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1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

Faithful stewardship does not happen by accident. The choices we make with money can either create unnecessary pressure or help us manage God’s resources with wisdom, margin, and faithfulness.

Here are six financial choices that can help us steward well what God has entrusted to us.

Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.”

For us, that means knowing what is coming in, what is going out, and whether our spending reflects our values. Without a plan, money tends to drift. A budget helps us practice faithfulness with what God has provided.

A spending plan is not about restriction for its own sake. It is about clarity. It helps us make decisions with purpose instead of simply reacting to whatever feels urgent in the moment.

Most of us need reliable transportation. We need to get from point A to point B safely. But it is easy to confuse reliable transportation with a vehicle that strains the budget.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new vehicle transaction price was more than $49,000. Experian reports that the average monthly payment for a new vehicle reached $770. And that is before insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, and depreciation.

At FaithFi, we generally prefer being free and clear of car debt when possible. That may mean buying used, driving a car longer, or choosing function over status.

The point is not to impress others with what we drive. The goal is to get where we need to go safely and wisely.

Proverbs 22:7 says, “The borrower is the slave of the lender.”

That does not mean all borrowing is sinful. But borrowing should never be treated casually. If we go into debt, we should make sure the economic benefit outweighs the cost.

The question is not simply, “Can I afford the payment?” A better question is, “Will this strengthen my financial position, or will it create more pressure later?”

Debt often makes today feel easier while making tomorrow more difficult. Wise stewardship requires us to look beyond the monthly payment and consider the long-term cost.

Cars break down. Medical bills come. Jobs change. Homes need repairs.

Proverbs 21:20 says, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”

Saving is not hoarding when it is done with humility and wisdom. An emergency fund can help us avoid high-interest debt and make decisions prayerfully rather than desperately.

Preparedness does not mean we are trusting in money instead of God. It means we are stewarding what He has provided so we can respond wisely when needs arise.

Homeownership can be a worthy goal, but owning a home is not the definition of financial faithfulness. Renting is not a waste when it provides affordable shelter and flexibility.

The danger comes when we feel pressured to buy simply to say we have “made it.” If the payment is too large, we may become house poor—owning a home but lacking margin for giving, saving, repairs, utilities, food, transportation, and other necessities.

We typically recommend keeping housing costs at 25-30% of take-home pay. We also generally recommend a 20% down payment when possible. But the goal is not simply to get into a house. The goal is

When you have to walk a ways in the snow, sometimes it’s easiest to use the same footprints on your way back. They’re easy enough to see. What footprints do we leave in our lives, that allow our adversary the easiest access to our thoughts and actions? Today on A NEW BEGINNING, as Pastor Greg Laurie continues his series in Genesis, we’ll see the enemy is always on the prowl, looking for his next target. But we’ll learn practical principles for locking the Devil out . . . leaving him out in the cold.

Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available.

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Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.

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“What’s it look like to love my community?” Don Everts helps you get intentional about your relationship to your neighborhood, caring in ways that matter.

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Have you, your spouse and kids sat down and had a meal together recently? Jim Daly talks with Pastor Ryan Rush and his wife Lana to share some creative ideas for enjoying meals with your family. Then, John and Danny reflect back on when their now grown kids still lived at home and how special those family dinners were.

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Dinner: Nourish Your Family … as a Family

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Jason and Tori Benham provide a series of practical, Bible-based principles to help couples experience stronger, healthier, and more godly marriages. They describe better ways to handle conflict, communication, and practicing “being present” with your family – especially when it’s hard.

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Surprise!! Right in time for summer and road trip season, here is a podcast of some of the most popular original songs from the Oddcast.

1. Break Their Teeth

2. Zipper Merge Song

3. Too Much To Ask (Turn Signal Song)

4. My Hair Hates Me

5. Quit (Saying These Things)

6. 3 Feet Away (Socks Song)

7. I've Got It Worse

8. These Things Won't Be (In Heaven)

9. Bugs

10. Song of Advice (Chew With Your Mouth Shut)

You thought you were rebuilding after sexual betrayal—whether from this marriage or the previous—but something still feels off: Distance. Triggers. Questions you can’t shake. Authors Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith get brutally honest about how betrayal trauma, perhaps from sexual addiction, porn, affairs, or other sources, affects your brain, your body, your marriage...and why quick fixes don’t stick. From their book, Building True Intimacy, Matthew and Joanna map a slower, sturdier path forward when trust feels shattered.

Show Notes and Resources

• Find a Mindful Marriage event and small group in your state 

• Access blended resources familylifeblended.com

• Learn more about The Raabsmiths 

• Look through the list of Smart Stepfamily Therapists 

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