How much should Christians give? Is the tithe a rule, a starting point, or something more? In this conversation, we explore the deeper biblical question behind giving—not just how much should I give, but how much should I keep. Looking at Scripture, the teachings of Jesus, and insights from Christian thinkers like John Wesley, we unpack the heart behind generosity and why giving is meant to break the power money can have over our lives.

This discussion explores the purpose of the tithe, the role of stewardship, and why generosity should flow from a joyful response to God's grace rather than simple obligation. We also examine practical ideas like setting lifestyle limits, prioritizing giving in your financial plan, and cultivating a simpler life that draws your heart closer to Christ. If you've ever wrestled with questions about tithing, stewardship, or how generosity fits into your financial life, this conversation offers biblical perspective and practical wisdom.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-95-christian-giving

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 How Much Should Christians Give?

00:25 Giving as a Response to God's Grace

01:03 The Better Question: How Much Should I Keep?

02:47 Old Testament Tithes and the 10% Baseline

04:02 Why Holiness Is More Than Hitting a Percentage

05:09 Tithing as Training Wheels for Greater Generosity

08:05 Simplicity, Maturity, and Growing Closer to Jesus

09:29 Would You Be Okay With 10% Less Income?

11:38 Where Should You Begin With Giving?

12:01 How Lifestyle Limits Shape Generosity

14:17 Give First, Save Second, Live on the Rest

18:25 What Happens When You Intentionally Live on Less

21:24 Breaking Money's Power Through Creative Generosity

21:49 Next Episode: Where Should We Deploy Our Resources?

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

Money promises security, comfort, and identity—but it can also quietly take hold of our hearts. In this episode, we explore the deeper spiritual reality behind wealth and why Jesus warned that we cannot serve both God and money.

The Bible teaches that generosity is not merely about helping others; it is a powerful spiritual discipline that frees our hearts from the grip of materialism. Join us as we discuss why money can become such a powerful competitor for our devotion, how Scripture frames the tension between God and mammon, and why giving is one of the most effective ways to break money's influence over our lives.

We also consider how generosity shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship and helps us lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. If you've ever wondered why wealth can feel so powerful—or how to cultivate a heart that trusts God rather than money—this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

In the next episode, we'll explore an important follow-up question: how much should Christians give?

Andy Crouch's talk on Mammon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylfXtmkavzM

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-94-money-problems

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Why Money Has a Grip on Our Hearts

00:45 The Five Uses of Money: Live, Give, Owe, Grow

01:03 Jesus' Warning: You Cannot Serve God and Money

01:55 The Spiritual Battle Between God and Mammon

02:40 Money as "Stored Power" in Our Culture

04:18 Why Giving Breaks Money's Power Over Us

06:35 When Our Hearts Become Cold Toward Giving

08:08 Protecting Our Hearts from the Love of Money

10:04 Laying Up Treasures in Heaven

14:40 The Joy That Comes from Generosity

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

If you've prayerfully set financial finish lines and determined what to pass on to your heirs, the next step can feel even harder: talking about it.

In this episode, we explore how to approach these conversations with clarity, humility, and a biblical framework of stewardship. We discuss why wealth is a tool—not a trophy—how to start with values instead of numbers, and practical steps for inviting meaningful dialogue with your family.

Whether you've been having these conversations for decades or you're just beginning, it's never too late to lead with generosity, discipleship, and an eternal perspective. Learn how to pray as you prepare, explain your rationale wisely, and navigate emotions with grace—so your legacy reflects faithfulness, not just finances.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-93-hard-conversations

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 Why Talking to Your Heirs Matters

02:15 The Foundation: Everything Belongs to the Lord

05:40 Wealth Is a Tool, Not a Trophy

09:10 When These Conversations Feel Hard

13:25 The Danger of Unearned Wealth

17:50 Pray as You Prepare

21:30 Start with Values, Not Numbers

25:45 Explain Your Rationale Clearly

29:10 Invite Dialogue and Ongoing Conversation

33:20 It's Never Too Late to Start

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

For many families, the default plan is simple: divide the estate equally and pass it on. But is that always wise? In this episode, we explore how to set thoughtful financial finish lines for your heirs—balancing stewardship, generosity, discipleship, and the realities of culture.

We discuss practical ways to determine how much is enough, how to bless children and grandchildren without creating spiritual or financial harm, and how gradual giving can reveal both character and readiness. Drawing on biblical stewardship principles and wisdom from John Wesley, this conversation challenges the assumption that more inheritance is always better.

If you want to steward wealth faithfully while strengthening your family for generations to come, this episode will help you think differently about what you pass on—and why.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-92-savings-heirs

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: How Much Is Enough for Your Heirs?

00:46 Why Setting Finish Lines for Heirs Is So Challenging

01:41 The Cultural Default: Divide It Equally 04:02 What a Financial Finish Line Actually Means

05:06 Treating Children Equally vs. Wisely

07:55 John Wesley on Wealth and Inheritance

11:08 Is Money a Trap for the Next Generation?

12:30 Blessing Heirs Gradually and Observing Stewardship

16:26 Practical Ways to Set Caps for Heirs

19:31 Deploying Resources During Your Lifetime

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

How do Christians know when they've saved enough for retirement? This episode explores retirement planning through a biblical stewardship lens. We discuss setting a prayerful "finish line" for savings, avoiding the dangers of unchecked accumulation, and pursuing generosity once your needs are met.

Drawing from Proverbs, James, the Sermon on the Mount, and John Wesley's wisdom on money, this conversation helps believers think faithfully about saving, giving, and trusting God with their resources.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-91-enough-savings

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

0:00 How Much Is Enough? A Discipleship Question

1:06 The Backpacking Story: Carrying More Than Needed

2:23 When People Have Already Saved Enough

3:23 Proverbs 30 — Neither Poverty Nor Riches

5:14 Pursuing Generosity After Hitting Your Goal

6:29 The Danger of Unchecked Accumulation

7:19 Foundational Financial Planning Principles

9:20 Treasures on Earth vs. Treasures in Heaven

13:02 John Wesley: Gain, Save, and Give All You Can

15:14 How to Determine Your Savings Finish Line

19:02 What to Do Once You Hit the Finish Line

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

How Much Money Is Enough? Setting Your Financial Finish Line

In any race, the finish line changes everything—and the same is true for your money. In this episode, we talk about setting a "How Much Money Is Enough?" for your lifestyle spending so you can avoid lifestyle creep, live with contentment, and steward God's resources with wisdom.

We'll also walk through James 1:5, why there's no one-size-fits-all budget, and how a 90-day finish line pledge can help you reset your spending with clarity and purpose. #christianstewardship #finance

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-90-finish-lines

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Why a finish line matters in money and life

01:00 Defining "enough" to avoid lifestyle creep

01:40 Start with wisdom: Why James 1:5 is the foundation

02:55 No one-size-fits-all: Principles over formulas

04:30 "Where does your money flow effortlessly?" (exposing heart motives)

05:45 Find your baseline: Know what you're spending right now

07:40 Stewardship mindset: We're stewards, not owners

09:05 Using the Financial Finish Line calculator (percentiles + perspective)

14:35 The 90-day Financial Finish Line pledge (practical next step)

18:45 Why finish lines matter for kids, grandkids, and spiritual growth

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

In this episode, we explore a biblical framework for stewarding God's money through four key uses: living, giving, paying taxes and managing debt, and saving for the future.

The conversation challenges the cultural pull toward lifestyle inflation and self-worship, calling listeners back to contentment, generosity, and trust in God as the true provider. Drawing from Scripture and real-world examples, this teaching offers practical wisdom for aligning spending, giving, and investing with a life of faithful stewardship.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-89-foundations-part2

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 – The Four Ways We Use God's Money

01:10 – Culture, Self-Worship, and Lifestyle Inflation

02:19 – Contentment and God as Our Provider (Hebrews 13)

03:08 – Spending Less Than You Earn

06:08 – When Lifestyle and Experiences Become Idols

10:52 – Where Does Your Money Flow Effortlessly?

11:37 – Giving Breaks the Power of Money

15:00 – Strategic Giving and Helping Those in Need

18:40 – Debt, Freedom, and Being Slaves to Lenders

20:50 – Saving, Investing, and Trusting God as Provider

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

What does it truly mean to steward God's money well? In this episode, we return to the foundations of biblical stewardship by exploring three core truths: God is our provider, God owns it all, and we are His stewards.

Through Scripture and practical reflection, we discuss how these principles reshape our posture toward work, wealth, control, and trust as we seek to faithfully manage the resources God has placed in our hands.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why Foundations Matter in Biblical Stewardship

01:02 – Re-Anchoring Our Hearts: God as Our Provider

04:15 – Diligent Work vs. Trying to Be the Provider

06:39 – God Owns It All: Letting Go of Control

09:00 – A Temporary View of Wealth and Resources

14:16 – What It Means to Be a Steward, Not an Owner

18:55 – The Risk of Doing Nothing with God's Resources

21:45 – Living with Open Hands and an Eternal Perspective

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

Estate planning isn't just about deciding who receives your assets—it's about stewarding God's resources with clarity, wisdom, and love. In this episode, we walk through five essential estate planning documents every steward should understand and consider: beneficiary designations, a will, a trust, powers of attorney, and a living will or advance directive.

Learn how these documents work together to provide guidance, reduce confusion, and help ensure a smooth transition to the next steward.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-87-estate-documents

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 – Estate Planning as Christian Stewardship

02:33 – Beneficiary Designations Explained (And Why They Matter)

06:27 – Common Mistakes With Beneficiary Designations

07:35 – Why Every Steward Needs a Will

10:29 – When a Trust Makes Sense (And When It Doesn't)

17:08 – Powers of Attorney: Planning for Incapacity

20:00 – Updating Documents as Life Changes

20:24 – Living Wills & Advance Directives: A Gift to Your Family

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-87-estate-documents

The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but not every decision carries the same weight. In this episode, we walk through the five foundational estate planning choices every Christian steward should prayerfully consider—from identifying the next steward and determining how much is enough, to equipping heirs, choosing the right agents, planning optimal distribution paths, and communicating with clarity.

This conversation explores how to protect your family, advance God's kingdom, and build an estate plan that reflects your faith and values.

You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-86-estate-planning

Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why Estate Planning Matters for Christian Stewards

01:11 – What It Means to Live as a Pilgrim and Steward

02:11 – How to Decide Who the Next Steward Should Be

04:07 – Loving Children Equally but Treating Them Differently

05:52 – Equipping the Next Steward Spiritually and Financially

07:43 – The Importance of Gratitude and Open Communication

10:03 – Living and Giving While You Still Have Breath

10:22 – Choosing Agents: Executors, Trustees, and Powers of Attorney

13:15 – When to Consider an Independent Trustee

18:21 – Finding the Optimal Path for Distributing Resources

22:22 – Why Clear Communication Prevents Conflict

24:29 – Final Thoughts for Faithful Estate Planning

Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.