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“The simple believe everything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” — Proverbs 14:15

In an age where scams are becoming more sophisticated by the day, Scripture reminds us that discernment isn’t optional—it’s essential. As believers, protecting the resources God has entrusted to us is more than a practical concern—it’s an act of stewardship. Here’s how you can guard your finances with wisdom, not fear.

Fraudsters use every channel available: phone calls, text messages, emails, and even impersonations of people you trust. But as followers of Christ, we’re not called to panic. We’re called to walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15). That begins with slowing down and thinking critically.

• Pause before you respond. Scammers rely on urgency. If someone pressures you to act immediately—whether claiming your account is locked or your money is at risk—take a step back. Hang up. Verify the source independently. Urgency is often a red flag.
   
• Avoid untraceable payments. No legitimate organization will ask for payment via wire transfer or gift cards. These are the preferred tools of scammers because they’re nearly impossible to recover.

Financial stewardship now includes digital awareness. Here are practical ways to protect yourself and your family:

• Use credit cards, not debit cards, for online purchases. Credit cards usually come with stronger fraud protection.
   
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your financial accounts. Even if a scammer gets your password, they can’t access your account without a second form of verification.
   
• Don’t reuse passwords. Use a secure password manager, such as Bitwarden or NordPass, to create and store strong, unique passwords.
   
• Set up account alerts. Most banks allow you to monitor activity in real-time, giving you a heads-up if something unusual occurs.
   
• Freeze your credit. It’s free to do and offers one of the best defenses against identity theft. You can always unfreeze it temporarily when needed.
   
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for financial transactions. Wait until you're on a secure network or at home to check your bank accounts or make purchases.
   
• Limit what you share on social media. Personal details, such as birthdays or family names, can be used to guess passwords or security questions. Adjust your privacy settings and post wisely.
   
• Shred sensitive documents before discarding them. Even in the digital age, identity thieves still dig through trash.
   
• Don’t click on unfamiliar links, even if they appear to come from someone you know. When in doubt, contact the person or organization directly for clarification.

Scammers often target the vulnerable, particularly older adults and teenagers. So make this a shared effort. Discuss online fraud with your family. Equip them with knowledge. If you receive a letter or email about identity protection following a data breach, verify it by contacting the company directly, rather than through the provided link or number.

Financial faithfulness today includes digital vigilance. But there’s no need for fear. By taking these simple steps, you can walk confidently, knowing you’re stewarding God’s resources with care.

Looking for a practical way to manage your money with wisdom and peace of mind? The FaithFi app is a secure tool that helps you track your spending, plan your giving, and

David had just been chosen—by God himself—as the next king of Israel. God is for him . . . but quickly it seems everyone else is against him. What do we do when we’re surrounded by critics and naysayers . . . adversaries and avengers? Pastor Greg Laurie brings us good counsel today on A NEW BEGINNING as we consider practical life lessons learned from David, the Psalmist . . . David, the future King. If life has seemed like an uphill battle lately, you’ll get some good encouragement for the climb.

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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

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In the chaos of the culture, the truth of the Christian worldview is like a lighthouse in the storm. John Stonestreet equips you to live out the truth of God’s Word for your family and community. It’s never too late to be a force for change – right where you are! 

The world is shifting. Truth is under attack. Truth Rising, a new documentary from Focus on the Family and the Colson Center, reveals the crisis shaking faith, identity, and morality. But we can make a difference when we stand in God’s truth. Join the movement—sign up to watch the global premiere of Truth Rising on September 5th!

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Are you longing for a deeper, more fulfilling Christian marriage? Join us on FamilyLife Today as hosts Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with Dr. Gary Chapman, bestselling author of “”The Five Love Languages,”” to unlock practical insights for a thriving relationship! In this powerful episode, Dr. Chapman, co-author of the new book . A Simple Guide for a Better Marriage,”” shares his own raw marital struggles and the pivotal moment that transformed his relationship with his wife, Carolyn – inspired by Christ’s servant leadership (John 13). Learn the three transformative questions he asked that shifted their marriage toward mutual service.

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Author, pastor, and scholar Sam Storms will join us to unpack the meaning and power of prayer through a close reading of Scripture with special focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, the apostle Paul, and James. With scholarly wisdom and pastoral application, he will address topics like persisting in prayer, praying for pleasure, and warfare prayer, exploring how prayer is a profoundly supernatural experience. Come with us on a journey into the heart of prayer and learn how to transform it from a mere ritual to a deeply personal spiritual experience that develops and grows our knowledge, understanding, and hunger for God.

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Murder is all too common in our news and entertainment. While we typically view murder as the intentional killing of another person, the Bible expands this definition. In this message from Exodus 21, Pastor Lutzer examines the first of four ways we can commit murder in God’s eyes. God’s commands value and protect human life.

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Today on Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe … learn how you can reflect the identity of your heavenly Father for all to see, as we turn to the book of Ephesians, chapter 5. Paul gives us a seemingly difficult command to “Be imitators of God”. How are we supposed to do that?  What does it mean? The answer is ... we imitate God as His dearly loved children. Just like we tend to imitate our parents, we are also children of God, so we should live like it!

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