surrender, wisdom, trust, and generosity are the path. Tools matter, budgets matter, and knowledge matters, but none of them can replace a heart anchored in God’s ownership. True freedom doesn’t start with more. It starts with surrender.

• My son wants to buy a home, but it doesn’t qualify for a mortgage because of its condition. The owners offered a rent-to-own contract in which he’d make repairs and try to qualify for financing later. What are the pitfalls with that? And after making repairs under rent-to-own, would he still be able to get a mortgage?
• My husband and I are a blended family with adult children, and we’re working on estate planning. We were introduced to an A-B trust, but we don’t really understand the pros and cons. Is an A-B trust a good fit for us, and are there other approaches that would ensure our children receive their inheritance?
• I’m 68, and I rent a house on my landlady’s property. She’s 82 and declining in health, and my son thinks I should consider buying a home for long-term security. Am I too old to buy a house at this stage of life? And should I also be considering long-term care insurance?
• I inherited money from a family member’s trust. The first RMD was already taken, and I have ten years to withdraw the rest. Am I allowed to make a qualified charitable gift from an inherited IRA, or am I ineligible because I’m not 70 yet?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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

Larry Burkett once observed, “The one principle that surrounds everything else is that of stewardship—that we are the managers of everything God has given us.” That’s a profound truth: God owns everything, and we’ve been entrusted to manage His resources for His purposes. But what does faithful stewardship actually look like? Today, I want to highlight seven marks of a good steward.

When Christians hear the word “stewardship,” we often think first of money—or maybe tithing. While generous financial giving is certainly part of stewardship, Scripture shows that it encompasses much more. God has entrusted us with the gospel, with gifts and abilities, with relationships and time, and ultimately with the love He demonstrated through Christ. Stewardship, then, isn’t merely financial; it’s holistic and deeply spiritual.

First, good stewards acknowledge God’s ownership. Everything belongs to Him, and we hold resources only temporarily to serve His purposes. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that even the ability to earn wealth is a gift from God, and 1 Peter 4:10 calls us to use whatever we’ve received “to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Second, good stewards understand the mission. God has given each of us a role in His redemptive plan. We’re called to take that calling seriously, but with humility. Proverbs 16:3 encourages, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Third, good stewards are faithful. They follow God’s financial principles—earning, saving, investing, spending wisely, and especially giving generously. Jesus teaches in Luke 16:10–11 that faithfulness with little prepares us for faithfulness with much, and that how we handle worldly wealth is spiritually significant.

Fourth, good stewards are trustworthy. They act with honesty and integrity. Proverbs 12:22 tells us, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.” Paul likewise teaches that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).

Fifth, good stewards are diligent. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus rebukes passive stewardship. Diligence honors God and reflects Colossians 3:23–24, which calls us to work “heartily, as for the Lord.”

Sixth, good stewards pray for wisdom. James 1:5 assures us that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. Prayer not only guides decisions—it guards our hearts from anxiety (Philippians 4:6).

Seventh, good stewards act when led by the Spirit. Peter urges believers to prepare for action and set their hope fully on Christ (1 Peter 1:13).

These marks set a high bar, and we won’t fulfill them perfectly. But stewardship isn’t about striving—it’s about faithfulness through dependence on God. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to manage the King’s resources for the King’s glory.

• I’ve been retired for about a year. I receive Social Security and a pension, and I’d like to update my tax withholding for next year. Do I have to pay taxes on my Social Security and pension income?
• I’m trying to decide whether to use a debt management program for my four credit cards—I owe about $6,500—or just keep making payments on my own. Which option is better for my long-term financial future?
• I’m a retired federal agent, and I recently inherited a house that I plan to sell for around $160,000. My wife and I want to use the money to pay off credit cards and a home equity line of credit rather than our mortgage. The equity line is coming due soon. Is that a wise plan?
• I’ve been hearing about no-penalty CDs. Can you explain how they compare to high-yield savings accounts for storing money?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• NerdWallet | Bankrate
• Sound Mind Investing
• Christian Credit Counselors
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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Markets appear strong as we head into 2026, but beneath the surface, risks may be rising faster than returns. Each January, CEO and CIO of Crossmark Global Investments Bob Doll joins us on the show at Faith and Finance to offer an annual outlook, and this year he characterizes the environment as a “high-risk bull market”—a market capable of gains but vulnerable to setbacks and volatility.

Looking back to 2025, Doll believes his predictions were roughly “seven out of ten.” Corporate earnings proved far more resilient than many expected, and with the Federal Reserve avoiding aggressive tightening, markets continued to climb. Earnings, Doll notes, remain the lifeblood of stocks: as long as profits grow and the Fed is not hostile, equity markets tend to trend upward.

For 2026, Doll’s first prediction is that U.S. real GDP growth will improve modestly—from about 2% to roughly 2.5%. He attributes much of that to a large government spending package passed in an election year, providing stimulus to both households and businesses.

However, inflation remains stubborn. Doll does not expect the Fed to reach its 2% target unless a recession occurs—something he does not foresee. Instead, he anticipates inflation closer to 3%, making “affordability” a defining political issue, especially around healthcare and housing, where structural challenges remain unresolved.

On interest rates, Doll expects the 10-year Treasury yield to fluctuate in a narrow range—from the high 3% area to the mid-4% area—while credit spreads widen modestly. For bond portfolios, he favors short- to intermediate-maturity bonds over long-duration bonds.

Corporate earnings should remain strong in 2026, though not at the exceptional pace of 2025. With consensus forecasts near 14% earnings growth—almost double the historical norm—Doll expects solid but not spectacular performance. As a result, he anticipates single-digit stock market returns, not another year of outsized double-digit gains.

Sector-wise, Doll sees continued strength in financials, technology, and communication services—areas tied closely to artificial intelligence—while materials, discretionary, and utilities may lag. International stocks could also surprise investors. If they outperform U.S. equities for a second consecutive year, it would be the first such streak in two decades. Stronger liquidity, improved earnings abroad (especially in emerging markets), and potential dollar weakness all contribute—even though many Americans invest little overseas.

Artificial intelligence remains a powerful driver of productivity and market speculation, though Doll expects volatility as investors sort out the true winners and losers.

Faith-based investing, he believes, will continue its momentum as more individuals, advisors, and institutions seek alignment between values and capital. Politically, Doll predicts Republicans retain the Senate but lose the House, constraining major legislative ambitions.

If 2026 proves to be a high-risk bull market, Doll’s takeaway is straightforward: remain diversified, stay invested, and practice patient stewardship through uncertainty.

• My husband and I are at retirement age, and we have four retirement accounts: three from former employers and one Vanguard IRA. Altogether, there’s about $200,000. Should we consider consolidating these accounts? And if so, is it best to consolidate them into the Vanguard IRA?
• My husband and I are both 70. He’s retired, and a cancer survivor, and I’m still working and may work another five years. Our home and vehicles are paid off, and we have about $350,000 saved—roughly half in CDs and the rest in cash. I don’t really know anything about stocks or bonds. Should we take any risk with our money at this stage, or leave it where it is?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Crossmark Global Investments
• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Money From a Biblical Perspective by Austin Pryor with Mark Biller
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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If there’s a word that defines our age, it’s more. More upgrades. More comforts. More square footage. Yet somehow—with so much more—many of us feel less content than ever. That’s because contentment doesn’t come from what’s next. It’s shaped in the heart, right where we are.

Scripture teaches that contentment isn’t accidental. It’s learned.

We all feel the pull toward “just a little more”—the next promotion, purchase, milestone, or change that will finally make life feel settled. But that longing is as old as humanity. Ecclesiastes tells us that King Solomon denied himself nothing his eyes desired, yet concluded it was all meaningless, “a chasing after the wind.” Even the wealthiest man in the ancient world discovered that satisfaction cannot be bought or accumulated. It slips through our fingers as soon as we reach for it.

Paul understood this, too. In Philippians 4:11, he writes, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Notice the word learned. Contentment isn’t natural. It doesn’t come from ideal circumstances—it’s cultivated through walking with Christ. And Paul goes further: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). That verse isn’t about conquering goals or peak performance. It’s about persevering with trust. Paul wrote those words from prison, not from success. He was saying: Christ gives me strength to rest, trust, and be content whether I have plenty or very little.

Contentment is ultimately the fruit of a relationship with Jesus. It’s not found in having everything, but in knowing the One who is everything.

Psalm 23 opens with a radical declaration: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Contentment begins with identity—we are His sheep, under His care, sustained within His provision. Hebrews 13:5 adds, “Be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” The root of contentment is God’s presence, not possessions. If He is with us, we are never without what we truly need.

But Scripture also points to a practical engine that drives contentment: gratitude. Wherever gratitude grows, contentment thrives. Gratitude redirects the heart from craving what’s next to recognizing what God has already given. When we leave everything in God’s hands, we begin seeing God’s hand in everything.

Learning contentment can be as simple as cultivating gratitude—writing down three blessings each morning, pausing to thank God before buying something new, naming provisions out loud to our spouse or kids, or turning off the endless scroll that fuels comparison. Contentment isn’t a destination. It’s a daily path surrendered to Jesus.

In a world whispering “more,” Jesus invites us to rest and say, I have enough because He is enough. That’s true contentment—and it’s available to every believer who trusts the Shepherd who never leaves and never forsakes.

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This subject is foundational to Our Ultimate Treasure, our new 21-day devotional designed to guide believers toward faithful stewardship and deeper contentment in Christ. It will be released next month, but in a few weeks, FaithFi Partners will receive digital access within the FaithFi app. 

Partners support the ministry at $35/month or $400/year and receive resources like our Faithful Steward magazine, premium app access, and future studies and devotionals. Learn more at FaithFi.com/Partner.

• My wife and I are 62 and plan to retire at 65. Our home and cars are paid off, and we have about $100,000 in liquid cash and over $1 million in IRAs—roughly $300,000 in Roth IRAs and the rest in traditional accounts. Everything is invested in moderate-risk mutual funds, and we’re about 92% in equities with no bond exposure. With markets at record highs and volatility at elevated levels, how concerned should we be about a correction? Should we diversify into bonds or just move to a more conservative allocation given our age?
• I bought my home six months ago, and the bank offered free fees if I refinanced within the first two years. Now that rates are starting to drop, how much does the rate need to fall before it actually makes sense for me to refinance?
• I have about $50,000 in debt and want to start saving, but I haven’t managed my money well and have been living beyond my means. Now I really want to honor God with what I have. Should I put everything toward paying off the debt using the snowball method, or should I try to save for the future at the same time?
• I recently filed an insurance claim for a new roof, and my homeowners' insurance premium will increase by $163 per month. I wasn’t notified until the bill arrived, and I don’t have the extra funds right now. Do I have any recourse, or what should I do other than look for another insurance company?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Credit Counselors
• A Richer Retirement: Supercharging the 4% Rule to Spend More and Enjoy More by William P. Bengen
• Bulls and Bears, Cyclical and Secular (Article by Sound Mind Investing)
• 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 workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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