18th Century preacher John Wesley said, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." That’s how Christians can respond to God's generous and faithful love. Specifically, Jesus called his followers to do good to the poor, and we’ll talk about what that looks like for us.
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]
Many believers would agree that churches should follow the same financial principles that God’s Word provides for individuals. But even within that agreement, there’s still plenty of room for debate. For example, should churches borrow for building and expansion projects? Borrowing for church projects can be a sensitive topic, raising important questions about finances and faith. While the Bible does not declare borrowing a sin, it does offer several warnings about its potential pitfalls. Let's explore the biblical principles and guidance for churches considering debt. Biblical Warnings About DebtProverbs 22: 7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. ” This warning reminds churches that while borrowing isn’t inherently sinful, it can create a burden and dependency on lenders. The late Larry Burkett emphasized that debt can be destructive if taken to excess, and it’s more about an attitude than an absolute rule. Principles for Church BorrowingFinancial expert Ron Blue offers several key principles for churches to follow when considering borrowing: The benefit should outweigh the cost. A clear repayment plan should be in place. Church leadership should be unified in the decision to borrow. Borrowing should bring peace of mind, not anxiety. The debt should align with God-given goals. These principles help guide churches in making thoughtful decisions about whether to borrow, ensuring that financial obligations don't overshadow their spiritual mission. Three Biblical Principles for BorrowingDr. Art Rainer, Director of the Institute for Christian Financial Health, encourages healthy debate on the issue of church borrowing, outlining three key principles for churches grappling with the issue of debt: Use Caution—Proverbs 22: 26-27 advises against entering agreements without being sure of repayment. Churches must ensure they can meet their obligations to avoid damaging their witness. Consider the Congregation's Burden—Debt limits funds available for outreach and missions. As Proverbs 22: 7 reminds us, “the borrower is a slave to the lender. ”Debt Creates Opportunities for Sin—Psalm 37: 21 warns against failing to repay debts. Churches should secure loans with collateral and ensure a repayment plan is in place. Despite the cautions, many churches borrow successfully to expand their ministry efforts. If your church chooses to borrow, selecting a financial institution that shares your Christian values can be a game-changer. Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) is a trusted partner for churches, providing over $1 billion in ministry real estate loans. CCCU aligns with Christian values and offers financial tools to help ministries thrive. Making an Impact Without BorrowingEven if your church decides against borrowing, you can still make an impact. By opening an account at CCCU, you support other churches and ministries through your deposits. To learn more, visit JoinChristianCommunity. com. While borrowing isn’t sinful, churches must carefully consider the financial and spiritual implications before taking on debt. By following biblical principles and partnering with the right institutions, churches can make informed decisions that support their mission to advance the Gospel. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I've been seeing many of these advertisements about debt cancelation on the internet, on Facebook, and in places like that. There's one going on right now: if you're a veteran and owe $20, 000 or $30, 000 or more, you can get it wiped out. Is stuff like this a legitimate deal, or is it a scam? I'm selling my home and will have a surplus after buying a new home outright. I just retired and want to stay retired. Should I use the surplus to live off of, draw my Social Security, or invest the money? My question is about my retirement investment with my employer versus my investment in a high-yield savings account. I've been with my employer for three and a half years. Its growth has been 2. 47% during that time, and my high-yield savings account rate is 5. 2%. I'm trying to understand which investment would be most beneficial. I heard you guys talk about a reverse mortgage and was thinking about it for my 90-year-old mother. We’ve been in conversation with Movement Mortgage and started the process, but I got cold feet because of the fees. So, I am wondering what your thoughts are about this and whether this is a good idea. Resources Mentioned: Christian Community Credit UnionLook 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
Can you name two things that don’t seem to go together—but actually do? How about freedom…and budgeting? We hear from folks all the time who feel that living on a budget cramps their style, hems them in, and makes them feel trapped. Brandon Sieben is with us today to make the case that just the opposite is true. Brandon Sieben is the Chairman of the Board at Compass Financial Ministry.
Today’s parents have better ways to save for their kids’ college than existed a generation ago. So, are you making the most of your college savings program? It’s been less than 30 years since Congress authorized the tax-advantaged 529 plans. More options soon followed. Mark Biller joins us today with the pros and cons of several college-savings programs. Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.
They say life insurance is like a parachute. If you don’t have it the first time, odds are you won’t need it again. While that’s a funny line, all kidding aside, life insurance is the only way most people can provide for their families if they should die. But what happens when it ends? Term life insurance is often recommended due to its simplicity and affordability. Unlike whole life insurance, it doesn’t combine investing with a death benefit, allowing you to invest separately for better financial returns. But when your term life insurance expires, what should you do? Let’s explore the four options available to you.
Student loan forgiveness is much in the news these days. It’s on. It’s off. It’s on again, maybe. What’s the lesson here? The lesson is this: Avoiding student loan debt is much easier than getting out of it. It just takes discipline. We’ll talk about that with Dr. Art Rainer today. Dr. Art Rainer is the founder of the Institute for Christian Financial Health and Christian Money Solutions. He is a regular contributor here at Faith & Finance and the author of “The Money Challenge for Teens: Prepare for College, Run from Debt, and Live Generously.”