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Life may seem like random events coming together—but Dr. Tony Evans shows how God carefully orchestrates circumstances and can “flip the script” in any situation.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gains understanding, for her profit is better than silver, and her gain surpasses gold.” - Proverbs 3:13–14

Making wise financial decisions early in life can set the stage for long-term stability, freedom, and generosity. But for students and young professionals just starting out, the question remains: Where do you begin?

On today’s episode, Bob Doll—CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Crossmark Global Investments—joined us to share practical, faith-rooted guidance to help young adults build a strong financial foundation from the very start.

Every wise financial journey begins with a plan.

Bob emphasizes that a budget is the starting point—simply knowing what’s coming in and what’s going out. Without a plan, it’s easy to drift financially. With one, you gain clarity and direction.

From there, establish an emergency fund—typically three to six months of expenses—to prepare for life’s unexpected turns. And just as importantly, avoid high-interest debt, especially credit card debt. Left unchecked, debt can quickly undo financial progress.

One of the fastest ways to grow in financial wisdom is to observe others. Look at those who are thriving financially—and those who are struggling. What patterns do you see? What choices led them there?

Bob encourages young adults to seek out mentors and wise counsel. A trusted advisor or a financially mature believer can help you avoid common pitfalls such as overspending or neglecting savings.

And don’t underestimate the value of learning. Reading solid, biblically grounded resources can shape your thinking and help you develop lifelong habits of stewardship.

At the heart of financial wisdom is a simple but transformative truth: It’s not our money.

Everything we have—our income, possessions, time, and abilities—belongs to God. We are stewards, entrusted to manage His resources faithfully.

This perspective reshapes everything. It moves us from ownership to stewardship, from control to surrender, and from self-focus to God’s purposes.

One of the most powerful lessons Bob shared came from personal experience.

Early in his career, he and his wife avoided overspending—but they realized later they had accumulated more than they needed, missing opportunities to give generously.

His advice? Start giving early. As Acts 20:35 reminds us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Generosity isn’t something to postpone until you have “more.” It’s a discipline that shapes your heart right now.

God often uses generosity to transform us—deepening our trust, increasing our joy, and aligning our hearts with His.

When it comes to investing, time is your greatest asset.

Even small, consistent contributions can grow significantly over time thanks to compound interest. Starting early allows your money more time to grow, making a dramatic difference over decades.

Bob encourages young adults to:

Consistency matters more than timing. Regular investing—even in small amounts—can lead to substantial results over time.

Today, investors have more opportunities than ever to align their portfolios with their faith.

That means considering not just financial returns, but also how companies operate and what they produce. As Bob points out, our investme

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Screens…they’re everywhere! In fact, you’re using one right now. Here’s an important question: are the screens that you’re using improving your connections with other people? Or are you becoming more isolated? What about the screens that your children use? Join us to hear Jonathan McKee’s perspective on how to trim down the screen usage that is distracting us from better things, like spending time with our family and the Lord.

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