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What would you do if you found something so valuable, so life-altering, that you gladly gave up everything else just to have it? That’s the image Jesus gives us in Matthew 13—two brief parables, one powerful message. They remind us of a truth that can reframe not just our faith, but our finances, especially in uncertain times.In Matthew 13:44–46, Jesus says:“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”In both parables, something of immense value is found, and the response is total surrender. But not begrudgingly. Not in fear. In joy. That joy is everything. It’s the natural overflow of discovering something so worthy, so beautiful, so eternally good that it reorders your entire life. All other pursuits fade in comparison.But What Abo

Proverbs 4:26 reminds us, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”That’s a call to intentional living—choosing wisdom over impulse, especially in how we manage our money. We often emphasize that budgeting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about aligning your resources with God’s purposes.Matt Bell, a trusted voice in biblical finance, recently wrote about the contrast between cultural and Christian approaches to budgeting. He notes that culture gives your money a script:“Make $80,000 a year. Then move into this neighborhood, drive that car, wear these clothes, eat in these restaurants, and take these vacations. Then you can give.”In this model, spending comes first and usually leads to debt. If we're lucky, we might save or give with what’s left. The result? Financial stress, shrinking savings, and a fading sense of contentment.Budgeting as a Sacred TrustBut what if budgeting isn’t just a spending plan—it’s a sacred trust?Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “You shall remember the L

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever…” - Proverbs 27:23-24These days, our “flocks and herds” often look like stocks and mutual funds, not sheep and cattle. But the call to wise stewardship remains. One way we do that is through proxy voting. Jerry Bowyer joins us to explain how and why it matters.  Jerry Bowyer is the President of Bowyer Research and our Resident Economist here at Faith & Finance. He is the author of The Maker Versus the Takers: What Jesus Really Said About Social Justice and Economics.What Is Proxy Voting?Proxy voting is similar to civic voting. As a citizen, you vote in elections, attend town halls, and even influence legislation. As a shareholder in a company, if you own the stock directly, you have similar rights: to vote on proposals, ask questions, and even submit resolutions.But if you're invested through mutual funds or ETFs, you hand that vote over to someone else—often a fund manager or institution. And unless

Did you hear about the mortgage broker who always ate lunch alone? Yep—it turns out he was a loaner.Okay, a bit of levity to start the program today, but you know what’s serious business? Buying or selling a home. Are spring and summer still prime seasons to jump into the market? Dale Vermillion joins us for insight on today’s real estate and mortgage trends. Dale Vermillion is the author of Navigating the Mortgage Maze: The Simple Truth About Financing Your Home. This book covers everything you need to know about securing a mortgage—all from a biblical perspective.Is Spring Still a Seller’s Market?While spring and summer are still active seasons, seasonality in real estate isn’t what it used to be. The rise of online listings means people shop for homes year-round. However, warmer weather, the end of the school year, and a desire for fresh starts still push many families to buy and sell during this time.There’s a lot of activity right now. Listings are up over 700,000—33% more homes than last year. And new h

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21That powerful truth from Jesus captures the heart of FaithFi’s mission and vision.If money issues are ultimately heart issues, then we need more than financial tips—we need a heart change that helps us see God as our ultimate treasure. Today, Taylor Standridge joins us to explore the deeper purpose behind FaithFi and how you can partner in that mission.Taylor Standridge is the Production Director of FaithFi: Faith & Finance and the co-author of Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety.When Your Peace Rises and Falls with the MarketIt’s pretty ironic that the stock market graph sometimes looks like a heart rate monitor. The point? Many people’s emotions—and even their sense of hope—are tied to their financial situation. When the market dips, so does their peace.But Scripture offers a better way: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).If your p

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” – 2 Timothy 1:5Mother’s Day invites us to reflect on the deep, often quiet influence of a mother’s faith. The Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy reveal that sincere faith often passes from one generation to the next through the loving guidance of mothers and grandmothers. Today, we celebrate that legacy.A Mother’s Work: Beyond MeasureWhen we think about the value of moms, it’s usually in terms of intangible gifts—love, wisdom, compassion, and sacrifice. These are treasures that can’t be priced.But what if we did try to measure the economic value of a mother’s daily work?According to Salary.com, a working mother averages 54 hours a week managing her household in addition to her job. Stay-at-home moms? They often work the equivalent of 15-hour days, seven days a week. The roles include everything from chef and nurse to financial manager, event planner, and counselo

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” – Proverbs 22:3That verse reminds us that wisdom means planning ahead, especially when it comes to life’s most serious emergencies. If something were to happen to you, would your family know how to manage the finances, pay the bills, or access important documents? Today, Dr. Art Rainer joins us to walk through how to create a financial emergency binder.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 Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose.Why Planning Ahead MattersLife is full of unexpected turns, and while we trust God in all things, wisdom calls us to prepare, especially when it comes to our finances and family care.Consider the questions every household should be able to answer:What happens if you or your spouse is hospitalized?Would someone know how

If you believe the highest goal of investing is simply to earn a high return, you may be overlooking a deeper purpose—how our money can be used for good.As investors, we’ve been given resources to manage, not just for profit, but in alignment with God’s will and values. It’s easy to see investing through a purely earthly lens, but God invites us into a much greater story. Today, Robin John joins us to explore that bigger vision.Robin John is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Eventide Asset Management, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. He’s also the author of the forthcoming book, The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World.A Vision for Redemptive InvestingEventide’s tagline—“Investing that makes the world rejoice”—is more than marketing. It’s a biblical conviction inspired by Proverbs:“When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” – Proverbs 11:10Righteousness, in this context, r

Are our efforts to help the poor always helpful, or could they sometimes do more harm than good?Today, we’ll explore how short-term missions can genuinely reflect the heart of Christ and bring lasting change, without unintentionally hurting the very people we aim to serve. Dr. Brian Fikkert joins us for that conversation.Dr. Brian Fikkert is a Professor of Economics and Community Development and the Founder and President of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He is also the co-author of the book, Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions.What Is Poverty—Really?Americans often define poverty materially—a lack of necessities, such as food, clean water, clothing, or shelter. As a result, short-term mission trips often center around distributing goods or completing construction projects. But when you ask materially poor individuals around the world what poverty means to them, they describe feelings of shame, helplessness, and a lack of dignity.This r

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9You don’t have to study Scripture long to realize that God’s wisdom differs sharply from what the world considers wise. John Cortines joins us today to talk about the nature of wisdom, and spoiler alert— it’s a Person, not a thing.John Cortines is the Director of Grantmaking at The Maclellan Foundation. He is the author of our new study on the book of Ecclesiastes, Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money, as well as the co-author of God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School and True Riches: What Jesus Really Said About Money and Your Heart.The True Nature of WisdomIn our modern world, we often equate wisdom with knowledge, education, and the ability to make good decisions. While these aspects are certainly part of it, Ecclesiastes teaches us

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." - Colossians 3:23It’s easy to assume this verse applies mainly to our working years, urging us to give our best on the job. But notice—it doesn’t come with an expiration date. Today, Jeff Haanen joins us to explore a different kind of retirement.Jeff Haanen is an entrepreneur and writer who builds companies and serves leaders committed to healing the world through their work. He is the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life and Working from the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to Inner Work That Transforms Our Outer World.Rediscovering Purpose in RetirementWhat if retirement wasn't the end of something, but the beginning of something far greater?With 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring every day—and people living longer than ever before—a growing number of older adults are asking the question, “What am I called to now?”Culturally, retirement has been framed as a “never-ending vacation.” From jingles like

Larry Burkett often said that capitalism must be tempered by Christian love, compassion, and stewardship.Proponents of capitalism and free markets don’t often express that concern, just as believers in social welfare rarely count the cost. Jim Jones joins us today to talk about a new way of looking at those ideas.Jim Jones is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) and Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®). He is also the author of Utopia Reimagined: An Allegory of Capital and Conscience.A Unique Approach to Biblical EconomicsUnlike typical finance books, Utopia Reimagined is a novel—a work of fiction designed to explore serious biblical and economic themes through story.Why fiction? Jesus often used storytelling to challenge people’s assumptions and invite deeper reflection. From the Good Samaritan to the Prodigal Son, stories have the power to stick with us in ways data and arguments often can't. As G.K. Chesterton once quipped, “Novels are more true than science textbooks. Life is sometimes like a science textbo

Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are rapidly growing in popularity, and for good reason. ETFs offer investors an easy, cost-efficient way to diversify their portfolios. But what are they, and what advantages do they offer over other investments? Deirdre Gibson joins us today to talk about ETFs and why you should consider putting some in your portfolio.Deirdre Gibson is a Senior National Sales Consultant and ETF Specialist for Praxis Investment Management, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. What Is an ETF—and How Does It Differ from a Mutual Fund?Think of an ETF as a basket of investments—stocks, bonds, or even commodities—that trades on an exchange like a stock. Unlike mutual funds, which process trades at the end of the day, ETFs allow you to buy and sell shares throughout the day. This provides investors with more flexibility, especially during volatile market conditions.ETFs are also more tax-efficient than mutual funds. Mutual fund transactions often trigger taxable events for all shareholders, whereas

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” - Lamentations 3:25We all make plans, but life doesn’t always go as expected. Missed expectations can be painful, especially when we’ve done everything “right.” But even in the waiting, God is still at work. Sharon Epps joins us today to share how we can wait with faith and walk forward with hope.Sharon Epps is the President of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi’s parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.When Life Doesn’t Go According to PlanWhether it's the market underperforming, a medical bill that derails your finances, or family tension after a loved one’s passing, unmet expectations can leave us reeling. But the greatest missed expectation in human history was the cross. The disciples expected a triumphant king. Instead, they watched their Savior crucified. In Luke 19:37, they praised Him; days later, they

The Bible contains more than 2,300 verses related to money and possessions—a staggering number. But it’s not because money is the most important topic. Rather, it’s because money is one of the most accurate indicators of what’s going on in our hearts.If you explore this subject, you’ll find stats like “1 out of every 7 verses in which Jesus speaks involves money,” or “11 of His 39 parables are about money.” While I’m not sure if those stats are accurate, it is true that Jesus mentions money a lot. However, His teaching is rarely about money itself. It’s always about something bigger, looming in the background.Money isn’t just a resource; it’s a reflection. It reveals our priorities, fears, hopes, and values. Whether we live paycheck to paycheck or have significant wealth, we all wrestle with what money means to us. That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”From personal stress to relationship breakdowns, money often acts like a magnifying glass. It brin

Summer’s not that far off, and the kids are already thinking “vacation.” Will you be ready for it?How can you make great family memories without breaking the budget? That’s always the challenge, but Crystal Paine joins us today with some great tips for a budget-friendly family vacation.Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com and the author of The Money Saving Mom's Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year. How to Take a Great Family Vacation Without Breaking the BankPlanning a family vacation is one of life’s great joys—and, if you’re not careful, one of its greatest budget busters. Here are some practical and encouraging tips on how to plan a memorable getaway without coming home to credit card regret.1. Start with a Plan—and Start EarlyPlan ahead. Start early to maximize your options. That includes scouting for affordable destinations—especially those a little off the beaten path—and using tools like Google Flights to find the best travel de

What’s the difference between a bank and a credit union? More than you might think.At first glance, banks and credit unions can seem pretty similar as they both offer valuable financial services. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that credit unions can be a powerful partner for managing money. Aaron Caid joins us to explain why.Aaron Caid is the Chief Marketing Officer at Christian Community Credit Union, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. A Different Kind of Financial InstitutionCredit unions stand apart from traditional banks because they are not-for-profit cooperatives owned by their members. That means the focus is on long-term member relationships, and service is preeminent.However, Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) goes a step further. Their mission is rooted in striving to serve and love others like Christ. This distinctly faith-based approach transforms everyday banking into a form of ministry that seeks to honor God and expand His Kingdom.At Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU), t

Did you know there’s a way to tap into your home’s equity for tax-free cash—without having to make monthly payments? It’s true.It’s called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM—what many of you know as a reverse mortgage. But today’s reverse mortgage isn’t what it used to be. Harlan Accola is here to help us unpack how they work and whether one might be right for you.Harlan Accola is the National Reverse Mortgage Director at Movement Mortgage, an underwriter of Faith and Finance. He is also the author of Home Equity and Reverse Mortgages: The Cinderella of the Baby Boomer Retirement. What’s Changed? A Safer, Regulated OptionWhen you hear the phrase reverse mortgage, you might think of outdated financial tools with a bad reputation. However, home equity conversion mortgages (HECMs) significantly differ from those in the past.Reverse mortgages today are not the “Wild West” products of decades past. Since major reforms were enacted during President Reagan’s term in 1988, HECMs are now heavily regulated unde

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” - Psalm 82:3–4As followers of Christ, we’re called to advocate for the vulnerable and protect the oppressed. One of the most urgent needs today is among girls and young women in Lebanon. May-Lee Melki joins us with a powerful story of hope and a way you can make a difference. ​May-Lee Melki is a Lebanese-American advocate, legal scholar, and ministry leader dedicated to advancing justice and holistic transformation in the Middle East. She serves as the Strategic Engagement Manager at Heart for Lebanon, an underwriter of Faith and Finance.The Crisis Behind the HeadlinesIn a society shaped by shame-and-honor dynamics, without a biblical understanding of human dignity, refugee girls—especially Bedouin and Kurdish—are often seen as burdens or liabilities. Add to that multiple wars, a collapsed economy, and weak legal protections, and the dang

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children…” - Proverbs 13:22That verse teaches that a life of faithful stewardship will enable you to leave something of great value to your heirs. How you do it can impact future generations. Jeanne McMains joins us today to talk about “intentional inheritance.” Jeanne McMains has been a practicing attorney in estate planning, business succession, and non-profits since 1995. She currently serves as the Vice President of Gift Planning with The National Christian Foundation (NCF), where she assists families nationwide with achieving their charitable gift-planning goals.What Is an Intentional Inheritance?An intentional inheritance is more than the distribution of wealth. It’s a prayerful, purposeful plan for shaping the lives of those who will receive what we leave behind. Inheritance is one of the most significant stewardship decisions we make. It’s not just about how much but how—and why—we give.This perspective calls for a deep shift. Before passing on wealt