Moody Podcast Network

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, “This is war.” Tim Mulgrew, author of “Christian, A Contract with God: Understanding the Terms of True Salvation,” joined us to explain why religious activities alone don't guarantee salvation and to emphasize the importance of being truly born again and having a personal relationship with Jesus. Then Dr. Bill Thrasher, Professor Emeritus of Moody Theological Seminary, discussed how to pray when we are battling spiritual warfare and how to deal with the warfare that keeps us from praying. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.

If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following timestamps:
Gospel Message [ 9:22 ]
Tim Mulgrew [ 26:25 ]
Dr. Bill Thrasher [ 42:05 ]
Make it a Metaphor [ 52:38 ]

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We like to think we make rational decisions with our money, but what if our emotions influence our financial choices far more than we realize?

That’s one of behavioral economics' central findings: human psychology shapes financial decisions. While these discoveries have challenged traditional economic thinking, they reinforce what Scripture has taught for thousands of years: human wisdom is limited, our hearts can deceive us, and our emotions don't always lead us in the right direction.

Mark Biller, Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing (SMI), believes understanding these tendencies can help Christians become wiser, more disciplined investors.

For decades, traditional economic theory largely assumed people make rational financial decisions based on available information and their own economic interests.

But behavioral economists have shown that emotions, cognitive biases, and psychological tendencies often shape our decisions in ways that can undermine our financial well-being.

While these findings have transformed modern economic thinking, they shouldn't surprise Christians familiar with Scripture. Consider what the Bible reveals about human nature:

Our wisdom is flawed. 1 Corinthians 3:18–19 reminds us that human wisdom doesn't always align with God's wisdom. What seems reasonable from our limited perspective may not be wise at all.

Our hearts can deceive us. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the human heart is deceitful. We may believe we're making objective financial decisions when fear, pride, or greed actually shapes our motivations.

Our emotions can overpower our intentions. In Romans 7:18, Paul acknowledges the struggle between knowing what is right and actually doing it. Investors experience a similar tension when they understand sound financial principles but struggle to follow them during market volatility.

Our ability to predict the future is limited. James 4:13–14 cautions against assuming we know what tomorrow will bring. That principle matters especially in investing, where even the most experienced professionals cannot consistently predict market movements.

Recognizing these limitations should encourage humility, not fear. We don't have to understand everything about the future to make wise financial decisions today. And according to Biller, there are practical ways to account for these human weaknesses when managing investments.

At Sound Mind Investing, Biller and his team encourage investors to recognize their behavioral tendencies and establish disciplined practices to counteract them. Here are three strategies they recommend.

1. Establish Clear, Non-Emotional Selling Guidelines

One of the most difficult investment decisions is knowing when to sell.

Behavioral economists have identified two common tendencies that make selling particularly challenging.

The first is the Endowment Effect, our tendency to value something more simply because we own it.

An investor might become emotionally attached to a particular stock, especially after it has perfor

Your waiting room is not a waste of time.  Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe concludes his study Life Interrupted, as Joseph moves from the prison to the palace.  We’ll see how God can stir up a problem in the palace while He’s preparing a solution in the prison ... and why a humble heart is the key to your next season.  Learn to wait with patient expectation ... listen to Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe.

Bold Steps Gift: The Church In Babylon: Heeding the Call to Be a Light in the Darkness - Erwin Lutzer and Ed Stetzer

Visit or watch Mark Jobe at New Life Community Church

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A narcissist can make you feel like you're losing your grip on reality. One minute they’re charming, the next, cold or hateful. They gaslight, twist words, demean, and deny truth, leaving you feeling like you’re worth nothing to them, overreacting, or going crazy. But you’re not crazy. Narcissists thrive on control, and to maintain power, they’ll shift blame, deflect responsibility, and create emotional chaos. Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor Laurel Slade-Waggoner joins us to provide an in-depth understanding of narcissism from a biblical framework.

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This hour we focus on the fight for life. We start by talking with Kelsey Pritchard who will highlight some pro-life legislative proposals on ballots across the country. Then, Dr. Alveda King will highlight several black heroes who have made history in the fight for life. Join us for great conversation on a very biblical issue.

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Author Caroline Saunders has traced the theme of clothing from Genesis to Revelation. And what she discovered might surprise you. Does the Bible have a dress code? How much time and money should be spent on what we wear—and what’s happening beneath the surface when emotions and panic set in about your choices? Don’t miss the conversation on Chris Fabry Live.

Featured resource:
But What Do I Wear? by Caroline Saunders

October thank you gift:
Consider Jesus: Meditations on the Person and Work of Christ by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.

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What if debt isn’t just a financial issue—but a discipleship one? We often view borrowing through a financial lens—rates, payments, and timelines; however, in Scripture, we are invited to see the spiritual implications, too. Debt can shape our freedom, generosity, and ability to respond when God calls. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West explores a more biblical perspective on borrowing. Then, it’s your questions. That’s Faith & Finance Live—where biblical wisdom meets today’s financial decisions—weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio.  To join our team of supporters, click here.

To support the ministry of FaithFi, click here.

To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

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Generation Z is more open to attending church today. Why are they going to church? Don't miss Equipped with Chris Brooks as we examine the top three reasons that young adults are choosing to go to church. 

Featured resources:
Article: The Personal Reasons Why Young Adults Go to Church
ReMind Worldview Conference, Nov 20-21, 2026

October thank you gift:
The Rekindled Heart: 6 Essentials for Reviving Your Faith by Mark Yarbrough

Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here.

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Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “This is war.” Dr. Richard Blackaby, President of Blackaby Ministries International, discussed how true discipleship centers on a growing relationship with Jesus. Dr. Mark Hitchcock, a Research Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary, discussed the spiritual war believers face, how to resist the enemy, and how to stand firm through submission to God. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.

If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following timestamps:
Dr. Mark Hitchcock [ 05:15 ]
Devotional [ 15:28 ]
Dr. Richard Blackaby [ 28:37 ]
Announcement [ 40:57 ]
Ally Thinks It’s Funny [ 43:00 ]

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What if debt isn't just a financial issue, but a discipleship one?

We often view borrowing through a financial lens, focusing on interest rates, monthly payments, and repayment timelines. But Scripture invites us to consider something deeper. Debt can shape our freedom, influence our generosity, and affect our ability to respond to opportunities God places before us.

Borrowing is common in modern life, but understanding its spiritual implications can help us make wiser financial decisions.

Credit cards, student loans, mortgages, and business financing are familiar financial tools. While Scripture doesn't identify borrowing itself as a sin, it consistently warns about the obligations debt creates.

Proverbs 22:7 reminds us, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender."

In the ancient world, this wasn't merely a metaphor. Those unable to repay their debts could sometimes be forced into servitude. While modern lending generally operates differently, the underlying principle remains: Debt creates obligations that can limit our freedom and influence our decisions.

When we borrow, we're committing a portion of our future income to something we've purchased or financed today. Those commitments can affect more than our monthly budgets. They can also limit our ability to give generously, serve others, or respond to unexpected opportunities.

That's why debt deserves more than a financial evaluation. It deserves a spiritual one.

Imagine having an opportunity to support a ministry, help a family in need, or serve in a meaningful way, only to discover that your financial obligations leave little room to respond.

That's the deeper concern with excessive debt. It can reduce our financial flexibility and make it harder to act on the things we value most.

Paul writes in Romans 13:8, "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

This passage shouldn't be interpreted as an absolute prohibition against borrowing, but it reminds us to take our obligations seriously. Our financial commitments should never distract us from our greater responsibility to love and serve others.

Of course, this doesn't mean all borrowing is unwise. A manageable mortgage or a carefully considered business loan may be entirely appropriate within a thoughtful financial plan. 

But Scripture invites us to ask a better question than simply, "Can I afford the payments?" We should also ask, "Will this financial decision support my ability to love and serve others, or will it unnecessarily limit that freedom?"

As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:23, "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

Sometimes our borrowing reflects genuine needs. Other times, it may reveal impatience, comparison, or pressure to maintain a certain standard of living. Examining our motivations helps us recognize when debt serves a legitimate purpose and when it may shape our priorities in unhealthy ways.

What if you're already carrying significant debt?

First, don't despair. The gospel reminds us that our relationship with God isn't defined by our financial circumstances or past mistakes.

When Jesus died on the cross, He declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The Greek word tetelestai means "completed." It also provides a powerful picture of a debt fully settled.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what we could never accomplish for ourselves. We can't repay our debt of sin through our own efforts. Salvation is a gift of grace we receive through faith in Christ. 

That truth should shape how we approach our financial obligations, too.<