Moneywise On Oneplace.com

Are you storing up treasures on earth, or in heaven? Are you focused on the temporal or the eternal?In Matthew 6, Jesus clarifies that our hearts will always follow after what we treasure. Was he talking about money? Chad Clark shares his insights with us today. Chad Clark is the Executive Director of FaithFi: Faith & Finance. What does Jesus mean when he says, “For where your treasure is, your heart will be also”? It challenges us to evaluate what we treasure most. It's common for us to say that where our money is, there our hearts will be, and we can sometimes use this to encourage generosity. People can look at their checkbooks to see where their hearts are based. However, there's another way to look at the word “treasure,” which doesn't refer to physical treasure but more to what we value or devote ourselves to. There are parallels between Matthew 6:21 and Matthew 13:44, where Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field that a man found and covered up. Then, in his joy, he

From Jeremiah 29:7, we know God's people should seek the welfare of the places and people around them. But is seeking the welfare of our community something Christians can pursue by means of investing choices?Today, we speak with an investment manager who has been "seeking the welfare of cities" all over America and the world through his advocacy work with corporations. As we will hear today, investors can influence decisions made behind closed doors by corporations. Chris Meyer joins us today to examine how this advocacy works.Chris Meyer is the Manager of Stewardship Investing Research and Advocacy for Praxis Mutual Funds®, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. What is shareholder advocacy, and how are you currently doing it with Praxis?At Praxis, they use seven different impact strategies to make a difference through investments. One of them is shareholder advocacy, which they also call corporate engagement. It harnesses the power of ownership to create change by using voting stock rights and privileges. 

Statistics show that many people aren’t saving for retirement. Others may have far more than enough. How do you find the right balance?Yes, saving too much for retirement is possible, although many more folks aren’t saving enough. What does Scripture tell us about responsible savings? Brian Holtz fills us in today. Brian Holtz is the Chief Operating Officer at Compass Financial Ministry and the author of Financial Discipleship for Families: Intentionally Raising Faithful Children.It’s essential to save and invest enough for retirement, but it’s just as misguided to prioritize that above all others, right?The Bible gives us direction in both cases, all with the goal of finishing well:We find God encouraging us to save in Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 21:20, Proverbs 30:24-25, and Genesis 41:34-36.But like everything else, saving should be intentional. The goal is to be a good steward rather than living a life of excess or becoming less dependent on God.What are some ways to ensure we’re saving responsibly?Discern wh

Are you confident you’ll be able to retire comfortably someday? Are you taking steps to make that happen?Inadequate savings, faulty assumptions, and high inflation could create barriers to a comfortable retirement. Can we learn anything from today’s retirees? Matt Bell thinks we can and joins us today to discuss this.Matt Bell is the Managing Editor at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. What does the latest Employee Benefit Research Institute data show about how people feel about their retirement prospects?In the latest report, nearly 70% of people in the workforce, and somewhat higher numbers of those who are retired, say they feel at least somewhat confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably throughout retirement. Not surprisingly, one of the top retirement-related concerns among both groups centers on inflation. Today’s workers say higher prices make it harder to save for later years. Another concern for both groups is the possibility that the government may change the

You’ve heard the expression, “Pennywise and pound foolish?” Here in the States, we could say “Pennywise and dollar foolish.”A good example is when someone is more concerned about the interest they’re getting on their savings account than the interest they’re paying on their mortgage.Top Tips to Save Big on InterestWhen managing your finances, shopping around for the best interest rates on savings is wise. However, focusing on reducing the interest on your mortgage can have a much bigger payoff. Consider the total interest paid over a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. It's a powerful motivator to pay off your mortgage quickly.Let's break it down. Imagine you have a $375,000 mortgage at a 7.3% interest rate. Over 30 years, you’ll pay over $550,000 in interest, bringing the total cost of your home to around $925,000. With today's higher rates, paying off your mortgage faster is more crucial than ever.Suppose you pay an extra $300 a month on the principal. This might require some sacrifices, but it’s worth it. By doin

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:8Those were Christ’s words to the apostles after his resurrection. The fulfillment of that promise began a few days later, on Pentecost, and continues in believers to this day. We’ll explain what that has to do with your finances.Transforming Your Financial DecisionsIn the Christian calendar, while Christmas and Easter receive the most attention, Pentecost is a pivotal event for believers, emphasizing themes of power and proclamation. This year, as Pentecost approaches, let's explore how this day influences more than just spiritual life—it impacts our financial decisions too.Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and early followers of Jesus, as recounted in Acts 1:4-8 and Acts 2. Jesus, after his resurrection, promised his disciples that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, which would empower

Do you use a credit union? Or have you never considered using one?Credit union members know their advantages, and 120 million nationwide can’t be wrong. Aaron Caid joins us today to discuss the pros and cons of credit unions (and spoiler alert: there aren’t many cons).Aaron Caid is the Chief Marketing Officer at Christian Community Credit Union, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. What are the “pros” of joining a typical credit union?Credit unions are member-owned cooperatives. Members are customers and stakeholders governed by a volunteer board selected from the member base. They also have voting rights on credit union policies which help their decisions reflect the members' needs.They exist to serve members, as opposed to banks which exist to maximize profits for shareholders. Credit Unions return earnings to members through better rates and lower fees. Are Credit Unions as safe as banks? They are! Many credit unions are federally insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), which covers u

We’d like to think that our actions are always pleasing to God and certainly don’t offend Him…but we also know that isn’t always true.Christians are called to do good works so the world will see them and God will be glorified. So it shouldn’t surprise us that God takes stinginess and generosity personally. Randy Alcorn joins us today to discuss this.Randy Alcorn is a New York Times bestselling author of over 60 books on Christian Living and the Founder and Director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. His ministry focuses on helping others use their time, money, possessions, and opportunities in ways that count for eternity.Living The Good LifeWhat does it mean to be truly rich in our pursuit of a fulfilling life? The concept of being "rich toward God" is explored in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of generosity and selflessness. This richness is not measured by accumulating wealth for personal gain but by giving lavishly to those in need, aligning with God's priorities rather than hoarding p

We tend to think that wealthy individuals always make the right financial decisions, but is that always the case? The truth is that people with a high net worth can sometimes make financial mistakes just as easily as the rest of us and perhaps with even worse consequences. Cole Pearson shares five of them today.Cole Pearson is the President of Investment Solutions at OneAscent, a family of companies seeking to help people align their investments with their Christian values. OneAscent is also an underwriter of Faith & Finance. Five Mistakes That The Wealthy Make With Their InvestmentsEven wealthy or high-net-worth individuals can often make common mistakes that can undermine their financial success. For most people, wealthy or not, having a financial advisor can help you avoid these mistakes. Here are 5 mistakes that the wealthy make:Not updating estate plans regularly. As people accumulate wealth, their estate planning needs change, and failing to update their plans can lead to unintended consequences. Th

Proverbs 27:12 reads, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”The word “insurance” isn’t in the Bible, but it does say that it’s wise to protect your financial holdings—and insurance is one way to do that.Understanding Essential Insurance PoliciesInsurance is a fundamental aspect of financial planning. For most of us, unless we have vast wealth diversified across numerous investments, insurance serves as a critical safety net. So, what insurance policies are necessary?Auto and Home InsuranceAuto insurance is generally required by law if you own a vehicle. Homeowners insurance is mandatory if you have a mortgage and advisable even if you don't. Bundling these two can save money, and adding an umbrella policy provides extra liability protection for a modest cost.Renters InsuranceRenters insurance is often overlooked but vital for protecting personal property and covering liability. It's affordable, typically under $200 annually.Health InsuranceHealth insurance is a mu

“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” - Proverbs 31:28The True Value of MotherhoodAs we approach Mother's Day, it's a great time to reflect on mothers' immense value to our lives, beyond their immeasurable emotional and spiritual support. While it's clear that a mother's contributions are priceless, have you ever wondered what the monetary value of a mother's work might be?Recent data from Salary.com helps put this into perspective, revealing that if motherhood were paid like a traditional job, the average stay-at-home mom would earn an annual base salary of around $185,000. This figure accounts for her myriad roles—from Chief Financial Officer to Nurse and Educator. When you factor in potential bonuses, overtime, and hazard pay that a top employee might earn in the corporate world, this figure could easily surpass $200,000!Working moms, too, work a staggering 54 hours a week managi

What would you say is the most generous act of all time? If you said “The Cross,” you’d be correct.Jesus gave His life so we may spend eternity with Him. We must only have faith in Him as our Lord and Savior to receive this gift. Art Rainer joins us today with thoughts on what the Cross reveals about generosity. 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.”In Matthew 27, we read how the unfathomable became reality. God sent his only Son, Jesus, to the world. While on earth, he lived sinless, doing what no human could ever do on their own. Yet, he was condemned to die on the cross. Christians can’t look at the cross without seeing radical generosity. The blood-stained wood reminds us of the greatest gift ever given. It shows us what genuine, biblical generosity looks like. Five Lessons About Gener

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus called us to be wise as snakes and gentle as doves. But can we be gentle and wise when standing up for biblical principles and our voting rights as investors?It’s the annual shareholder meeting season for public corporations, meaning companies will hear about their policies from investors. Jerry Bowyer joins us today with a biblical perspective on corporate engagement.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.” You can also read his insightful columns for World News Group. When you work with corporations and voting shares, are you helping Christians stand up for their “rights” in some way?Christians can advocate for their rights as corporate shareholders by putting shareholder proposals on the ballot if they own $2,000 worth of shares for three years. This enables them to speak at the annual meeting or delegate that t

The dictionary defines poverty as having little or no money or possessions…and no means of getting them. That definition of poverty is undoubtedly true, as far as it goes, but is there more to poverty than a lack of resources? Brian Fikkert certainly thinks so and joins us today to discuss it. 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 best-selling book, “When Helping Hurts: How To Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting The Poor…And Yourself”. In his book, Brian describes how the Allied powers established the World Bank to rebuild a shattered Europe after World War II. How can that lesson inform us about treating poverty today?While pumping money into Europe was successful, pumping money into developing regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America afterward did not have as good results. This shows that while surface issues like lack o

May brings a flurry of activities—graduations, sports playoffs, and school events—that, while meaningful, can also lead to overwhelming stress. In our busy world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle, often driven by societal pressures to do more, buy more, and be everywhere at once.Colossians 2:8 reminds us not to be swayed by the "hollow and deceptive philosophy" that glorifies materialism over spiritual values. We are often misled into thinking that accumulating possessions or filling our calendars is the path to fulfillment. However, these beliefs only bring chaos and stress, not peace.To combat this, the Bible offers clear guidance. Jesus, in John 14:6, states He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," emphasizing that true contentment comes from following Him, not from material wealth. Scriptures like Proverbs 23:5 and Psalm 31 encourage us to focus on spiritual richness rather than worldly allure.Proverbs 3:5–6 advises us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding, promising that thi

The summer home buying season is straight ahead. Will sellers get a break on real estate commissions?The National Association of Realtors recently shocked the industry by dropping its 6% sales commission. What does that mean for home sellers this summer? Dale Vermillion fills us in today.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.Industry watchers say this National Association of Realtors settlement will change how people buy houses. What is this settlement about?It’s about a lawsuit that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settled regarding real estate commissions. Traditionally, commissions have been around 6% (3% to the buyer's agent and 3% to the seller's agent), but the lawsuit argued this controlled pricing. The settlement will require NAR to remove language requiring the seller to pay the buyer's agent commission, allowing buyers t

Okay, before we get into the specific money wasters, there’s a general principle you should be aware of…if you’re buying things that provide only a temporary sense of satisfaction, you’re probably wasting money. It doesn’t matter what it is—if it’s unnecessary and you grow bored with it, it was a waste of money. Check your closets for examples.I’m not saying you should take a “vow of poverty.” The Lord wants us to enjoy the resources He’s given us, but that must be tempered by the principle that we’re merely stewards and must use His resources wisely.Of course, we live in a culture that promotes spending. It’s a big problem. One survey showed that the average adult spends around $1,500 monthly on non-essentials. No wonder so many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Imagine what that kind of money would do if put into savings or invested for retirement.Let’s look at our 6 money wasters for today…and what you can do about them.The first is one of the biggest—but also one of the easiest to fix—not prepari

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” God isn’t just telling us to test Him with our giving—He’s challenging us to test Him. “Do it and see what I will do.” Why do you think many Christians are reluctant to do this?Many Christians are reluctant to test God with their finances because of greed. Greed is when we envy what others have or want something we don't have. This greed leads to a fear of lack and insufficient money if they prioritize giving over other expenses. Giving should come first to recognize God's ownership and break the power of money over our lives. God doesn’t promise to make us wealthy because we give generously. When you give, you need to give up ownership of the money and what happens to it after that is up to God. God does not promise that he will return the money m

The Difference Between Online Banking and Online BanksThese days, you can do online banking with almost any brick-and-mortar bank or credit union, although features and services will undoubtedly vary from one financial institution to another.Of course, online banks have no brick-and-mortar branches. They’re online-only, except for the ATM networks they use, all transactions with them are online. Okay, that’s the difference between online banks and online banking, but the reality is, that difference is getting smaller and smaller. The online features of brick-and-mortar banks do rival anything that online-only banks have.Still, some folks are wondering if we will not need brick-and-mortar banks someday. We’re probably a long way from that. People still need services only brick-and-mortar banks can provide, like businesses depositing coins and currency. You can’t do that online.The Effects of Online BankingThere are still 77,500 bank branches in the U.S., which sounds like a lot, but it’s 12,500 fewer than five

God Owns EverythingNow, to be sure, the message that God owns everything—and we don’t—is something we need to hear repeatedly. That’s probably why the Bible repeats this teaching several times.Job needed reminding. Job 38:1-5 reads, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know!’” Psalm 24:1-2 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.And of course, Colossians 1:16 reads, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”This is a message that we need to hear