Faith & Finance

The dictionary defines poverty as having little or no money or possessions…and no means of getting them. That definition of poverty is undoubtedly true, as far as it goes, but is there more to poverty than a lack of resources? Brian Fikkert certainly thinks so and joins us today to discuss it. Brian Fikkert is a Professor of Economics and Community Development and the Founder and President of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He is also the co-author of the best-selling book, “When Helping Hurts: How To Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting The Poor…And Yourself”. In his book, Brian describes how the Allied powers established the World Bank to rebuild a shattered Europe after World War II. How can that lesson inform us about treating poverty today?While pumping money into Europe was successful, pumping money into developing regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America afterward did not have as good results. This shows that while surface issues like lack of infrastructure may look the same, the underlying conditions are often very different, and we need to consider those underlying conditions when addressing poverty.The World Bank then surveyed impoverished people, and the results were surprising.What did the results reveal? They were shocked to find that the answers people gave were things like "I feel less than human, I feel shame, I lacked dignity, I don't feel like I'm part of the team, I feel like I'm ignored by society, I feel like I have no voice no agency." This showed the World Bank that impoverished people experience poverty in more social, psychological, and even spiritual ways related to their sense of self and place in the world, rather than just in material terms of lacking resources.Why are definitions so important?They are crucial because if you misdiagnose what's wrong with someone, you can give them the wrong treatment and make them worse instead of better. If you go to the doctor and they misdiagnose the problem, they may prescribe something that doesn't address the underlying cause and could worsen the condition. If we define poverty incorrectly when trying to help people, we may treat symptoms rather than causes, making the situation worse. Defining poverty accurately is crucial for understanding and effectively addressing the root issues.How can Christians do a better job of caring for the poor rather than simply sending money or giving material things? By taking a relational approach, you can help solve problems that can’t be solved with just money. Christians must walk with people in poverty in highly relational ways that help them rediscover their dignity, sense of self, and relationships with others and God. This involves walking with them over time, not just quick fixes. We can also support organizations that work effectively with the poor and seek human flourishing by promoting the common good. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I own real estate. Should I pay my tithes out of the gross income I receive, or should I pay them after all the bills have been paid? I've been wrestling with this question for a while. I have some answers, but I just wanted to touch base and get some assistance.Resources Mentioned:When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Brian Fikkert and Steve CorbettHelping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People by Brian Fikkert and Steve CorbettThe Chalmers CenterRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May brings a flurry of activities—graduations, sports playoffs, and school events—that, while meaningful, can also lead to overwhelming stress. In our busy world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle, often driven by societal pressures to do more, buy more, and be everywhere at once.Colossians 2:8 reminds us not to be swayed by the "hollow and deceptive philosophy" that glorifies materialism over spiritual values. We are often misled into thinking that accumulating possessions or filling our calendars is the path to fulfillment. However, these beliefs only bring chaos and stress, not peace.To combat this, the Bible offers clear guidance. Jesus, in John 14:6, states He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," emphasizing that true contentment comes from following Him, not from material wealth. Scriptures like Proverbs 23:5 and Psalm 31 encourage us to focus on spiritual richness rather than worldly allure.Proverbs 3:5–6 advises us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding, promising that this faith will direct our paths. Jesus taught us not to worry about daily needs but to prioritize spiritual pursuits, as stated in Matthew 6. He assures us that all else will follow by seeking God's kingdom first.So, in this busy month, take a moment to step back from the frenzy. Talk to the Lord, engage with His word, and recalibrate your priorities. By focusing on what's truly important, you can navigate May with peace and purpose.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I wanted to give a praise report. For many years I had not paid my income taxes due to an addiction, but after getting clean I was learning biblical principles of giving and tithing. I was convicted by Scripture to pay my taxes and get right with the IRS, so I called the program for advice. They connected me with a certified Christian accountant who helped me pay off my current taxes, and now we are working on a payment plan to take care of the back taxes over time. I am so thankful to God for restoring me and helping me align my finances with His Word through the ministry of Faith and Finance.I have been paying on a life insurance policy for over 40 years. Recently, the premiums have been increasing a lot each month, and I'm not sure why. On top of that, the insurance company is saying I owe them another $385 and I've been paying on time all these years. I would like someone on the program to help explain whether I owe that money or am current on my payments. I'm confused about my policy and could use help figuring out what's going on from a financial professional I can trust.I'm seeking advice on how much reserve churches and nonprofits should keep on hand. As someone who manages a church's finances, I want to ensure we have enough to cover unexpected expenses, but I don't want to hold onto too much.Resources Mentioned:Master Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment by Ron BlueChurch Cash Reserves - How Much Is Enough? (Article by Dan Busby and Michael Martin - ECFA)Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The summer home buying season is straight ahead. Will sellers get a break on real estate commissions?The National Association of Realtors recently shocked the industry by dropping its 6% sales commission. What does that mean for home sellers this summer? Dale Vermillion fills us in today.Dale Vermillion is the author of Navigating the Mortgage Maze: The Simple Truth About Financing Your Home. This book covers everything you need to know about securing a mortgage—all from a biblical perspective.Industry watchers say this National Association of Realtors settlement will change how people buy houses. What is this settlement about?It’s about a lawsuit that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settled regarding real estate commissions. Traditionally, commissions have been around 6% (3% to the buyer's agent and 3% to the seller's agent), but the lawsuit argued this controlled pricing. The settlement will require NAR to remove language requiring the seller to pay the buyer's agent commission, allowing buyers to negotiate commissions independently.Did the National Association of Realtors set that commission, or was it a suggestion? The 6% commission was a suggestion that had come out of NAR, but it had been in place for so long that there was a lot of back and forth about it over the years. The NAR did not officially set the commission percentage. If commissions were always negotiable, how would this settlement change things?It will give buyers and sellers more negotiating power when working with agents because commissions have always been negotiable but many agents don't negotiate them. It will directly affect buyer's agents, who must work harder to earn their commission. It may also affect agents who only sell one or two houses per year, as they may decide it's not worth it anymore. But it likely won't affect full-time agents. Some buyer's agents may become listing or dual agents to have more control over both sides of the transaction.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:How do you know how much you need at retirement? My husband is 55 and planning on working for another 10 to 15 years, while I'm 57.I just inherited about $102,000, sitting in the bank. I've had it for about a month, and I don't know how to invest it or how I could earn an income from it. I'm currently unemployed since I had to take care of my husband, who was ill. We have a minor daughter. What advice do you have for how I could invest this money?Should I pull some money out of our IRA to put into our savings as an emergency fund? We have about $125,000 in an IRA but don't have much savings. My husband is retired and I work part-time.Resources Mentioned:Navigating the Mortgage Maze: The Simple Truth About Financing Your Home by Dale VermillionRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Okay, before we get into the specific money wasters, there’s a general principle you should be aware of…if you’re buying things that provide only a temporary sense of satisfaction, you’re probably wasting money. It doesn’t matter what it is—if it’s unnecessary and you grow bored with it, it was a waste of money. Check your closets for examples.I’m not saying you should take a “vow of poverty.” The Lord wants us to enjoy the resources He’s given us, but that must be tempered by the principle that we’re merely stewards and must use His resources wisely.Of course, we live in a culture that promotes spending. It’s a big problem. One survey showed that the average adult spends around $1,500 monthly on non-essentials. No wonder so many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Imagine what that kind of money would do if put into savings or invested for retirement.Let’s look at our 6 money wasters for today…and what you can do about them.The first is one of the biggest—but also one of the easiest to fix—not preparing meals. It’s okay to eat out occasionally…but too often it’s just for convenience and unnecessary. A restaurant-prepared meal will cost you three times what you would pay for the same meal cooked at home.Money-waster number two…upgrading your smartphone when a new one comes out. For example, the iPhone 15 could cost as much as $1,600…or lock you into a long contract if your carrier provides it. Eventually, a smartphone will have to be replaced…but the longer you delay upgrading…the more money you keep in your pocket. This year’s red hot phone is next year’s discount model. And you have to ask how smart your phone needs to be. Most of us don’t use the features we have now. Okay, number three…Clothing is another biggie. Wearing the latest fashion is expensive. By some estimates, the average American spends nearly $2,000 a year on clothing. And in a few months, whatever you buy will probably be out of fashion. Clothes wear out and need to be replaced…so you must include that in your budget … but those spending decisions should be practical … not a way to boost your ego.Money waster number four … buying lottery tickets. The ads say “You can’t win if you don’t play,” but that’s nonsense. You definitely will win if you don’t play. You’ll get to keep your money. You have better odds of being hit by lightning twice than winning the lottery. Plus, you don’t want to participate in something that disproportionately hurts the poor. A Bankrate report found that low-income households spend as much as 13% of their income on lottery tickets—far more than higher-income earners.Okay, number five…extended warranties…especially for automobiles. It’s now a $40 billion-a-year industry…and just an expensive form of insurance you probably won’t need.So, instead of buying an extended warranty, do your homework to ensure you’re buying a quality item. Most will have an adequate manufacturer’s warranty anyway. Then, ensure you have enough money in your emergency fund to cover any necessary repairs.And our number six big money waster is … your cable or streaming package. If you’re still paying for cable, it could be as much as $200 monthly for Internet and TV. Do you need 568 channels?More and more folks are dropping cable and satellite TV and using only streaming apps, but even there, you can waste a lot of money. A survey by FinanceBuzz showed that a quarter of households have at least three more streaming apps than they did two years ago…and one in 10 reported having no idea how much they’re spending on streaming.So keep track of what you’re watching, and if you’re not getting your money’s worth from an app, drop it. That’s one great thing about streaming apps—no service contract, so you can drop it anytime.Okay, those are your 6 big-time money wasters. We hope you find this helpful.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My 19-year-old daughter is looking to purchase a car and has found one she likes with low mileage. She has also had a mechanic inspect it. My husband and I thought the daughter should put down half on the car instead of paying in total to help establish credit, but I wanted to ask if that was the best approach. I have around $9,000 in two retirement accounts, about $18,000. However, they want to withhold 20% plus fees to withdraw it, which would be around $2,200 from each account. Is this normal? I need the cash reasonably quickly.I have around $135,000 in retirement accounts that will mature in July. Do you have any advice on what I should do with that money? I'm 69 years old and mostly living off of social security right now, with little savings but not much.I will be 68 in September and have lived off my savings for the past year. I know how much I spent in that time. I started taking my Social Security benefits, but now want to wait. I have about $42,000 in savings, my house and cars are paid off, I have around $260,000 in an IRA, and another $105,000 in a guaranteed annuity paying 4%. Would suspending my Social Security benefits and letting them grow while drawing from my IRA makes sense? How much would I need to draw each month?Resources Mentioned:Credit KarmaAnnualCreditReport.comRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” God isn’t just telling us to test Him with our giving—He’s challenging us to test Him. “Do it and see what I will do.” Why do you think many Christians are reluctant to do this?Many Christians are reluctant to test God with their finances because of greed. Greed is when we envy what others have or want something we don't have. This greed leads to a fear of lack and insufficient money if they prioritize giving over other expenses. Giving should come first to recognize God's ownership and break the power of money over our lives. God doesn’t promise to make us wealthy because we give generously. When you give, you need to give up ownership of the money and what happens to it after that is up to God. God does not promise that he will return the money multifold. People sometimes mistakenly attach that expectation to giving, but God does not explicitly promise wealth or return on investment in the act of giving.If I’m In Debt, Should I Decrease My Giving?The answer to that begins with a principle or a truth. The truth is this: God owns it all and is interested in it. If I believe that God owns it all, and it says that in many places in Scripture, God owns it all, it's all his. The earth and everything in it are the Lord's. He created it. If he owns it, and I'm a steward or a manager, I make a biblical decision every time I spend money. I'm making a stewardship decision, a scriptural decision. So if I'm paying off debt, I'm using God's money to pay off debt. If I tithe, I'm using God's money to tithe. He gave it to me. So we can begin by saying that from a scriptural standpoint, there's no difference in using God's money, whether I pay off debt or give because it all belongs to him. When you make giving your highest priority, you begin to set the right priorities for your money.Suppose you're in a crisis where you can't give and pay off debt, get some counsel. Get some accountability. If you reduce your giving to pay off debt, it needs to be under a plan and with accountability. The best accountability is to go to your pastor and say, “This is what I'm thinking of doing. Will you hold me accountable to it?” Do you agree with this decision so that you will eventually get out of debt? If you're using your giving dollars to get out of debt because you're in a crisis, do it with accountability and a plan—don't just do it.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:Can the RMD amount from an inherited IRA be taken from any of the account's assets, including stocks? What are the tax implications of taking more than the RMD amount from an inherited IRA?What are the tax implications of inheriting annuities and Roth IRAs from your parents? My parents had annuities as investments that were closed out and put into a trust after they passed away. I’m unsure how the taxes work in this situation, and I was told my children may have to pay some taxes.Should I pay my home mortgage or use my savings to buy a new vehicle? I may need to sell my home and move in with an aging parent in a year or two.Would it be okay to leave my deferred compensation of around $15,000 in the account and use it as a burial plan for my husband and me when needed? I don’t need the money currently to live on. Also, should I keep the money invested in stocks, or is there a better option given that I’m 65?Resources Mentioned:Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Difference Between Online Banking and Online BanksThese days, you can do online banking with almost any brick-and-mortar bank or credit union, although features and services will undoubtedly vary from one financial institution to another.Of course, online banks have no brick-and-mortar branches. They’re online-only, except for the ATM networks they use, all transactions with them are online. Okay, that’s the difference between online banks and online banking, but the reality is, that difference is getting smaller and smaller. The online features of brick-and-mortar banks do rival anything that online-only banks have.Still, some folks are wondering if we will not need brick-and-mortar banks someday. We’re probably a long way from that. People still need services only brick-and-mortar banks can provide, like businesses depositing coins and currency. You can’t do that online.The Effects of Online BankingThere are still 77,500 bank branches in the U.S., which sounds like a lot, but it’s 12,500 fewer than five years ago. As more and more people do their banking online, traditional banks need fewer branches. You’ve probably noticed some of them closing in your area. We’ll probably always need brick-and-mortar banks—just fewer of them.So, with both online banks and online banking, it doesn’t matter where the bank is, and it also doesn’t matter where you are. You can do almost everything that needs to be done on your computer or smartphone. Now that’s convenient. Don’t ever use public Wi-Fi for your banking or any financial transaction. It’s too easy for hackers to steal your personal information.Now, there’s another massive advantage of online banking that few people think about. It doesn’t matter where the financial institution is; you can select any bank or credit union for your banking needs.You may have chosen a particular bank because they have many branches or even one branch conveniently located along your way home from work. Direct deposit long ago removed the need to stop and deposit a paycheck, but now you can deposit any check with your smartphone.Is there much of a difference between banks? Aren’t they all pretty much the same? Actually, no.Wouldn’t it be great to know that your financial institution supports Christian values making a positive change in the world and providing excellent service? Wouldn’t you want it to prioritize people over profit? Profit is not bad, but it can’t be the only priority.Stewardship is about 100% of what God gives us, not just the 10% in the offering plate. What if you could find and support faith-based institutions to help Christ's followers live and give more abundantly? Online banking can give you faith-aligned options once you choose an institution that aligns with your values. There are many great faith-aligned banks and credit unions available today. One example is Christian Community Credit Union, an underwriter of this program. Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)CCCU offers online banking that can be accessed from anywhere in the country. It’s a great example of how our banking decisions can positively impact the kingdom. CCCU has donated over $6 million to ministry and mission projects in the U.S. and worldwide. And they’re using banking to leverage the money their members deposit with them to help construct new church buildings, expand ministries, and help Christian business owners thrive.If you’re looking for a faith-based banking solution that aligns with your beliefs and values, I’d encourage you to consider Christian Community Credit Union. Plus, each account is insured for up to $250,000 by ASI. You can find out more at JoinChristianCommunity.com. That’s JoinChristianCommunity.com.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My daughter was recently in an accident which resulted in a lawsuit of $250,000. She is 50 years old, has no savings plan, and is in a quandary currently. She’s supposed to meet with the lawyers next week and has been told that they will instruct her to take this money as an annuity, which we know nothing about. How would you instruct her going forward? My mom passed away in 2021 and left money in a trust for each of her children, but she made me the trustee of that trust. One of my brothers has always struggled financially so his portion is left with special considerations to be given annually, no more than a certain amount so that it will last in case he needs it. Sadly, it’s created some relational stress because he continually asks for more than my mom wants me to give him. Because of this, he has stopped speaking to me and I’m wondering if I should turn it over to a banker to improve our relationship.My wife is a business owner and she is 51 years old. She wonders if it’s too late to get some retirement in an account for her and which company you recommend. My father is 88 years old and in good health. My mom died about 4 months ago and my father wants to protect his home which is worth between $350,000 - $400,000. He wants to give it to my two siblings and me as an inheritance. He also has about $250,000 in liquid assets, so if he were to go into a nursing home, how could he protect that inheritance? All the kids' names are on the liquid assets, but the home only has his and my mom’s names on the deed. If we wanted to do a trust, what kind should we consider opening? What about the timeframe?My wife and I have a 5-year-old, a 7-year-old, and an 18-month-old right now. We are trying to be intentional about helping our boys create a foundation they can build off of financial knowledge and management of money from saving to giving to spending. Do you have any recommendations regarding resources to help us teach our kids these biblical money management principles?Resources Mentioned:Christian Community Credit UnionThe Sound Mind Investing Handbook by Austin Pryor and Mark BillerTrusted: Preparing Your Kids for a Lifetime of God-Honoring Money Management by Matt BellRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

God Owns EverythingNow, to be sure, the message that God owns everything—and we don’t—is something we need to hear repeatedly. That’s probably why the Bible repeats this teaching several times.Job needed reminding. Job 38:1-5 reads, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know!’” Psalm 24:1-2 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.And of course, Colossians 1:16 reads, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”This is a message that we need to hear constantly. It frees us from getting too attached to our money and possessions because they’re not our money and possessions—they belong to God.Putting Things Into PerspectiveYou may have heard the story about the believer who took this to heart. He’d saved and saved to buy a new car, but soon after taking possession, he got into a fender bender. But he didn’t get upset. He shrugged it off and thought, “I wonder why God wanted His car to get in an accident?”That would undoubtedly be difficult, but it makes things much easier if you think of yourself only as a steward and not an owner. Okay, we’ve got stewardship covered, but what about that deeper meaning in these verses?For that, we need to consider the larger passage of Psalm 50— verses 10 through 15:“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”The psalmist is warning Israel that they’ve become legalistic with their sacrifices. They had come to put value on the sacrifices and, by extension, themselves.God already owns the beasts of the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills— indeed all the cattle on all the hills. He owns all creatures wild and tamed, the fowls in the mountains and beasts of the fields.That said, how could He possibly be impressed with the burnt offerings of the Israelites? They were just giving him back a tiny bit of what He already owned— and then patting themselves on the back for it.Nonetheless, God did require Israel to make those sacrifices to cover sin and something else temporarily. Note verse 14 again: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.”This verse gives us the context we need to put things in perspective. That passage and others like it are about giving and our hearts' attitude. They’re not about legalism and checking boxes. Galatians 2:16 reads, “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ … by works of the law no one will be justified.”Cultivating An Attitude Of GratitudeWhen we give purely out of gratitude— expecting nothing and taking no pride in it— and certainly not to earn our way into heaven— only then are we giving Him the loyalty of our hearts.God is a spiritual being. What use does he have for earthly things? None, of course. He wants our hearts. He wants us to worship him in spirit and truth.Our tithing and gifts must only be tributes to our gratitude for what He has already given us—not just material things but the priceless gift of His Son Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation.We must search our hearts to ensure we give for the right reason because He is the most High God. He sees right through us— and takes no pleasure in giving that isn’t joyful and done out of gratitude.2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I’m looking to invest as a hobby. I’m already invested in different companies with well-diversified portfolios, so this would be outside of that. I’m looking at investing about $100 a month and wanted to know if you had any recommendations. I’m approaching 65 years old and will soon be able to withdraw just shy of $70,000 from my 401(k). I am seeking advice on investing this money to create wealth. I recently heard that the government will do away with cash in December. How are we to plan for that? My friend in Colorado is single and desperately needs cash flow. She has equity in her home and I wanted to know if she would qualify for a reverse mortgage. Resources Mentioned:Movement MortgageThe Sound Mind Investing Handbook by Austin Pryor and Mark BillerSound Mind InvestingRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At the most recent Kingdom Advisors Conference, John shared an incredible story about some friends of his and an inheritance decision they made:“I’ve got some friends who are a super sharp young couple in their 30s. His Father shared that he was about to give them a vast, multi-million-dollar inheritance. Amazing! But they had been reflecting carefully on money and faith for months.They said, ‘We are so grateful for this, but we’re already OK. And if we got this money, we’d start to rely on the shifting sands of this money for our security, instead of the firm foundation of Christ.’Long story short, they worked with his Dad to use that money to advance God’s Kingdom through giving. I was blown away by that decision.”Three Ways That Jesus Interacted With Wealthy PeopleSo, if we go through the four Gospels and find the times Jesus interacted with a wealthy person, it happened a lot. He had a pretty unique pattern, and it was three things:LoveInvitationChallengeSo for us, in our wealth today, Jesus loves us, invites us, and challenges us.  Jesus said You can’t serve God and money. Money promises us Pleasure, Possessions, Protection, and Position, but it can’t give us those things. We have to look for God to get them eternally and in truth. Is Jesus challenging us to sell our possessions and give everything to the poor?While he might ask us to do that, this is the only time Jesus tells anyone to sell it all in Scripture.Zacchaeus gave away half of his wealth, Peter left his boats, and Nicodemus, after the crucifixion, spent a fortune on the burial spices for Jesus, gaoing public with his faith.The beauty is that it will look different for each of us as we read Scripture carefully and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But we can be sure God will challenge us to mobilize our wealth in this world to bless people and to bring Him glory.How can we use our wealth to honor God and bless others?We want to invite them into a deeper, right relationship with God and others. There are four areas where we can do this:Family: Caring for those we are responsible for is godly and right.Generosity: Scripture is clear we’re called to invest money into God’s Kingdom work.Hospitality: In today’s isolated culture, opening your home and sharing meals with people is a radical and good step.Employment (if you own a business): God calls many of us to employ others in good jobs in healthy, God-honoring work environments.When we use our wealth for the benefit of others, it makes us richer spiritually. God is with us in that.How can people can learn more about biblical generosity?There’s a great ministry that works closely with Kingdom Advisors. It's called Generous Giving, and its video stories of Christian givers could greatly encourage anyone. Going to GenerousGiving.org, you can find dozens of sermons, stories, and resources to encourage you.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm retired and have a 401(k) from a previous employer from about 15 years ago. Should I take that 401(k) and move it into an IRA to have more control over it?I have about $50,000 with Vanguard in an IRA account and another $20,000 in a 401(k). Up until about three years ago, I made good money with Vanguard in my IRA account, but in the last three years, I've gone nowhere with my investments in a targeted retirement account. I would gain a little bit and lose a little, and that's all it would do. So I put it all into a money market account, but I wanted to know if you had any suggestions, like what type of account I could put it into to start making some gains.I have a Social Security Question for my sister who turned 60 in December. Her husband passed away about eight years ago, but she's still working full-time. Can she collect on her husband's Social Security in whole or part where she's still working?My husband passed in 2016 and at the time, we had an 18-year-old and a 25-year-old. A couple of years ago, before everything went crazy during the pandemic, I was able to refinance my house to get a lower rate. My house has a rate of 3.75%, and at the time, I thought I was helping my children by putting their names on the deed during the refi. However, I've been hearing a lot about capital gains taxes, what will happen to them, in the event of my passing, and if the house is evaluated at more than what we paid for. I just don’t want to put them in a situation where they will owe a lot of money. Was I wrong for doing that? If so, can I reverse it with little or no problem simply by paying to have it reversed?Resources Mentioned:True Riches: What Jesus Really Said About Money and Your Heart by John Cortines and Gregory BaumerGod and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School by John Cortines and Gregory BaumerGenerousGiving.orgSound Mind InvestingRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Playbook for Chronic AnxietyIt's generated by assumptions, expectations, false beliefs, and false needs. So, if we can uncover false needs, we can learn to die to them and relax into God's sovereignty. This is a compelling way to grow in our relationship with faith. We can use our anxiety triggers to open our souls up to God's presence. What is an assumption you hold about yourself that's unreasonable? If you’re a perfectionist, almost every assumption you hold about yourself is unreasonable. Think about it. When was the last time you looked at your work and said, "That was well done." Perfectionism is always chasing a carrot we can never reach. It’s a treadmill to nowhere. Anxiety has a competing gospel. The idea out of all of the gospels is that this is the only gospel where God pays and the human benefits. In every other belief system, the human pays and the god benefits.If you think about ancient sacrifice systems, even in the Roman Empire and the Egyptian Empire back in the days of Moses, humans paid, and the gods benefited. In the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus's nickname was the son of god and the most profound confession of faith in Rome was Caesar is lord. And along come Luke and Paul, and they say, "Nope."The people paid and paid, and Caesar got all the benefits. For perfectionists, this message will free you when you realize that perfectionism is a gospel that makes you pay for its benefits.The Treadmill To NowhereGod is not asking you to be perfect. God is asking you to be human-sized. You're expecting yourself to be perfect. You are living out of a gospel of self. Whether you’re a perfectionist or a people pleaser, you’ll realize you can never please people enough because it is forever a carrot out of reach. Or a treadmill with no end in sight. Chronic anxiety is like a personal trainer tapeworm. If you’ve ever had a tapeworm, you usually don’t even know you have it because they are so small and feed off your energy. That’s how they grow. That's what anxiety does. It grows by consuming you, and like perfectionism or people pleasing, it puts you on a treadmill to nowhere. As you run, it’s pushing the incline and go-faster buttons into burnout, and you're not getting anywhere. God doesn’t want us to be anxious, especially about finances. We need only to be faithful stewards and trust Him to provide because He always does.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My husband recently retired from the military with over 20 years of service and received a small VA pension in his retirement. I work full time and we can live off of that so he was lucky enough to find employment in his field. We're excited that he'll be getting that income but right now, we have $47,807 left on our mortgage, which is at 2.5% interest. I recently completed my doctorate and to do that I had to take out three student loans whose interest rates vary from 5.2%, 6.6%, and 6%. I owe $45,032. So, where do we start the income he'll get from his employment?I'm 69 years old and bought a 20-year life insurance term 20 years ago. I also had the cash surrender value option and now that the 20 years is up, I've got a check for $16,945 from the life insurance company. But when I saw what they were doing, I should have been getting $17,600. So I called them up and asked where the rest of the money was. They said that I automatically went into extended-term insurance when mine canceled out. After reading the fine print, I called them a month before this term insurance was supposed to be canceled and stopped the check so they couldn't get money out of the account anymore. I also told them to cancel this policy as of the date, and they still got the extra $514.22 for the extended term. Have you heard of that before?Some family members are overwhelmed financially and have a lot of credit card debt. Is there a credit counseling agency that you recommend?Resources Mentioned:Being Human with Steve Cuss (A Podcast by Christianity Today)The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God by Steve CussNew York State - Department of Financial ServicesRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Power of TrustProverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”This establishes our role as stewards and God as the owner, which gives us the freedom to look to Him for His plans for our money and not worry about our plans.The Power of FocusThe power of focus is to ask God what the next thing He would have us do is and to focus on that one thing until we progress on it before moving to the next. Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”Proverbs 16:3 also says, to “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”Research shows we can't multitask, so focusing on one goal at a time is essential.The Power of PrioritiesWe can think of financial priorities for the "live, give, grow” pie, starting with the 10/10/80 principle—give 10% first, save/grow 10%, and use the remaining 80% for living expenses. Prioritize giving first, then growing, then living expenses. The big priorities within living are housing, transportation, and food, and we should keep those to less than half of our take-home pay.The Power of PlanningWe must spend money on purpose by making a plan on paper or digitally before each month begins. We recommend using a budgeting app like FaithFi to digitally allocate money to "envelopes" each month for planned expenses. Proverbs 27:23 tells us to “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,”Larry Burkett popularized the envelope system in the past, and even digitally savvy couples sometimes find it helpful to use cash envelopes to control their spending in some categories better.The Power of CashIf you only use cash, you can’t easily go into debt. Proverbs 21:20 reminds us, "Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”Proverbs 22:7 also says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”The Power of Decision-MakingGod’s Word teaches that we can always go to Him when unsure of what to do.James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”Here is a flowchart approach to decision-making, asking questions like if the expense is essential, whether it will help or hurt financial goals, whether it can wait, and whether there are less expensive options:Is this expense essential for our family’s survival?Will this purchase help my financial situation?Will this purchase hurt my financial situation?Will this purchase move me toward meeting my financial goals?Can we wait to incur this expense?Is there a less expensive alternative?On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:When I had my first baby, I had an attorney draft a will. Now I'm finding all of this about probate. My youngest is 18, and I am looking to see what I can do instead of having a will because of probate court. I made sure all my accounts had beneficiaries, and I'm looking to get my house title transferred upon death. What would you advise for that? How can I eliminate that will since it doesn't apply anymore? My kids are older and other people that I put in there I no longer want to be in there. Medicare has notified me that they automatically provide prescription or drug coverage, so they gave me a new card. However, I already have Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage, which works fine, but I would have to opt out of what Medicare provides. I started to opt out of what Medicare provided but wanted your feedback since they already provided it. Do you have any thoughts? Resources Mentioned:Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.