'Where Your Treasure Is...': The Podcast where Faith and Finance Meet

In this first vox pop bonus episode on the theme of ‘Giving’, guest contributors talk about why we might want to be generous and they also discuss the principles (including a number mentioned in the Bible) that have affected their attitudes towards this topic.

Some key points covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon introduces the episode [00:44] and thanks the contributors. [02:26]
• The first question that participants answer is, ‘Why do you think you should (or shouldn’t) give?’ [02:58]
• Next up, answers are proffered in response to being asked, ‘What is lost if people don't give / are not generous?’ [09:53]
• The third question posed to our guests for this episode was, ‘What does the Bible say about giving that you have found to be helpful / significant?’ [12:49]
• Finally, our participants were asked, ‘What expression or quotation about giving / being generous has made the greatest impact on you?’ [19:13]
• In the second vox pop bonus episode, contributors will talk about the practicalities of giving and the impact that generosity has had on their own lives and on the lives of others. [22:55]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In this bonus episode, Simon and Bex talk with Olivia Barker White about her involvement and role in the inspirational story of Kids Club Kampala, a charity supporting vulnerable children in underprivileged communities in Uganda.

Some key points covered in this episode include the following:

• Olivia introduces herself [02:03] and describes how, from an early age, she felt a passionate desire to be involved somehow in supporting the global poor. [03:29]
• Olivia explains how she came to visit Uganda and, in due course, set up Kids Club Kampala with co-founders, Corrie and Sam. [05:55]
• In response to a question from Simon, Olivia provides an update on the charity, describing how its staffing provision, activities and services have evolved over time. [13:49]
• Olivia talks about the challenges of being totally reliant on the generosity of others via voluntary donations [16:50] before going on to describe the best way that people can give [18:53] and how God has always met their needs. [21:47]
• In response to a question from Bex, Olivia shares some thoughts about how Christians can interact with charities [24:19] and then responds to a question from Simon about ways in which charities can be accountable to donors and can provide good feedback. [27:57]
• Olivia concludes by providing contact information and by encouraging listeners to respond positively to any ‘nudge’ that they are feeling from God and to say ‘Yes’ to partnering with Him to be generous to others. [31:18]
• Bex explains that another bonus episode will be released soon and will feature “the most voices that we have ever had on a podcast” in the form of responses submitted by listeners to a range of questions on the theme of Giving. [33:30]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

Drawing on a number of examples from history, Simon and Bex discuss the amazing impact that generous giving can have on individuals, communities and society as a whole.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon starts off by describing the very significant, but not widely known, role of Humphrey Monmouth (a wealthy cloth merchant) in spreading the gospel as a result of his financial support of Bible translator, William Tyndale, during the first part of the 16th century. Monmouth’s story is one of a number of interesting and inspiring accounts included by John Rinehart in his book, Gospel Patrons. [02:18]
• Simon’s second tale of the impact of individual generosity features 18th century businessman, John Thornton, a supporter of many charitable causes, who provided the financial and practical assistance that made it viable for former slave trader, John Newton, to publish his first book of hymns, which included ‘Amazing Grace’. [07:16]
• Simon describes the improved conditions and facilities for workers initiated by businessman and social reformer, George Cadbury, at Bourneville before going on to recount the part played by another member of the Cadbury family, Sir Adrian Cadbury, in the building of the first purpose-built Serbian Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom. [10:26]
• A salutary tale of the importance of consistency and acting with integrity in every circumstance comes in the form of the mixed legacy arising from the various endeavours and activities of William Lever (Lord Leverhulme). On the one hand, he created in Port Sunlight a widely admired model village, founded on Christian principles; and, on the other hand, his reputation has been seriously compromised not only because he could be uncomfortably paternalistic in his attitudes but, most significantly, because of his links to slave labour in the Solomon Islands and the Belgian Congo. [16:03]
• In Simon’s final historical example, he brings his narrative full circle by giving an example of modern philanthropists, the Laing Family, who have supported and extended the work of sharing biblical knowledge and understanding that had been started by William Tyndale and Humphrey Monmouth. [21:15]
• Simon concludes by sharing his own experience of being a recipient of generosity and the impact that it had upon him. [26:37]
• The ‘Where Your Treasure Is…’ podcast will return with Season 6 early in 2024. In the meantime, a couple of bonus episodes on the theme of ‘Giving’ will air before Christmas. [30:50]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

Simon and Bex discuss the different attitudes that we can have to giving and how that can influence when we give.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon explains that, originally, the focus of this episode was to have been on the question of ‘When to give?’ but, ultimately, it went on to explore wider issues, notably the different kinds of attitudes that we can have towards giving. [00:27]
• Simon identifies four broad categories into which givers can fall, with each one being the result of a specific attitude that has been adopted towards giving. He suggests that the first type of giver can be described as being desultory, because they have a tendency to be haphazard and irregular in their giving. [02:40]
• A second possible approach towards giving is exemplified by the deliberate giver. [08:22]
• In a brief aside, Simon notes that other ways of categorising levels of giving have been devised in the past, most notably by the twelfth century Jewish scholar, Maimonides. [11:00]
• Next up in Simon’s scale is disciplined giving. [13:36]
• And finally, Simon describes the characteristics of the dedicated giver, as illustrated by the sacrificial giving of the Macedonian church that is described in 2 Corinthians chapter 8. [17:07]
• Simon explains that the final episode of this season on Giving will feature various stories from history that he hopes will demonstrate how powerful the impact can be when God’s people give freely and generously. [22:24]

Contributions, suggestions or feedback in response to this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

Simon and Bex discuss various practical and strategic points relating to giving as they discuss the question, ‘How much should we give?’

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Bex begins the episode by mentioning biblical principles relating to giving that have been covered in discussions to date. Simon explains that, on this occasion, his emphasis is going to be on practical and context-sensitive factors that can help us to implement our giving in an effective, efficient and appropriate manner. [00:42]
• One point to take into account is the tendency of our giving to depreciate ‘in real terms’ over time if it remains at the same amount. For that reason, it makes sense to review our giving regularly, taking account of that factor and other relevant considerations. [02:35]
• Being clear about your priorities when giving to charities and causes will help you to make appropriate and strategic decisions about how much to give and whether your giving in specific instances should take the form of a one-off gift or regular donations. [08:37]
• Building on previous discussions, Simon highlights the importance of thinking through carefully how much time we should give to various causes and activities. [12:53] He uses a personal example to illustrate the kind of approach that can be adopted to ensure that there is helpful clarity and openness about commitments to give time. [15:53]
• Simon includes the following points in his concluding remarks: giving should be a priority and should be responsive to what is ‘normal’ as far as your spending patterns are concerned; it should be sacrificial and it should take into account how much you have left over after you have given; and it should be done thoughtfully and strategically, for example by allocating resources with awareness that gifts may achieve more in certain contexts compared with others. [20:47]
• The next episode in this season will deal with the question of when to give. [24:27]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

Simon and Bex discuss the factors that come into play when we are going through the process of deciding to whom we wish to give.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon and Bex start their conversation about to whom to give by discussing which comes first: the decision to give or identifying who we are going to give to? [01:15]
• Simon introduces the idea of ‘opportunity cost’ because the fact that we have ‘limited resources’ means that we are likely to have to choose between ‘mutually exclusive alternatives’ ie a decision to give in one direction will often rule out a donation towards another possible recipient. [04:32]
• The key question then becomes: 'What criteria do we use to determine how we should prioritise our giving?', especially when members of our family can be in the mix as one of the options. It is suggested that a giving policy can be really helpful when weighing up the issues prior to making a decision of this nature. [10:10]
• Simon and Bex begin their consideration of specific giving options by itemising a number of different ways in which we can give to church-related activities. [16:07]
• Similar decision-making processes also need to be employed when considering to which non-church charities and causes we might want to give. [18:38]
• In Simon’s concluding remarks, he highlights the importance of being deliberate in our giving, making sure that we are giving effectively and reviewing our giving periodically. [19:47]
• The question being examined in the next episode of this season will be ‘How much to give?’ [21:12]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

Simon and Bex delve further into the practicalities of Giving, focusing on three further ways in which charitable giving can be made more tax efficient.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• After a quick recap on Gift Aid [00:50], Simon introduces the three main topics that will be covered in this episode: Give as you Earn/Payroll Giving; Wills and Legacies; Limited Company Donations. [03:15]
• Simon explains how Give as you Earn/Payroll Giving works [03:46] and then, in response to a question from Bex, goes over the pros and cons of using this option as opposed to Gift Aid. [05:02]
• Simon then turns his attention to lifetime giving at the point of death (and even after death), which can be managed through wills and legacies. Apart from providing clarity regarding bequests and charitable donations etc, this approach can be of great benefit in connection with any Inheritance Tax factors that may arise. [14:08] NB Bex points out that listeners may find it useful to listen to the conversation with Fiona Clarke, private client solicitor, in Season 3 Bonus Episode 2 as many helpful points relating to wills and legacies are covered during that discussion.
• Bex asks Simon for his thoughts on balancing lifetime giving with giving solely at the point of death, typically via a will. [20:41]
• Simon outlines the arrangements that pertain for donations made by limited companies. [22:01]
• Bex then asks Simon to comment on the pros and cons of one-off gifts compared with regular giving [24:15] and on how best we can ensure that we are accountable in connection with our giving. [25:26]
• The focus of the next episode in this season will be on ‘Who to give to?’ [28:09]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

Simon and Bex delve into the practicalities of Giving, concentrating on Gift Aid in this episode.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Bex starts the episode with a quotation emphasising that Giving is essentially a matter of the heart [00:52], and Simon lists 17 approaches to Giving which the Bible encourages us to adopt. [02:03]
• Simon goes on to explain that the focus in this two-parter is going to be on how to give - specifically on the best way to give money to a charity or organisation, and how the UK tax system can enhance the amount that we give. [03:06]
• Simon explains the nature of Gift Aid [04:48] and answers some questions from Bex [06:38] regarding the detail of how it works in practice, including how the arrangements can vary depending on the amount of tax paid [11:57] & [18:16].
• Simon concludes the episode by highlighting a number of additional points relating to Gift Aid that may be of interest to listeners. [20:26]
• Part 2 of ‘How to Give?’ will explore some other ways in which charitable giving can be made more tax efficient, as well as considering the balance to be struck between lifetime giving and giving at the point of death. [26:19]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In the second episode of this season on Giving, Simon and Bex discuss what we can give, noting that money is an obvious choice but is by no means the only option.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon and Bex start by talking about matters relating to giving money. [01:12]
• When turning to what we can give other than our money, the first option that Simon and Bex talk about is how we can give our time. [06:20]
• Prompted by Simon’s comments about volunteering time, Bex asks him to suggest how else we can donate our expertise and skills to a church or charity. [12:42]
• Simon then comments that we can give our reputation to a cause and goes on to explain the benefits and impact that can come from doing that. [15:15]
• Simon then talks about a number of practical ways in which we can support charities by donating and selling items and also by buying goods and services from them. [17:06]
• We can also show love and commitment by giving away ‘space’ in our homes by being hospitable, which some people will extend to providing accommodation for others. [18:22]
• Simon concludes by suggesting a number of other ways in which we can give, including by giving property, shares, our career and through wills and legacies. [21:03]
• The next episode will focus on how we give in order to ensure that we are doing so as effectively and efficiently as possible. [24:22]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In the first episode of this season on Giving, Simon and Bex discuss some basic principles of the topic in response to the question, ‘Why Give?’

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon and Bex introduce the topic of Giving by considering some recent statistics about the extent to which people in the UK give to charity and the reasons that people give for donating. [02:15]
• Reference is made to what the Bible says about Giving, with particular attention being drawn to 2 Corinthians 9.6-11: ‘Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.' [06:04]
• Simon shares seven advantages of the practice of Giving that were identified by Mark Lloydbottom in his 2009 book, ‘The Money Devotional: 40 Bible Reflections on Money Wealth and Possessions’. [10:03]
• Time is spent considering whether Christians are under an obligation to give, what our motivations to give should be and how those factors might affect the way that we deal with requests to give. [11:48]
• Simon draws attention to the fascinating conclusions about using money strategically and generously that are included in the 2014 book, ‘Happy Money’ by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton. [18:37]
• The positive effects that donating money can have on society are illustrated with reference to the principles outlined in the Old Testament books of Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Ruth (eg Deuteronomy 14.28-29) and by the contemporary benefits and importance of food banks. [22:16]
• Generosity as a theme is highlighted by reflecting on the positive nature of so many individuals who are generous and also by noting that the Bible encourages us (eg in Romans 12.6-8) to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, including the gift of Giving, with the exhortation being to give enthusiastically and generously. [24:11]
• In a change of tack, it is noted that there are practical ways in which our giving can be assisted or enhanced - including through tax relief, which will be covering fully in a future episode. [25:55]
• Finally, this introductory episode concludes with some thoughts about giving to our families and the kinds of questions that can arise in that context. [27:15]
• The next episode in this season will consider the question, ‘What should we give?’ [30:46]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.