The Bridge Austin

The Bible often compares the church to a human body. But very few Christians truly understand where they fit into this intricate system! Dr. Robert Jeffress shows us why finding our unique purpose in life is not only the key to our own fulfilment, but it’s vital to the local church reaching its potential.

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It’s only day two of the new year. How are those resolutions holding up?

Every January, many of us recommit to eating better, exercising more, or finally getting our finances on track. And yet, most resolutions fade long before winter does. The issue usually isn’t a lack of desire—it’s a lack of accountability and perspective.

That’s especially true when it comes to budgeting. Managing money well requires more than good intentions. It requires clarity about why we’re doing it and a system that supports us day by day.

To explore that idea, we sat down with Chad Clark, Chief Technology Officer at FaithFi, to discuss what actually helps people follow through on their financial goals.

Chad shared an observation from years of building budgeting tools: many people view a budget the same way they view a diet. They know it’s necessary, but it feels restrictive, temporary, and easy to abandon when life gets busy.

The problem usually isn’t the budget itself. It’s the missing “why.”

You may know what you want to do—get out of debt, save more, or give generously—but without a compelling reason behind it, the motivation fades quickly. Sustainable habits require more than goals; they need purpose.

For believers, Scripture gives us a clear foundation for our financial “why.” Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” God owns it all. We don’t.

That truth reshapes budgeting entirely. If God is the owner, then our role is stewardship—managing what He has entrusted to us for His purposes.

But Chad introduced an important distinction: how we view God as owner matters just as much as recognizing His ownership.

Chad used a helpful analogy. Imagine managing a coffee shop for someone else.

A passive owner hands you the keys, says, “Good luck,” and disappears. You make every decision on your own, unsure what the owner really wants.

An active owner, on the other hand, says, “Call me anytime. I’m here to help.” That owner stays engaged, offers guidance, and shares responsibility.

Many of us unknowingly treat God like a passive owner—assuming He’s uninvolved in our day-to-day money decisions. But Scripture paints a different picture. God desires to be an active owner, guiding us through the Holy Spirit as we seek wisdom and direction.

That realization lifts a heavy burden. We’re not meant to figure it all out on our own.

When we see God as an active owner, budgeting stops being a rigid rulebook and becomes a practical tool for faithful stewardship.

A budget isn’t the goal—it’s the means. It helps us manage the King’s resources wisely, align our spending with our values, and make intentional decisions rather than reactive ones.

Without this perspective, budgeting can feel overwhelming or pointless. With it, budgeting becomes an act of faithfulness.

Another key insight Chad shared: budgeting isn’t about finding the perfect method—it’s about having a system.

People manage money differently. Some thrive with detailed categories. Others prefer broader guardrails. The important thing is consistency, not complexity.

That’s why the FaithFi app was designed with multiple budgeting systems, including a digital version of the classic envelope method many longtime listeners recognize. The goal isn’t to force everyone into the same mold, but to help each person find a system that fits their habits and personality.

Over time, that system becomes part of daily life—like your morning cup of coffee. When you’re not checking in with it, you can feel that something’s

Frustrated by a lack of progress? Chip shares why dependency, not determination, is the key to the lasting change you desire.

Threefold practice for change:

1. Look BACK
2. Look UP
3. Look forward

Key areas to evaluate:

• Relationship with the Lord
• Most important relationships
• Physical health
• Other relationships
• Work / Career / Education
• Personal ministry
• Emotional health

Set spiritual priority -Mt. 6:33

• Get in shape spiritually

Don’t go it alone -Ec. 4:12b; Pro. 13:30

Abide in Christ -John 15:5

• Refuse to rely on sheer willpower, habits, and hacks.

Final thoughts

• Refuse to COMPARE yourself with other people. -2 Cor. 10:12
• Refuse to be a PEOPLE pleaser. -Lk. 16:15; Gal. 1:10

Conclusion

• Evaluate
• Look back
• Look up
• Prioritize

Broadcast Resource

• Download Free MP3
• Message Notes

Additional Resource Mentions

• I Choose Love Book
• Daily Discipleship - Psalms of Hope

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Hope in the Night - Domestic Violence

Amid the din of competing voices, we need to hear the voice of God. How do we actually meditate upon His Word? In this message, Pastor Lutzer guides us to a starting point for meditation upon the Word of God. We don't have to leave an encounter with God's Word without something for our souls each day.

This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. 

Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. 

Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. 

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In this episode of The Creative Connection, Ed Young emphasizes the importance of sincere, consistent prayer as a means of cultivating a deep relationship with God, highlighting spiritual disciplines such as fasting, giving, and praying with the right motives, place, and alignment to God's will, rather than mere requests.

What should we do when we have difficulty understanding a Bible verse? Today, R.C. Sproul shows how to interpret these passages in light of others that are clearer.

With your donation of any amount, get a 12-month subscription to Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. You'll also receive lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Knowing Scripture and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4518/offer
 
Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global
 
Meet Today's Teacher:
 
R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
 
Meet the Host:
 
Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast.

Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts