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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
  • Investing in the People Behind the Profits with Dolores Bamford

    Investing in the People Behind the Profits with Dolores Bamford
    Mar 24 2026
    Servant leadership isn’t a soft skill—it’s one of the clearest indicators of a company’s long-term health. When investors evaluate businesses, they often focus on numbers: revenue, margins, and growth projections. But behind every enduring company is something less visible and far more powerful—a leadership team shaping culture, guiding decisions, and determining whether that business will flourish or fade. Dolores Bamford, Co-Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Eventide Asset Management, joins the show today to share what she has learned after spending decades studying this reality. Her conclusion is clear: leadership quality is essential to lasting business success. Why Leadership Matters More Than We Think At its core, leadership shapes everything about a company. It influences: Culture and employee engagementProduct development and innovationRisk management and resilienceLong-term growth and sustainability Strong products and strategies may carry a company for a time, but they cannot compensate for poor leadership indefinitely. Over the long run, outcomes are driven not just by numbers, but by people. Yet, according to Dolores, this is often overlooked in traditional investment analysis—where short-term performance can overshadow deeper, more meaningful indicators of health. A Different Lens: Faith and Investing Dolores’s perspective is shaped not only by her extensive experience in investment management—spanning firms like Fidelity, Putnam, and Goldman Sachs—but also by her theological training. After years in finance, she pursued a master’s degree in theology and further study in ethical leadership. That combination sharpened her conviction that faith and finance belong together. It also reframed how she evaluates companies. Instead of focusing solely on financial outputs, she looks at: Integrity and humility in leadershipA sense of stewardship over resourcesA commitment to serving othersAlignment between purpose and practice This lens recognizes that businesses are not just economic engines—they are instruments that shape human flourishing. What Servant Leadership Looks Like in Practice Servant leadership is not abstract. It shows up in everyday decisions and behaviors. Leaders who embody it: Prioritize the well-being and development of employeesCreate cultures of trust, accountability, and excellenceServe customers with genuine care and long-term value in mindUse innovation responsibly, not recklesslyThink beyond short-term gains toward enduring impact These leaders are marked by humility, integrity, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. They pursue excellence not for personal recognition, but for the good of others. By contrast, poor leadership often reveals itself through: Arrogance and self-interestA fixation on short-term profitsPoor treatment of employees or customersMisalignment between stated values and actual practices Over time, these traits erode trust, weaken culture, and ultimately damage the business itself. The Risk of Ignoring Leadership Quality Why is leadership often overlooked? Part of the reason is pressure. Markets reward short-term results, and leaders can feel incentivized to prioritize immediate gains over long-term health. Cultural norms may also celebrate boldness and self-promotion over humility and service. But this creates real risk. When leadership lacks integrity or vision, companies may: Sacrifice people for profitDevelop harmful products or practicesBecome fragile in times of stress On the other hand, strong leadership fosters stability, adaptability, and resilience—qualities that sustain businesses through both prosperity and adversity. Evaluating Both What and How At Eventide, evaluating a company goes beyond financial metrics. It includes both what a company produces and how it operates. This means asking: Does the company’s purpose align with its actions?Are its products genuinely serving people?Do its practices reflect care for employees, customers, and communities? When there’s a disconnect between purpose and practice, the consequences can ripple outward, affecting not just the company but society as a whole. Ultimately, investing isn’t just about returns—it’s about the kind of world our capital helps build. Every investment is a vote of confidence in a company’s leadership and its vision for the future. By prioritizing servant leadership, investors can support businesses that not only succeed financially but also contribute to human flourishing. A Better Definition of Success The most rewarding outcome, Dolores notes, is seeing companies thrive by serving others well—employees grow, customers benefit, and communities are strengthened. It’s a reminder that true success isn’t measured by profit alone, but by purpose lived out with excellence. Great companies don’t just start with great ideas—they start with great leaders. And when leadership is shaped by humility, integrity, and a ...
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    25 m
  • Saving on Purpose

    Saving on Purpose
    Mar 23 2026
    What if the most important question about your savings isn’t how much you have—but what it’s really for? We often think of saving as a financial skill—and it is. But Scripture invites us to see it as something deeper: a purposeful act of stewardship. When we understand saving through that lens, it begins to shape not just our finances, but our hearts. Why Saving Feels So Difficult Let’s be honest—saving rarely feels automatic. If it did, we wouldn’t need reminders, spreadsheets, apps, or the occasional sticky note on the fridge. Saving requires us to resist the pull of the present in favor of the future. And that kind of restraint has always been in short supply. Our culture encourages consumption and immediacy. Spend now. Upgrade now. Enjoy now. But saving calls us to a different rhythm—one marked by patience and preparation. For many households, the challenge is even more pressing. Without financial margin, it only takes one unexpected expense—a repair, a medical bill, a job transition—to create significant strain. In that sense, saving isn’t just about numbers—it’s about posture. Saving teaches us to slow down, to hold back, and to make intentional decisions. It’s the discipline of saying “not now” so we can say “yes” when the time is right. A Biblical Vision for Saving Scripture consistently affirms this kind of foresight. The book of Proverbs praises diligence, prudence, and gathering in season (Proverbs 6:6–8). These aren’t presented as signs of fear or lack of faith—but as wisdom in action. Saving doesn’t compete with God’s provision. It responds to it. When we save, we acknowledge that God has entrusted resources to us—and that we have a responsibility to steward them wisely. Biblical wisdom is never passive. It’s thoughtful, intentional, and forward-looking. The Guardrail: Where Our Trust Belongs At the same time, Scripture gives us a clear guardrail. Our security doesn’t come from what we accumulate—it comes from the Lord. When saving becomes a substitute for trust, it quietly shifts our foundation. We begin to rely on what we’ve stored rather than on the One who provides. Jesus addresses this in Luke 12:24, pointing to the ravens: “They neither sow nor reap… and yet God feeds them.” His message isn’t that planning is wrong—it’s that anxiety is misplaced. God knows our needs. He is faithful. Saving, rightly understood, is not self-reliance. It’s stewardship under God’s care. Purpose Turns Saving into Readiness Purpose is what keeps our savings from drifting into fear or accumulation. Without purpose, saving can feel like deprivation—a constant delay of gratification. It can become a way of managing fear or building a false sense of control. But with purpose, saving becomes something entirely different. It becomes preparation for unexpected storms—without panicProvision for your family—without strainA foundation for generosity—without hesitation Saving with purpose transforms restraint into readiness. It isn’t just personal—it’s communal. Scripture reminds us that we are stewards, not owners. What we have has been entrusted to us for purposes that extend beyond our own lives. A lack of margin often limits our ability to respond when needs arise. But when we’ve prepared wisely, we’re positioned to give, serve, and support others more freely. Generosity often requires readiness. And readiness requires margin. Faithfulness Looks Different in Every Season It’s important to remember: Scripture doesn’t prescribe a universal savings percentage or target balance. Faithfulness isn’t measured by a number. For some—especially those facing financial hardship—saving may feel out of reach. That struggle is real, especially in today’s economic climate. For others, the challenge is less about income and more about intention—choosing to live below their means in a world that encourages the opposite. Wherever you are, the call is the same: steward what you’ve been given with wisdom and trust. Aligning Your Savings with Your Values If saving is meant to be purposeful, then where and how you save matters. That’s why AdelFi Christian Banking (a merger of Christian Community Credit Union and AdelFi Credit Union) is there to help believers align their everyday financial decisions with their faith. Together, they’re building a Christ-centered banking ecosystem designed to serve families while also supporting churches, ministries, and gospel-centered initiatives around the world. Saving with purpose isn’t just about what you set aside—it’s about aligning your financial habits with what you believe. When your financial practices reflect your values, even ordinary decisions can point toward eternal priorities. That’s why, for FaithFi Listeners, they are offering up to a $400 bonus for those who open an account with them. Just use the promo code “FAITHFI”. You can learn more at FaithFi.com/Banking. ...
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    25 m
  • Navigating Finances in Blended Families with Ron Deal and Greg Pettys

    Navigating Finances in Blended Families with Ron Deal and Greg Pettys
    Mar 20 2026
    Martin Luther once said, “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” Marriage is one of God’s great gifts—but like any meaningful relationship, it requires intentional care and wisdom. That’s especially true in blended families. When two people come together later in life—often bringing children, financial histories, and past experiences of loss—the conversations surrounding money, inheritance, and responsibility can become complex. To explore how couples can navigate these challenges faithfully and wisely, we were joined by Ron Deal and Greg Pettis, co-authors of The Smart Step Family Guide to Financial Planning. Their work offers practical guidance for couples seeking peace, clarity, and unity in second marriages. One of the most helpful tools they recommend is something called a “Togetherness Agreement.” Why Blended Families Face Unique Financial Challenges When couples enter a second marriage, they aren’t simply merging households—they’re merging entire life stories. Often, there are children from previous relationships, existing debts or investments, businesses, aging parents who need care, and deeply personal financial experiences shaped by the past. For many, divorce, death, or financial conflict in a previous marriage has left emotional scars that naturally create caution in the next one. As Ron Deal explains, conversations about bank accounts or investments rarely stay purely financial. They quickly become conversations about trust, security, and provision—especially when children or extended family members are involved. Questions arise, such as: How should accounts be structured?How will assets be divided in the future?How do we care for children from previous marriages?What happens to a business or an inheritance? Without clear communication, assumptions can easily lead to misunderstanding or conflict later on. The “Togetherness Agreement” To help couples navigate these conversations, Deal and Pettis developed the idea of a Togetherness Agreement. This agreement is more than a financial document. It’s a framework for couples to intentionally discuss expectations, values, and responsibilities before problems arise. Greg Pettis describes it this way: couples are essentially “writing the rules for their marriage with love and respect for both parties.” The agreement helps address emotionally charged topics such as: How many financial accounts will a couple maintainWhether finances will be fully combined or partially separateHow assets will be passed to childrenResponsibilities toward aging parentsOwnership of businesses or investmentsThe roles of stepchildren, grandchildren, and extended family By putting these conversations in writing, couples gain clarity and reduce the risk of future confusion. Should It Be a Legal Document? In many cases, Deal and Pettis recommend that couples make their Togetherness Agreement a formal legal document, often with the help of an attorney. While marriage itself is a legal covenant, it doesn’t always address the specific financial realities of blended families. A written agreement can help financial advisors, attorneys, and family members understand the couple’s intentions. It can also prevent what Deal calls “inheritance drift.” Without clear planning, assets can unintentionally pass to people far removed from the original family line. For example, if a spouse dies and the surviving spouse remarries without updating estate plans, assets may eventually pass to the new spouse’s family rather than the original children. Intentional planning ensures that what matters most to a family is preserved. A Real-Life Example Deal and Pettis share the story of a couple, Anthony and Jenny, to illustrate how a Togetherness Agreement can work. Anthony was a successful construction business owner with two sons. Jenny, a CPA, also had children and was caring for her aging mother. During their courtship, neither fully understood the other’s financial situation. Anthony had previously struggled with gambling debt and a low credit score. Jenny had spent significant resources caring for her mother and had promised that her mother could one day live with her. Their Togetherness Agreement created a space for honest disclosure and compassionate conversation. Together, they worked through several important decisions: They established one shared budget account but maintained individual accounts while Anthony addressed his credit and gambling issues.Anthony clarified that his sons would inherit his company, something that had been planned long before the new marriage.To provide for Jenny and her daughter, they created a trust funded by life insurance.They developed long-term care plans for Jenny’s mother. The process didn’t just solve financial questions—it strengthened their relationship by building trust and mutual respect. The Power of Simply Starting the Conversation...
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    25 m
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