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We spend a lot of time talking—sharing our thoughts, our opinions, our stories—but how often do we really stop and listen? Becky Harling encourages you to develop the one skill that will strengthen every relationship you have—the art of listening. She’ll walk through some practical steps to develop healthy habits that will help you become more intentional, proactive listeners.

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It’s one thing to thank God before a meal. It’s another thing entirely to thank Him before sending off a tax payment.

For many Christians, taxes are rarely associated with gratitude. They often feel like a burden—an interruption to our financial plans or resources we’d rather use elsewhere. But Scripture invites us to view taxes through a very different lens. Instead of seeing them merely as a loss, believers can see them as a reminder of God’s provision and His sovereignty, and as an opportunity to live with integrity.

Few topics unite people quite like a shared dislike of paying taxes.

It’s easy to think, if I could just keep that money, I could do something better with it. And when government policies conflict with our convictions—or headlines highlight waste or corruption—resentment can grow even stronger.

Yet Scripture calls us to approach the issue differently. Instead of responding with frustration alone, the Bible encourages gratitude, humility, and trust in God’s sovereign rule.

In Matthew 22:17, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a political question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus responded by asking for a coin and pointing to the image stamped on it. His reply has echoed through history:

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

This answer was remarkable. Taxes under Rome were deeply unpopular. Rome was an occupying force, and tax revenue helped sustain a system that oppressed God’s people. Yet Jesus did not call for revolt or avoidance. Instead, He acknowledged that paying taxes fits within God’s ordering of society while making it clear that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God.

Coins may bear Caesar’s image, but our lives bear God’s image—and they belong fully to Him.

The apostle Paul reinforced this principle in Romans 13:6–7, writing during the reign of Nero—hardly a model of righteous leadership:

“Because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God… Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

Notice what Paul does not say. He doesn’t ground obedience in the goodness of government. Instead, he points to the sovereignty of God.

Paying taxes, then, is not primarily an expression of confidence in a human system. It is a recognition that God ultimately rules over nations, leaders, and history itself.

There is another perspective on taxes that believers often overlook. Before you pay a single dollar in taxes, something has already happened: God has provided.

A mentor of mine, Ron Blue, often says around tax time, “Taxes represent God’s provision.” If God had not provided income, there would be no taxes to pay.

Think about it. Taxes imply that:

In other words, taxes—uncomfortable as they may feel—are evidence that God has supplied what we need. Gratitude allows us to see provision before we see loss.

Instead of asking only, How much am I paying? We can ask, What does this reveal about God’s faithfulness?

This perspective also shapes how Christians respond during tax season. In a world full of shortcuts, loopholes, and justifications, believers are called to something different: integrity.

Honesty in financial matters—especially the ones no one else sees—forms Christlike character. Filing accurately, reporting honestly, and paying what is owed becomes an act of discipleship.

It’s a quiet but powerful testimony of a life shaped b

Ever been behind the wheel on a long road trip? The endless miles of highway can be fatiguing. We can actually feel sleepy . . . at 65 miles an hour! Sometimes we go through life at 65 miles an hour . . . but spiritually speaking, we’ve practically fallen asleep. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how to wake ourselves up spiritually, and how that’ll have an effect on our culture, as well. He’s explaining the biblical prescription for a societal spiritual awakening.

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How does a missing, distant, or imperfect dad shape a life? In the movie He Calls Me Daughter, director Rick Altizer and Rachelle Starr explore father wounds and their ripple effect on faith, identity, and trust. Through Scarlet Hope’s bold ministry in the sex industry, real stories of redemption, obedience, and God’s transformative love reveal how compassionate faith can heal deep hurts and restore hope in families and hearts.

Show Notes and Resources

• Watch the film He Calls Me Daughter in theaters for two days only: March 17–18 (get tickets and find theater locations now). visit HeCallsMeDaughter.org.
• Learn more about Scarlet Hope ministry: Visit scarlethope.org for stories, donation options, team info, and ways to get involved.
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You can reprogram your mind to focus on things that honor God and to think more Christlike thoughts.

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Discipleship often sounds like a big program—but what if it really begins with one faithful conversation at a time? On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Brian Holtz explore how an intentional commitment to walk with someone spiritually can have an eternal impact, shaping their financial choices, daily actions, and Christian journey. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live—where biblical wisdom meets today’s financial decisions—weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Discipleship often sounds like something that requires a large program, a curriculum, or a major church initiative. But what if it’s far simpler than that? What if discipleship often begins with just one intentional relationship?

Sometimes a single faithful conversation—repeated over time—can shape how we follow Christ in every area of life, including our finances.

Today, we spoke with Brian Holtz, CEO of Compass Financial Ministry, about a simple discipleship model that has quietly transformed lives for decades. And it all begins with one person investing in another.

The vision began with Howard Dayton, the founder of Compass. Many people know Howard from his years teaching about biblical stewardship, but at the heart of his ministry has always been personal discipleship.

Years ago, Howard made a simple commitment: each year, he would intentionally walk alongside one person.

They would read Scripture together, discuss what God was teaching them, and reflect on how those truths applied to their lives. Alongside Scripture, they would read a few formative Christian books and meet regularly to talk through what they were learning.

But there was one small request.

At the end of the year, the person being discipled would commit to doing the same thing with someone else. That simple multiplication strategy became known as the “One More” program—disciple one person each year and invite them to do the same.

Over time, the reading list has evolved, but the goal has always remained the same: to encourage deep spiritual formation.

Some of the books commonly used in the process include: