New Polity

F.I.R.E. = Financial Independence, Retire Early. Work is a sacramental insofar as it was a gift God gave us in the garden, which helps us participate in Him. So ceasing from work is not a good thing, but retiring from certain jobs is. Tune in with Marc Barnes and Jacob Imam to hear the pros and cons of F.I.R.E.

"Investing is good because it allows you to retire without being a burden on your kids." Is this statement true? Listen in to  get Good Money's first take on retirement with Marc Barnes and Jacob Imam.

The Council of Nicaea laid out the most foundational beliefs of Catholic doctrine: the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father. It was in this same ecumenical council, indeed, the very first ecumenical council, in which usury, lending money at interest, was condemned. Marc Barnes and Jacob Imam discuss the Church's teaching then and now.

Nichole Oresme was the first scholastic to write a treatise on the nature of money. And as no Church Father had ever written on the topic, one can say that this is the first treatise on the nature of money in the Church. His understanding of money is different than what we use today, but his insights are still worth a listen. Marc Barnes and Jacob Imam discuss.

At the Savior's command and formed by Divine Teaching, we dare to pray: "Forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debtors." Christ refers to a spiritual jubilee—but just because it is spiritual does not mean that it is not also real, monetarily speaking. Marc Barnes and Jacob Imam walk through this idea and help you prepare for your own jubilee.

What was the Year of Jubilee and where did it come from? Jacob Imam takes an in-depth look at the Old Testament as well as Babylonian Jubilees to shed light on current discussions of debt forgiveness.

It's the visible sign of an invisible power. It denotes the limits of a community. It is the lifeblood of a nation. It connects the citizen with the sovereign. Money serves a similar formative role in the nation as the Eucharist does in the Church. Marc Barnes and Jacob Imam discuss.

Inheritance is inevitable. We will die without ever figuring out how to take our stuff with us. This makes the rather odd claim, “I will give everything I own away when I die,” seem quite silly, at least to the Church Fathers: “Of course you will!” They reply. Sit down with Marc and Jacob to hear how the fathers suggested we write our wills.

Almsgiving sounds churchy and ambiguous. Surprise: it’s not. It’s the virtue that fulfills the envious man’s perverted dream of being another person; it’s the work of merit that cures our capitalist obsession with merit; it’s the antidote to sin; it’s the hope for both the rich and poor. Listen up and do penance.

The Catholic principle is not, "Give a man a fish." And it is definitely not, "Teach a man to fish." It's not even, "Give a man a fish while you teach him how to fish." The good Catholic economy is summarized in the maxim, "Give a man a fishing pole and teach him to fish with it while you serve him nicely seasoned grilled halibut." Listen in to hear our argument for the gift economy.