The $100 in 1971 Thought Experiment

Is our money system actually working against faithful stewardship? In this episode, Bob and Linda tackle a conversation almost no one in the church is having—but one every Christian steward needs to understand. Bob opens with a shocking reality: $100 in 1971 now buys about $12 worth of stuff. Same number. Far less value. So what happened? From there, the conversation zooms out to explore inflation, fiat currency, and why Scripture repeatedly condemns unequal weights and measures. Is our modern money system quietly violating biblical principles—and if so, what should believers do about it? This isn't about fear, conspiracy theories, or predicting the end of the dollar. It's about wisdom, stewardship, and preserving the value of what God has entrusted to us so we can live generously and faithfully over the long term. In this episode, we cover:

• Why saving money can feel like running on a treadmill
• What changed in 1971—and why it matters to your everyday life
• The biblical problem with "unequal weights and measures" (Proverbs & Amos)
• Why fiat currency quietly erodes purchasing power over time
• How money worked in the Bible: weight, scarcity, and real value
• Why Bob views gold as a store of value, not an "investment"
• How Bitcoin compares to gold (and why Bob separates it from other crypto)
• The hidden danger of keeping all your savings in cash
• How volatility differs from slow, invisible loss
• Why this conversation is ultimately about generosity and kingdom impact

Key Scriptures (NLT):

• Proverbs 11:1 – "The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales…"
• Proverbs 20:10 – "False weights and unequal measures… are detestable to the Lord."
• Amos 8:5–6 – God rebukes those who manipulate money for gain
• Genesis 23:16 – Abraham pays with weighted silver
• Exodus 30:13 – Money measured by the sanctuary shekel
• Genesis 2:11–12 – Gold appears early in creation—and God calls it good

Go deeper:

If you want a deeper, step-by-step breakdown of how Bob thinks through gold, Bitcoin, and long-term investing from a Christian perspective, check out the 10x Investing Course mentioned at the end of the episode (https://seedtime.com/10x).

The heart of this episode This isn't about gold or Bitcoin being a "savior." God is our provider—always. But wisdom matters. If money quietly loses value every year, that affects families, retirees, and our ability to give generously. As Bob explains, better stewardship today can mean greater generosity tomorrow. Action step for the week: Take 30 minutes to review where your savings are currently stored. Pray for wisdom (James 1:5), and ask this simple question: "Is all of our money sitting in something that loses value over time?" No pressure to act—just awareness, prayer, and learning. Important note: This episode is for education and biblical reflection—not personalized financial advice. Always pray and seek wise counsel before making financial decisions.

Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/euzv8IC40R0)!

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