1 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,680 S1: Markets may appear strong as we head into 2026, but 2 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:17,120 S1: underneath the headlines, risks may be rising faster than returns. Hi, 3 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,320 S1: I'm Rob West. Each January, we step back for a 4 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:23,000 S1: clear eyed look at the year ahead with a voice 5 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:26,160 S1: many investors have come to trust. Bob Dole joins us 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:30,320 S1: today to walk through his ten predictions for 2026. And 7 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:34,320 S1: then it's on to your calls at 800 525 7000. 8 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:39,400 S1: That's 800 525 7000. This is faith and finance. Live. 9 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:47,040 S1: Biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. Bob Dole is CEO 10 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:50,600 S1: and chief investment officer of Crossmark Global, a leading faith 11 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:54,080 S1: based investment firm. Each year, Bob helps us think through 12 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:57,000 S1: what may be ahead in the markets. And Bob, it 13 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,750 S1: is always great to have you with us. Happy new year! 14 00:00:59,990 --> 00:01:03,470 S2: Thanks. Same to you. Many blessings, joy, peace and all 15 00:01:03,470 --> 00:01:04,230 S2: that goes with it. 16 00:01:04,470 --> 00:01:09,350 S1: Yes, sir. Uh, last year you warned us about growing risks. Uh, 17 00:01:09,350 --> 00:01:14,190 S1: yet in several areas, the markets really prove stronger than 18 00:01:14,190 --> 00:01:17,310 S1: many expected. So, Bob, as you look back to kick 19 00:01:17,350 --> 00:01:21,310 S1: us off here, how do you think your 2025 predictions 20 00:01:21,310 --> 00:01:21,950 S1: held up? 21 00:01:22,110 --> 00:01:25,509 S2: Well, we did okay, as you count them. Um, certainly 22 00:01:25,510 --> 00:01:27,310 S2: at least seven out of ten. There were a couple 23 00:01:27,350 --> 00:01:30,590 S2: of haves that you could push on either side, but 24 00:01:30,590 --> 00:01:33,429 S2: we conservative and say seven. So that's a good number. 25 00:01:33,430 --> 00:01:36,910 S2: It's along with our long term average. But underneath the surface, Rob, 26 00:01:36,950 --> 00:01:38,630 S2: if I had it to do over again I would 27 00:01:38,630 --> 00:01:43,110 S2: have been more constructive on the year. Uh, emphasize the 28 00:01:43,110 --> 00:01:46,950 S2: building risks, which were accurate more than, uh, more than 29 00:01:46,950 --> 00:01:49,870 S2: I should have. And and the reason is earnings. Earnings 30 00:01:49,870 --> 00:01:53,310 S2: were off the charts again, Rob. Corporate America has done 31 00:01:53,310 --> 00:01:56,470 S2: a great job growing their earnings. And you've heard me 32 00:01:56,510 --> 00:01:59,220 S2: say it before. As long as earnings are growing and 33 00:01:59,220 --> 00:02:03,060 S2: the fed is not unfriendly to the markets, stocks tend 34 00:02:03,060 --> 00:02:03,580 S2: to go up. 35 00:02:03,860 --> 00:02:06,540 S1: Yeah, it's the path of least resistance, as you said 36 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:09,980 S1: many times. So with that context in mind, Bob, let's 37 00:02:09,980 --> 00:02:14,180 S1: look ahead to 2026 and start working through your outlook. 38 00:02:14,380 --> 00:02:18,820 S1: You've given this year's theme the title High Risk Bull Market. 39 00:02:18,820 --> 00:02:22,260 S1: So let's start with your first prediction. And that is 40 00:02:22,260 --> 00:02:27,100 S1: related to the US economic growth improving from around 2% 41 00:02:27,260 --> 00:02:30,100 S1: to roughly 2.5% real GDP. 42 00:02:30,419 --> 00:02:33,100 S2: Yeah. Um, the point is, is going to be higher 43 00:02:33,100 --> 00:02:35,140 S2: than it was last year. I have a feeling until 44 00:02:35,139 --> 00:02:38,220 S2: the numbers are all in, uh, that 2025 might actually 45 00:02:38,220 --> 00:02:41,540 S2: be above 2%. So add 50 basis points to whatever 46 00:02:41,540 --> 00:02:43,980 S2: it is. Let's call it two and a half. A 47 00:02:44,020 --> 00:02:45,740 S2: lot of this has to do with the one big, 48 00:02:45,740 --> 00:02:50,139 S2: beautiful bill. Um, uh, Congress, the president. They know that 49 00:02:50,139 --> 00:02:53,260 S2: there's a midterm election, and that's usually a time when 50 00:02:53,260 --> 00:02:55,530 S2: they say, what can we do to make the economy 51 00:02:55,570 --> 00:02:58,690 S2: do better. So they vote for us back in office 52 00:02:58,730 --> 00:03:01,690 S2: come November. And that one big beautiful bill. As you know, 53 00:03:01,730 --> 00:03:07,690 S2: Rob has lots of stimulus both for individuals and corporations. And, uh, 54 00:03:07,690 --> 00:03:09,929 S2: that's a good thing for economic growth. 55 00:03:10,410 --> 00:03:12,930 S1: Well, there's no doubt that it is. You mentioned the 56 00:03:12,970 --> 00:03:17,490 S1: upcoming elections, the midterms obviously front and center. And that 57 00:03:17,490 --> 00:03:20,970 S1: is going to be this affordability, uh, question. And that 58 00:03:20,970 --> 00:03:23,850 S1: really takes us to the next prediction. You're predicting that 59 00:03:23,850 --> 00:03:30,370 S1: inflation stays sticky and shows little progress toward the Fed's 2% target. 60 00:03:30,610 --> 00:03:33,210 S2: Yeah, we are of the view and have been uh, 61 00:03:33,210 --> 00:03:35,730 S2: and this part's been accurate that we're not going to 62 00:03:35,730 --> 00:03:39,210 S2: get the 2% that the fed wants. Uh, absent a 63 00:03:39,210 --> 00:03:42,330 S2: recession and we don't see a recession anytime soon. So 64 00:03:42,330 --> 00:03:45,290 S2: we think inflation will be closer to three than two, 65 00:03:45,650 --> 00:03:47,610 S2: which is not the end of the world. But you 66 00:03:47,610 --> 00:03:50,850 S2: brought up the key word that's being used in Washington, D.C., 67 00:03:50,890 --> 00:03:54,839 S2: and that's affordability. Yeah, maybe the bill for X, Y, 68 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:56,920 S2: and Z has only gone up two and a half 69 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,240 S2: or 3%. But you know what? It went up a 70 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:01,240 S2: lot in the years prior to that. And so I 71 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,320 S2: can't afford it. There's the word and I think there'll 72 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,560 S2: be a lot of political mileage there. It's hard for 73 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:10,920 S2: an administration to bring prices down. Yeah. Prices are down 74 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,080 S2: at the gas pump and a few other places, but 75 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:16,040 S2: by and large we're stuck with the prices where they are. 76 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:17,720 S2: Let's just hope they don't go up further. 77 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:22,200 S1: Bob, is there any particular areas that are uniquely challenging 78 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:25,679 S1: in this economy where the administration can do some meaningful work, 79 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,719 S1: whether it's drug prices or housing affordability? 80 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,960 S2: Yeah, both of those, uh, in terms of drug pricing, 81 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:33,680 S2: a lot of work being done. Of course, there are 82 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:38,240 S2: massive lobbies against what some people would like to do 83 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,960 S2: in the health care area, which makes that all the 84 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:44,520 S2: more difficult. But we need health care reform, uh, so badly. 85 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,280 S2: We spend way too much money on health care, as 86 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:49,880 S2: you know, in this country. Rob. And I don't know 87 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,029 S2: what the answer is, but we gotta get a meeting 88 00:04:52,029 --> 00:04:54,750 S2: of the minds. And people need to go beyond their 89 00:04:54,750 --> 00:04:58,190 S2: individual points of view, and housing is a whole nother one. 90 00:04:58,190 --> 00:05:02,070 S2: We need more affordable housing. Uh, and, uh, the kids 91 00:05:02,070 --> 00:05:04,070 S2: are wanting to move out of the basement and get 92 00:05:04,070 --> 00:05:04,990 S2: their own place. 93 00:05:05,310 --> 00:05:08,310 S1: That's exactly right. Well, we're going to continue to unpack 94 00:05:08,310 --> 00:05:13,070 S1: Bob Dole's 2026 predictions. Bob is CEO and chief investment 95 00:05:13,070 --> 00:05:16,270 S1: officer at Crossmark Global Investments. You can learn more at 96 00:05:16,270 --> 00:05:31,230 S1: Crossmark global. Com. Back with more after this. Stay with us. Well, 97 00:05:31,230 --> 00:05:34,510 S1: each January, Wall Street expects to hear from Bob Dole, 98 00:05:34,550 --> 00:05:37,750 S1: our guest today, with his ten predictions. This year is 99 00:05:37,750 --> 00:05:42,310 S1: no exception. His 2026 predictions are out and Bob is 100 00:05:42,310 --> 00:05:45,430 S1: here to unpack them for us. Before the break, Bob 101 00:05:45,430 --> 00:05:48,390 S1: was sharing that, first of all, the theme that he 102 00:05:48,390 --> 00:05:52,340 S1: has for this year is a high risk. Bull market. 103 00:05:52,380 --> 00:05:56,180 S1: This market is priced for near perfection. And as long 104 00:05:56,180 --> 00:05:59,820 S1: as corporate earnings continue, which he's expecting to see them 105 00:05:59,820 --> 00:06:02,539 S1: continue to do well, we'll get into those in a moment. 106 00:06:02,540 --> 00:06:06,219 S1: And the fed is not unkind to us. The path 107 00:06:06,220 --> 00:06:09,860 S1: of least resistance is higher. But that does not negate 108 00:06:09,860 --> 00:06:13,940 S1: the risk that is inherent to this market. Before the break, Bob, 109 00:06:13,940 --> 00:06:16,460 S1: you shared your first two and that is that we'll 110 00:06:16,460 --> 00:06:20,539 S1: see real GDP about 50 basis points, or one half 111 00:06:20,580 --> 00:06:24,260 S1: of 1% higher than 2025. That would put it at 112 00:06:24,260 --> 00:06:28,540 S1: around 2.5%, maybe a little north of that. Also, that 113 00:06:28,540 --> 00:06:32,100 S1: inflation would remain sticky and not get to the Fed's 114 00:06:32,100 --> 00:06:36,580 S1: target of 2%. Let's talk about the Treasury yield. First 115 00:06:36,580 --> 00:06:40,740 S1: of all, why does the ten year Treasury yield matter 116 00:06:40,740 --> 00:06:44,220 S1: to investors? And then what are you expecting for 2026. 117 00:06:44,580 --> 00:06:47,330 S2: The ten year is the bellwether. As you know Rob 118 00:06:47,330 --> 00:06:52,370 S2: and we ended the year at 417, 4.17%. And our 119 00:06:52,370 --> 00:06:55,409 S2: guess is that it may drift a little lower and 120 00:06:55,410 --> 00:06:58,409 S2: a little higher as the course of the year progresses. 121 00:06:58,410 --> 00:07:01,050 S2: Call it the high threes to the mid fours, which 122 00:07:01,050 --> 00:07:04,730 S2: is a pretty narrow range. We also think credit spreads. 123 00:07:04,730 --> 00:07:10,290 S2: That is quality. Um, versus less quality uh will widen somewhat. 124 00:07:10,330 --> 00:07:13,730 S2: One of the mysteries to me of 2025 was how 125 00:07:13,810 --> 00:07:16,810 S2: tight credit spreads were. You didn't pay a whole lot 126 00:07:16,810 --> 00:07:20,170 S2: more to own a bond of, uh, a lower quality 127 00:07:20,170 --> 00:07:21,810 S2: instrument than the US Treasury. 128 00:07:21,850 --> 00:07:26,530 S1: Yeah, Bob, for the average investor who's in the bond 129 00:07:26,530 --> 00:07:30,010 S1: portion of their portfolio, are you recommending they stay on 130 00:07:30,010 --> 00:07:33,250 S1: the short to medium term duration and stay away from 131 00:07:33,250 --> 00:07:34,810 S1: those long bonds? 132 00:07:35,330 --> 00:07:38,810 S2: Yeah, we wouldn't go out too far. But we also 133 00:07:38,970 --> 00:07:42,250 S2: recognize the curve is pretty steep. That is up front. 134 00:07:42,250 --> 00:07:45,090 S2: You get very lower low yields and you got to 135 00:07:45,090 --> 00:07:47,070 S2: go out a bit to get higher. So we have 136 00:07:47,070 --> 00:07:50,470 S2: some out there in the ten year range would be fine. Um, 137 00:07:50,510 --> 00:07:53,510 S2: so you can get some fours in your portfolio. 138 00:07:53,790 --> 00:07:56,230 S1: Very good. Well let's move to the next prediction. You 139 00:07:56,230 --> 00:08:00,990 S1: mentioned 2025 was a banner year for corporate earnings corporations 140 00:08:01,030 --> 00:08:03,190 S1: knocking it out of the park. Where are you expecting 141 00:08:03,230 --> 00:08:05,230 S1: to see that in 2026. 142 00:08:05,710 --> 00:08:09,030 S2: Good again Rob, but maybe not quite as good as 143 00:08:09,030 --> 00:08:14,350 S2: the consensus was. Just looking for up 14%. Um, I 144 00:08:14,510 --> 00:08:16,710 S2: remind you that long term earnings growth in the US 145 00:08:16,750 --> 00:08:20,550 S2: is seven 7 to 8%. Fourteens double the norm. And 146 00:08:20,550 --> 00:08:22,390 S2: we've had a few years like that. How many in 147 00:08:22,390 --> 00:08:24,670 S2: a row can we have. So we think earnings will 148 00:08:24,710 --> 00:08:26,150 S2: be good but maybe not great. 149 00:08:26,430 --> 00:08:30,190 S1: Okay. Very good. Uh Bob, as it relates to the market, 150 00:08:30,190 --> 00:08:32,510 S1: and this is really the question everybody wants to know 151 00:08:32,510 --> 00:08:35,630 S1: when you take everything you just said and distill it down, 152 00:08:35,670 --> 00:08:40,150 S1: whether that's inflation, real GDP, corporate earnings, where does that 153 00:08:40,190 --> 00:08:43,900 S1: leave us with how stocks will do in this upcoming year. 154 00:08:44,500 --> 00:08:48,860 S2: Our best guess is stocks do okay, but okay doesn't 155 00:08:48,860 --> 00:08:52,820 S2: mean you know another 20%. Our guess is that we 156 00:08:52,820 --> 00:08:57,300 S2: won't have a double digit year. Um, call it single digits. 157 00:08:57,300 --> 00:08:59,620 S2: And if that's the case, that'll only be the third 158 00:08:59,660 --> 00:09:02,300 S2: time in the last ten years that we didn't get 159 00:09:02,300 --> 00:09:05,500 S2: a double digit growth. People are getting used to that. 160 00:09:05,500 --> 00:09:08,620 S2: But that's not normal nor supported long term. You can 161 00:09:08,620 --> 00:09:10,900 S2: only grow as fast as your earnings in the long run. 162 00:09:10,940 --> 00:09:14,140 S1: Yeah. No question about it. Uh, then the question is 163 00:09:14,140 --> 00:09:16,740 S1: where are those returns going to come from? And I 164 00:09:16,740 --> 00:09:19,580 S1: know each year is a part of your annual predictions. 165 00:09:19,580 --> 00:09:23,980 S1: You really, uh, dial into the sectors of the market 166 00:09:23,980 --> 00:09:25,939 S1: that you think are going to outperform and those that 167 00:09:25,940 --> 00:09:27,580 S1: are going to lag. What are you expecting? 168 00:09:28,020 --> 00:09:33,460 S2: Yeah. So AI and related is driving this prediction. Our 169 00:09:33,460 --> 00:09:37,220 S2: view is that financials which we like for independent reasons 170 00:09:37,220 --> 00:09:42,650 S2: technology again and communication services outperform a basket of materials, 171 00:09:42,650 --> 00:09:46,770 S2: consumer discretionary and utilities. So in some sense a bit 172 00:09:46,770 --> 00:09:50,210 S2: more of the same. Uh, although material stocks did well 173 00:09:50,210 --> 00:09:51,290 S2: in 2025. 174 00:09:51,690 --> 00:09:55,410 S1: Excellent, Bob. This 1st May surprise some listeners. You say 175 00:09:55,410 --> 00:09:59,130 S1: in your ten predictions this year, you're expecting international stocks 176 00:09:59,330 --> 00:10:03,450 S1: to outperform the US for the second year in a row. 177 00:10:03,530 --> 00:10:04,209 S1: Tell us more. 178 00:10:04,490 --> 00:10:07,690 S2: Yeah. If that if this happens, it'll be the first 179 00:10:07,690 --> 00:10:11,010 S2: time in 20 years that international markets beat the US 180 00:10:11,010 --> 00:10:14,450 S2: two years in a row. Global liquidity is strong. Uh, 181 00:10:14,450 --> 00:10:19,650 S2: we're witnessing, um, a change in the earnings comparison. Earnings 182 00:10:19,650 --> 00:10:22,210 S2: growth in the US will be fine, but they'll be 183 00:10:22,210 --> 00:10:26,809 S2: better than it was in 2025. Outside the US. So 184 00:10:26,809 --> 00:10:29,770 S2: that gap won't be so big. Earnings growth in the 185 00:10:29,770 --> 00:10:33,050 S2: emerging markets is especially good. And our guess is we'll 186 00:10:33,050 --> 00:10:35,490 S2: get some more weakness in the dollar. All that points 187 00:10:35,490 --> 00:10:38,930 S2: to international stocks doing better. And that underscore Rob so 188 00:10:38,929 --> 00:10:41,520 S2: many Americans have almost nothing overseas. 189 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,280 S1: Yeah, I think that's a great point, Bob. And we'll 190 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:47,240 S1: get to this in a moment and talk more specifically 191 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,480 S1: about where faith based investing is going ahead. But is 192 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:53,760 S1: it is it possible to invest in a faith aligned 193 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:56,920 S1: way outside the U.S. in the same way it is domestically? 194 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:00,640 S2: Yeah. Great question. It is, but it's much more difficult 195 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:04,679 S2: getting the information. Getting the screening is a lot harder. 196 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:07,520 S2: You can. But to repeat, it's not as easy as 197 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:09,839 S2: it is in the US. Over time I suspect it 198 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:10,320 S2: will be. 199 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:12,760 S1: Yeah, I think it will as well. And we'll talk 200 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,520 S1: about where that whole industry is headed. Let's dial into 201 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:18,920 S1: AI just for another moment here. Obviously, it's had a 202 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:22,080 S1: huge run. Uh, what are you seeing there? Just in 203 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:24,800 S1: terms of the real impact it will have in the 204 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:29,120 S1: near term on productivity and our economy, and then these stocks, 205 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:32,160 S1: are they just, you know, in a bubble territory or 206 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:33,560 S1: do the revenue support it? 207 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,520 S2: So AI, I don't have to tell you is for real. 208 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,590 S2: It is and will continue to make a difference. But 209 00:11:39,590 --> 00:11:42,230 S2: we don't know how fast and we don't know for 210 00:11:42,230 --> 00:11:45,030 S2: sure who the winners and losers are. So I think 211 00:11:45,030 --> 00:11:47,030 S2: we're going to, as we saw in the back part 212 00:11:47,030 --> 00:11:51,950 S2: of 2025, see a lot more volatility and unpredictability. They'll 213 00:11:51,950 --> 00:11:54,230 S2: have big runs and they'll be the best thing since 214 00:11:54,230 --> 00:11:56,670 S2: sliced bread. And then there'll be bums for a while 215 00:11:56,710 --> 00:12:00,710 S2: and they'll bounce around as people sort out what is AI? 216 00:12:00,910 --> 00:12:02,630 S2: Who are the winners? Who are the leaders? 217 00:12:02,950 --> 00:12:06,189 S1: Yeah. Very good. Bob, we talked about faith based investing. 218 00:12:06,190 --> 00:12:08,390 S1: Last year was a banner year, just in terms of 219 00:12:08,390 --> 00:12:12,429 S1: the assets flowing into faith aligned investments and new products, 220 00:12:12,470 --> 00:12:16,670 S1: new world class investment solutions. And certainly that includes the 221 00:12:16,790 --> 00:12:19,550 S1: the investments you're offering there at Crossmark. It was a 222 00:12:19,550 --> 00:12:22,429 S1: great year for faith based investing. Does that continue? 223 00:12:22,470 --> 00:12:24,950 S2: We think it does. You know, the simple line I 224 00:12:24,950 --> 00:12:28,150 S2: use is and you know this more and more individuals, 225 00:12:28,429 --> 00:12:32,110 S2: more and more financial advisors, more and more institutions are 226 00:12:32,150 --> 00:12:36,580 S2: wanting to line up their investments with their faith, with 227 00:12:36,580 --> 00:12:40,380 S2: their faith, with their beliefs, with their values. And that 228 00:12:40,380 --> 00:12:44,100 S2: takes this very little tiny part of the global markets 229 00:12:44,300 --> 00:12:47,219 S2: and creates some increase. And if it increases this year, 230 00:12:47,220 --> 00:12:49,820 S2: it'll be the 10th year in a row. Praise God. 231 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:53,780 S1: Yeah, that's exactly right. Bob, your final your 10th prediction 232 00:12:53,780 --> 00:12:57,860 S1: is that Republicans retain control of the Senate but lose 233 00:12:57,860 --> 00:13:00,300 S1: control of the House. Tell us more about that and 234 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:02,540 S1: the impact that will have on on markets. 235 00:13:02,780 --> 00:13:05,740 S2: So as you know, the Republicans have the presidency, the 236 00:13:05,740 --> 00:13:08,580 S2: Senate and the House. When we have a midterm election, 237 00:13:08,580 --> 00:13:11,140 S2: that usually is not sustained. If you look at the 238 00:13:11,140 --> 00:13:14,780 S2: math behind it. Our guess is the Republicans have a 239 00:13:14,780 --> 00:13:19,020 S2: good chance with fewer seats of keeping the Senate, but 240 00:13:19,020 --> 00:13:22,340 S2: probably lose the House, maybe by losing 20 or 25 241 00:13:22,380 --> 00:13:26,140 S2: or more seats. That will make President Trump much more 242 00:13:26,179 --> 00:13:29,300 S2: of a lame duck. If accurate, that probably means the 243 00:13:29,300 --> 00:13:32,540 S2: one big beautiful bill will be his signature legislation for 244 00:13:32,540 --> 00:13:33,570 S2: his second term. 245 00:13:33,610 --> 00:13:36,210 S1: Interesting. Well, certainly there'll be a lot of eyes on 246 00:13:36,250 --> 00:13:38,330 S1: that and a lot more for us to talk about 247 00:13:38,330 --> 00:13:40,969 S1: in the days ahead. Well, Bob, we always appreciate you 248 00:13:40,970 --> 00:13:43,890 S1: stopping by and unpacking your predictions. I know it's going 249 00:13:43,890 --> 00:13:45,530 S1: to be a great year either way, and I'm thrilled 250 00:13:45,530 --> 00:13:48,010 S1: that you're going to be walking alongside us each week 251 00:13:48,010 --> 00:13:50,130 S1: on this program. Thanks for your time, my friend. 252 00:13:50,170 --> 00:13:51,130 S2: My privilege. 253 00:13:51,610 --> 00:13:55,650 S1: Folks. Markets may shift and risks may rise in 2026, 254 00:13:55,650 --> 00:14:00,890 S1: but faithful patient stewardship remains the surest path forward. Bob 255 00:14:00,890 --> 00:14:03,170 S1: is such a treat and a joy to us here 256 00:14:03,170 --> 00:14:06,250 S1: on this program. You can learn more about Crossmark at 257 00:14:06,250 --> 00:14:13,089 S1: crossmark global.com. That's Crossmark Global.com. Your calls are next 800 258 00:14:13,090 --> 00:14:16,370 S1: 525 7000. We'll be right back. 259 00:14:23,570 --> 00:14:26,450 S3: The opinions offered during this program represent the personal or 260 00:14:26,450 --> 00:14:30,570 S3: professional opinions of the participants, given for informational purposes only. 261 00:14:30,690 --> 00:14:34,080 S3: Any information provided is not intended to replace advice from 262 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,880 S3: a financial, medical, legal or other professional who understands your 263 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:39,280 S3: specific situation. 264 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,040 S1: So glad you're with us today on faith and finance. 265 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:52,440 S1: Live well. It was great to have Bob Dole here. 266 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:54,840 S1: And uh, boy, it's going to be an exciting year. 267 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:58,160 S1: A lot going on, I'll tell you. Speaking of the market, 268 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:03,120 S1: the S&P 500 retreating from its record Tuesday. We're seeing 269 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:07,520 S1: more of the financial stocks slide led by JP Morgan. 270 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:13,600 S1: Traders are evaluating these Trump edicts related to credit cards. 271 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:16,680 S1: And the fed uh, not to mention what's going on 272 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:20,080 S1: in the mortgage market and a host of other issues. 273 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:22,960 S1: But as the market sorts all that out, just taking 274 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:26,200 S1: a breather, if you will, uh, in terms of the 275 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:30,430 S1: upward trajectory, at least today, that is. But remember, a 276 00:15:30,430 --> 00:15:32,310 S1: day or a week, a quarter or even a year 277 00:15:32,310 --> 00:15:34,950 S1: doesn't make a market. We invest for the long term. 278 00:15:35,190 --> 00:15:39,150 S1: We invest because when we deploy capital, it's a productive 279 00:15:39,190 --> 00:15:43,350 S1: use of that capital, putting it into business. It's providing 280 00:15:43,350 --> 00:15:47,550 S1: goods and services to create human flourishing. And it's part 281 00:15:47,550 --> 00:15:51,830 S1: of God's productive economic cycle. And we understand that. And 282 00:15:51,830 --> 00:15:54,910 S1: that's why we talk a lot about giving in ways 283 00:15:54,910 --> 00:15:58,190 S1: that align with our values, faith based investing. In fact, 284 00:15:58,550 --> 00:16:01,630 S1: you heard Bob Dole say that we expect to see 285 00:16:01,670 --> 00:16:06,670 S1: another pretty significant, uh, move toward faith based investing on 286 00:16:06,670 --> 00:16:09,750 S1: the part of Christians. But keep in mind, at this point, 287 00:16:09,750 --> 00:16:11,910 S1: it's still a drop in the bucket. I mean, this 288 00:16:11,910 --> 00:16:15,750 S1: whole industry of faith based advice and investing is really 289 00:16:15,750 --> 00:16:19,190 S1: in its infancy. Uh, think about this. Our data here 290 00:16:19,190 --> 00:16:23,550 S1: at Kingdom Advisors says that in the hands of Christians today, 291 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:30,700 S1: there's about $22 trillion in the public markets. So think investments. 292 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:33,540 S1: We're not talking home equity. I'm just talking about wealth 293 00:16:33,540 --> 00:16:37,780 S1: in the public markets. Invested 22 trillion in the hands 294 00:16:37,780 --> 00:16:41,900 S1: of us Christians. Now, in terms of, uh, you know, 295 00:16:41,940 --> 00:16:45,940 S1: how much is in a faith based investment strategy, we're 296 00:16:45,940 --> 00:16:49,820 S1: talking less than $200 billion. So that's just a drop 297 00:16:49,820 --> 00:16:55,380 S1: in the bucket, 200 billion, uh, versus, uh, 22 trillion. Uh, 298 00:16:55,380 --> 00:16:57,700 S1: so we've got a long way to go. And yet 299 00:16:57,860 --> 00:17:02,780 S1: the momentum around Christians discovering that their values can align 300 00:17:02,780 --> 00:17:06,100 S1: with their capital deployment is pretty remarkable. And so I 301 00:17:06,100 --> 00:17:09,660 S1: would expect we'll continue to see a dramatic increase in 302 00:17:09,700 --> 00:17:13,100 S1: not only the number of Christians using faith based investments. 303 00:17:13,100 --> 00:17:15,340 S1: And by the way, I don't think we're too far 304 00:17:15,380 --> 00:17:19,020 S1: away from seeing, uh, you know, these faith based investments 305 00:17:19,020 --> 00:17:22,220 S1: in the form of exchange traded funds and mutual funds 306 00:17:22,220 --> 00:17:27,090 S1: offered inside 401 S, which would obviously provide a huge 307 00:17:27,130 --> 00:17:30,290 S1: opportunity for more believers to use them, because that's where 308 00:17:30,490 --> 00:17:35,050 S1: the bulk of most people's investable assets are in retirement accounts. 309 00:17:35,130 --> 00:17:37,090 S1: We're also going to see this year. In fact, I 310 00:17:37,090 --> 00:17:39,490 S1: was just talking to one of the the oldest asset 311 00:17:39,490 --> 00:17:42,890 S1: managers in this space, a faith based investing, the president 312 00:17:42,890 --> 00:17:46,730 S1: of Timothy Plan earlier today in an interview I was recording. Um, 313 00:17:46,810 --> 00:17:50,129 S1: you know, they're introducing more ETFs this year. All of 314 00:17:50,130 --> 00:17:53,730 S1: the asset managers are introducing more and more exchange traded funds, 315 00:17:53,730 --> 00:17:58,690 S1: which make this available to more investors, smaller dollar investors. 316 00:17:58,690 --> 00:18:02,050 S1: Those just getting started. Find exchange traded funds is a 317 00:18:02,050 --> 00:18:05,050 S1: great way to get into investing, even with just a 318 00:18:05,050 --> 00:18:08,010 S1: couple of hundred dollars. We've got a new robo advisor 319 00:18:08,010 --> 00:18:10,930 S1: coming online later this year in the faith based investing space. 320 00:18:10,930 --> 00:18:13,929 S1: So a lot of exciting things going to be happening, 321 00:18:13,930 --> 00:18:16,650 S1: and we'll certainly keep you up to speed on all 322 00:18:16,690 --> 00:18:18,450 S1: of it. All right. We want to take your calls 323 00:18:18,450 --> 00:18:21,210 S1: and questions here today. We've got lines open. We're ready 324 00:18:21,210 --> 00:18:24,320 S1: to tackle whatever is on your mind. So no matter 325 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,520 S1: what you've been thinking about in your financial life, maybe 326 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:28,880 S1: it's your credit score. You just can't figure out how 327 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:30,760 S1: to get that to where you want it to be. 328 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:33,199 S1: Maybe you're paying down some debt. You're trying to balance 329 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:37,080 S1: the budget, you're investing or preparing the next steward, whatever 330 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,600 S1: it might be. Call. Right now we've got lines open, 331 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:41,840 S1: and we'll be taking your calls throughout the remainder of 332 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:47,760 S1: the broadcast on any financial topic, 800 525 7000. Again, 333 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:53,280 S1: that number is 800 525 7000. You can call right now. 334 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:56,000 S1: And we may be having some phone issues. We're looking 335 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:59,000 S1: into that. But if you can't get through just keep 336 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:03,120 S1: trying and we'll keep you posted along the way. All right. Uh, 337 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:06,879 S1: let me tackle, uh, a bit of, uh, information from 338 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:10,120 S1: the news today. And that is related to car buyers. 339 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:13,960 S1: That's right. Car buyers are facing record high monthly payments. 340 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,200 S1: Check this out. Edmunds is reporting that in the fourth 341 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:23,790 S1: quarter of 2025. So the quarter we just ended 20.3% 342 00:19:23,990 --> 00:19:28,630 S1: of new car buyers are paying at least $1,000 a 343 00:19:28,630 --> 00:19:33,190 S1: month for their car payment. That's up nearly 19% from 344 00:19:33,190 --> 00:19:36,150 S1: a year earlier. Wow. That is a big payment. Used 345 00:19:36,190 --> 00:19:40,909 S1: car buyers are also feeling the strain, with 6.3% paying 346 00:19:41,070 --> 00:19:44,630 S1: four figure amounts. And for those paying even less, the 347 00:19:44,630 --> 00:19:51,750 S1: average car payment hit an all time high of $772. Incredible. Now, 348 00:19:51,790 --> 00:19:55,110 S1: rising prices and interest rates are driving the trend. The 349 00:19:55,150 --> 00:20:03,750 S1: average amount financed for a new vehicle reached $43,759, while 350 00:20:03,750 --> 00:20:09,350 S1: the average price topped 50,000. To cope, more buyers are 351 00:20:09,350 --> 00:20:14,149 S1: choosing longer loan terms of 84 months or more. Rates 352 00:20:14,190 --> 00:20:18,510 S1: remain elevated, although they are coming down. Uh, and 0% 353 00:20:18,510 --> 00:20:22,620 S1: financing is rare these days. It's really reserved for those 354 00:20:22,619 --> 00:20:25,540 S1: with the strongest credit and in some cases, regardless of 355 00:20:25,540 --> 00:20:28,379 S1: how strong your credit is, you just can't find those 356 00:20:28,380 --> 00:20:32,460 S1: incentives very often. Experts, of course, say stretching the time 357 00:20:32,460 --> 00:20:38,139 S1: between purchases, so delaying that next car purchase, saving aggressively, 358 00:20:38,180 --> 00:20:42,980 S1: choosing lower cost cars are key to avoiding burdensome payments. 359 00:20:43,020 --> 00:20:45,419 S1: Keep in mind, as we think about, you know, the 360 00:20:45,420 --> 00:20:49,659 S1: most common budget busters for the average family, uh, you know, 361 00:20:49,700 --> 00:20:52,620 S1: it really is the three big budget busters. The first 362 00:20:52,619 --> 00:20:54,659 S1: one is food. And that one, of course, is a 363 00:20:54,660 --> 00:20:58,139 S1: little easier to deal with. You can trim your eating 364 00:20:58,140 --> 00:21:01,619 S1: out budget. You can stretch at the grocery store, uh, 365 00:21:01,660 --> 00:21:03,859 S1: you can live out of the pantry for a little 366 00:21:03,859 --> 00:21:05,780 S1: while and maybe, you know, eat some of the food 367 00:21:05,780 --> 00:21:07,460 S1: that you're going to end up throwing away that's going 368 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:09,460 S1: to go to waste. And, you know, trying to really 369 00:21:09,460 --> 00:21:12,540 S1: be strategic there. You can dial back that food budget, 370 00:21:12,540 --> 00:21:14,660 S1: but it's one of the big three. The one that's 371 00:21:14,660 --> 00:21:16,540 S1: a little harder to deal with is the second one. 372 00:21:16,540 --> 00:21:20,240 S1: And that is transportation, because you've got to sell a car, 373 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:23,440 S1: you've got to make a change. So work on that one. 374 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:25,879 S1: The third one is the hardest and that's housing. That's 375 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:29,080 S1: the third big budget buster. And it's pretty expensive to 376 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,560 S1: sell a home to downsize. But in some cases it 377 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:35,000 S1: really is the only option. The key is we want 378 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:37,359 S1: to live within our means. We want to have some 379 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,840 S1: margin because that's really key, being able to pursue our 380 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:42,840 S1: God given goals. All right. We're going to take a 381 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,080 S1: quick break and then back with much more after this. 382 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:53,760 S1: Stay with us. Great to have you with us today 383 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,640 S1: on Faith and finance live I'm Rob West. Well we 384 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:58,680 S1: are having some phone issues today. So if you have 385 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:01,720 S1: been calling that's why you're not getting through. The team 386 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:06,720 S1: as always is working very hard to rectify that situation 387 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:09,560 S1: and we will try to get that resolved as quickly 388 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:12,639 S1: as we can. You know, we have an amazing, uh, 389 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:16,110 S1: group of very talented people who serve at Moody Radio 390 00:22:16,109 --> 00:22:21,470 S1: every day, from producers like Omar and Tahira and her 391 00:22:21,470 --> 00:22:24,590 S1: call screeners and engineers, and not to mention the folks 392 00:22:24,590 --> 00:22:27,670 S1: that handle all the technical side and everything works like 393 00:22:27,670 --> 00:22:30,270 S1: clockwork so much of the time. And yet every now 394 00:22:30,270 --> 00:22:32,070 S1: and then we have a little bit of an issue 395 00:22:32,070 --> 00:22:34,430 S1: and they are on it. And that is true today. So, 396 00:22:34,430 --> 00:22:37,950 S1: so grateful for the amazing team that works so hard 397 00:22:37,950 --> 00:22:40,350 S1: behind the scenes to make all of this possible. But 398 00:22:40,350 --> 00:22:42,390 S1: if you are calling, just know you may not get 399 00:22:42,390 --> 00:22:44,590 S1: through right away and we will try our best to 400 00:22:44,590 --> 00:22:46,869 S1: get that back up and running. I just came out 401 00:22:46,869 --> 00:22:48,990 S1: of a meeting a few minutes ago, and we were 402 00:22:48,990 --> 00:22:53,469 S1: looking at some of the distinctives of biblical financial wisdom. And, 403 00:22:53,510 --> 00:22:55,470 S1: you know, we talk about these all the time here 404 00:22:55,470 --> 00:22:58,590 S1: on this broadcast, because our goal here each day is 405 00:22:58,590 --> 00:23:01,070 S1: to help you live as a faithful steward, help you 406 00:23:01,070 --> 00:23:04,310 S1: understand what it looks like to honor God with what 407 00:23:04,310 --> 00:23:07,870 S1: he has entrusted to you. Recognizing it all belongs to him. 408 00:23:08,030 --> 00:23:10,870 S1: And we were talking about, you know, what are some 409 00:23:10,869 --> 00:23:12,910 S1: of those key distinctives? I mean, if we were just 410 00:23:12,910 --> 00:23:16,260 S1: to boil them down to a few. And here's what 411 00:23:16,260 --> 00:23:18,740 S1: we came up with. You know, the first is it 412 00:23:18,740 --> 00:23:21,340 S1: all begins with God as our ultimate treasure. I mean, 413 00:23:21,380 --> 00:23:26,740 S1: that really is the starting point for everything in life. 414 00:23:26,740 --> 00:23:30,940 S1: And certainly that's true, uh, for our money management. Because 415 00:23:30,940 --> 00:23:34,460 S1: when we see God as our ultimate treasure, it is 416 00:23:34,460 --> 00:23:38,020 S1: a game changer. You know, the pursuit of joy isn't wrong. 417 00:23:38,340 --> 00:23:43,500 S1: But what if that chase reveals something deeper about what 418 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:46,620 S1: we treasure? And I think so often we find ourselves 419 00:23:46,619 --> 00:23:50,300 S1: in a position where we're we're grasping and we're striving 420 00:23:50,300 --> 00:23:54,620 S1: and we're trying to hold on to, uh, that joy, 421 00:23:54,619 --> 00:23:56,419 S1: and we're trying to hold on to the things of 422 00:23:56,420 --> 00:24:00,580 S1: this world which will ultimately not satisfy. And that's why, uh, 423 00:24:00,580 --> 00:24:04,300 S1: you know, Jesus tells this parable in Matthew 13 where 424 00:24:04,300 --> 00:24:06,980 S1: he paints this powerful picture. You'll know it well. He says, 425 00:24:07,020 --> 00:24:09,780 S1: a man stumbles on hidden treasure in a field and 426 00:24:09,780 --> 00:24:13,369 S1: overcome with joy, he sells everything he owns and buys 427 00:24:13,369 --> 00:24:16,370 S1: the field. It's pretty cool. It's a single verse in 428 00:24:16,369 --> 00:24:20,609 S1: Scripture and it's an entire parable. Um, and he buys 429 00:24:20,609 --> 00:24:24,330 S1: that field not with hesitation or fear, but with joy. Why? Well, 430 00:24:24,330 --> 00:24:27,730 S1: it's because what he found is worth far more than 431 00:24:27,730 --> 00:24:32,129 S1: anything he gave up. And this is what Jesus says 432 00:24:32,130 --> 00:24:35,330 S1: is what it's like to discover the kingdom of God. 433 00:24:35,570 --> 00:24:38,930 S1: And so if we believe that God is our ultimate treasure, 434 00:24:39,090 --> 00:24:43,369 S1: it really does change everything about the way we handle 435 00:24:43,410 --> 00:24:47,290 S1: God's money, because we realize they were never intended to 436 00:24:47,330 --> 00:24:50,890 S1: replace him. And so when we start to depend on 437 00:24:50,890 --> 00:24:53,690 S1: the gifts more than the giver, we begin to trade 438 00:24:53,690 --> 00:24:58,730 S1: joy for anxiety and gratitude for grasping and security for scarcity. 439 00:24:58,730 --> 00:25:02,490 S1: And I think that's why David, uh, King David reminds 440 00:25:02,490 --> 00:25:04,970 S1: us in Psalm 16, I say to the Lord, you 441 00:25:04,970 --> 00:25:08,369 S1: are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing. 442 00:25:08,730 --> 00:25:11,960 S1: And so we don't have to go searching for this treasure. 443 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:15,000 S1: It's not buried or hidden. It's found in Jesus, the 444 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,360 S1: one who will never leave you or forsake you. And 445 00:25:17,359 --> 00:25:21,919 S1: so the takeaway of that truth, as it relates to 446 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:25,400 S1: money management and stewardship is that when God is your treasure, 447 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,120 S1: you already have enough. I already have enough because we 448 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:33,040 S1: have more than we could ever ask, think or imagine. 449 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:37,920 S1: And it really should then ripple effect into this second 450 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:41,880 S1: big idea of biblical money management, which is you won't 451 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,320 S1: be surprised to hear me say it. God owns it all. 452 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:47,359 S1: The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the 453 00:25:47,359 --> 00:25:51,160 S1: world and all who dwell therein. That's Psalm 24 one. 454 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:57,040 S1: And so when we recognize this paradigm shifting truth that 455 00:25:57,040 --> 00:26:00,320 S1: everything belongs to God, even our ability to work and 456 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:02,480 S1: manage well is a gift from God. You remember in 457 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:05,520 S1: Deuteronomy eight, you shall remember the Lord your God, for 458 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:08,389 S1: it is he who gives you the power to get wealth. 459 00:26:08,750 --> 00:26:11,350 S1: In other words, God gives us the resources we manage 460 00:26:11,350 --> 00:26:14,429 S1: because it belongs to him, while also giving us the 461 00:26:14,430 --> 00:26:18,230 S1: strength and the opportunities to oversee them on his behalf. 462 00:26:18,270 --> 00:26:22,390 S1: We can't take credit for what's ultimately the result of 463 00:26:22,390 --> 00:26:24,709 S1: his grace, and we see this on full display in 464 00:26:24,710 --> 00:26:29,510 S1: the parable of the talent. And so that word steward, 465 00:26:29,510 --> 00:26:35,350 S1: meaning household manager, is really the person that manages what 466 00:26:35,390 --> 00:26:39,070 S1: belongs to someone else. And so it's about the responsibility 467 00:26:39,109 --> 00:26:41,710 S1: we were we were given when we were entrusted with 468 00:26:41,710 --> 00:26:46,190 S1: God's resources, which include time and money and talents and relationship. 469 00:26:46,510 --> 00:26:50,950 S1: And our calling is then to manage those resources faithfully 470 00:26:50,950 --> 00:26:55,030 S1: for his purposes and his glory. Now what that leads 471 00:26:55,030 --> 00:26:57,790 S1: to when we understand that God owns it all, is 472 00:26:57,790 --> 00:27:01,710 S1: that we steward money as a tool, because money is 473 00:27:01,710 --> 00:27:07,340 S1: ultimately a tool to accomplish God's purposes. And when we 474 00:27:07,340 --> 00:27:10,620 S1: look to God's Word, we see that, you know, money 475 00:27:10,619 --> 00:27:13,260 S1: is a good gift and it's highly spiritual and it's 476 00:27:13,260 --> 00:27:16,699 S1: meant for kingdom impact. So when we think about money 477 00:27:16,700 --> 00:27:20,340 S1: being a tool, we realize that God is the giver, 478 00:27:20,340 --> 00:27:24,140 S1: money is the tool, and money can be used to 479 00:27:24,180 --> 00:27:29,580 S1: participate in God's activities. We're not just earning to survive, 480 00:27:29,580 --> 00:27:32,260 S1: we're earning to bless. And when we do, we reflect 481 00:27:32,260 --> 00:27:35,700 S1: the heart of our generous God. That includes saving for 482 00:27:35,700 --> 00:27:39,100 S1: the future and investing for kingdom impact, and building a 483 00:27:39,100 --> 00:27:44,980 S1: foundation that allows for both spontaneous and intentional generosity. We 484 00:27:45,020 --> 00:27:49,660 S1: hold God's resources loosely because we remember that everything we 485 00:27:49,660 --> 00:27:53,899 S1: have is temporary. So going back to where it all starts, 486 00:27:53,940 --> 00:27:56,300 S1: God is our ultimate treasure and then God owns it all. 487 00:27:56,300 --> 00:27:58,900 S1: And that means money is a tool. And then we 488 00:27:58,900 --> 00:28:04,890 S1: understand that financial decisions are ultimately spiritual decisions that when 489 00:28:04,890 --> 00:28:08,770 S1: we spend God's money. It's a it's a barometer. It 490 00:28:08,810 --> 00:28:12,050 S1: tells a story about what's most important to us and 491 00:28:12,090 --> 00:28:17,090 S1: what our values are. And, you know, when we use money, 492 00:28:17,330 --> 00:28:19,450 S1: it paints a picture. And we can look at that 493 00:28:19,450 --> 00:28:22,530 S1: and we can say, do I agree with that? Am 494 00:28:22,530 --> 00:28:26,689 S1: I spending meaningfully? Do my purchases reflect what I say 495 00:28:26,730 --> 00:28:31,610 S1: I believe? Are they silently shaping my heart without me 496 00:28:31,650 --> 00:28:35,290 S1: even realizing it? And I think that's where we see 497 00:28:35,330 --> 00:28:38,930 S1: in Luke, Jesus asking this really challenging question. If then 498 00:28:38,970 --> 00:28:42,450 S1: you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who 499 00:28:42,450 --> 00:28:45,090 S1: will entrust you the true riches? You see, he's not 500 00:28:45,090 --> 00:28:48,610 S1: condemning wealth itself, but he's reminding us that how we 501 00:28:48,610 --> 00:28:52,330 S1: manage money reveals what's happening in our hearts. He was 502 00:28:52,330 --> 00:28:55,490 S1: clear money is a test, not a test of math skills, 503 00:28:55,490 --> 00:28:59,250 S1: but of trust. It's a stewardship opportunity that prepares us 504 00:28:59,250 --> 00:29:03,200 S1: for something greater the true riches of the Kingdom of God. 505 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:05,880 S1: And this is really where our spending habits come in, 506 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:09,760 S1: because every purchase or, you know, budgeting choice or every 507 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:13,640 S1: swipe of the card, these aren't isolated decisions. They express 508 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:18,040 S1: our values and more importantly, their opportunities for worship. And 509 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:20,960 S1: what if we were to see that truth, that spending decisions, 510 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:25,840 S1: that all financial decisions really are spiritual decisions? I would 511 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:27,640 S1: challenge you to take a look at your budget. I'm 512 00:29:27,680 --> 00:29:30,080 S1: talking to myself as well. Your credit card statement, my 513 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:34,760 S1: credit card statement, even yesterday's purchases, and say, ask yourself, 514 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,000 S1: what story does this tell? What is your spending reveal 515 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:40,880 S1: about what you worship? Because you're spending isn't just about 516 00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:44,640 S1: your dollars, it's about your devotion. And and that's a 517 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:47,160 S1: hard truth. And it's one that we all need to 518 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:49,600 S1: wrestle with. And then I think, you know, one of 519 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:52,239 S1: those other big ideas, and we talk about this a 520 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:54,720 S1: good bit here on this program as well. But it 521 00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:58,040 S1: it is really key. And that is contentment is a choice. 522 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:02,950 S1: You know that we have to choose to define enough. 523 00:30:02,950 --> 00:30:05,350 S1: In fact, we need to redefine it because the world 524 00:30:05,350 --> 00:30:08,910 S1: will tell you what enough is just a little bit more. 525 00:30:09,470 --> 00:30:11,910 S1: But when you and I take the time to say 526 00:30:12,070 --> 00:30:15,230 S1: we're going to choose contentment, it's a learned behavior. We're 527 00:30:15,230 --> 00:30:18,750 S1: going to redefine enough for both our lifestyle and our accumulation, 528 00:30:18,990 --> 00:30:21,470 S1: and then we're going to just redirect the rest into 529 00:30:21,510 --> 00:30:25,550 S1: God's economy. Boy, that's the good life. That's the generous life. 530 00:30:25,790 --> 00:30:29,030 S1: That's the life that allows us to participate, live out 531 00:30:29,030 --> 00:30:33,510 S1: God's calling, and participate in his redemptive work in the world. 532 00:30:33,870 --> 00:30:36,910 S1: What a vision, huh? Incredible. All right. A quick break 533 00:30:36,910 --> 00:30:48,150 S1: and back with more after this. Stay with us. Hey, 534 00:30:48,150 --> 00:30:51,510 S1: thanks for joining us today on Faith and Finance Live. Uh, well, 535 00:30:51,510 --> 00:30:54,550 S1: here in our final segment today, uh, we do not 536 00:30:54,550 --> 00:30:56,950 S1: have the phones working at the moment. Again, the team 537 00:30:56,950 --> 00:31:00,180 S1: is continuing to work on them, and we will get 538 00:31:00,180 --> 00:31:02,780 S1: them fixed just as quickly as we can. But that's 539 00:31:02,780 --> 00:31:04,700 S1: the reason. If you've been calling, you've not been able 540 00:31:04,700 --> 00:31:07,220 S1: to get through, get through. But what I was sharing 541 00:31:07,220 --> 00:31:08,620 S1: before the break is, you know, I was just in 542 00:31:08,620 --> 00:31:11,459 S1: a meeting, uh, before I came on the air here today, 543 00:31:11,460 --> 00:31:14,340 S1: and we were wrestling through what are some of the 544 00:31:14,340 --> 00:31:19,060 S1: core of the core distinctives of managing money God's way. 545 00:31:19,100 --> 00:31:22,060 S1: You know, it starts with what you believe. And then 546 00:31:22,060 --> 00:31:24,860 S1: that leads to what you do as a result of 547 00:31:24,860 --> 00:31:26,660 S1: what you believe. And that's true in every area of 548 00:31:26,940 --> 00:31:31,580 S1: area of life. That's certainly true in financial management as well. 549 00:31:31,820 --> 00:31:34,860 S1: And so we were talking about some of these core beliefs. 550 00:31:34,860 --> 00:31:37,660 S1: And it starts with God as your ultimate treasure. And 551 00:31:37,660 --> 00:31:41,260 S1: then God owns it all. And then financial decisions are 552 00:31:41,260 --> 00:31:46,380 S1: spiritual decisions. And then that leads to contentment being a choice. 553 00:31:46,820 --> 00:31:50,500 S1: Those are the first four after that. The fifth one 554 00:31:50,500 --> 00:31:53,580 S1: that we said is that it's this idea that stewardship 555 00:31:53,580 --> 00:31:59,210 S1: is generational. You see stewardship doesn't end with you. It 556 00:31:59,250 --> 00:32:02,090 S1: continues to the next generation, and you and I have 557 00:32:02,090 --> 00:32:06,850 S1: a responsibility to prepare the next steward. And one of 558 00:32:06,850 --> 00:32:11,010 S1: the key ways we do that is we transfer that 559 00:32:11,010 --> 00:32:13,650 S1: legacy of faith. Now. Our kids need to make their 560 00:32:13,650 --> 00:32:16,570 S1: faith their own. They have to place their trust in 561 00:32:16,570 --> 00:32:18,730 S1: Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We can't do that 562 00:32:18,730 --> 00:32:22,370 S1: for them, clearly. But we can tell stories about, uh, 563 00:32:22,490 --> 00:32:25,410 S1: the legacy of faith that is being passed down. And 564 00:32:25,410 --> 00:32:28,210 S1: we can talk about our own faith story and our 565 00:32:28,210 --> 00:32:31,410 S1: journey to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 566 00:32:31,410 --> 00:32:33,570 S1: And we can talk about our walk with the Lord 567 00:32:33,570 --> 00:32:36,970 S1: and what that's looked like over the years. And, uh, 568 00:32:36,970 --> 00:32:40,450 S1: we can, uh, admonish them and encourage them in the, 569 00:32:40,570 --> 00:32:42,650 S1: the ways of the Lord. And we can talk about 570 00:32:42,650 --> 00:32:45,370 S1: Scripture and study Scripture and open God's Word and put 571 00:32:45,370 --> 00:32:48,290 S1: it on our doorposts and talk about as we're walking 572 00:32:48,290 --> 00:32:50,650 S1: on the road. I mean, that's the the key way 573 00:32:50,970 --> 00:32:55,160 S1: we prepare the next steward. And it's this idea of passing, 574 00:32:55,200 --> 00:33:00,240 S1: passing a legacy of righteousness and transferring wisdom before wealth. 575 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:03,200 S1: Because here's the big idea, and we uncovered this in 576 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:07,160 S1: our study on the book of Ecclesiastes, that John Cortinez, 577 00:33:07,160 --> 00:33:11,160 S1: who's part of our teaching and writing team uncovered. And 578 00:33:11,160 --> 00:33:14,520 S1: and it's this simple graphic, but it's profound. And it's 579 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:18,680 S1: that when when wealth grows faster than wisdom, you're in 580 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:22,600 S1: a real danger zone. But when wisdom grows faster than wealth, 581 00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:26,479 S1: then that wealth can be used for productive purposes, and 582 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:29,640 S1: it won't compete with your heart for devotion to God. 583 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:32,920 S1: It will be used for kingdom advancement. It doesn't become 584 00:33:32,920 --> 00:33:36,960 S1: an idol in your life. The challenge is so often, 585 00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:40,640 S1: especially with an inheritance or a windfall. If you think 586 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:44,280 S1: about it, you know wisdom is growing slowly over time. 587 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:47,520 S1: Hopefully it's outpacing the wealth because, you know, in those 588 00:33:47,520 --> 00:33:50,240 S1: early years, wealth is growing very slowly as a child 589 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:52,790 S1: and then a young adult. But what happens if there's 590 00:33:52,790 --> 00:33:54,710 S1: an inheritance and all of a sudden there's a spike 591 00:33:54,710 --> 00:33:57,630 S1: in wealth and the wisdom hasn't caught up? It can 592 00:33:57,630 --> 00:34:01,870 S1: be really dangerous. It can propel a child who is 593 00:34:01,870 --> 00:34:05,790 S1: not pursuing the Lord quickly in the wrong direction. And 594 00:34:05,790 --> 00:34:08,030 S1: so that's why we need to be really thoughtful about 595 00:34:08,030 --> 00:34:10,950 S1: how we construct our estates, and how we plan for 596 00:34:11,190 --> 00:34:14,989 S1: and ultimately accept this responsibility that we need to prepare 597 00:34:15,150 --> 00:34:19,190 S1: the next steward. Because stewardship is generational. It doesn't end 598 00:34:19,230 --> 00:34:22,390 S1: with me. It doesn't end with you. It carries on 599 00:34:22,430 --> 00:34:25,989 S1: through the generations. That requires a strategy. And we need 600 00:34:25,989 --> 00:34:29,030 S1: to be in very, very intentional. And then the sixth 601 00:34:29,030 --> 00:34:31,670 S1: big idea after God is our ultimate treasure and God 602 00:34:31,710 --> 00:34:35,109 S1: owns it all. And financial decisions are spiritual decisions. And 603 00:34:35,110 --> 00:34:39,230 S1: contentment is a choice, and stewardship is generational. Is that 604 00:34:39,230 --> 00:34:44,549 S1: giving is an overflow of grace. This is a big idea. 605 00:34:44,750 --> 00:34:48,790 S1: You know, it's really the linchpin, if you will, in 606 00:34:48,830 --> 00:34:53,100 S1: terms of understanding how we need to think about why 607 00:34:53,100 --> 00:34:55,980 S1: we give. You see, we all want to be generous, 608 00:34:55,980 --> 00:34:58,219 S1: and most of us don't need to be convinced that 609 00:34:58,219 --> 00:35:01,100 S1: giving is good or that we should live with open hands. 610 00:35:01,260 --> 00:35:04,219 S1: But it doesn't always come easily. We worry about the future. 611 00:35:04,219 --> 00:35:07,340 S1: We wonder if a small gift will matter. We calculate 612 00:35:07,340 --> 00:35:09,980 S1: our giving based on what we feel we can afford. 613 00:35:10,420 --> 00:35:13,460 S1: But beneath these questions I think are is a deeper one. 614 00:35:13,460 --> 00:35:15,940 S1: And that is do we really need to give? And 615 00:35:15,940 --> 00:35:19,459 S1: if so, how much? If giving is just another obligation, 616 00:35:19,460 --> 00:35:22,980 S1: it will always feel heavy. If it's only about what 617 00:35:22,980 --> 00:35:26,779 S1: we can afford, it will always feel scarce. But Scripture 618 00:35:26,780 --> 00:35:32,020 S1: starts generosity far deeper than our budgets. It's with our identity. 619 00:35:32,060 --> 00:35:35,060 S1: Listen to Ephesians 289 for by grace you have been 620 00:35:35,060 --> 00:35:40,060 S1: saved through faith. It is the gift of God. You see, 621 00:35:40,100 --> 00:35:43,700 S1: before you ever give a dollar, remember you're a recipient 622 00:35:43,700 --> 00:35:47,980 S1: of God's mercy and forgiveness and adoption and daily bread 623 00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:51,239 S1: and a future with Christ. You're living on a gift 624 00:35:51,239 --> 00:35:54,200 S1: of grace and that is a game changer. Now the 625 00:35:54,200 --> 00:35:57,280 S1: Apostle Paul takes this even further in Second Corinthians eight. 626 00:35:57,320 --> 00:35:59,520 S1: Here's what he says. You know the grace of our 627 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:03,080 S1: Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for 628 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:06,520 S1: your sake he became poor, so that you by his 629 00:36:06,520 --> 00:36:13,080 S1: poverty might become rich. What a powerful picture of divine generosity. 630 00:36:13,120 --> 00:36:16,239 S1: Jesus doesn't cling to his status or wealth or glory. 631 00:36:16,360 --> 00:36:20,919 S1: He pours himself out, entering into our poverty so that 632 00:36:20,920 --> 00:36:23,399 S1: we might share in his riches. And that's the heart 633 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:26,319 S1: of the gospel. It's not just forgiveness from sin, but 634 00:36:26,360 --> 00:36:31,040 S1: it's transformation into a generous people. God's grace doesn't just 635 00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:34,960 S1: rescue us from something. It's an invitation. It invites us 636 00:36:34,960 --> 00:36:38,160 S1: into something. And the thing it invites us into is 637 00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:42,000 S1: a life that reflects the giver. Our giving, then, is 638 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:44,839 S1: not in an effort to earn God's favor, but rather 639 00:36:45,080 --> 00:36:47,910 S1: it's a response to the favor we've already been given. First, 640 00:36:47,910 --> 00:36:52,469 S1: John 419 we love because he first loved us. It's 641 00:36:52,469 --> 00:36:55,430 S1: a response to the grace and love we've been given. 642 00:36:55,430 --> 00:36:59,350 S1: Salvation isn't something we earn. It's a gift. And that 643 00:36:59,350 --> 00:37:03,710 S1: should fuel our giving to be joyful and free and 644 00:37:03,710 --> 00:37:07,549 S1: grace filled. And so then, giving is an overflow of 645 00:37:07,590 --> 00:37:12,430 S1: that grace. Grace moves, giving from pressure to privilege. It 646 00:37:12,430 --> 00:37:15,109 S1: goes from I have to to, I get to. It 647 00:37:15,150 --> 00:37:19,629 S1: widens the field well beyond money. And it also means 648 00:37:19,630 --> 00:37:22,910 S1: that generosity isn't limited to the wealthy. You see every 649 00:37:22,910 --> 00:37:26,390 S1: believer hearing the sound of my voice, regardless of your income, 650 00:37:26,390 --> 00:37:29,109 S1: has received the riches of Christ. And with that, we 651 00:37:29,110 --> 00:37:32,069 S1: have something to offer a word of encouragement, maybe a 652 00:37:32,070 --> 00:37:34,550 S1: shared meal or an open door, or an extra hour 653 00:37:34,550 --> 00:37:38,710 S1: to serve a gift. A step of sacrificial giving that 654 00:37:38,750 --> 00:37:44,300 S1: reflects the gospel we profess when grace takes root. Open hands. follow. 655 00:37:44,660 --> 00:37:47,580 S1: And so perhaps for you today and talking to myself 656 00:37:47,580 --> 00:37:49,859 S1: as well, one simple act is to write down the 657 00:37:49,860 --> 00:37:54,459 S1: ways you've experienced God's provision, and then let that inspire 658 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:59,100 S1: your next step of generosity. Because we don't give to 659 00:37:59,140 --> 00:38:02,899 S1: become generous people, we give because God's already been generous 660 00:38:03,060 --> 00:38:05,380 S1: with us. And the more we abide in his grace, 661 00:38:05,380 --> 00:38:09,899 S1: the more freely will live it out. And ultimately, if 662 00:38:09,900 --> 00:38:13,700 S1: our response to the grace we've received is generosity, it 663 00:38:13,700 --> 00:38:17,100 S1: then can flow right back into God's economy. It's this 664 00:38:17,100 --> 00:38:21,460 S1: virtuous cycle of God gives to us. We provide and 665 00:38:21,460 --> 00:38:24,259 S1: we enjoy, but we give back to the God who 666 00:38:24,260 --> 00:38:27,740 S1: created us. We give back to the God who owns everything, 667 00:38:27,739 --> 00:38:30,899 S1: and we put it into circulation in God's economy. And 668 00:38:30,900 --> 00:38:32,899 S1: that's one of the privileges that we have, that you 669 00:38:32,900 --> 00:38:36,299 S1: and I have the the opportunity to direct wealth for 670 00:38:36,300 --> 00:38:39,620 S1: kingdom impact. So these six ideas we came up with 671 00:38:39,620 --> 00:38:42,489 S1: today are the core of the cause that God is 672 00:38:42,489 --> 00:38:45,610 S1: our ultimate treasure, that God owns it all. That financial 673 00:38:45,610 --> 00:38:50,330 S1: decisions are spiritual decisions. That contentment is a choice, that 674 00:38:50,330 --> 00:38:56,410 S1: stewardship is generational, and that giving is an overflow of grace. Now, 675 00:38:56,610 --> 00:38:59,610 S1: that's not it. There's there's so much more. And, uh, 676 00:38:59,610 --> 00:39:03,610 S1: you know, 2300 verses in God's Word related to this topic. 677 00:39:03,610 --> 00:39:07,170 S1: But the good news is that we can look to 678 00:39:07,210 --> 00:39:11,610 S1: Scripture to get our true north, to understand what God's 679 00:39:11,610 --> 00:39:13,730 S1: heart is, so that we can manage money in a 680 00:39:13,730 --> 00:39:18,250 S1: way that ultimately leads to well done, good and faithful servant. 681 00:39:18,250 --> 00:39:20,569 S1: And that's our heart here at Faith and finance, each 682 00:39:20,570 --> 00:39:24,170 S1: day is to come alongside you and to help spur 683 00:39:24,210 --> 00:39:27,730 S1: you on, to cheer you on, uh, to say, great job, 684 00:39:27,730 --> 00:39:30,969 S1: you're going to do it. And listen, we've all made mistakes, 685 00:39:30,969 --> 00:39:33,649 S1: but together we can come together in community on this 686 00:39:33,650 --> 00:39:36,610 S1: program and ask questions and talk about it and wrestle 687 00:39:36,610 --> 00:39:38,890 S1: through things. We're not always going to get it right. 688 00:39:38,890 --> 00:39:42,120 S1: I certainly don't, But together we can go back to 689 00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:44,680 S1: God's Word, and we can try the best of our 690 00:39:44,680 --> 00:39:47,799 S1: ability to be found faithful and to honor him and 691 00:39:47,800 --> 00:39:50,640 S1: to live as a faithful steward. And guess what? There's 692 00:39:50,680 --> 00:39:55,520 S1: incredible joy and intimacy with the father that flows from 693 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:58,319 S1: that heart posture. And it is, at the end of 694 00:39:58,320 --> 00:40:01,200 S1: the day, something that begins in the heart. It's not 695 00:40:01,200 --> 00:40:04,440 S1: about the money, it's really about the heart. Hey, I 696 00:40:04,440 --> 00:40:07,240 S1: hope that's been an encouragement to you today. I apologize 697 00:40:07,239 --> 00:40:09,720 S1: we weren't able to take your calls today. We will 698 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:13,440 S1: try to have that back up and running for you tomorrow. But, um, 699 00:40:13,480 --> 00:40:15,879 S1: you know, perhaps this was the Lord's plan for, uh, 700 00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:17,879 S1: for us to talk about some of those things that 701 00:40:17,880 --> 00:40:20,640 S1: we have been wrestling with here at Faith Fi and 702 00:40:20,640 --> 00:40:23,640 S1: Kingdom Advisors, and I hope you found some nugget of 703 00:40:23,640 --> 00:40:26,799 S1: truth to encourage you and that you can apply in 704 00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:29,440 S1: your own financial life. Hey, let me mention a couple 705 00:40:29,480 --> 00:40:32,400 S1: of next steps here. You know, one of those byproducts 706 00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:35,760 S1: of living as a faithful steward, as I mentioned, is 707 00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:38,160 S1: that giving is an overflow of grace. And so we 708 00:40:38,310 --> 00:40:44,270 S1: can direct God's resources back into kingdom advancing activities. And 709 00:40:44,270 --> 00:40:48,149 S1: that's precisely why every quarter we partner with a ministry 710 00:40:48,670 --> 00:40:52,509 S1: that's doing amazing work in the name of Jesus. And 711 00:40:52,510 --> 00:40:56,270 S1: this quarter, between January, February and March, we're partnering with 712 00:40:56,270 --> 00:41:02,270 S1: Cross International, and we have a goal to help 250 713 00:41:02,310 --> 00:41:07,990 S1: children in Malawi, Zambia or Uganda to experience food, clean 714 00:41:07,989 --> 00:41:12,310 S1: water and education and the love of Jesus through a 715 00:41:12,310 --> 00:41:17,509 S1: local gospel Bible believing ministry on the ground for one year. 716 00:41:17,670 --> 00:41:22,110 S1: $62 is what it takes to help one child experience 717 00:41:22,110 --> 00:41:25,310 S1: those things, and we just simply are asking, how many 718 00:41:25,310 --> 00:41:28,790 S1: children are you going to partner with us to serve? 719 00:41:28,989 --> 00:41:30,989 S1: We want to reach a goal and maybe we'll go 720 00:41:31,030 --> 00:41:33,870 S1: way past it, but we want a goal of reaching 721 00:41:34,030 --> 00:41:38,259 S1: 250 children Between now and the end of March. And 722 00:41:38,260 --> 00:41:41,060 S1: so if that's you and you'd like to help provide 723 00:41:41,060 --> 00:41:45,420 S1: clean water and food and education and other essential care 724 00:41:45,420 --> 00:41:50,060 S1: to a precious child in Malawi or Zambia or Uganda, 725 00:41:50,260 --> 00:41:59,140 S1: just head to faith. That's faith. And every $62 given 726 00:41:59,540 --> 00:42:02,859 S1: will help one child again for 12 months. I know 727 00:42:02,860 --> 00:42:05,540 S1: it's hard to believe, but it's it's amazing. And cross 728 00:42:05,580 --> 00:42:08,580 S1: is doing some incredible work. I had the opportunity to 729 00:42:08,620 --> 00:42:11,779 S1: speak to one of the principals earlier today. All right. 730 00:42:11,780 --> 00:42:13,219 S1: That's going to do it for us. Big thanks to 731 00:42:13,260 --> 00:42:16,140 S1: my team today. These are amazing folks that love this 732 00:42:16,140 --> 00:42:19,860 S1: ministry and love to serve you on Moody Radio. Omar Tahera, 733 00:42:19,860 --> 00:42:23,020 S1: Josh Taylor and everybody here at Faith by Faith and 734 00:42:23,020 --> 00:42:25,739 S1: Finance Live is a partnership between Moody Radio and Faith five. 735 00:42:25,780 --> 00:42:27,660 S1: Come back and join us tomorrow. We'll see you then. 736 00:42:27,660 --> 00:42:28,100 S1: Bye bye.