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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
  • Preparing the Next Steward
    Apr 10 2026
    Jonathan Edwards once said, “True legacy consists not of what we leave behind, but of what we instill in others.” That insight cuts against the grain of how many of us think about inheritance. We often focus on leaving behind money, assets, or property. But Scripture calls us to think bigger. What we pass on isn’t just wealth—it’s wisdom, character, and a legacy of faithfulness. So the real question isn’t simply, "What will I leave behind?" It’s, “Who am I preparing to receive it?” The Tension: Wealth Without Wisdom There’s a natural desire in all of us to provide for the people we love—children, grandchildren, or others God has entrusted to our care. And that desire is good. Proverbs 13:22 reminds us: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” But Scripture also gives us a warning. Proverbs 20:21 says, “An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” Why? Because when wealth is passed on without wisdom, it can become more of a burden than a blessing. The goal isn’t just to transfer assets—it’s to transfer stewardship. Your heirs are not merely recipients. They are future managers of what ultimately belongs to God. And that changes everything. Inheritance Is About Responsibility Throughout Scripture, inheritance is deeply tied to identity and responsibility. In the Old Testament, land wasn’t just property—it was connected to covenant, calling, and faithfulness. Families didn’t simply receive something; they were entrusted with something. The same is true today. If we pass on wealth without preparing the heart, we risk creating confusion—or even harm. But if we invest in spiritual formation, in a biblical understanding of stewardship, and in trust in God as the true Provider, then what we leave behind becomes a tool for Kingdom impact. How to Prepare the Next Steward 1. Model Faithful Stewardship More is caught than taught. The way you handle money right now—how you spend, save, give, and trust God—is shaping the next generation, whether you realize it or not. Your financial life is telling a story: Is it a story of fear or faith?Of accumulation or generosity?Of control or surrender? Long before your children or grandchildren receive anything from you, they are learning from you. 2. Communicate Intentionally One of the biggest mistakes families make is avoiding conversations about money, values, and legacy. But silence creates confusion. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 encourages us to talk about God’s ways throughout everyday life. That includes how we think about money. Talk about: Why you giveHow you make financial decisionsWhat you hope they carry forward Help them see that money isn’t the goal—it’s a tool. 3. Train, Don’t Just Transfer Psalm 78 calls us to tell the next generation the works of God so that they will “set their hope in God.” Faithfulness is learned over time. That means giving the next generation opportunities to practice stewardship now—not someday. It might look like: Helping a child budget their allowanceInviting a teenager into family giving decisionsWalking alongside an adult child as they navigate financial choices We’re not just preparing them to receive—we’re preparing them to steward. 4. Trust God With the Outcome This is where it becomes deeply personal. Even with the best preparation, you can’t control what someone else will do. At some point, you release what you’ve taught, modeled, and invested—and entrust it to God. Psalm 24:1 reminds us: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” That includes your resources—and your legacy. You are not the owner. You are the steward. And the same will be true for the next generation. The Legacy That Matters Most So instead of asking, “How much should I leave behind?” a better question might be: “How well am I preparing the one who will receive it?” Because the greatest inheritance you can leave isn’t what’s in your accounts. It’s a heart that treasures God above all. It’s a life that says, “God owns it all. I am His steward.” It’s a vision of money as a tool to serve His purposes. That’s the kind of legacy that impacts your children—and your children’s children. Take the Next Step If you want to explore this idea more deeply, Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship walks through what it means to see God—not money—as our ultimate treasure. You can order a copy for yourself or receive a discount when you place a bulk order for your church or small group at FaithFi.com/Shop. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: Should my 78-year-old brother keep his 2.2% mortgage or pay it off and invest instead? Also, how should we approach selling his out-of-state property—back to family or to an investor?I’m setting up a trust—what should I expect to pay, and what factors should I consider?After selling our home, should we use the ...
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    25 m
  • Powerful Financial Principles from God’s Word with Sharon Epps
    Apr 9 2026
    God’s Word doesn’t just tell us how to manage money—it transforms how we see it. Too often, we approach finances as a purely practical matter: budgets, investments, and goals. But Scripture invites us into something deeper. It reframes money not as something we own, but something entrusted to us by God. When we begin to see money through that lens, everything changes. Today, Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined the show to unpack several powerful, biblical principles that shape faithful stewardship. These aren’t just financial tips—they’re spiritual truths that guide how we live. Let’s explore them. 1. The Power of Trust It may be surprising, but the foundation of wise financial stewardship isn’t money—it’s trust. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us: “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.” Before we talk about budgets or strategies, we must understand our role. God is the owner. We are the stewards. That truth brings freedom. It means your financial future doesn’t ultimately rest on your income, your employer, or the economy—it rests on God as your provider. And when you trust Him, you can seek His direction rather than relying solely on your own plans. 2. The Power of Focus In a world that celebrates multitasking, Scripture calls us to focus. Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” And Proverbs 16:3 adds, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Many people feel financially stuck, not because they lack resources, but because they’re trying to do too much at once—pay off debt, save aggressively, invest, give more, and upgrade their lifestyle. The result? Frustration and burnout. Instead, ask a simple question: What is the next step God is calling me to take? Then focus on that one thing. Progress often comes not from doing everything at once, but from faithfully taking the next step in front of you. 3. The Power of Priorities Every financial decision reflects a priority. Because our resources are limited, every dollar spent in one area affects another. That’s why setting priorities is essential. A helpful framework is the “live, give, owe, grow” model. And notably, the order matters. Start with giving. Then focus on growing (saving and investing). After that, address debt (owing), and finally, living expenses. One practical starting point is the 10-10-80 principle: 10% to give10% to save or invest80% for living and obligations This isn’t a rigid rule, but a helpful guide. Within that 80%, three areas tend to have the greatest impact: HousingTransportationFood If more than half of your income is tied up in those three categories, it becomes difficult to maintain balance in your financial life. That’s why big decisions—like buying a home or choosing a vehicle—carry long-term consequences. As Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks.” In other words, pay attention to where your money is going—especially in the areas that matter most. 4. The Power of Planning Good intentions aren’t enough. Faithful stewardship requires a plan. That means deciding in advance how you will use your money—before the month begins. Planning your spending helps you move from reacting to intentional living. Whether you use a digital tool or a simple system, the goal is the same: to give every dollar a purpose. One time-tested approach is the envelope system—assigning categories to your spending and tracking what remains. Interestingly, research shows that when we’re more aware of our spending (what experts call “saliency”), we tend to spend less. That’s one reason using cash—or closely tracking your spending—can be so effective. Without a plan, money tends to drift. With a plan, it begins to align with your values. 5. The Power of Decision-Making Every purchase is an opportunity to seek wisdom. James 1:5 offers this promise: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given him.” Before making a financial decision, consider asking: Is this expense essential?Will it help or hurt my financial situation?Does it move me closer to my goals—or set me back?Can I wait?Is there a less expensive alternative? In a culture of instant gratification—where purchases can arrive at your door within hours—it’s easy to move too quickly. But wisdom often requires slowing down. Sometimes, the best financial decision is simply pausing long enough to think and pray. 6. The Power of Unity Money is rarely just about numbers—it’s about relationships. For couples, one of the most powerful financial habits is intentional communication. Consider setting aside a regular “money date”—a time each month to review your finances, talk about upcoming expenses, and align on goals. These conversations build unity. And as Sharon ...
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    25 m
  • The Cycle of Grateful Living with John Cortines
    Apr 8 2026
    “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and the power to enjoy them…this is the gift of God.” — Ecclesiastes 5:19 What if true joy doesn’t come from gaining more—but from gratefully receiving what God has already provided? That’s the invitation we find in Ecclesiastes, and it’s the focus of a powerful conversation with John Cortines, Director of Partnerships and Growth at the McClellan Foundation and author of FaithFi’s study on the book of Ecclesiastes called, Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money. His insight centers on what he calls the cycle of grateful living—a biblical framework that reshapes how we view money, work, and contentment. Rediscovering Joy in God’s Gifts Ecclesiastes 5:18–20 sits at the heart of Scripture’s teaching on money and meaning. These verses remind us of something we often overlook: Not only are wealth and possessions gifts from God, but so is the ability to enjoy them. That means joy isn’t something we manufacture through achievement or accumulation. It’s something we receive. Whether we have little or much, Scripture calls us to find satisfaction in the life God has already given us—our work, our relationships, and even our daily routines. Yet many of us miss this. We’re quick to recognize the dangers of money, but slow to embrace the goodness of God’s provision. The “E.A.T.” Cycle for Grateful Living John Cortines summarizes this biblical vision with a simple acronym: E.A.T. 1. Enjoy God’s Provision Everything we have—our resources, our health, our relationships—is a gift. Even the capacity to enjoy these things is given by God. Gratitude begins when we recognize that nothing we have is ultimately self-made. It all flows from His hand. 2. Accept Life’s Brevity Ecclesiastes repeatedly reminds us that life is short. This isn’t meant to discourage us—but to awaken us. When we accept the limits of our time and season, we begin to live with greater purpose. We stop postponing joy and start embracing the present as a gift. 3. Toil with Joy Work is not something to escape—it’s something to embrace. While our culture often dreams of financial independence as freedom from work, Scripture presents a different vision. We were created with purpose, and meaningful work is part of that design. Even in retirement, we’re called to engage in what is good, fruitful, and God-honoring. What Gets in the Way of Joy? If this cycle is so clear, why do so few people experience it? Cortines points out three common obstacles: Taking God’s provision for granted instead of cultivating gratitudeIgnoring life’s brevity, living as if time is unlimitedResenting our work, constantly longing for escape These patterns lead to anxiety, discontentment, and a constant pursuit of “more.” Ironically, many people today live with more wealth and comfort than any generation in history—yet struggle deeply with dissatisfaction. As Cortines notes, even great wealth cannot produce lasting joy on its own. A Better Vision Than “Someday” One of the most subtle traps in our culture is the belief that joy lies somewhere in the future: When I earn more…When I retire…When life slows down… But Scripture calls us to something radically different. Joy is not found in a future we’re trying to build—it’s found in the present moment with Christ. This echoes Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12, where He points to the birds and the flowers. They do not worry, yet God provides for them. Their lives are both sustained and limited—and so are ours. This is both comforting and sobering: God will provide for us.Our time here is brief. So instead of striving endlessly, we’re invited to live faithfully and gratefully today. What Does a Grateful Life Look Like? Ecclesiastes 5:20 gives us a beautiful picture: “God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” This kind of life is marked by: Presence instead of distractionPeace instead of anxietyContentment instead of comparison It’s a life where gratitude crowds out worry—where the heart is so full of God’s goodness that it no longer fixates on what’s missing. Living Within Our Limits—and God’s Greatness One of the most profound insights from Ecclesiastes is this: we are small, and that’s okay. In a world that tells us to dream bigger and achieve more, Scripture gently reminds us that our lives are finite—but God is not. And that’s where true freedom is found. We don’t need to be everything or accomplish everything. Christ has already accomplished what matters most. Our role is simply to be faithful in the life we’ve been given. Finding Joy in What God Has Already Given The cycle of grateful living is simple—but deeply transformative: Enjoy what God has givenAccept the limits of your lifeRejoice in the work before you When we live this way, we step out of the endless pursuit of “more” and into the quiet, steady joy of God’s presence. And in ...
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    25 m
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