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Faith & Finance

Christian talk radio with Rob West

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Broadcast Episode

October 24, 2023

Leverage Your Expertise

Today on Faith & Finance Live, Rob West will discuss how to be a faithful steward of the resources God has given us, such as our time, expertise, and experience. He will then answer questions from listeners about finances. Tune in to learn how to leverage your expertise for God's Kingdom!

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About Faith & Finance

How does your faith in Jesus influence your daily financial decisions? As believers, our faith must be the foundation of our financial stewardship, which is why we're excited to announce that the MoneyWise radio show is now Faith & Finance. Join Rob West and special guests as they address today’s financial questions with biblical answers. To be a part of the broadcast, call 1 (800) 525-7000 or you can email your questions to: [email protected]

How does your faith in Jesus influence your daily financial decisions? As believers, our faith must be the foundation of our financial stewardship, which is why we're excited to announce that the MoneyWise radio show is now Faith & Finance. Join Rob West and special guests as they address today’s financial questions with biblical answers. To be a part of the broadcast, call 1 (800) 525-7000 or you can email your questions to: [email protected]

More from Faith & Finance

Broadcast Episode

Today

What Ecclesiastes Teaches Us About Life and Money

One book of the Bible reminds us that life is short and we should make the most of every moment. If you guessed Ecclesiastes, you’re right. This book emphasizes that our time here is fleeting, but what lies beyond is eternal. In this post, we’ll explore this profound truth and introduce a new FaithFi study on the book of Ecclesiastes—Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money. The Shortness of LifeImagine standing on the summit of Mount Everest, over 29, 000 feet above sea level. At that moment, you are higher than every other person on the planet. But as breathtaking as the view may be, you can’t stay there long. At 26, 000 feet, climbers enter the “death zone, ” where oxygen is too thin to sustain human life. Even the most well-trained mountaineers must rely on oxygen tanks just to survive the final push to the peak. And when they reach the top, they have just five minutes—300 precious seconds—before they must begin their descent or risk never making it back. How do you think a climber should spend those five minutes? Complaining about an aching ankle? Wishing they hadn’t endured the brutal climb? Or should they take in the view, praise God for the beauty of creation, and appreciate the rare opportunity they’ve been given? Five Minutes On The SummitEcclesiastes teaches us that life is like having five minutes on the summit. We’re here for a short time. Many have come before us, and many will come after. Some moments in life are filled with sunshine and calm, while others bring fierce storms. But regardless of our circumstances, we have one brief chance to live and no do-overs. The book of Ecclesiastes repeatedly urges us to embrace this reality. Solomon, the author, reminds us that all earthly pursuits—wealth, pleasure, status—are ultimately fleeting. But rather than making us despair, this truth should inspire us to live with gratitude and purpose. Facing the Reality of Death to Find Joy in LifeEcclesiastes does not shy away from the topic of death. In fact, it is mentioned in 11 out of its 12 chapters. Solomon writes: "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’… before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. ” (Ecclesiastes 12: 1, 6-8)Why does Solomon want us to think about death? Not to depress us—but to help us truly live. When we remember that our time is short, we learn to treasure each moment. If I know I have to leave the summit soon, I’ll savor every second. If I know death is coming, I’ll be thankful to be alive. The closing chapters of Ecclesiastes paint a vivid picture of aging and decline. Our eyesight dims, our strength fades, and our bodies slow down. But instead of fearing this reality, we’re encouraged to embrace it—to use the time we have wisely and to find joy in the life God has given us. Live With Eternity In MindOur new FaithFi study, Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money, explores how these lessons apply to financial decisions. Solomon warns us that wealth, like life itself, is temporary. Money cannot ultimately satisfy, and hoarding riches without purpose is meaningless. Instead, Ecclesiastes teaches us to steward our finances with eternity in mind. That means: Trusting God over material wealthUsing money to bless othersEnjoying the good gifts God provides without making them our ultimate pursuitAs Moses wrote in Psalm 90: 12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. ”You are standing on the summit of life. You have five minutes. How will you spend them? Will you focus on fleeting troubles, or will you fix your eyes on the One who holds eternity in His hands? Ecclesiastes calls us to live with purpose—to love God, love others, and make the most of every moment. When the expedition leader, God, taps us on the shoulder and says, “It’s time to go, ” may we be found faithful. We've only begun to explore the depth of this powerful new study, Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money, coming next month. Once it's available, you can find it at FaithFi. com/Shop. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 73 and self-employed. Five years ago, I left my house for my daughter, who had thyroid cancer. The house could rent for $3, 000/month, but I'm not getting any of that. Is there a way I can get a tax deduction or deferment for this situation? My credit score has gradually decreased from around 780 to 720, even though I always pay my bills on time. I'm unsure why this is happening since I have a mortgage, and my housing payments are half my income. What could be causing my credit score to go down? I'm 58 on disability and only get $1, 300 a month. If something happened to my husband, I think I could get around $200, 000 after selling my house. What would be the best option for me in that situation since I don't have much in retirement savings? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly PublicationAnnualCreditReport. comMovement MortgageWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App

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Broadcast Episode

Friday, February 7

Aligning Your Financial Goals with God’s Purpose with Rachel McDonough

“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” - Proverbs 20:5 Man’s ultimate purpose is to glorify God, but deciding how to do that can be challenging. Sometimes, we need help from a trusted advisor. I’ll discuss that today with Rachel McDonough. Rachel McDonough is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), and a regular Faith & Finance contributor. The Cultural Challenge: Are We Asking the Right Financial Questions? Money is more than just a tool—it’s a reflection of our values, priorities, and ultimately, our faith. But how do we ensure that our financial decisions align with God’s purpose for our lives? As believers, we all want to honor God with the resources He has entrusted to us. However, navigating financial decisions can be overwhelming—especially when culture pushes us in the opposite direction. Traditional financial planning often starts with one simple question: “What are your financial goals?”At first glance, that sounds logical. But the problem? It starts with us—our dreams, our desires—rather than seeking God’s plan first. Many people feel pressure to already have their financial goals figured out. If they don’t, they may experience anxiety, uncertainty, or even guilt. Instead of feeling liberated, they feel like they’re failing. So, how do we shift from “What do I want?” to “What does God want for me?"

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Broadcast Episode

Thursday, February 6

How to Choose a Trustworthy Tax Preparer This Tax Season

The holidays are behind us; you know what that means—it’s tax season! But before you start gathering your W-2s and receipts, there’s an important question: Do you know who will prepare your taxes this year? With a nationwide shortage of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and tax professionals, waiting too long to find a preparer could leave you scrambling—and vulnerable to scams. Here’s how to protect yourself and find a trusted tax preparer.

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Broadcast Episode

Wednesday, February 5

Transforming the Lives of the Poor with Kelly Miller

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” - Proverbs 22:9 Do you have a generous heart—one that seeks out opportunities to bless others, especially those in need? Today, Kelly Miller joins us to share a powerful way you can not only support the poor around the world but also help bring lasting transformation to their lives. Kelly Miller is the CEO and President of Cross International, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

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Broadcast Episode

Tuesday, February 4

Teaching Generosity to Kids with Dr. Art Rainer

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” - 3 John 1:4 In that verse, the Apostle John praises his friend Gaius and other believers for their generosity toward missionaries. As parents, we want our children to be generous toward God’s Kingdom. Dr. Art Rainer joins us today with some steps we can take to grow our kids in generosity. Dr. Art Rainer is the founder of the Institute for Christian Financial Health and Christian Money Solutions. He is also the author of The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design for You and Your Money and the Secret Slide Money Club, a book series designed to teach young readers about God’s way of being wise with money.

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