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Faith & Finance

Christian talk radio with Rob West

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Broadcast Episode

January 11, 2024

5 Signs You May Need a Certified Christian Financial Counselor

Do you have someone that you can turn to for trusted financial guidance? Would you believe that almost 40-percent of adults say they don’t? On today's Faith & Finance Live, host Rob West will welcome Art Rainer to talk about a very special program that offers Certified Christian Financial Counselors who can help guide you in your financial stewardship. Then Rob will answer your questions on different financial topics.

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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

Navigating Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty with Bob Doll

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. " — Philippians 4: 19This verse is a powerful reminder that God is our ultimate provider, no matter the economic uncertainties we face. Recently, we have seen that many have been concerned about trade tariffs and their potential impact on the economy. Today, Bob Doll joins us to explain what this means and what we can expect moving forward. Bob Doll is the CEO and CIO of Crossmark Global Investments. He regularly contributes to Faith and Finance and other media outlets like Bloomberg TV, Fox Business, and CNBC. What Are Tariffs and How Do They Affect Us? Tariffs are essentially taxes. If a 10% tariff is placed on imported goods, the price of those goods increases. That means consumers pay more for the products they need, which can slow down economic activity. However, tariffs are not just about taxation; they are often used as a bargaining tool in international trade negotiations. Sometimes, it depends on the day of the week because tariffs are on one day and then off the next. This back-and-forth can create uncertainty in the market and impact businesses, investors, and consumers alike. Why Do Markets React Negatively to Tariffs? The stock market tends to respond negatively whenever there's talk of tariffs. Why? Tariffs can slow economic growth. If companies and consumers have to pay more for goods, they either buy fewer products or cut back on spending in other areas. This dampens growth, and the market doesn’t like it. Could tariffs alone push the economy into a recession? If they are significant enough, last too long, and trigger retaliation from other countries, it could certainly lead to what economists call a trade war. A trade war is not healthy for economic growth, but cooler minds will likely prevent it from escalating too far. The Strategy Behind Tariffs: Negotiation or Necessity? So, is the push for tariffs simply a negotiation tactic, or is there a deeper economic issue at play? There’s no question that the U. S. has a trade imbalance with many countries. Addressing this imbalance is part of the reasoning behind tariffs. However, political leaders understand the risks and use tariffs more as a bargaining tool than a long-term strategy. They don’t want to sink the economy because these leaders have a vested interest in economic stability. Finding Peace in Economic UncertaintyDiscussions about tariffs, markets, and recessions can easily lead to fear. Economic uncertainty often leaves people feeling anxious about their financial future. But as believers, we have a greater source of security. Here are three key reminders: Leaders Care About Economic Stability—Regardless of their approach, political leaders generally want a strong economy.  The Economy is Resilient—Whether we have tariffs or not, the economy is doing well, and its economic fundamentals are still strong.  God is in Control—Most importantly, our hope is not in governments, markets, or policies but in God. God knows the end from the beginning, including tariffs. Psalm 91 reminds us that God is our refuge and fortress—we can rest securely in His protection. Focus on What You Can Control: Faithful StewardshipWhile we can’t control global trade policies, tax laws, or the stock market, we can control how we manage our own finances. We can control our own little economies—what passes through our hands. That means practicing faithful stewardship. We need to take care of everything God has given us—not just money, but all aspects of life: our minds, our bodies, our time. Being wise stewards of our finances means making thoughtful financial decisions, saving wisely, and giving generously. After all, it’s not ours; it’s all God’s. When we recognize that everything we have belongs to God, it transforms the way we handle money. Rather than holding onto it tightly, we can give joyfully and generously. Economic uncertainty will always exist, whether through tariffs, inflation, or market fluctuations. But believers are called to a higher perspective. Instead of being driven by fear, we can rest in the truth that God is sovereign over all things—even global trade policies. The key is to focus on what we can control: managing our finances wisely, practicing faithful stewardship, and embracing the joy of generosity. And through it all, we can trust that God is our refuge and provider, no matter what challenges come our way. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I recently received a sizable inheritance. I have some ideas about what to do with it, but I wanted to get your thoughts first. I would like to know where and how to invest. My husband and I are both retired. I have $200, 000 left in my TSP and approximately $270, 000 in IRA CDs, a small portion of which is Roth IRAs. Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly MagazineCrossmark Global InvestmentsLook 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

Yesterday

The Key to Long-Term Financial Success with Matt Bell

"Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. " - Proverbs 24: 27That verse underscores the need for planning and execution, key elements for long-term financial success. Matt Bell joins us today to discuss how to put planning and execution to work for you. Matt Bell is the Managing Editor at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. The Importance of a Financial PlanLife tends to happen to us while we’re making other plans. Unfortunately, for many people, life happens without any financial planning at all. Millions of individuals fail to establish a clear strategy for managing their money, and even those who attempt to plan often struggle to stay on track. Without a plan, it's easy to drift financially, reacting to circumstances rather than proactively building a stable financial future. The impact of financial planning—and, more importantly, execution—can be profound. A 2011 study analyzed data from over 1, 200 individuals aged 50 and older, examining their approach to financial planning and its effect on their retiremen.networth. The study categorized participants into four groups based on their level of planning and follow-through: Non-Planners: More than two-thirds of those studied had not done any financial planning despite being close to retirement. Many had not even researched what to expect from Social Security.  Simple Planners: This group at least considered their future financial needs and made basic calculations about saving for retirement. However, only about half of them created a tangible financial plan.  Serious Planners: These individuals sought financial information and even paid for professional planning advice. However, like the previous group, about half failed to implement their plans.  Successful Planners: The final group—only about 20% of those studied—both created and consistently followed a financial plan over many years. Even Small Steps Can Make a Big DifferenceOne encouraging takeaway from this study is that every step toward better planning leads to improved financial outcomes. Even moving from the “non-planner” to the “simple planner” category doubled or triple.networth at retirement. Advancing to the “serious planner” level added another 25% to 35% in wealth accumulation. This demonstrates that financial planning isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. Even taking small steps—like estimating future financial needs or using basic retirement calculators—can lead to significant benefits. Proverbs 21: 5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit. ” This timeless wisdom underscores the necessity of both planning and execution. If you haven’t started the planning process yet, or if you have a plan but aren’t consistently following it, research shows there’s substantial value in getting back on track. Tools like Sound Mind Investing’s MoneyGuide, or even free online retirement calculators, can be a great way to start. Long-term financial success doesn’t happen by accident—it requires both a solid plan and the discipline to follow through. Every step forward matters, whether you’re just beginning your financial journey or looking to refine your existing plan. For more insights, you can read the full article, “Planning and Execution: The Keys to Long-Term Financial Success, ” at SoundMindInvesting. org. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have a 401(k) contributing 8%, but my company stopped matching and moved to a pension system. Should I roll over my 401(k) to a Roth or annuity? The balance is around $32, 000. I know we need to be generous with our money, and I want to do the same with God's money. So, I was looking into donating to St. Jude's Hospital and my local church. Is it possible to do both, or should I double down and donate all of it to my local church? I have an HSA and had to start Medicare 7. 5 years ago. I read I can retroactively take out the Medicare Part B premiums I've paid from my HSA over those 7. 5 years. Is that correct? My wife is 62, and we wanted to know if she should start taking Social Security now. We don't need the money for income; we would just invest 100% of it. We're not sure what the drawbacks would be. I'm 64 years old and have significant money in IRA CDs. I considered slowly withdrawing the money every year to increase my liquid assets. I understand that the money goes toward my annual income, but I wanted to know if there is another way to lessen the taxes I have to pay. Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly PublicationSound Mind Investing | MoneyGuidePlanning and Execution: The Keys to Long-Term Financial Success (Article from Sound Mind Investing)Look 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

Monday, February 17

Finding Joy and Peace in Financial Uncertainty

If you’re worried about your financial future, struggling to figure out how to pay for college, or feeling the pinch at the grocery store, you’re not alone. Financial challenges can make joy seem out of reach, but as Christians, we are called to face difficulties with a heart at peace. When financial worries—or struggles of any kind—overwhelm us, God’s Word offers wisdom and reassurance. Here are three biblical principles to hold onto in difficult times: Hardships are opportunities to grow in your faith. Joy and peace are not dependent on your circumstances. Your struggles have a purpose.

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Broadcast Episode

Friday, February 14

Unlocking the Secret to Better Communication in Marriage with Kathleen Edelman

“Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” - Ephesians 5:33 Love and respect are often conveyed in the words that spouses choose to communicate. Those words can have a big impact on the marriage relationship. Kathleen Edelman joins us to discuss choosing the right words for your spouse. Kathleen Edelman is the author of “I Said This, You Heard That: How Your Wiring Colors Your Communication.” She is certified in biblical studies and Christian Counseling Psychology and has spent over thirty years coaching clients in communication.

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Broadcast Episode

Thursday, February 13

How to Keep Your Bank Accounts Safe from Fraud with Aaron Caid

With financial fraud on the rise, protecting your personal and banking information has never been more important. A recent JD Power study found that nearly 29% of bank account holders experienced fraud in some form over a 12-month period. To help us navigate the best security practices, Aaron Caid shares expert advice on how to safeguard your accounts from cybercriminals. Aaron Caid is the Chief Marketing Officer at Christian Community Credit Union, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

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