Loving and happy marriages are built on the simplest of things — commitment, accepting each other’s differences, selflessness, treating each other in an understanding way, and resiliency. Jim and Jean Daly and Greg and Erin Smalley share insights, humor and wonderful stories about what makes marriage work well.

Receive a copy of The Healthy Marriage Devotional and an audio download of "Five More Ways to Grow Closer as a Couple" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

Get More Episode Resources 

If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback. 

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” - 2 Corinthians 8:9

This powerful verse is often quoted when we talk about generosity, and rightly so. It shows us that generosity isn’t just a financial principle—it’s rooted in the very heart of the Gospel. Today, Dr. Nathan W. Harris joins us to explore that connection more deeply.

Dr. Nathan W. Harris is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at The University of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. He is also the author of A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity: Giving as an Act of Grace.

Gospel generosity is giving rooted in the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Generosity is not merely a virtue for the Christian life but a cheerful disposition that springs forth from the gospel. This kind of generosity arises from new life in Christ, is empowered by the Holy Spirit, and reflects the Father’s model of grace throughout creation.

At its core, gospel generosity isn’t just about giving—it’s about proclaiming and portraying Christ’s saving work in our lives. It signifies a radical transformation of a believer’s heart and mind, leading to joyful stewardship of resources in service to God’s kingdom.

One of the most debated topics surrounding generosity is the concept of tithing. Are Christians called to tithe, or is there a greater expectation?

While tithing—giving 10%—is not explicitly required for Christians, the gospel calls us to something far greater. We aren’t obligated to give; instead, Christians have an incredible gospel opportunity. We are called to live generously, humbly, selflessly, and with the kingdom of God in mind.

This perspective reframes giving not as a rule to follow but as an act of grace and worship, rooted in gratitude for what Christ has done.

The gospel transforms our hearts and minds and revolutionizes how we approach money and stewardship. Martin Luther once said:

“There are three conversions in one’s life—the conversion of the heart, the mind, and the pocketbook.” 

When we encounter Christ, our hearts are filled with affection for Him, and our minds are set on heavenly things. However, many Christians struggle to surrender their finances to God fully. You can’t hold on to Christ while also holding on to your money.

A heart transformed by the gospel desires to honor Christ above wealth. A mind renewed by the gospel prioritizes kingdom values over worldly ones. This transformation shapes every aspect of our financial lives, from earning and saving to spending and giving.

When our hearts and minds are fully surrendered to Christ, our finances naturally follow. Giving becomes not just an obligation but an act of worship and a reflection of the gospel’s transforming power.

To explore these ideas further, check out Dr. Nathan W. Harris’s book,  A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity: Giving as an Act of Grace. This concise guide offers biblical wisdom and practical insights into living a life of joyful, gospel-rooted generosity.

• I have a whole life insurance policy for my mom that we’ve been paying on for about nine years. I’m wondering if I should just cash it in since we’re almost at the full policy amount.
• What is the best educational investment account to use for my 10 and 8-year-olds when they’re ready for college? I’ve just been saving money in savi

On this FamilyLife Today episode, hosted by Dave and Ann Wilson, we feature Bill and Pam Mutz, a couple with 12 children and 37 grandchildren, known for their work with FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember conferences and the Art of Marriage series. The episode introduces their story, starting with their meeting in Indiana and Pam’s initial reluctance to marry or have children.

Despite her plans to serve Jesus overseas, Pam agreed to marry Bill after guidance from mentors, and their perspective on children shifted after their first child, Carrie, awakened Pam’s nurturing instincts. They discuss using the family dinner table as a training ground for respect and devotions, and their decision to trust God with family size, leading to 12 children.

The episode touches on their mentoring roles, including hosting a student from Colombia, and their surrender to God’s plan, even amidst challenges like the loss of a son and granddaughter, Molly. The hosts highlight the couple’s joy, affection, and wisdom gained through decades of marriage and parenting.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn more about Bill and Pam Mutz at their website.
• Attend a FamilyLife Weekend to Remember conference for marriage enrichment.

• Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
• See resources from our past podcasts.
• Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app!
• Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
• Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

The Lord is clear. He doesn’t want anyone to perish but wants everyone to come to repentance. That includes everyone in your household, everyone at your neighbor’s home, everyone at your place of work. “Fine. Now how does that happen?” That’s where you and I come in. Today on A NEW BEGINNING Pastor Greg Laurie points out some biblical steps toward sharing the message that saved our lives. It’s not as daunting or intimidating as it seems. Pastor Greg has practical help today.

Listen on harvest.org

---

Become a Harvest Partner this month and receive Life Hacks, Pastor Greg Laurie’s thoughtful book in which he imparts years of wisdom gathered as a Christ-follower, pastor, evangelist, husband, and more.

Support the show: https://harvest.org/support

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chip begins this series, from the book of Philippians, Chapter 2, by telling us Christ's command for us to love one another means we are to live in authentic, Christ-empowered unity. The question is - how? Join Chip as he embarks on the journey to answer that question.

Introduction: “What’s going on?”

• One of God’s greatest joys is to see His children love each other.
• A prayer that only you can answer. -John 17
• Paul commands what Jesus prayed. -Philippians 2:1-2

The Platinum Rule:

• “Do unto others as God has already done unto you.”

How to become a more loving person:

1. Choose to declare war on selfishness. -Philippians 2:3
2. Attack the root of the problem… pride -Philippians 2:3
3. Choose to practice humility daily by putting others’ needs and interests ahead of your own. -Philippians 2:4

Broadcast Resource

• Download Free MP3
• Message Notes

Additional Resource Mentions

• "I Choose Joy" Book
• "I Choose Joy" Home Church Study

Mid Year Match

• Mid Year Match

Connect

• 888-333-6003
• Website
• Chip Ingram App
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Partner With Us

• Donate Online
• 888-333-6003

Caterpillars are ugly. I hope none are listening. I don't mean to be critical, but let's face it, those hairy crawlers are not the beauty queens of the animal kingdom. I suppose someone could try a makeover on a caterpillar, shave off some of that hair, give him a little color. But who could ever imagine that one of the uglier critters around could actually become one of the most beautiful animals in the world - a butterfly! You don't see many pictures of caterpillars on things, but you see pictures of butterflies everywhere! A critter covered with ugly black hair becomes a butterfly splashed with these amazing colors. An animal that lives off the leaves on the ground becomes the connoisseur of flower nectar. And a creature that once crawled everywhere becomes one that can fly everywhere. We're not talking makeover here. We're talking miracle!

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your Transformation Miracle."

The Creator who so miraculously transforms caterpillars does something far more amazing. He does it for people like you and me. He did it for my wife's grandfather, and He changed the course of her family's history...not to mention mine.

My wife's grandfather, Bill, was a handsome, successful guy with a fatal flaw - alcohol. He'd been hooked since he was 12 years old, and no one could get him unhooked...including himself. His addiction eventually cost him his job, his relationship with his family, even his freedom, landing him in prison for a while. He was, in essence, crawling through life on a caterpillar level because of something inside him he could not change.

So, one night Bill decided to die. He was on his way to Lake Michigan in Chicago to end his life when he heard this vaguely familiar song coming out of an old rescue mission. It was a song his mother used to sing. He decided to go in for a minute - never dreaming that the caterpillar who went into that mission would emerge a butterfly. From that night on, Bill never touched a drop of alcohol again. He became a wonderful husband, a loving father, and a respected spokesman for the Man who had changed his life. That night he was planning to die, Bill began a new life by beginning a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now, while your struggles with your own darkness may be different from Bill's, the same kind of miracle can happen to you. It's described in our word for today from the Word of God, 2 Corinthians 5:17. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" For the rest of his life, my wife's grandfather dedicated himself to telling as many people as possible about the life-changing miracle that only Jesus could accomplish. And I've had the privilege of being married to some of his heritage - a heritage of spiritual transformation that has now affected another generation in our own children, and then again in our grandchildren.

Transformation? That's what Jesus does. Bill would always tell people, "An old derelict like me could never be reformed. I was transformed by Jesus Christ!" That's the testimony of millions of people over hundreds of years, including the guy talking with you right now. We all fight our own monsters inside us - the sinful, hurtful, even shameful urges, attitudes and actions that we've never been able to conquer. And even being religious or spiritual, even our best efforts at self-improvement have only turned out to be an unsuccessful makeover for a caterpillar.

See, Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sin that enslaves you, and now He offers to begin transforming you from the inside out if you'll invite Him to be your Savior. If you have never begun that relationship with Jesus Christ then tell Him, today, that you want to be His from now on.

And I think you'll be glad to find information at our website tha

Michael Franzese shares about his former life as an infamous mobster and how God has the power to transform anyone.

---

Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org.

This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://harvest.org/support

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.