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

Most of us no longer measure our wealth in flocks and herds, but the wisdom of Proverbs 27:23 remains just as relevant today: faithful stewardship requires attention.

When we do not know what we have, where it is going, or what it is accomplishing, we cannot manage it wisely. That is where a budget can help.

A budget is simply a plan for managing what God has entrusted to us. It is not intended to be a burden, a source of shame, or a rigid set of restrictions. It is a practical tool that helps us practice faithfulness.

Biblical budgeting starts with the recognition that everything belongs to God. Our income, possessions, savings, spending, and giving have all been entrusted to our care.

That means budgeting begins with a spiritual question before it becomes a financial exercise: Lord, how would You have me manage what You have provided?

That question changes the purpose of a budget. We are not merely trying to make the numbers balance. We are asking whether our financial decisions reflect what we truly value.

A budget can reveal where our money is drifting. Are our resources being absorbed by impulse, comfort, comparison, and accumulation? Or are they being directed toward generosity, provision, responsibility, and contentment?

The goal is not simply greater financial control. It is greater faithfulness.

Scripture never treats generosity as an afterthought.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

A budget allows us to give intentionally rather than reactively. Instead of waiting to see whether anything remains at the end of the month, we can prayerfully decide in advance how we want to support our church, ministries, neighbors, and others in need.

Generosity should not be driven by guilt or compulsion. It should flow from gratitude for God’s provision and a desire to participate in His work.

For those who receive a predictable paycheck, identifying monthly income may be relatively simple. A spending plan can be built around regular take-home pay.

Variable income requires a little more care.

Business owners, commission-based workers, freelancers, seasonal employees, and hourly workers may see their income fluctuate from month to month. In that situation, it is usually wise to build a budget around a conservative baseline.

Review the previous six to 12 months and identify the lower-income periods. Then build your essential expenses around a realistic minimum—not your best month.

When income is higher, decide beforehand how those additional dollars will be used. They might help you:

Without a plan, additional income can easily disappear into increased spending. With a plan, it can strengthen your financial foundation and expand your ability to serve others.

Giving every dollar a job does not mean spending every dollar.

Saving is a job. Giving is a job. Paying bills is a job. Preparing for future expenses is a job. Your budget might include money for:

The purpose is not unnecessary restriction. It is intentional direction.

When every dollar has a purpose, your money is less likely to be consumed by whatever feels most ur

Former teachers Sue Acuna and Cynthia Tobias explain the changes middle schoolers experience and their inner struggles. They’ll share advice for parents navigating their children’s transition to middle school. Hear advice for communicating with middle schoolers, dealing with their doubts and questions about God, and adapting as they grow.
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Trafficking thrives in the shadows—but even Wall Street can shine a light. Nearly 50 million people around the world are trapped in modern slavery, including forced labor and human trafficking. But Christian investors can use their influence to confront exploitation and encourage companies to protect the vulnerable. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Will Lofland provide an encouraging update. Then, it’s on to calls. That’s Faith and Finance Live . . . biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Human trafficking often thrives in the shadows, hidden within complex supply chains and ordinary commercial activity. But Christian investors are discovering that their influence can help bring exploitation into the light.

Will Lofland, Managing Director of Faith-Based Investing at GuideStone Funds, joined the show today to explain how investors can encourage companies to identify forced labor, protect vulnerable people, and pursue meaningful change.

According to estimates from Walk Free, nearly 50 million people worldwide are living in modern slavery. More than 27 million are trapped in forced labor, including approximately 3.3 million children.

Those numbers can feel distant, but exploitation may be connected to products people use every day. Forced labor can appear deep within the supply chains that produce clothing, food, electronics, and other consumer goods.

Because these networks are complex, companies may not always recognize where exploitation is occurring. But that does not make the problem any less urgent—or remove the responsibility to address it.

For Christian investors, this concern is rooted in more than economics or risk management. It reflects the biblical command to defend those who are vulnerable:

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” - Proverbs 31:8–9

Biblical stewardship is not passive. God entrusts His people with resources, relationships, and influence that can be used to pursue what is good and protect those at risk.

Faith-based investing has often focused on screening—seeking to avoid companies whose primary business activities conflict with Christian values. That can remain an important part of a values-aligned investment strategy, but it is not the only approach available.

GuideStone has expanded its work to include shareholder advocacy, which allows investors to engage the companies they own rather than simply excluding them.

This advocacy generally involves two primary tools: proxy voting and direct corporate engagement.

Through proxy voting, shareholders can vote on company leadership, policies, and proposals presented at annual meetings. GuideStone seeks to vote the proxy ballot for every company held within its investment strategies, evaluating each decision through the lens of faithful stewardship and long-term shareholder interests.

Direct engagement involves meeting with corporate leaders to discuss concerns such as child labor, forced labor, and online sexual exploitation. These conversations give investors an opportunity to ask difficult questions, encourage greater transparency, and help companies strengthen their policies and practices.

The goal is not merely to criticize companies publicly. It is to pursue constructive, solutions-oriented dialogue that protects vulnerable people while supporting responsible corporate leadership.

One recent example of this work is GuideStone’s involvement as a founding member of the Eagle Freedom Alliance, a collaboration focused on combating human trafficking through corporate engagement.

Rather than simply sending letters or publicly condemning businesses, the alliance seeks to bring anti-trafficking experts into conversations with corporate decision-makers. These experts can help companies recognize vulnerabilities within their operations and supply cha

You swore it'd be the last time. But the cycle keeps repeating. If you've been wondering how to quit pornography, you're probably discovering it's harder than willpower alone. Jacob Valk of Into the Light Ministries joins Dave and Ann Wilson for an honest conversation about why porn is so difficult to escape, what keeps people stuck, and why lasting freedom is still possible. If you're tired of hiding or losing hope, this episode is for you.

Show Notes and Resources

• Find the documentary "Into the Light" and other resources at intothelightministries.ca

• Also find "Parenting and Pornography Masterclass"

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When God wanted to share His message of love, surprisingly He chose to use people to reach people. Flawed, fallible, foible-filled people. Ahh, but the power of the message is not in us messengers, it’s built in to the message. And the boldness and direction we need is built in to us by the Spirit who lives within us. Pastor Greg Laurie discusses that today on A NEW BEGINNING as he continues a message from his brand new series in Acts – a series called The Upside-Down Life.

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