In this bonus episode, Simon and Bex talk faith and finance with Mark Whittington, Senior Lecturer in Accounting & Finance at Aberdeen University.

Some key points covered in this episode include the following:

*Mark introduces himself, explaining how he became a Christian and the steps that led him to follow a university career as an Accounting Academic. [01:30]

*In response to a query from Bex about his approach towards financial issues, Mark highlights the importance of asking good questions and being open to information and opinions from a wide range of sources and perspectives. [05:11]

Simon follows up by asking Mark whether we tend to be too ‘culturally narrow’ in our interpretation of faith and finance matters, which in turn leads to Bex recommending ‘Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible’ (by E Randolph Richards & Brandon J O'Brien) for anyone interested in delving further into that area. [09:40]

*Mark explains what he means by ‘financialization’ as a term to describe the way that money can be used as a universal form of measurement within society. [12:30]

*Simon comments that King David’s reliance on the size of his army, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 21.1-2, provides an interesting comparison with the way in which we can rely on money rather than on God and our relationship with Him. [15:44]

*Mark provides a couple of examples to illustrate how his own attitude to money as a measurement of success has changed over time. [16:55]

*Simon asks Mark to identify key questions [20:12] and principles [22:44] that he feels are significant regarding how we deal with money.

*With reference to the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12.16-21), Mark engineers a question of his own, asking Simon about how, in his professional role, he helps clients to strike a healthy balance in their relationship with money. [24:55]

*Mark mentions the temptations that were dangled before Jesus by the Devil (Luke 4.1-13) and then goes on to reflect on the importance of maintaining integrity on the journey that we each make in connection with our own finances. [31:16]

*Prompted by Bex, Simon explains that Season 7 of the ‘Where Your Treasure is…’ podcast will take as its starting point the challenge of trying to provide helpful, faith-related responses to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about financial matters on the Internet. [32:38]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

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In the concluding episode of the ‘Money According to the Bible’ season, Simon and Bex discuss various points made in the final books of the Bible about wealth, possessions and our attitudes towards them.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Bex starts off by noting the prominence given to Moses in the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11.24-28) as a result of his decision to place his faith in God rather than relying on the wealth and status to which he was entitled. [01:31]
• The focus then turns to the Book of James, starting off with his call to put belief into action and to ‘walk the walk’ as well as ‘talking the talk’, as illustrated by his words in chapter 2 verses 14-17. [05:48]
• James expands on the nature of ‘religion’ that is ‘pure and faultless (James 1.27) by stressing the importance of acting out of humility and without any selfish motivation (James 3.13-16). [09:34]
• James’s warning and strong words for ‘the rich’ (James 5.1-6) prompt Bex and Simon to reflect on the implications for us and for modern society as far as issues such as fair pay, fair trade and ethical shopping are concerned. [12:23]
• The final point that Simon highlights from the Book of James is the emphasis placed on adopting a God-focused attitude - ‘if it is the Lord’s will’ – as a crucial element of our decision-making processes (James 4.13-17). [16:28]
• Prompted by the words of 1 Peter 2.18-20, Bex asks Simon for his thoughts on how we should respond when we encounter unfairness in our lives. [18:17]
• In response to the warning about idols found in Revelation 9.20, Bex and Simon discuss the modern-day preoccupations that can replace God’s rightful place in our lives. [21:55]
• Simon draws attention to the fact that our attitude to money has been a key theme throughout this podcast season and that it is no surprise, therefore, that the final book of the Bible includes statements designed to turn around our perception of riches and wealth (Revelation 2.9 and 3.17). [24:30]
• The recurring theme of stewardship is also revisited and reinforced in a passage about the judgment of the dead (Revelation 20.11-12). [25:21]
• Season 7 of the ‘Where Your Treasure Is…’ podcast is likely to return to matters relating to practical financial planning. In the meantime, listeners should watch out for a couple of bonus episodes that will be coming up soon. [27:55]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In the penultimate episode of the ‘Money According to the Bible’ season, Simon and Bex discuss various points made in the Letters of Paul about wealth, possessions and our attitudes towards them.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon explains that the focus of this episode will be on the money-related themes covered by Paul in his letters to new and developing churches [02:02]. Bex notes that a major point picked up by Paul is God’s ownership over everything, to which he draws attention in verses such as Romans 11.36 (“For from him and through him and for him are all things”) and 1 Corinthians 10.26 (in which Psalm 24.1 is quoted: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”). [02:44]
• A second major, recurring theme, as highlighted in 2 Corinthians 9.6-15 for example, is that of giving generously and cheerfully. [04:20]
• Prompted by comments made in 1 Timothy 5.17-18 and then in Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2.9 & 2 Thessalonians 3.7-9), Bex asks Simon what he thinks Paul is saying about the kind of financial provision that should, or should not, be made for church leaders and teachers. [08:24]
• Bex and Simon discuss the implications of Paul’s inclusion of generosity in the list of spiritual gifts that he provides in Romans 12.6-8. [12:17]
• Simon refers to 1 Timothy 6.6-10 (which includes the well-known statement, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”) when talking about the need to train our hearts to be disposed towards ‘giving’ rather than ‘wanting’. [16:52]
• Simon identifies one final progression that is required to complete the journey of our hearts in their relationship with money: the importance of being motivated by love in all that we do, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. [18:50]
• Simon draws attention to some of Paul’s other observations about money, wealth and possessions in his letters, including comments on issues relating to the workplace. [20:30]
• Quoting 2 Corinthians 12.14 (“Children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.”), Bex asks Simon what the financial relationship between parents - especially as they grow older - and their children should be. [24:11]
• When wrapping up the episode, Simon refers to 1 Timothy 6 again – verses 17-19 on this occasion – to emphasise the importance of the recurring message from the Bible that we should not rely on money but should regard it as a tool or a resource, instead placing our trust in God. [26:21]
• The final episode of this season will explore what the books of the New Testament that haven’t been covered yet, including the Book of Revelation, have to say about money. [28:33]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.