Utah's Hope

Family, friends, even our spouses: Can it be a case of familiarity breeds contempt? Author Don Everts discusses the power of staying amazed by your spouse and others—and cultivating a culture of honor and appreciation in your relationships. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation.

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Topics: 

Look At Your Phone Statios, Scott Adams, Anger, McRib Lawsuit, Welcome To The Show, What About Me?, New Year Odyssey Prediction, Nat & Gad Urban Bible Stories

Quotes:

"It's a non-judgment zone."

"You can look at your phone as long as you want."

"Eternal life begins now for those who trust in Jesus."

"Don't cultivate anger."

Spending decisions aren’t just financial—they reveal what, and whom, we value. That was the central insight Dr. Kelly Rush shared in today’s conversation on Faith & Finance, where she unpacked the Old Testament story of Jonah through the lens of money and stewardship.

Dr. Rush, Professor of Finance and Financial Planning at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, explained that Jonah’s story isn’t only about a prophet running from God. It’s also a revealing case study in how financial choices often mirror the condition of the heart. Her core conviction is simple but challenging: every spending decision is a spiritual decision.

According to Dr. Rush, money functions like a mirror. It reflects what we care about, what we trust, and what direction our hearts are moving. That principle, she noted, is woven throughout Scripture—and Jonah provides a surprisingly clear example.

Many readers miss the fact that money appears twice in Jonah’s short book. The first instance comes right at the beginning. When God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah runs in the opposite direction. Scripture tells us that he paid the fare to board a ship to Tarshish. Dr. Rush noted that this is one of the few passages in the Bible where the cost of travel is explicitly mentioned. The detail matters. Jonah didn’t just flee spiritually—he financed his rebellion. Running from God came at a financial cost.

That decision didn’t affect Jonah alone. When God sent a storm, the sailors were forced to throw their valuable cargo overboard to save their lives. Dr. Rush emphasized that poor stewardship rarely stays contained. Our financial and spiritual misalignment often impacts others—families, churches, workplaces, and communities. At the same time, she noted, faithful stewardship creates ripple effects of blessing.

The story then turns. In Jonah chapter two, inside the fish, Jonah repents. He cries out to God and vows obedience. This time, Dr. Rush explained, Jonah’s “payment” isn’t money but repentance and follow-through. When Jonah’s heart is realigned, his response changes as well. Repentance redirects both priorities and spending.

Dr. Rush connected that pattern to modern life. Faithful follow-through today, she said, looks like honoring a budget, keeping commitments to generosity, giving as worship rather than obligation, and acting with honesty and integrity in saving, investing, and repaying debt. These practices aren’t merely financial—they’re spiritual expressions of trust and obedience.

Budgets, Dr. Rush explained, tell a story. They put dollars and cents to what we prioritize and reveal whether we’re seeking God’s Kingdom or quietly running from Him. That can be uncomfortable—but it’s also hopeful. Jonah’s story is full of second chances. God didn’t give up on Jonah, and financial mistakes don’t disqualify us either.

Dr. Rush closed with a practical starting point: begin with prayer, intentionally place generosity at the top of the budget, invite wise counsel, and remember that spending decisions are always spiritual decisions. 

Money tells a story—but by God’s grace, it can be a story shaped for His glory.

• When I think of investing, I think of putting money into something that helps it grow. If I buy a stock that doesn’t pay dividends, it can feel more like a speculative bet—just hoping the price goes up. Even if I’m a passive investor and don’t benefit until I sell, does owning that stock actually help the company grow in a meaningful way, making it more of an actual investment rather than a bet?

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ec

Is there a truly best option for where to send your kids to school? What if one environment works well for one child, but doesn't pan out for another child? Danny and John open up about how they made the best education choices for their own kids. Jim Daly then chats with Dr. Ken Wilgus on how parents can help a kid who's struggling in school.

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Where does your electricity come from in your home? The electric company, right? You’re connected directly. Your neighbor is connected directly. You’re not running an extension cord over to the neighbor’s to power up your lights. (At least I hope not.) Well, we each need a direct spiritual connection to our Heavenly Father. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how that sheds light on Paul’s injunction to “work out our own salvation.” Glad you’re along today for one of our best-of messages.

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For years, Christy Osborne turned to wine to manage grief, a struggling marriage, and the pressures of motherhood, only to feel trapped in her habits. In desperation, she cried out to Jesus—and through His grace, began a journey of healing, finding new strength in Scripture and healthier ways to face life’s challenges. She shares her story as a testimony of God’s peace, redemption, and the lasting hope found in Him.

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Dr. Stanley tells us how to make our lives available to Christ—no matter what God calls us to. And he reminds us that being committed to Christ requires deliberate action. Your name may be in the Lamb’s Book of Life, but are you still living your own way?

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