 Tim: They say that all good things must come to an end. We hope and pray that the Faith and Finances Podcast has been “good” to you, that the Christ-focused financial teaching has blessed and encouraged you.   Troy: In 1965, The Byrd's (can't these guys spell?) popularized the message of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in their hyper-creatively titled song, "Turn! Turn! Turn!". The message is one of seasons—beginnings and endings. For every beginning, the Bible teaches us that there must also be an ending. That truth brings us to the final episode of the Faith and Finances Podcast.   Our Farewells: Tim: We are so thankful that you have chosen to listen to this Podcast. We have endeavored to bring valuable content and honor the Lord in every episode. I will be focusing my time and energy on my writing and live teaching endeavors. You can stay in touch, and receive my devotional writings on the subject of biblical finances by visiting www.TimRosen.org and providing your e-mail address. You can also learn where I am teaching the Faith and Finances sessions by visiting the ministry Facebook or Instagram (see links below).   Troy: Tim and I have enjoyed our time with you during these few years of podcasting. Both of us are now entering seasons of life that demand a bit more of our time than in the past. I'm blessed with 2 godly teenagers, but they are teenagers nonetheless and require more of my time than ever before. Katrina and I have gone back to serving as Care Group Leaders after a 1-2 year break and that also requires time. On the work front, I'm currently building an online training system for our new hires and helping with the NeuroStar international expansion efforts. I suspect that Tim and I will share a microphone or video camera at some point in the future. We both enjoy each other and those mediums. But until then, dear listener… God bless.   Resources and Links: Faith and Finances - Book Multiply, What the Bible Teaches About Saving, Investing, and Planning for Your Future - Book   Improve Your Faith and Finances: Learn and trust God’s ways, for His ways are so much higher (better) than our ways.   Reach Us: Podcast on Facebook Tim Website or Twitter, or Instagram Troy Twitter and Facebook Matt Website or Twitter 

Faith and Finances

Endgame

 How often are the words of the Apostle Paul, "Owe no man anything" applied to literally every form of loan, mortgage, and debt?   In This Episode, We Look At: Romans 13:8 in its proper context Types of debt to avoid Manageable, acceptable debt   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

The Simple Rules of Loans, Credit, and Debt

 I talk with my family frequently about the quality of food (or junk) that we put in our bodies. Yet there are times when I would see an amazing-looking dessert (just Google "Monster shakes") and all of a sudden I'm now telling my family how awesome this thing looks and that we ought to try it! That is not integrity! The healthy talk is somewhat recent in my life, but the junk food temptations stem from decades of bad habits.   In This Episode, We Look At: Deep seeded bad habits and bad behavior do not suddenly disappear overnight. This applies to financial habits and behaviors as well. You cannot dig yourself out of a 20, 30, or 40-year hole in just weeks or months. Financial integrity means handling money in a manner consistent with your beliefs—and words. Listen as we provide an Integrity self-test for Christians.   Improve Your Faith and Finances: Saturate yourself in God's Word, seeking to learn what is acceptable, and then practice awareness of your own thoughts, words, and deeds.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

Having Financial Integrity [Replay]

 Most of us are repelled by rules thrown at us. There’s a bit of a maverick in all of us, preferring “our way.” Just as there are laws of nature, there are laws in personal finance. They really do sound simple, yet simple is often enough. We are going to list the Simple Rules/Laws and teach you how to implement them.   Save Be aware of cash flow Avoid consumer debt 

The Simple Rules of Financial Health

 As Christ-followers, we are commanded to love others (see Matthew 22:37-40). That's a tall order. How much do we love ourselves?   In This Episode, We Look At: Love in action: With neighbors- demonstrate Christ-likeness. With our enemies. With family and the body of Christ.   Improve Your Faith and Finances: As Christ loved us unconditionally so are we to love others-unconditionally. Demonstrate that love, and also give, as giving is an act of love   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

Practically Loving Others

 We all see the ads and the Hallmark movies this time of year. We see happy, joyful people shopping for their loved ones and enjoying bountiful Christmas dinners. In reality, do we display such joy and happiness in the marketplace while shopping for our loved ones? Why not?   In This Episode, We Look At: Three keys to a joyful Christmas shopping season. First: Determine to keep your family's focus on the meaning of Christmas. If the primary focus is the buying and giving of gifts, you're doing it wrong. Second: Determine a budget for Christmas related spending (including food). We cover some tips here in the episode. Third: Be intentional to spread joy and the love of Christ to others. Consider how other people feel as they work long hours at the stores this season, trying to tolerate impatient, rude, and belligerent customers. What difference can you make by offering a genuine smile and a "Thank you for working."   Resources and Links: Christmas Shoes - you're welcome!  :-)   Improve Your Faith and Finances: Schedule time to read the true Christmas story from Scripture this season. Luke 2, Matthew 2, and Isaiah 9 are wonderful places to start.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

3 Keys to Joyful Christmas Shopping

 We would like you to meet Scott and Bethany Palmer, also known as The Money Couple. Scott and Bethany focus their decades of financial planning experience on helping couples strengthen their marriages and stop fights about money.   In This Episode, We Look At: Both spouses have their own unique money language and personality. You've heard of 5 Love Languages, but it’s the money language that causes most arguments and contention in a marriage. In this interview, Scott and Bethany help us to not only identify our own money personalities, but also how to understand our spouse's money personality. With this knowledge and understanding, couples can work together, knowing they are on the same team, and build their future together, instead of against each other.   Resources and Links: The Money Couple - website The Money Couple - Facebook The 5 Money Personalities - book   Improve Your Faith and Finances: Visit the Money Couple website and look around. Consider taking their Assessment. When you learn about your own money beliefs and personality and your spouse's, you can begin working together toward God-honoring goals instead of against each other.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

5 Money Personalities—An Interview With The Money Couple

 Today, your Smartphone probably knows you better than you know yourself. Simply let the device look into your eyes and in seconds, you have access to all of your financial accounts, e-mail, and everything personal you could imagine. But, how well does it know your spouse? Specifically, if you were taken out of this world, would your spouse know how to access crucial financial accounts, insurance policies, and other vital information? I'm not simply talking about what is on your phone. Would your surviving spouse know who to call, how to access money, what to pay off, and where vital documents are kept?   In This Episode, We Look At: Preparing a "What to do" list for your loved one, in the event of your passing. The time to plan is now, while you are healthy and thriving, not once you are ill, old, or injured. Do you have life insurance? If not, why not? How will your loved ones pay for burial and funeral expenses? What will be the source of your surviving spouse's income? We also review the differences between having a Will and a Living Trust   Improve Your Faith and Finances: It is our responsibility to plan for the "what if's" in order to take care of our family. But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances  Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

Getting Your Financial House in Order

Your Largest Potential Retirement Expense

 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Mark 10:25 Why did Jesus say that? Are riches bad? Are rich people condemned?   In This Episode, We Look At: Because the Bible gives so many warnings against the dangers of riches, some other misunderstandings have been perpetuated in the Christian community. One is that being wealthy is inherently sinful, or that only sinful people become wealthy. (R.C. Sproul) The rich who are lost. They trust their wealth and see no need for a savior. The rich who are saved may see that their needs are met, which leads them to trust their wealth also, and not consciously depending on God (which is His design).   Improve Your Faith and Finances: If God entrusts you with riches, purpose to continue your dependence on God, the Giver of all things, and not on "uncertain riches" (1 Timothy 6:17). "If riches increase, set not your heart on them." Psalm 62:10   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

A Camel and the Eye of a Needle

 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 We've heard many opinions and interpretations of this verse. If we think that this verse means that Jesus wants us to have an abundance of money to spend on ourselves, and live large with an abundance of possessions, we are heading toward misery.   In This Episode, We Look At: What an abundant life is not. It cannot be the accumulation of money and things, as Jesus warned, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15 True abundance, against the wisdom of man, is found in giving. Jesus declared, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 This is counterintuitive because we want to believe that the opposite is true, that receiving and obtaining more is better.   Resources and Links: Giving is The Good Life - Randy Alcorn   Improve Your Faith and Finances: "God takes our stinginess or generosity personally. To give lavishly is to be rich toward him; to hoard or spend on ourselves without regard for others is to be impoverished toward God." - Randy Alcorn   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

Counterintuitive Abundance

 Jesus said, "For ye have the poor always with you." Matthew 26:11a There are amazing promises to those who consider the poor. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing" Psalm 41:1-3   In This Episode, We Look At: Here we see three consecutive verses, in the Psalms, with specific and wonderful promises for those who will consider the poor.   In this age, who are the poor which the Scriptures are referring to? Are they the individuals who hold up signs on the street corner? Maybe not.   The Bible speaks of four distinct groups of the poor and specifies which groups we are to help, and which not to help. The First Group: Those who are poor due to tragedy. These are commonly widows, those who have become disabled, or diseased. We are to help this group. The Second Group: Those who are oppressed or exploited. In Biblical times we see this in the children of Israel. Today we see this in human trafficking as well as citizens of countries whose dictators oppress and kill their people. We are to help this group. The Third Group: Those who are poor because they are lazy (slothful). We are not asked to give money to this group, they are instructed to work so they can eat. The Fourth Group: Those who are poor because they choose to forgo material acquisitions for the sake of the kingdom of God and to serve others. We do not see this as often as was seen in history, though there are  some missionary situations where they are content to live sparsely, though we are called to financially support missionaries.   Improve Your Faith and Finances: Prayerfully ask the Lord who He would have you to help. This could be in the form of a meal, even a financial gift (assistance with paying a utility bill, or groceries) and count on God's provision and blessings to you, as you honor Him in your giving.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

Who Are "The Poor"?

Five Biblical Investing Moves

 Many are familiar with the tax-saving benefits of owning and contributing to an HSA. Today we will look at a feature that allows it to work as an additional source for future income.   In This Episode, We Look At: Contributions are tax-deductible. Funds in the account have the opportunity for growth through choosing mutual funds. Potential tax-free income. Under current laws, you can submit a receipt and invoice for a medical expense that you paid in the past, and be reimbursed from HAS funds tax-free. This means you can save up your receipts and bills for many years, then submit them, progressively during your retirement years (or earlier) to supplement your retirement income with these tax-free reimbursements! Qualifications: You must have a high deductible health insurance plan and not be covered by a second health plan. Contribution limits are: $3,500 for individuals, and $7,000 for families (2019 limits).   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

HSAs as an Additional Retirement Tool

 We hear a lot of talk about a coming recession. The 24/7 news cycle would have you to worry and panic (I think that's one of their goals). There is no need. So, what's a Christian to do, to prepare for a recession?   In This Episode, We Look At: First. What is a recession? It is a natural part of the business cycle. Economies expand and they also contract. When an economy contracts the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) decreases. When this occurs for two consecutive quarters (six months) an expert government committee officially declares a recession. The good news is, recessions are temporary. Steps to consider taking, in preparing for a recession: Always trust God above circumstances, people, and employment. Increase your value as an employee (now would be a great time to start). Do extra work. Do more than is asked of you. Make yourself available for extra work, or other areas of responsibility. Increase your knowledge of your industry (read books, take online classes). Reduce unnecessary expenses. Increase savings now, building a bridge for a potential income gap. Freshen up that resume.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim's Faith and Finances Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter 

What Moves Should Christians Make During a Recession?

Faith and Finances provides Christ-focused financial teaching and approaches each financial topic with the premise, "What does the Bible say about that?"

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Faith and Finances

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