Utah's Hope

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Biblical courage is not bravado or self-confidence. It is faithfulness rooted in the presence and promises of God.

That kind of courage matters in every area of life—including the way we handle money. Following Christ may require us to give when we would rather hold tightly, resist cultural pressures, act with integrity when compromise would be easier, or obey God when doing so comes at a personal cost.

Dr. Craig Bartholomew, Director of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge, England, joined the show today to close out our Financial Virtues series to explore the virtue of fortitude and what it means for faithful stewardship.

When we hear the word courage, we may picture dramatic acts of bravery. Scripture certainly includes those moments. Joshua needed courage as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land.

But fortitude is broader than courage in a single crisis. It is resilience. Resolve. Endurance.

The Christian life is less like a sprint and more like a marathon. Fortitude is the strength to continue following Christ over a lifetime—to remain faithful not only in dramatic moments, but also through the ordinary decisions, pressures, disappointments, and temptations we encounter every day.

That distinction matters because some of the most important acts of courage in our financial lives may never look heroic to anyone else.

It may mean living below your means when everyone around you is upgrading their lifestyle. It may mean refusing a dishonest opportunity even when the money is attractive. It may mean continuing to give generously when fear tells you to hold tighter.

Fortitude is the courage to keep choosing faithfulness.

Money has a way of exposing what we fear.

We fear not having enough. We fear an uncertain future. We fear losing the lifestyle we have built. We may fear falling behind others or disappointing the people around us. But the deeper question is this: Where have we placed our security?

If our identity, security, or sense of worth rests primarily in wealth, then anything that threatens our finances can begin to threaten our sense of self. That is a burden money was never meant to carry.

Scripture continually redirects our trust away from created things and toward the Creator. Money is a good gift and a useful tool, but it makes a terrible foundation for our identity. Christian fortitude begins by remembering who we are and whose we are.

Our ultimate security is not found in the size of an investment account, the value of a home, or the stability of an income. It is found in God, who promises to remain faithful to His people.

That does not mean financial losses or uncertainty become easy. It means fear no longer has the final word.

Jesus gives us the clearest picture of true fortitude.

At the beginning of His public ministry, Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, offering shortcuts to power and glory that would bypass the path of suffering and obedience.

Jesus refused. He remained faithful to the Father and continued toward the cross.

His courage was not merely displayed in one final moment. It characterized His entire life—a steady obedience to the Father regardless of the cost. That same pattern should shape His followers.

Money can easily become one of the competing loyalties of our hearts. Jesus repeatedly warned about the spiritual danger of wealth when it moves from being a tool we steward to a treasure we worship.

Money must remain in its proper place. Fortitude helps us keep it

Ever been so hungry you felt weak? Not just hunger pangs, not just in a “hangry” mood. You actually felt sluggish and powerless. Food is at the top of your mind. Well, we can start to feel weak spiritually . . . but so many times our spiritual food ISN’T at the top of our minds. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out just what God’s Word does for the weary traveler on the road of life. We’ll see it gives us actual power for living. And we shouldn’t deprive ourselves.

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Your teen messes up. Emotions flare. What's your next move? David Eaton shares practical ways to respond with wisdom, connection, and love when the stakes feel high.

Show Notes and Resources

• Find resources to help connect with your teen at axis.org

• Listen to this podcast When Adult Children Walk Away from Faith: Practical Moves for Waiting Parents

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Learn how and why we should respond in a godly fashion when we feel hurt by others.

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What will heaven be like? Does everyone go there? Grammy-nominated singer and beloved television host, Sheila Walsh, shares from her new book, The Hope of Heaven: How the Promise of Heaven Changes Everything. Sheila shares why what we believe about heaven shapes how you live today! If you’re looking for encouragement, or a fresh glimpse of God’s love for you and your family, Sheila shares the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ.
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Many young parents feel very overwhelmed by the demands they face. Christi Straub talks to Jim Daly about how she felt exhausted with young children. Also, John and Danny offer hope to dads who feel tired. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
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The right financial advisor can help us plan. But the right kind of counsel can also help us stay anchored to what matters most. When we seek financial guidance, we pursue both information and direction. For believers, that direction should be shaped by God’s Word and not merely by the market. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West examines why values-aligned counsel makes such a difference. Then, it’s on to calls. That’s Faith and Finance Live . . . biblical wisdom for your financial journey. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Dr. Greg Smalley and his wife Erin explain that 70% of marital conflict is about ongoing problems, like personality differences, that will never be “solved.” They encourage couples to live with one another in an understanding way by being humble and sharing from the heart.
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