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Faith & Finance

Faith & Finance

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Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry of FaithFi, hosted by Rob West, CEO of Kingdom Advisors. At FaithFi, we help you integrate your faith and financial decisions for the glory of God. Our vision is that every Christian would see God as their ultimate treasure. Join Rob and expert guests as they give biblical wisdom for your financial journey and provide practical answers to your pressing financial questions. From budgeting and debt management to investing and stewardship, Faith & Finance equips listeners with insights to handle money wisely and live generously for God's Kingdom. Listen now or ask your question live by calling 800-525-7000 each weekday from 10-11 a.m. ET on American Family Radio and 4-5 p.m. ET on Moody Radio. You can learn more at FaithFi.com.Copyright 2023-2025 FaithFi: Faith & Finance Cristianismo Economía Espiritualidad Finanzas Personales Ministerio y Evangelismo
Episodios
  • Generosity Lessons from Joanna with Sharon Epps

    Generosity Lessons from Joanna with Sharon Epps
    Nov 28 2025
    “We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19Those six simple words form the foundation of all Christian generosity. Every act of love, every gift we offer, every step of obedience begins with what God has already given to us. We don’t start by giving—we start by receiving.In this spirit, Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined us for a meaningful conversation on the often-overlooked generosity of the women who financially supported Jesus. Their story, found in Luke 8, gives us a powerful picture of what grateful, gospel-shaped giving looks like.Women Who Supported JesusLuke 8 opens with a glimpse into Jesus’ ministry on the move:“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the Good News of the Kingdom of God… and also some women… Mary called Magdalene… Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” — Luke 8:1–3These women formed part of Jesus’ traveling ministry team, and Scripture highlights an astonishing truth: they provided for Jesus and His disciples out of their own resources.Among them was Joanna, a woman of high social standing and significant wealth. As the wife of King Herod’s household manager, she lived with privilege—but Scripture also tells us she was once spiritually and physically broken. Jesus healed her, and her generosity flowed from that transformation.Receiving Always Comes Before GivingBefore Joanna gave to Jesus, she received from Jesus.Sharon points out that Luke intentionally includes this detail: these women had been healed—spiritually, emotionally, or physically—before they supported Jesus’ ministry. It reminds us that money alone can’t solve the deepest problems of the heart. We all begin our stewardship journey by receiving.At the most basic level, every good thing in our lives is a gift from God:The breath in our lungsThe abilities we developThe resources we holdThe love we experienceAs Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that you did not receive?” The answer is nothing.Giving, then, is designed to be a response—a natural overflow of gratitude.Joanna’s Love for JesusJoanna’s story doesn’t end in Luke 8. We meet her again in Luke 24 at the empty tomb, heartbroken and confused, until the angels remind her of Jesus’ words. Joanna becomes one of the first witnesses of the resurrection, running with Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, to tell the apostles.Her pattern is clear: She received from Jesus. She loved Jesus. And she gave to honor Jesus. Her generosity was not transactional—it was relational. It was the fruit of a transformed life.Generosity as a JourneySharon suggests that generosity is never a one-time event—it’s a journey. As our relationship with Christ deepens, our giving naturally grows. Joanna shows us what sacrificial generosity looks like when it springs from grateful love.To make this practical, Sharon shared three questions she’s been asking herself—questions all of us can ask:1. What do I need to recognize as a gift from Christ before I can give generously?Do I see what’s in my hands as mine—or as His?2. Is my giving safe or sacrificial?Does my generosity reflect comfort… or love?3. What does my current giving say about how well I’ve received?Giving reveals the condition of the heart.These questions invite us into deeper intimacy with Jesus, because generous living always begins with grateful receiving.Becoming Conduits of Christ’s LoveJoanna’s life encourages us to see generosity not as a duty but as a joyful response to God’s grace. As Sharon put it, her prayer—and ours—is to “receive so well that we become conduits of Christ’s love through generosity.”May we, like these remarkable women, offer our resources, time, and lives with open hands—recognizing that every gift we give begins with the gift we’ve already received in Christ.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I’m considering taking 72(t) withdrawals from my 401(k) in a couple of years as I retire and begin consulting. Should I plan on withdrawing around 5% annually, and if so, should I keep the money invested in stocks to aim for the usual 9–11% returns?My husband and I need about $8,000 and are debating whether to pull it from my 403(b), use benefits from his part-time retirement job, or tap a small annuity worth $3,000–$4,000. We want to pay off some credit cards and finish a car loan with three months left. What’s the best source to use?We inherited enough money to either pay off our mortgage or cover about three-quarters of our daughter’s student loan. The amounts are similar, and our mortgage is mostly principal now. I’m 61. Which payoff makes the most sense?I started my Social Security retirement benefits at age 70 this June. My younger husband reaches full retirement age next July. Can he take a spousal benefit ...
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    25 m
  • The Story of Thanksgiving

    The Story of Thanksgiving
    Nov 27 2025
    Happy Thanksgiving! As you gather with family and friends today, we hope your hearts are filled with gratitude to God for His many blessings. While Thanksgiving is a treasured tradition for us, its roots stretch back more than 4 centuries. Who gathered at that first feast in 1621? Why were they there? And what exactly were they giving thanks for?Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable story of the Pilgrims—one of enduring faith, sacrifice, and God’s gracious provision.Who Were the Pilgrims?Most of us learned in grade school that the Plymouth Colony—located in present-day Massachusetts—was founded in 1620 by a group we know as the Pilgrims. These settlers, also called Separatists, longed to break away entirely from the Church of England, believing it had drifted from biblical teaching. Their commitment to worship according to Scripture set them on a courageous journey toward religious freedom.Nearby, the Puritans would establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. While they shared many beliefs with the Pilgrims, their approach differed. The Puritans remained within the Church of England, seeking to reform it from within. Though their strategies diverged, the stories of these two groups are deeply intertwined in the early chapters of American history.The Pilgrims faced significant persecution in England for worshiping outside the established church. Holding fast to the Bible as their ultimate authority made them targets. In 1609, seeking refuge, they fled to Leiden, Holland. Yet even there, challenges persisted—some were arrested, and the freedom they sought still felt out of reach.Recognizing Europe would not offer the spiritual liberty they longed for, they made a bold and costly decision: to sail to the New World. About 120 men, women, and children boarded the Mayflower. While some passengers—known as “adventurers”—joined the voyage for economic opportunity, the Pilgrims’ primary aim was clear: to worship freely and build a life rooted firmly in their faith.Hardship Upon ArrivalTheir journey across the Atlantic was long and brutal. Delays meant they arrived in November—not summer—leaving no time to plant crops. That first winter, remembered as “the starving time,” was devastating. Nearly half the group died from disease and lack of food.Still, in God’s providence, the Pilgrims formed a gracious relationship with local Native Americans. A Native American named Squanto—who had learned English years earlier—became a critical ally. He taught them how to plant corn, where to fish, and how to survive in an unfamiliar land. His guidance helped bring the colony through that difficult first year.With Squanto’s help, the Pilgrims planted crops in the spring of 1621 and harvested enough that fall to sustain their small community. To honor God for His provision, they invited their Native American neighbors to join them in a feast of thanksgiving.By that point, only 22 men, four married women, and 25 teenagers and children remained from the original group. Their guests nearly doubled the gathering, bringing food and friendship—resulting in what may have been America’s first potluck meal. Together, they celebrated survival, provision, and the kindness of God expressed through unexpected relationships.A Legacy of FaithYears later, Plymouth’s longtime governor, William Bradford, reflected on their experience in Of Plymouth Plantation, quoting Hebrews 11:13–16 to describe the Pilgrims’ faith:“All these people were still living by faith when they died… They were looking for a country of their own… longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”For the Pilgrims, this passage captured the heart of their journey. They understood that their true home was not a piece of land or a colony—they belonged to God. Their courage, perseverance, and gratitude were expressions of that eternal hope.As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, may we remember this story of faith under pressure, resilience in hardship, and gratitude rooted in God’s unwavering provision. The freedoms we enjoy—especially the freedom to worship—come through the sacrifices of those who came before us.From all of us at FaithFi, we wish you a warm, joyful, and grace-filled Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with gratitude for God’s goodness and confidence in His faithful care.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My question is about the so-called ‘Dollar 2.0’ and the new S.1582 bill. How might this impact our currency? I’m retired and concerned about my savings.My dad recently passed away and left me and my siblings money in an IRA. We’re being told we need to set up inherited IRAs to receive it. What exactly is an inherited IRA, and is that our only—or best—option?I run a construction company and also helped start a nonprofit. Can I legally pay myself a salary from the nonprofit...
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    25 m
  • Teaching Kids Money and Identity in Christ with Brian Holtz

    Teaching Kids Money and Identity in Christ with Brian Holtz
    Nov 26 2025
    Raising children to navigate money wisely is about far more than dollars and cents. It begins with shaping their hearts, grounding their identity in Christ, and helping them understand the true source of their worth. As parents and mentors, we all want the next generation to develop a biblical foundation for both money and identity—because the two are more connected than we often realize.Today, Brian Holtz, CEO of Compass Financial Ministry, joins us to share insights from a new resource designed to help families do exactly that. Right From the Start targets a key age group—kids 11 to 15—who are forming lifelong beliefs about God, themselves, and the world.Why Middle School Matters So MuchAccording to Brian, this project was born out of recognizing a real discipleship gap. Plenty of resources exist for young children and high schoolers, but middle schoolers often fall between the cracks. Yet this is the stage when they’re actively forming their worldview—including their beliefs about money, success, and identity.Right From the Start helps students discover that their value is rooted in being made in the image of God—not in what they own, how popular they are, or how well they perform. This biblical truth becomes the foundation for every financial principle they learn.Six Themes to Form Faith and FinancesThe study covers six core chapters:IdentityGivingSavingSpendingBuilding on Your FoundationFinishing WellEach topic is presented through a biblical lens and paired with hands-on activities, daily lessons, memory verses, and “life hacks”—simple, practical challenges that help students put truth into action.The goal, Brian shared, is to make faith and finances personal, relevant, and fun.Helping Students Understand Their Identity in ChristThe very first chapter lays the theological foundation. Students read passages like Genesis 1 and Psalm 139 to understand that they are created intentionally, lovingly, and wonderfully by God. Their worth does not rise or fall with their circumstances.Once children grasp this truth, giving, saving, and spending stop being merely financial tasks. They become acts of worship—ways to honor the God who made them.Turning Principles Into Habits: A Look at the “Life Hacks”One of the most beloved activities is the simple “three jars” method. Students divide the money they earn or receive into:GivingSavingSpendingThis visual, tactile tool transforms abstract concepts into daily habits. Parents particularly love it because it creates space for conversations about generosity, gratitude, and wise choices.How Families and Churches Can Use This ResourceRight From the Start is designed for flexibility. It works well:At homeIn youth groupsIn Christian schoolsA student book and a leader’s guide make it accessible for parents, teachers, and ministry leaders alike. And while it fits naturally around the holiday season—when spending pressure ramps up—it can be used any time of year.Why Modeling Matters MostHoward Dayton often said parents should seek to be “MVP parents”—Modeling, Verbalizing, and Practical Application. Brian agreed that “more is caught than taught.” Kids need to see generosity lived out, hear why we handle money the way we do, and have opportunities to practice it themselves.Brian shared one practice from his own home: allowing kids to make real financial decisions with real consequences. If they choose to buy a treat today, they may not have money for something they want tomorrow. That gentle exposure to cause and effect builds wisdom, gratitude, and maturity.The Greatest Financial Lesson You Can TeachHelping your children understand who they are in Christ may be the most valuable financial lesson they will ever learn. A secure identity shapes how they give, save, spend, and steward their resources for the rest of their lives.To learn more about Right From the Start and how to bring it into your home or ministry, visit CompassFinancialMinistry.org.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I’m 64, planning to wait until 67 to take Social Security, and our only debt is the house. We’re torn about whether to pay off the mortgage. Our income is tight enough that we couldn’t easily replace a vehicle if one broke down. My wife has researched this through Sound Mind Investing, but still feels stuck, so I’m calling on her behalf.I run a trucking company, and one of my customers didn’t send me a 1099. They said they don’t have to. My wife and I already paid taxes on that income last year. Do I still need to report the money I earned from that client?I recently left full-time nursing and now work part-time to keep my license. I have two IRAs from past jobs, and now another 401(k) from the job I just left. They’re asking me to move it somewhere—should I roll it into an existing IRA or consider a different option?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Right ...
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    25 m
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