1 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:07,159 S1: This faith and finance live is actually prerecorded, so please 2 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:08,200 S1: don't call in. 3 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:11,960 S2: A new year often inspires us to try harder, plan better, 4 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:15,520 S2: and push ourselves toward new goals. Hi, I'm Rob West. 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,280 S2: But what if the key to lasting change isn't more willpower, 6 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:23,000 S2: but a transformed heart? Today, Taylor Standridge joins us to 7 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:27,240 S2: explore why resolutions rooted in identity, not just effort, are 8 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,800 S2: the ones that endure. Then we have some great calls 9 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:32,680 S2: lined up. But we won't be taking your calls today 10 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:37,000 S2: because we're prerecorded. This is faith and finance. Live. Biblical 11 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:45,120 S2: wisdom for your financial decisions. Well, I always look forward 12 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:48,199 S2: to having Taylor Standridge in the studio. He's the production 13 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,319 S2: manager here at Faith and finance. He's co-author of look 14 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,400 S2: at the sparrows, our 21 day devotional, and he was 15 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:57,920 S2: the lead writer on my new devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure. 16 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,790 S2: And we had so much fun putting that together. Taylor. 17 00:01:00,830 --> 00:01:01,550 S2: Great to have you here. 18 00:01:01,590 --> 00:01:03,430 S3: Oh, I always love being here, Rob. Thank you. 19 00:01:03,670 --> 00:01:06,390 S2: Taylor. As we approach a new year, everyone is of 20 00:01:06,390 --> 00:01:10,750 S2: course talking about resolutions. So why do you think so 21 00:01:10,750 --> 00:01:13,430 S2: many of them fade after just a few weeks? 22 00:01:13,590 --> 00:01:15,950 S3: Yeah, well, like you said earlier, I think most resolutions 23 00:01:15,950 --> 00:01:19,190 S3: fade because they're built on willpower alone. You know, I 24 00:01:19,190 --> 00:01:21,910 S3: think we all assume that if we try harder, we 25 00:01:21,910 --> 00:01:24,789 S3: just somehow get disciplined. We'll finally be able to be 26 00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:27,550 S3: who we want to be. But I think we all know. 27 00:01:27,550 --> 00:01:29,550 S3: And we talked about this with Carrie Neuhoff a few 28 00:01:29,550 --> 00:01:33,429 S3: weeks ago. Willpower is such a limited resource, and once 29 00:01:33,430 --> 00:01:36,789 S3: the excitement wears off or life gets stressful or overwhelming, 30 00:01:36,790 --> 00:01:39,069 S3: those old patterns are going to start to take over again. 31 00:01:39,069 --> 00:01:41,789 S3: That's why so many resolutions fail within just a few 32 00:01:41,790 --> 00:01:45,310 S3: weeks of the new year starting. Um, but we might 33 00:01:45,310 --> 00:01:47,470 S3: change the action, but we don't end up changing the 34 00:01:47,510 --> 00:01:49,710 S3: kind of person that we are. So without a deeper 35 00:01:49,710 --> 00:01:53,190 S3: shift in what we value and who we believe we are, 36 00:01:53,510 --> 00:01:57,070 S3: even the best intentions are going to eventually lose momentum. 37 00:01:57,110 --> 00:01:59,700 S2: I think you're exactly right. I mean, many people assume 38 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:02,460 S2: they need more discipline or better habits, to your point, 39 00:02:02,460 --> 00:02:06,580 S2: but you emphasize something deeper. So what is the difference 40 00:02:06,580 --> 00:02:10,940 S2: in your mind, Taylor, between changing behaviors and becoming a 41 00:02:10,940 --> 00:02:12,459 S2: different kind of person? 42 00:02:12,580 --> 00:02:16,459 S3: Well, yeah, changing behaviors is really about modifying what we do. 43 00:02:16,460 --> 00:02:19,179 S3: But becoming a different kind of person is actually reshaping 44 00:02:19,180 --> 00:02:21,620 S3: who we are. So behavior change is going to depend 45 00:02:21,620 --> 00:02:25,580 S3: on our effort. Yeah. Showing up, saying no, pushing through. 46 00:02:25,580 --> 00:02:28,980 S3: But if we look at identity transformation that's going to 47 00:02:29,020 --> 00:02:32,500 S3: reshape our desires and our motivations behind those choices. That's 48 00:02:32,500 --> 00:02:34,660 S3: why a key thing we believe here at Faith VI 49 00:02:34,700 --> 00:02:37,820 S3: is that behavior follows belief. And so when we focus 50 00:02:37,820 --> 00:02:40,900 S3: only on habits, we create goals that end once we 51 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:44,540 S3: reach them. But when we pursue identity formation, we become healthier. 52 00:02:44,540 --> 00:02:48,300 S3: We become more faithful, more generous. We're actually cultivating a 53 00:02:48,300 --> 00:02:50,500 S3: way of life that doesn't end when a certain milestone 54 00:02:50,500 --> 00:02:53,500 S3: is reached. This moves change from something that we forced 55 00:02:53,500 --> 00:02:56,980 S3: to something that flows naturally. And it's the difference between 56 00:02:57,020 --> 00:03:00,020 S3: acting healthy and being the kind of person who chooses health. 57 00:03:00,180 --> 00:03:03,540 S2: Wow. Yeah. That's powerful. So let's get practical then. How 58 00:03:03,540 --> 00:03:06,540 S2: does this shift play out in real life, for example? 59 00:03:06,580 --> 00:03:10,340 S2: How would somebody approach a health goal differently if the 60 00:03:10,340 --> 00:03:13,860 S2: focus is on who they're becoming, rather than simply what 61 00:03:13,860 --> 00:03:15,019 S2: they want to achieve? 62 00:03:15,060 --> 00:03:16,900 S3: Yeah, I think a health goal is a really good 63 00:03:16,900 --> 00:03:19,820 S3: example here, because that's the number one resolution that people 64 00:03:19,820 --> 00:03:22,900 S3: usually set. And so a health goal based on behavior 65 00:03:22,900 --> 00:03:25,940 S3: might be I'm going to lose £20. And that's fine. 66 00:03:25,940 --> 00:03:30,220 S3: But once those £20 are lost that motivation can often disappear. 67 00:03:30,220 --> 00:03:32,700 S3: Identity is going to ask a deeper question what kind 68 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:35,100 S3: of person do I want to become? Maybe it's I 69 00:03:35,100 --> 00:03:37,380 S3: want to be someone who honors God by caring for 70 00:03:37,380 --> 00:03:41,140 S3: the body that he has given me. That changes everything. Now, 71 00:03:41,140 --> 00:03:43,540 S3: the goal isn't just a number, it's a lifestyle. You're 72 00:03:43,540 --> 00:03:46,940 S3: building patterns that last beyond a single milestone. So identity 73 00:03:46,980 --> 00:03:50,500 S3: shapes your choices, even when motivation is low because it's 74 00:03:50,500 --> 00:03:53,700 S3: tied to purpose, not the pressure of reaching a deadline 75 00:03:53,700 --> 00:03:54,619 S3: or a milestone. 76 00:03:54,660 --> 00:03:57,330 S2: Yeah, that's really helpful. So let's then apply this to 77 00:03:57,370 --> 00:04:01,010 S2: financial goals. Things like paying off debt or saving more. 78 00:04:01,210 --> 00:04:04,570 S2: How does an identity focused approach reshape the way we 79 00:04:04,690 --> 00:04:08,450 S2: think as believers about financial resolutions? 80 00:04:08,490 --> 00:04:11,130 S3: Yeah. So like let's for example, use somebody who's trying 81 00:04:11,130 --> 00:04:13,730 S3: to pay off $20,000 of debt this year. That's a 82 00:04:13,730 --> 00:04:16,089 S3: hefty goal. Yeah, and I love that goal. But it 83 00:04:16,089 --> 00:04:18,850 S3: becomes far more powerful when it's rooted in identity, saying 84 00:04:18,850 --> 00:04:21,370 S3: things like, I want to be a wise steward of 85 00:04:21,370 --> 00:04:23,450 S3: what God has entrusted to me so that I can 86 00:04:23,450 --> 00:04:26,890 S3: live with freedom and give more generously. So the goal 87 00:04:26,890 --> 00:04:29,730 S3: isn't just about eliminating debt, it's about becoming someone that 88 00:04:29,730 --> 00:04:33,730 S3: is shaped by faithfulness and gratitude and generosity. And that 89 00:04:33,730 --> 00:04:36,170 S3: identity is going to influence far more than just a 90 00:04:36,170 --> 00:04:39,290 S3: one year resolution. It's going to impact our spending or 91 00:04:39,290 --> 00:04:43,650 S3: saving or giving long term stewardship. So identity is creating 92 00:04:43,690 --> 00:04:48,210 S3: financial choices that endure long after that $20,000 debt is gone. 93 00:04:48,570 --> 00:04:51,130 S2: That is so good. Taylor well, after the break, we're 94 00:04:51,130 --> 00:04:53,490 S2: going to continue to unpack this. We're going to dive 95 00:04:53,490 --> 00:04:58,680 S2: into God's Word and see where in Scripture this lasting 96 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:02,400 S2: change that comes from the heart can be seen. Also, 97 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,839 S2: we'll unpack some Old Testament principles. We'll even talk about 98 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:09,000 S2: the role the Holy Spirit plays in, in shaping us 99 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,760 S2: into the kind of people who naturally live out wise, 100 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:16,600 S2: godly decisions. Taylor Standridge is here today. Taylor is our 101 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:19,040 S2: production manager here at Faith vie. And a lot more 102 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:38,600 S2: to come right around the corner. Stay with us. Well, 103 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:43,000 S2: it's resolution season. This is faith and finance live I'm 104 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,520 S2: Rob West. You know, lasting resolutions don't start with what 105 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,720 S2: you want to achieve. They start with who you're becoming 106 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,750 S2: in Christ. And that's what we're talking about today with 107 00:05:52,750 --> 00:05:56,710 S2: Taylor Standridge. Taylor is production manager here at Faith and finance. 108 00:05:56,710 --> 00:05:58,990 S2: He's co-author of look at the sparrows. He was the 109 00:05:58,990 --> 00:06:02,830 S2: lead writer on my new devotional due out early next year, 110 00:06:02,830 --> 00:06:05,750 S2: called Our Ultimate Treasure. He's a key member of our 111 00:06:05,750 --> 00:06:09,990 S2: team and really sharing some powerful truths today about how 112 00:06:10,029 --> 00:06:14,750 S2: our identity in Christ can really lead us to, ultimately, 113 00:06:14,750 --> 00:06:19,710 S2: resolutions that stick changes that last. And that's what we 114 00:06:19,710 --> 00:06:21,910 S2: want to help you do today. Taylor, I want to 115 00:06:21,910 --> 00:06:25,549 S2: go into God's word. You know, this idea of inner 116 00:06:25,550 --> 00:06:28,950 S2: transformation is, of course, deeply biblical. So where do we 117 00:06:28,950 --> 00:06:32,110 S2: see in Scripture that lasting change comes from the heart, 118 00:06:32,150 --> 00:06:34,310 S2: not just external effort? 119 00:06:34,310 --> 00:06:36,950 S3: Yeah, I think Scripture consistently shows us that God is 120 00:06:36,950 --> 00:06:39,870 S3: after our hearts, not just our habits. Because when Israel 121 00:06:39,870 --> 00:06:43,029 S3: received God's law, they were clear commands about how to live. 122 00:06:43,029 --> 00:06:46,750 S3: But having the law wasn't enough. Their hearts were unchanged 123 00:06:46,750 --> 00:06:50,750 S3: and therefore their lives were unchanged. That's why in Ezekiel 36, 124 00:06:50,750 --> 00:06:53,469 S3: God promises to give his people a new heart and 125 00:06:53,470 --> 00:06:56,229 S3: to place His Spirit within them. You see Isaiah speaking 126 00:06:56,230 --> 00:06:59,910 S3: of God, writing his ways on their hearts. So Jesus 127 00:06:59,910 --> 00:07:01,830 S3: is echoing this when he says that a tree is 128 00:07:01,830 --> 00:07:04,510 S3: known by its fruit. In Luke six, the fruit flows 129 00:07:04,510 --> 00:07:07,909 S3: from what the tree is, and true transformation starts from 130 00:07:07,910 --> 00:07:11,270 S3: the inside. So throughout both the old and the New Testaments, 131 00:07:11,270 --> 00:07:15,270 S3: we see God confronting people who obeyed outwardly but missed 132 00:07:15,270 --> 00:07:18,750 S3: his heart. Jesus is rebuking religious leaders who gave from 133 00:07:18,750 --> 00:07:22,270 S3: their excess while neglecting justice and mercy. The prophets, whether 134 00:07:22,270 --> 00:07:26,830 S3: that was Amos, Isaiah, amongst others, they were condemning sacrifices 135 00:07:26,830 --> 00:07:30,830 S3: that were technically correct, but they were spiritually bankrupt. God 136 00:07:30,830 --> 00:07:34,310 S3: is not impressed by our mere performance. He desires people 137 00:07:34,310 --> 00:07:37,390 S3: who trust him and those who live out of that trust. 138 00:07:37,390 --> 00:07:40,070 S3: It's like first Samuel 16 seven says, man looks at 139 00:07:40,070 --> 00:07:43,470 S3: the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 140 00:07:43,470 --> 00:07:45,510 S3: It's similar to how I raise my kids. I don't 141 00:07:45,510 --> 00:07:48,910 S3: want them to avoid something just because dad said so. 142 00:07:49,110 --> 00:07:51,660 S3: I want them to trust my heart to know that 143 00:07:51,660 --> 00:07:54,260 S3: I love them, and that I want what's best for them. 144 00:07:54,300 --> 00:07:58,620 S2: Well, let's take that another step. So how does God's promise, Taylor, 145 00:07:58,620 --> 00:08:01,620 S2: to give his people a new heart? You just referred 146 00:08:01,620 --> 00:08:04,060 S2: to that. How does that reframe the way we think 147 00:08:04,060 --> 00:08:05,500 S2: about change today? 148 00:08:05,660 --> 00:08:07,980 S3: Yeah, I think God's promise of a new heart shows 149 00:08:07,980 --> 00:08:11,460 S3: us that lasting change is not primarily self-generated. It is 150 00:08:11,460 --> 00:08:16,220 S3: spirit generated. So external rules can restrain behavior, but they 151 00:08:16,220 --> 00:08:19,260 S3: cannot renew our desires. So the new heart that God 152 00:08:19,260 --> 00:08:22,540 S3: gives doesn't just help us try harder, it reorders what 153 00:08:22,540 --> 00:08:26,340 S3: we love. So instead of forcing obedience from the outside, 154 00:08:26,340 --> 00:08:29,580 S3: God is empowering obedience from the inside. And that means 155 00:08:29,580 --> 00:08:33,179 S3: real change is possible. Not because we're strong, but because 156 00:08:33,220 --> 00:08:36,740 S3: God is. And when we understand that, our resolutions shift 157 00:08:36,740 --> 00:08:40,500 S3: from I must make myself better to Lord, make me 158 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:44,820 S3: more like you. And transformation becomes a partnership with God's grace. 159 00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:47,300 S3: And that's why the qualities that Paul lists in Galatians 160 00:08:47,300 --> 00:08:50,290 S3: five are called the fruit of the spirit. They're not 161 00:08:50,290 --> 00:08:53,690 S3: virtues we force or manipulate on our own. They naturally 162 00:08:53,690 --> 00:08:56,290 S3: grow in us as we're rooted in Christ, and that 163 00:08:56,290 --> 00:08:59,330 S3: fruit is simply the outward evidence of an inner life 164 00:08:59,330 --> 00:09:01,370 S3: that is being shaped by knowing him. 165 00:09:01,490 --> 00:09:04,850 S2: Wow. That is powerful. Uh, so then what role does 166 00:09:04,850 --> 00:09:07,770 S2: the Holy Spirit play, Taylor, in shaping us into the 167 00:09:07,770 --> 00:09:12,130 S2: kind of people who naturally live out wise, godly decisions? 168 00:09:12,170 --> 00:09:14,729 S3: Yeah. The Holy Spirit is the one who is reshaping 169 00:09:14,730 --> 00:09:18,810 S3: our desires, strengthening our will, forming Christ like character within us, 170 00:09:18,809 --> 00:09:21,330 S3: and under that old covenant that we see in the 171 00:09:21,330 --> 00:09:23,770 S3: Old Testament. God's people had the law, but not the 172 00:09:23,770 --> 00:09:26,250 S3: power to obey it from the heart. And under the 173 00:09:26,250 --> 00:09:29,730 S3: new covenant, God is placing His Spirit within us, changing 174 00:09:29,730 --> 00:09:32,250 S3: us from the inside out. That's why Scripture is divided 175 00:09:32,250 --> 00:09:35,890 S3: into Old and New Testaments. It literally means Old Covenant 176 00:09:35,890 --> 00:09:38,530 S3: and New Covenant, and we no longer depend on our 177 00:09:38,530 --> 00:09:42,170 S3: strength to transform ourselves. We depend on him, and the 178 00:09:42,170 --> 00:09:45,170 S3: spirit is convicting us when we need to change something, 179 00:09:45,170 --> 00:09:47,959 S3: but he is actually empowering us to walk in that 180 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:52,079 S3: change to he is producing the fruit of self-control, patience, faithfulness, 181 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,360 S3: qualities that we could never manufacture on our own. And 182 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,600 S3: when we stop relying on just the sheer willpower and 183 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,600 S3: recognize our limits and our need, that often is when 184 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:03,320 S3: God does his deepest work. 185 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:03,880 S2: Yes. 186 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,000 S3: And so, instead of white knuckling our way through these resolutions, 187 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,079 S3: we grow into the people that God designed us to be. 188 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:12,760 S3: And the Spirit of God aligns our hearts with his 189 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:17,000 S3: purposes so that wise decisions become not only possible, but 190 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,280 S3: a natural overflow. 191 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:22,079 S2: Oh wow. That is incredible and really a game changer 192 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:26,720 S2: as we think about approaching resolutions heading into a new 193 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:30,839 S2: year here. So let's help people think about the practices 194 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,199 S2: that can go along with this. For listeners who want 195 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:37,319 S2: to begin the year with this deeper perspective. How do 196 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:40,520 S2: they discern the kind of person God is inviting them 197 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:41,240 S2: to become? 198 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:45,240 S3: Yeah, I would invite them to start with prayerful reflection, saying, Lord, 199 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:48,510 S3: where are you inviting growth into my life? And look 200 00:10:48,510 --> 00:10:51,830 S3: for areas where you've sensed him nudging you, or convicting you, 201 00:10:52,030 --> 00:10:55,069 S3: or giving you this holy dissatisfaction, that this way of 202 00:10:55,070 --> 00:10:58,270 S3: life that we are living is not in line with 203 00:10:58,270 --> 00:11:01,390 S3: his purposes. So evaluate those patterns. Where do your habits 204 00:11:01,429 --> 00:11:03,830 S3: reflect who you used to be rather than who God 205 00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:07,310 S3: is shaping you to become? Because Scripture is also a 206 00:11:07,309 --> 00:11:12,390 S3: mirror that is reflecting our calling to be more loving, faithful, generous, courageous, 207 00:11:12,390 --> 00:11:16,790 S3: and hopeful ambassadors of Christ. So talk with trusted believers 208 00:11:16,790 --> 00:11:18,390 S3: in the body that you are a part of who 209 00:11:18,390 --> 00:11:20,870 S3: can speak into your life. The goal is not to 210 00:11:20,910 --> 00:11:23,390 S3: invent an identity, but it is to align with the 211 00:11:23,390 --> 00:11:25,550 S3: one that God is already forming in you through the 212 00:11:25,550 --> 00:11:26,429 S3: Holy Spirit. 213 00:11:26,470 --> 00:11:29,390 S2: Mhm. Yeah, I really appreciate what you said about it 214 00:11:29,390 --> 00:11:34,069 S2: is really a desire, a passion to become more like Christ. 215 00:11:34,070 --> 00:11:38,870 S2: It's that examined life but examined through the lens of Scripture, 216 00:11:38,870 --> 00:11:42,349 S2: through the power of the Holy Spirit, through wise counselors 217 00:11:42,350 --> 00:11:45,750 S2: that God has placed around you that can ultimately help 218 00:11:45,750 --> 00:11:49,790 S2: you identify that deeper identity, like wanting to be a 219 00:11:49,790 --> 00:11:53,190 S2: faithful steward. So how do our listeners then translate that 220 00:11:53,190 --> 00:11:57,670 S2: into goals and rhythms that flow out of who they're becoming? 221 00:11:57,910 --> 00:11:59,990 S3: Yeah, I would say start with identity like we've been 222 00:11:59,990 --> 00:12:03,790 S3: talking about, then build those small practices that express that. 223 00:12:03,830 --> 00:12:06,350 S3: If you want to be a faithful steward, set a budget, 224 00:12:06,390 --> 00:12:09,310 S3: automate your savings, increase your giving by a small percentage 225 00:12:09,309 --> 00:12:11,550 S3: if it means that you're growing and your giving if 226 00:12:11,550 --> 00:12:14,069 S3: you want to be a healthier person, choose routines that 227 00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:18,470 S3: reflect your identity, whether that's consistent sleep, regular activity wise, 228 00:12:18,470 --> 00:12:21,230 S3: or dietary choices. And Rob, I want to be clear, 229 00:12:21,230 --> 00:12:24,110 S3: I'm not against Smart goals. You know, we're actually doing 230 00:12:24,110 --> 00:12:27,590 S3: an episode tomorrow about Smart goals. And we're I like 231 00:12:27,630 --> 00:12:30,950 S3: the idea of tracking progress. Those tools matter. They give 232 00:12:30,950 --> 00:12:33,829 S3: us structure. They help us stay accountable. They provide clarity 233 00:12:33,830 --> 00:12:36,630 S3: about what we're actually moving in the right direction. So 234 00:12:36,630 --> 00:12:38,870 S3: setting a target, maybe like paying off a certain debt 235 00:12:38,870 --> 00:12:41,910 S3: or walking a certain number of steps, that's incredibly motivating. 236 00:12:42,070 --> 00:12:45,180 S3: But the foundation of that transformation has to go deeper 237 00:12:45,179 --> 00:12:48,940 S3: than just a number or a circumstances. Because numbers can change, 238 00:12:48,980 --> 00:12:53,179 S3: goals can be reached, circumstances can shift. Identity is what lasts. 239 00:12:53,179 --> 00:12:56,220 S3: And so our deeper aim needs to become a faithful 240 00:12:56,220 --> 00:12:59,420 S3: steward or maybe a healthier, more present person in our lives. 241 00:12:59,420 --> 00:13:02,340 S3: Those specific goals can be expressions of who you're becoming 242 00:13:02,340 --> 00:13:05,620 S3: rather than the ultimate measure of success. So keep your 243 00:13:05,620 --> 00:13:08,540 S3: goals simple. Keep them sustainable and aligned with your values. 244 00:13:08,540 --> 00:13:12,140 S3: And when identity is going to lead, our actions will follow. 245 00:13:12,140 --> 00:13:13,980 S3: So those steps that you track and the goals that 246 00:13:13,980 --> 00:13:16,699 S3: you set aren't just tasks, they're actually a part of 247 00:13:16,700 --> 00:13:19,540 S3: a life that is being transformed from the inside out. 248 00:13:19,580 --> 00:13:23,420 S2: Wow, this is powerful, Taylor. We've got about 45 seconds left. 249 00:13:23,460 --> 00:13:26,700 S2: What final encouragement would you give to someone who wants 250 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:29,939 S2: to pursue change from the inside out in the new year? 251 00:13:30,100 --> 00:13:33,420 S3: Yeah, I'd say start small. Trust the Holy Spirit. Focus 252 00:13:33,420 --> 00:13:37,540 S3: on faithfulness over perfection. You are not striving for this alone. 253 00:13:37,540 --> 00:13:40,140 S3: The God who calls you to transformation walks with you. 254 00:13:40,179 --> 00:13:42,809 S3: He equips you and he delights to see you grow. 255 00:13:42,809 --> 00:13:45,530 S3: So when your resolutions flow from who God is shaping 256 00:13:45,530 --> 00:13:47,850 S3: you to be, they won't just last for a year. 257 00:13:47,850 --> 00:13:50,050 S3: They will shape you for this life and the next. 258 00:13:50,090 --> 00:13:52,290 S2: That is so good. Taylor, thanks for being here today. 259 00:13:52,330 --> 00:13:53,290 S3: Absolutely, Rob. 260 00:13:53,450 --> 00:13:56,850 S2: Remember, folks, today is the final day of our year 261 00:13:56,850 --> 00:14:01,250 S2: end campaign to fund Faith fi. As a listener supported ministry, 262 00:14:01,410 --> 00:14:05,810 S2: every gift received before midnight will be doubled. And if 263 00:14:05,850 --> 00:14:08,770 S2: you've been considering becoming a faith buy partner, now's the 264 00:14:08,770 --> 00:14:12,090 S2: time to do it. Just head to Faith fi complex. 265 00:14:12,730 --> 00:14:17,890 S2: That's faith. Your gift will be doubled. And every gift 266 00:14:17,890 --> 00:14:20,770 S2: of any amount allows us to send you my new devotional, 267 00:14:20,930 --> 00:14:23,810 S2: Our Ultimate Treasure in the new Year. We'll be right 268 00:14:23,810 --> 00:14:36,810 S2: back with much more. I'm so glad you're joining us 269 00:14:36,810 --> 00:14:40,160 S2: today on Faith and Finance Live. Just a quick reminder. 270 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:43,560 S2: We're away from the studio. Let me also remind you 271 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:46,840 S2: that the advice I give on this broadcast is not 272 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:51,160 S2: intended to be a specific recommendation. These are general principles 273 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:55,240 S2: and guidelines, but always seek professional financial advice that is 274 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:58,440 S2: appropriate for your situation. Before we head to the phones, 275 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,920 S2: what a great opportunity for me to remind you to 276 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,920 S2: check out the Faith V website at Faith com. You 277 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,440 S2: can find great resources. You can check out and download 278 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,160 S2: the Faith V app. You can also jump into our 279 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:14,000 S2: Faith V community. That's where you can ask questions, get answers, 280 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:18,160 S2: perhaps help somebody else on their financial journey as well 281 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,120 S2: as a steward. It's all there when you create a 282 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:23,640 S2: free account at Faith comm. All right, let's get to 283 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,800 S2: our calls today that we've lined up. Let's go to Arkansas. Jeanette, 284 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:27,600 S2: how can I help? 285 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:29,920 S4: Hi. Um. 286 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:34,640 S5: Will be 67 in 2027. 287 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:35,200 S2: Alright. 288 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:42,640 S5: I am going to be on a medical restriction in 2027, 289 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,160 S5: which means I will get paid for part of that year. 290 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:52,280 S5: There's a question I have about once you reach 67. 291 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:57,880 S5: From what I understand, you can make more money and 292 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:02,320 S5: it not affect your Social Security than before. You're 67. 293 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:04,320 S5: Is that correct? 294 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:06,960 S2: It is. Yeah. And here's the way that works. So 295 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:11,160 S2: whatever your full retirement age is, it's what's referred to 296 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,120 S2: as the Fra, the full retirement age. And it has 297 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:17,200 S2: to do with your birth year. Um, but it's somewhere 298 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:21,760 S2: between 66 and 67. You know, it's probably either 66 299 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,200 S2: and ten months and it could be as as much 300 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,040 S2: as 67. But when you reach full retirement age, whatever 301 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:31,600 S2: it is for you, there is no longer any kind 302 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:36,920 S2: of limit on the amount you can earn without resulting 303 00:16:37,030 --> 00:16:40,390 S2: in a reduction in your benefits. So until you reach 304 00:16:40,390 --> 00:16:43,870 S2: full retirement age, if you earn over a certain amount, 305 00:16:43,870 --> 00:16:46,910 S2: it will cause your benefits to start to be reduced. 306 00:16:47,270 --> 00:16:50,150 S2: When you reach full retirement age, there is no cap. 307 00:16:50,150 --> 00:16:52,590 S2: You can earn as much as you want, and you 308 00:16:52,590 --> 00:16:55,510 S2: will get 100% of the benefit that is due to you. 309 00:16:57,030 --> 00:17:01,070 S5: Okay, so if I wait till I'm 67 to start 310 00:17:01,070 --> 00:17:04,950 S5: drawing Social Security, than it doesn't matter either way. 311 00:17:05,390 --> 00:17:08,630 S2: That's correct. Once you reach full retirement age. So were 312 00:17:08,630 --> 00:17:11,350 S2: you born in, uh, in 60 or later? 313 00:17:11,710 --> 00:17:12,390 S4: Yes. 314 00:17:12,430 --> 00:17:16,470 S2: Okay. Yeah. So your full retirement age is 67. And 315 00:17:16,470 --> 00:17:19,189 S2: so as long as you wait until your 67th birthday 316 00:17:19,190 --> 00:17:24,070 S2: to start claiming your Social Security, there is no earnings limit. Uh, 317 00:17:24,430 --> 00:17:26,990 S2: and therefore, you can earn as much as you want 318 00:17:26,990 --> 00:17:29,950 S2: and it will have zero impact on your, uh, monthly 319 00:17:29,950 --> 00:17:31,190 S2: Social Security benefit. 320 00:17:32,070 --> 00:17:35,430 S5: In that year. In the year that I turned 67. 321 00:17:35,580 --> 00:17:38,100 S2: Correct. As long as you wait to claim your benefits 322 00:17:38,100 --> 00:17:41,740 S2: starting after your 67th birthday, there will be no limit. 323 00:17:43,220 --> 00:17:45,980 S5: Right. Thank you so much and I appreciate you so 324 00:17:45,980 --> 00:17:47,219 S5: much for all you do. 325 00:17:47,380 --> 00:17:49,540 S2: Well thank you Jeanette. Uh, Lord bless you. Thanks for 326 00:17:49,540 --> 00:17:52,260 S2: being on the program today. Uh, let's go to Tennessee. Sandra, 327 00:17:52,260 --> 00:17:52,979 S2: how can I help? 328 00:17:53,980 --> 00:17:58,820 S6: Yes, I'm considering putting my investments into a unified management account. Uh, 329 00:17:58,820 --> 00:18:00,659 S6: what are your thoughts on that type of account? 330 00:18:01,260 --> 00:18:03,420 S2: Yeah, I don't have any problem with that. Basically, that's 331 00:18:03,420 --> 00:18:08,580 S2: a single investment account where it combines multiple types of assets. 332 00:18:08,580 --> 00:18:10,820 S2: So you could have stocks and bonds and mutual funds 333 00:18:10,820 --> 00:18:14,500 S2: and ETFs, even what are called separately managed portfolios with 334 00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:18,540 S2: different managers, but all under one umbrella with one statement 335 00:18:18,540 --> 00:18:21,020 S2: and one management fee. So it's kind of an all 336 00:18:21,020 --> 00:18:25,340 S2: in one portfolio managed in a coordinated way, rather than 337 00:18:25,340 --> 00:18:30,820 S2: having separate several separate accounts for each type of investment. Um, 338 00:18:31,140 --> 00:18:33,500 S2: so generally, the way that works is you open one 339 00:18:33,500 --> 00:18:36,730 S2: account with a financial advisor or firm, and then they 340 00:18:36,730 --> 00:18:40,770 S2: could have different strategies, even multiple managers in it, and 341 00:18:40,770 --> 00:18:45,170 S2: then they provide centralized reporting. The advantages are that, you know, 342 00:18:45,210 --> 00:18:47,530 S2: it's it just simplifies things. I mean, you're going to 343 00:18:47,530 --> 00:18:52,810 S2: get one statement, one tax report, one relationship. They can coordinate, 344 00:18:52,850 --> 00:18:56,330 S2: you know, the professional can coordinate your overall risk and 345 00:18:56,330 --> 00:18:59,930 S2: allocation to make sure that it's right across the board 346 00:18:59,930 --> 00:19:03,330 S2: and you don't have competing strategies. Uh, also from a 347 00:19:03,330 --> 00:19:09,050 S2: tax efficiency standpoint, there's some benefits. And then transparency is also, 348 00:19:09,090 --> 00:19:11,810 S2: you know, helpful. So I would say, you know, as 349 00:19:11,810 --> 00:19:15,129 S2: long as you have the right trusted advisor who understands 350 00:19:15,130 --> 00:19:17,850 S2: your goals and objectives and kind of where God is 351 00:19:17,850 --> 00:19:19,850 S2: leading you in this next season of life and what 352 00:19:19,850 --> 00:19:23,010 S2: your income needs are, you know, and and you trust 353 00:19:23,010 --> 00:19:27,090 S2: that advisor's discretion over the management. You know, the idea 354 00:19:27,090 --> 00:19:30,490 S2: of a unified management account, I think is a good one. 355 00:19:31,330 --> 00:19:32,250 S6: All right. Thank you. 356 00:19:32,609 --> 00:19:35,129 S2: All right. Thanks for your call today, Santa. We appreciate 357 00:19:35,130 --> 00:19:37,570 S2: you being on the program. Let's go to Gordon in Louisiana. 358 00:19:37,570 --> 00:19:38,250 S2: Go ahead sir. 359 00:19:39,050 --> 00:19:42,850 S7: Yes, sir. Rob, I just have a simple question. I guess, uh, 360 00:19:43,050 --> 00:19:47,170 S7: on my 401 K the rate of return. What does 361 00:19:47,170 --> 00:19:50,409 S7: that actually mean? Is that like an interest rate or different? 362 00:19:50,930 --> 00:19:53,169 S2: Uh, it is a little different. I mean, it's similar, 363 00:19:53,170 --> 00:19:56,369 S2: but it's different with regard to an investment account. Uh, 364 00:19:56,369 --> 00:20:00,250 S2: so basically, uh, you know, you're seeing that on your statement, 365 00:20:00,250 --> 00:20:02,930 S2: I would suspect, and it could be called a rate 366 00:20:02,930 --> 00:20:06,770 S2: of return or performance percentages. And essentially the rate of 367 00:20:06,770 --> 00:20:10,409 S2: return tells you how much your investments have gained or 368 00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:14,290 S2: lost over time. And it's generally expressed as a percentage 369 00:20:14,290 --> 00:20:19,490 S2: of your original balance. So it's basically your investment growth rate, 370 00:20:19,490 --> 00:20:21,890 S2: how hard your money has worked for you, you might say. 371 00:20:21,890 --> 00:20:24,409 S2: So if you start the year with 100,000, you end 372 00:20:24,450 --> 00:20:28,209 S2: the year with a 108,000, including the growth of the 373 00:20:28,250 --> 00:20:32,719 S2: the appreciation of the stocks or investments inside the account 374 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:38,040 S2: plus the dividends. Well, that's an 8% rate of return. Uh, 375 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:47,359 S2: if it dropped from 100,000 to 95,000, that's a 5% -5% return. Um, so, 376 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:51,000 S2: you know, they're basically just expressing, you know, how much 377 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,400 S2: your investments have gained or lost over time. 378 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:58,439 S7: Okay, that sounds good. I can understand that. How about 379 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,320 S7: I also have an annuity that I don't know very 380 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,520 S7: much about? What is an annuity and how does it 381 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:05,600 S7: differ from the 401 K. 382 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:10,320 S2: Yeah. Good question. So an annuity is an insurance product 383 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:15,960 S2: uh essentially that you give the insurer money either all 384 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:19,600 S2: at once or over time through payments. And in return 385 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:24,160 S2: they promise to grow your money, sometimes at a guaranteed rate. 386 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:28,000 S2: And you know, you send regular in and then they 387 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,390 S2: send you regular income payments often for life once you 388 00:21:31,430 --> 00:21:36,670 S2: quote Annuitize. So it's a contract with an insurance company. Uh, 389 00:21:36,670 --> 00:21:39,109 S2: and there's different types. There's a fixed annuity that pays 390 00:21:39,109 --> 00:21:43,070 S2: a guaranteed rate. There's an indexed annuity that's tied to 391 00:21:43,109 --> 00:21:46,750 S2: a market index like the S&P 500. Then there's variable 392 00:21:46,750 --> 00:21:50,310 S2: annuities that invest in subaccounts kind of like your 401 393 00:21:50,350 --> 00:21:53,230 S2: K mutual funds. And then an immediate annuity. You give 394 00:21:53,230 --> 00:21:55,710 S2: them a lump sum. They give you income right away. 395 00:21:55,790 --> 00:21:57,830 S2: Hope that helps. Thanks for your call, Gordon. We'll be 396 00:21:57,830 --> 00:21:58,390 S2: right back. 397 00:22:07,830 --> 00:22:11,669 S1: You're listening to Faith and finance live. This program is prerecorded, 398 00:22:11,670 --> 00:22:14,430 S1: so we're not available to answer your calls, but you 399 00:22:14,430 --> 00:22:17,710 S1: can email us your questions at at. 400 00:22:20,390 --> 00:22:22,710 S2: Hey, as we head toward the year end, we'd love 401 00:22:22,710 --> 00:22:25,510 S2: to invite you to become a partner to invest in 402 00:22:25,510 --> 00:22:28,389 S2: this work here at Faith by bringing you this program 403 00:22:28,500 --> 00:22:31,100 S2: every day, bringing you the Faith VI app, including the 404 00:22:31,100 --> 00:22:33,340 S2: brand new app that's coming out next year. That is 405 00:22:33,340 --> 00:22:35,899 S2: going to be incredible. Trust me, I'll be able to 406 00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:38,220 S2: tell you more in the next couple of weeks. My 407 00:22:38,220 --> 00:22:41,060 S2: new devotional that's coming out, the new studies and the 408 00:22:41,060 --> 00:22:45,700 S2: resources we're creating that only happens because of your generous support. 409 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:48,659 S2: Faith V is a not for profit ministry. We rely 410 00:22:48,660 --> 00:22:52,020 S2: on listener support to bring you all of these resources, 411 00:22:52,020 --> 00:22:55,340 S2: including this broadcast. So if you love the program, maybe 412 00:22:55,380 --> 00:22:57,699 S2: you've been helped by it, maybe you've been able to 413 00:22:57,700 --> 00:23:00,300 S2: apply some wisdom, or it's just been an encouragement in 414 00:23:00,300 --> 00:23:02,780 S2: your role as a faithful steward, I'd invite you to 415 00:23:02,820 --> 00:23:06,260 S2: support the ministry and here's why, particularly now, not only 416 00:23:06,260 --> 00:23:08,100 S2: is this a really important time for us as we 417 00:23:08,140 --> 00:23:11,540 S2: head toward year end, but it's also a key time 418 00:23:11,540 --> 00:23:15,060 S2: because every gift between now and December 31st is being 419 00:23:15,060 --> 00:23:20,980 S2: matched dollar for dollar from some generous friends, up to $175,000, 420 00:23:21,180 --> 00:23:24,500 S2: and every gift of any amount will ensure that you 421 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:27,930 S2: get a copy of my new devotional, uh, our ultimate 422 00:23:27,930 --> 00:23:31,850 S2: treasure mailed to your door when it comes out in January. 423 00:23:31,850 --> 00:23:38,530 S2: So if you would head to faith.com/give. That's faith. I give. 424 00:23:38,570 --> 00:23:41,090 S2: You can also follow along with us. You'll see a 425 00:23:41,090 --> 00:23:46,330 S2: tracker to our $175,000 goal. Your gift is appreciated. Faith 426 00:23:46,369 --> 00:23:50,890 S2: five comments and thanks in advance. Uh, we've got some 427 00:23:50,890 --> 00:23:53,450 S2: lines open. We're taking your calls and questions today. That 428 00:23:53,450 --> 00:23:58,770 S2: number to get in on the conversation. 800 525 7000. 429 00:23:58,810 --> 00:24:01,409 S2: You can call right now. Uh, let's go to New York. John, 430 00:24:01,410 --> 00:24:02,250 S2: how can I help? 431 00:24:02,770 --> 00:24:03,810 S8: Thanks for taking my call. 432 00:24:03,850 --> 00:24:04,369 S2: Of course. 433 00:24:04,930 --> 00:24:07,450 S8: Yeah. So, um, the situation we have is my wife 434 00:24:07,450 --> 00:24:11,409 S8: and I have recently received a legal settlement for a 435 00:24:11,410 --> 00:24:15,770 S8: little over $50,000, and we'd like to tie that. And 436 00:24:15,970 --> 00:24:19,730 S8: we normally give the 10% tithe to our local church, 437 00:24:20,250 --> 00:24:22,050 S8: but this is kind of over and above that. And 438 00:24:22,050 --> 00:24:24,449 S8: what we're wondering is two things. One is how do 439 00:24:24,450 --> 00:24:27,010 S8: we what kind of guidance can we look at in 440 00:24:27,010 --> 00:24:28,609 S8: terms of how much of that should go to our 441 00:24:28,609 --> 00:24:32,169 S8: local church versus other causes that are kingdom related, that 442 00:24:32,170 --> 00:24:36,850 S8: are in our hearts? And secondly, is it appropriate to 443 00:24:36,890 --> 00:24:38,929 S8: take one of the part of the tithe for one 444 00:24:38,930 --> 00:24:40,610 S8: of those causes, which would be a ministry that my 445 00:24:40,609 --> 00:24:43,970 S8: wife and I are now forming, developing, which would have 446 00:24:43,970 --> 00:24:46,570 S8: some significant expense to it with that, is that valid 447 00:24:46,570 --> 00:24:48,370 S8: to consider tithing as well? 448 00:24:48,450 --> 00:24:52,050 S2: Yeah. Well, it's a great question. And I love the 449 00:24:52,050 --> 00:24:55,770 S2: heart behind it because really, as we think about giving, uh, 450 00:24:55,770 --> 00:24:58,850 S2: you know, clearly giving should be a response to the 451 00:24:58,850 --> 00:25:02,050 S2: grace that's been extended to us. So it's an act 452 00:25:02,050 --> 00:25:05,450 S2: of worship. It's just should be that natural response to say, 453 00:25:05,690 --> 00:25:08,649 S2: I've been given much. I have an abundance before the 454 00:25:08,650 --> 00:25:11,490 S2: first dollar because of what God has done on my 455 00:25:11,490 --> 00:25:14,169 S2: behalf through Jesus shed blood on the cross. And so, 456 00:25:14,290 --> 00:25:16,010 S2: you know, I was created in the image of the 457 00:25:16,010 --> 00:25:20,050 S2: ultimate giver, God Himself. And so I give as just 458 00:25:20,050 --> 00:25:23,090 S2: a natural response to that. And so I think that's great. Uh, 459 00:25:23,090 --> 00:25:25,840 S2: I think the second thing we can often do as 460 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:28,560 S2: we as we think through this, is really think about 461 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:31,800 S2: the role of the tithe. You know, we address this 462 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:37,480 S2: pretty specifically in the current issue of the Faithful Steward magazine, 463 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:40,760 S2: as we did a deep dive, just looking at the 464 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:44,359 S2: tithe and really thinking about, uh, you know, all of 465 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:47,920 S2: those passages in the Old and New Testament about the 466 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:50,080 S2: tithe and what you will see when you explore that. 467 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:52,320 S2: And and I'll send you a copy of the current 468 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,119 S2: issue of Faithful Stewards so you can read it. I 469 00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:57,680 S2: think you'll really enjoy it, you know, but we see 470 00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:01,080 S2: the idea of tithing about 15 times in Scripture, even 471 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:05,000 S2: though the word is used 49 times, obviously largely in 472 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,239 S2: the Old Testament, because it was a part of the 473 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:10,280 S2: Law of Moses, there was actually three types of tithes. 474 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:13,199 S2: So you had the the Levitical tithe, you had the 475 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:16,080 S2: festival tithe, you had the charity tithe. When you put 476 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,639 S2: all those together, it was, you know, because one of 477 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:20,920 S2: them was every three years it was like 23 and 478 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:25,149 S2: a third percent, but I love this idea that we 479 00:26:25,150 --> 00:26:28,950 S2: would give systematically and proportionately. I think we see that 480 00:26:28,950 --> 00:26:32,590 S2: clearly in the New Testament where to give, uh, you know, 481 00:26:32,630 --> 00:26:35,950 S2: based on New Testament givers, uh, out of an overflow 482 00:26:35,950 --> 00:26:38,230 S2: and as an act of worship, and I think using 483 00:26:38,710 --> 00:26:41,790 S2: the principle of the tithe as a starting point, you know, 484 00:26:41,830 --> 00:26:46,669 S2: viewing that 10% as a historic benchmark, uh, of generosity, 485 00:26:46,710 --> 00:26:50,070 S2: not as a legal requirement, but as a practice that 486 00:26:50,070 --> 00:26:53,950 S2: still offers guidance today, I think is great. I also 487 00:26:53,950 --> 00:26:56,630 S2: think one of the ideas that we can pull forward 488 00:26:56,630 --> 00:26:59,590 S2: from the Old Testament tithes is giving to the local 489 00:26:59,590 --> 00:27:03,869 S2: church to advance the gospel and support spiritual leaders. That 490 00:27:03,869 --> 00:27:07,469 S2: clearly reflects the Levitical tithes. So I think both of 491 00:27:07,470 --> 00:27:11,870 S2: those are important. Supporting our church. God's plan A clearly 492 00:27:12,109 --> 00:27:16,870 S2: and doing that systematically and proportionately, perhaps using the 10% 493 00:27:16,869 --> 00:27:19,470 S2: as a guideline, not as an ending point, but as 494 00:27:19,470 --> 00:27:22,580 S2: a beginning point, I think is great, but at the 495 00:27:22,580 --> 00:27:26,420 S2: end of the day, it really shouldn't be about rules 496 00:27:26,420 --> 00:27:31,820 S2: or even percentages. I think New Testament giving really cares 497 00:27:31,820 --> 00:27:35,140 S2: more about the heart posture than a specific number or 498 00:27:35,140 --> 00:27:39,179 S2: percentage of giving. It really is about a fully surrendered 499 00:27:39,180 --> 00:27:44,780 S2: life of godliness, which includes honoring God with our giving, 500 00:27:45,220 --> 00:27:49,180 S2: you know, freely and joyfully and directed to causes that 501 00:27:49,180 --> 00:27:51,580 S2: honor God. So what am I saying here? You didn't 502 00:27:51,580 --> 00:27:54,420 S2: call ask for a history lesson on the tithe. But 503 00:27:54,420 --> 00:27:57,220 S2: I think what that leads us to is our knees 504 00:27:57,420 --> 00:27:59,620 S2: to say, God, what would you have me to do? 505 00:27:59,619 --> 00:28:02,780 S2: Because God's not an accountant. He doesn't need our money. 506 00:28:03,020 --> 00:28:05,380 S2: And as long as we're giving with the glad heart 507 00:28:05,380 --> 00:28:09,580 S2: and as a response to his grace, and in alignment 508 00:28:09,580 --> 00:28:11,940 S2: with the causes that are on the heart of God, 509 00:28:12,140 --> 00:28:15,140 S2: then I think you know clearly, wherever you and your 510 00:28:15,140 --> 00:28:18,820 S2: wife land on that is God honoring. And I think 511 00:28:18,820 --> 00:28:21,899 S2: starting with your local church because it's God's design for 512 00:28:21,900 --> 00:28:25,580 S2: reaching communities and equipping believers and advancing the gospel is good. 513 00:28:25,660 --> 00:28:27,940 S2: But I think there's clearly other causes on the heart 514 00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:30,780 S2: of God as well. Serving the poor is clearly on 515 00:28:30,780 --> 00:28:32,780 S2: the heart of God. Sharing the good news is on 516 00:28:32,780 --> 00:28:35,820 S2: the heart of God strengthening believers. So, you know, if 517 00:28:35,859 --> 00:28:38,140 S2: you guys decided, listen, we're going to take part of 518 00:28:38,140 --> 00:28:41,260 S2: our increase of these unexpected funds and we're going to 519 00:28:41,260 --> 00:28:43,660 S2: support our local church. But then the Lord is going 520 00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:45,700 S2: to lead us to do a few other things with 521 00:28:45,700 --> 00:28:48,700 S2: that as well. I think that's perfectly appropriate with the 522 00:28:48,700 --> 00:28:50,900 S2: right heart posture. As long as you and your wife 523 00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:52,940 S2: are on the same page and you've, you know, taken 524 00:28:52,940 --> 00:28:55,260 S2: it before the Lord in prayer. Does that make sense? 525 00:28:55,740 --> 00:28:57,380 S8: It does. And we're certainly we're in the process of 526 00:28:57,380 --> 00:28:59,620 S8: doing that right now. So just kind of seeking any 527 00:28:59,620 --> 00:29:03,900 S8: other godly counsel in that process. So good. Yeah. So because, 528 00:29:03,900 --> 00:29:06,340 S8: you know, there are there are significant other needs that 529 00:29:06,340 --> 00:29:09,100 S8: we've kind of had on hold for a long time that, 530 00:29:09,140 --> 00:29:10,900 S8: you know, this is G this is really kind of 531 00:29:10,900 --> 00:29:13,420 S8: a windfall. That's a blessing to us. Yeah. So you 532 00:29:13,420 --> 00:29:14,740 S8: know we want to take care of some of those 533 00:29:14,740 --> 00:29:17,420 S8: as well. But you know I think so I guess 534 00:29:17,420 --> 00:29:19,490 S8: what I'm hearing is that maybe you know, it's not 535 00:29:19,490 --> 00:29:22,010 S8: a matter of, you know, gee, you should. The first 10% 536 00:29:22,010 --> 00:29:24,010 S8: should definitely be to the local church. And anything you 537 00:29:24,010 --> 00:29:26,570 S8: do above and beyond that would go to other things. 538 00:29:26,610 --> 00:29:28,730 S8: But it sounds like there's more there's more flexibility in that. 539 00:29:28,770 --> 00:29:31,170 S2: I think there is. I mean, you know, many churches 540 00:29:31,170 --> 00:29:34,250 S2: teach that that's the minimum standard, that a 10th based 541 00:29:34,250 --> 00:29:37,090 S2: on the Old Testament principle, the tithe, even though we're 542 00:29:37,090 --> 00:29:39,410 S2: under now the law of Christ, not the law of Moses, 543 00:29:39,570 --> 00:29:42,010 S2: is the minimum standard, starting with the local church. And 544 00:29:42,010 --> 00:29:45,090 S2: I would say, is it a helpful guideline? Yes. Does 545 00:29:45,090 --> 00:29:48,010 S2: the word tithe mean a 10th? Yes. Should we begin 546 00:29:48,010 --> 00:29:50,730 S2: with the local church and and does that honor the 547 00:29:50,730 --> 00:29:54,850 S2: Levitical tithe from the Old Testament? Yes, absolutely. But I 548 00:29:54,850 --> 00:29:57,890 S2: think it there's more flexibility than that. You know, I 549 00:29:57,890 --> 00:29:59,610 S2: think we also need to be careful. And I'm not 550 00:29:59,610 --> 00:30:02,650 S2: saying you're doing this, but we need to not talk 551 00:30:02,690 --> 00:30:05,930 S2: about giving or tithing as if you know their transactions. 552 00:30:05,930 --> 00:30:09,450 S2: We have to complete to stay on God's good side. Uh, 553 00:30:09,450 --> 00:30:12,770 S2: giving is an invitation to trust him more deeply and 554 00:30:12,770 --> 00:30:15,250 S2: to join in his work in the world, I think 555 00:30:15,250 --> 00:30:18,160 S2: starting with the local church. But it's not meant to 556 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:21,640 S2: be a burdensome obligation. That leaves us asking, does this 557 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:24,600 S2: count as tithing? And does this count as giving? You know, 558 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:27,719 S2: when generosity flows from a sincere desire to meet the 559 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:31,560 S2: needs of others and reflect the love of Christ, and 560 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:33,920 S2: honor those places that are on the heart of God 561 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,720 S2: that we see clearly in Scripture. That includes the church. 562 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:38,760 S2: But it's a lot more than that. Then I think 563 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:42,480 S2: it reflects the heart of biblical stewardship. So in that sense, 564 00:30:42,720 --> 00:30:47,000 S2: it always fits within true, God honoring generosity. I hope 565 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:49,000 S2: that gives you a few things to think about. John. 566 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:50,440 S2: Stay on the line. I'm going to send you a 567 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:53,080 S2: current copy of Faithful Steward so you can do a 568 00:30:53,080 --> 00:30:55,760 S2: deeper dive into this topic. We'll be right back on 569 00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:56,800 S2: faith and finance. 570 00:31:08,160 --> 00:31:10,680 S1: You're listening to Faith and Finance live, and you can 571 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:16,350 S1: find us online at Faith. However, today we are not live. 572 00:31:16,350 --> 00:31:19,110 S1: So if you hear that phone number, please don't call. 573 00:31:19,110 --> 00:31:22,430 S1: But do stay with us. There's lots of good information ahead. 574 00:31:23,990 --> 00:31:26,550 S2: Well, you know, it comes up all the time. And 575 00:31:26,550 --> 00:31:27,910 S2: by the way, we will be headed back to the 576 00:31:27,910 --> 00:31:30,470 S2: phones here in just a second. But the question that 577 00:31:30,470 --> 00:31:33,630 S2: we get is, you know, should I leave or is 578 00:31:33,630 --> 00:31:38,110 S2: it okay to leave different amounts to my kids? And, 579 00:31:38,150 --> 00:31:40,950 S2: you know, the state planning can be challenging. I mean, 580 00:31:40,990 --> 00:31:43,510 S2: here's the reality. It's natural to want to treat our 581 00:31:43,510 --> 00:31:48,550 S2: kids equally. However, I think the answer to this question 582 00:31:48,830 --> 00:31:53,190 S2: lies in a principle, and you'll find it in Ron 583 00:31:53,190 --> 00:31:56,870 S2: Blue's book Splitting Heirs. He calls it the uniqueness principle. 584 00:31:56,870 --> 00:32:00,990 S2: And it's this if you love your children equally, but 585 00:32:00,990 --> 00:32:05,270 S2: you treat them uniquely. And here's the idea. Each child, 586 00:32:05,310 --> 00:32:09,310 S2: of course, is different financially, emotionally and spiritually. And, uh, 587 00:32:09,310 --> 00:32:14,830 S2: you know, good stewardship means recognizing these differences and Allocating 588 00:32:14,830 --> 00:32:19,350 S2: resources accordingly. Now, we can often think that treating our 589 00:32:19,350 --> 00:32:23,270 S2: kids uniquely shows favoritism, but it really doesn't have to 590 00:32:23,310 --> 00:32:26,990 S2: be that way. The Bible warns against favoritism. Of course, 591 00:32:26,990 --> 00:32:29,709 S2: we see that in the story of Jacob and Joseph 592 00:32:29,710 --> 00:32:34,270 S2: in Genesis 37. So, you know, but I think equal 593 00:32:34,310 --> 00:32:39,150 S2: love often requires unique treatment, because as stewards of God's resources, 594 00:32:39,150 --> 00:32:41,870 S2: we're called to manage them wisely and ensure that our 595 00:32:41,870 --> 00:32:46,709 S2: decisions reflect both love and responsibility. And I think a 596 00:32:46,710 --> 00:32:51,070 S2: critical aspect of estate planning is considering each child's ability 597 00:32:51,070 --> 00:32:55,030 S2: to manage wealth responsibly. So giving a significant inheritance to 598 00:32:55,070 --> 00:32:59,150 S2: a child who struggles with financial discipline can do more 599 00:32:59,150 --> 00:33:01,710 S2: harm than good. And so perhaps the big idea is 600 00:33:01,710 --> 00:33:05,630 S2: that stewardship requires us to make decisions not solely based 601 00:33:05,630 --> 00:33:10,230 S2: on fairness, but also on what is ultimately in their 602 00:33:10,230 --> 00:33:13,030 S2: best interest. Remember, you are the steward and this is 603 00:33:13,140 --> 00:33:18,260 S2: the last stewardship decision you will make. Choosing the next steward. Now, 604 00:33:18,300 --> 00:33:21,940 S2: many parents worry that unequal distributions will cause resentment. I 605 00:33:21,940 --> 00:33:25,260 S2: think the key to avoiding that is communication. Honest, open 606 00:33:25,260 --> 00:33:29,260 S2: conversations while you're living can help your children understand your 607 00:33:29,260 --> 00:33:33,660 S2: reasoning and hope to prevent future conflicts. But I think ultimately, 608 00:33:33,660 --> 00:33:37,940 S2: wealth transfer needs to reflect God's wisdom, not just human emotions, 609 00:33:37,940 --> 00:33:42,420 S2: because we're accountable for how we allocate his resources. And 610 00:33:42,420 --> 00:33:45,540 S2: so that's why I think we look at financial need. 611 00:33:45,580 --> 00:33:48,780 S2: We look at spiritual maturity. We also look at life 612 00:33:48,780 --> 00:33:54,060 S2: circumstances and prayerfully consider all of them as we're making 613 00:33:54,060 --> 00:33:58,260 S2: these decisions. And remember, it's not a one and done decision. 614 00:33:58,260 --> 00:34:02,460 S2: You see your wealth transfer decisions around inheritance and everything 615 00:34:02,460 --> 00:34:06,340 S2: else can change over time until the Lord calls you home. 616 00:34:06,340 --> 00:34:08,939 S2: And so I think, you know, so often folks will 617 00:34:08,940 --> 00:34:11,970 S2: call the program and they're stuck because it's just weighing 618 00:34:11,969 --> 00:34:14,009 S2: on them, that decision. Well, what if you go ahead 619 00:34:14,010 --> 00:34:16,129 S2: and make the decision now based on everything you know 620 00:34:16,130 --> 00:34:18,690 S2: today and the the prayer that you put into it, 621 00:34:18,730 --> 00:34:21,370 S2: knowing that we may change this a year from now 622 00:34:21,370 --> 00:34:23,689 S2: or six months from now, or five years or ten 623 00:34:23,690 --> 00:34:26,489 S2: years from now. And that perhaps gets you off the 624 00:34:26,489 --> 00:34:28,529 S2: fence to say, all right, we're going to put this 625 00:34:28,570 --> 00:34:31,850 S2: in place knowing that this isn't a forever decision. And 626 00:34:31,850 --> 00:34:35,330 S2: as we watch our kids mature, we watch how they 627 00:34:35,570 --> 00:34:39,210 S2: progress in their spiritual journey. We may make changes over time. 628 00:34:39,489 --> 00:34:41,330 S2: By the way, if you want to explore this topic 629 00:34:41,330 --> 00:34:45,290 S2: further and really all of the kind of biblical underpinnings 630 00:34:45,290 --> 00:34:48,810 S2: of wealth transfer, uh, that book Splitting Heirs from Ron 631 00:34:48,810 --> 00:34:52,170 S2: Blue is the best in my opinion. It's splitting heirs, 632 00:34:52,330 --> 00:34:55,010 S2: giving your money and your things to your children without 633 00:34:55,050 --> 00:34:58,610 S2: ruining their lives. You'll find it wherever you buy books. 634 00:34:58,610 --> 00:35:00,450 S2: I hope that's helpful to you. All right, let's head 635 00:35:00,450 --> 00:35:03,250 S2: back to the phones. Uh, Tennessee is where Lindsay is located. 636 00:35:03,250 --> 00:35:03,810 S2: Go ahead. 637 00:35:04,290 --> 00:35:05,930 S9: Um, thank you for taking my call. 638 00:35:05,969 --> 00:35:06,410 S2: Sure. 639 00:35:06,890 --> 00:35:09,970 S9: Um, I have a question. So, about ten years ago, 640 00:35:10,560 --> 00:35:12,400 S9: I was with a company and I had a 401 641 00:35:12,440 --> 00:35:16,680 S9: K open with them for I'd say about ten, 13 years. Um, 642 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:19,759 S9: we the business end up having a name change and 643 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:24,600 S9: we had the option to either, um, transfer our 401 644 00:35:24,600 --> 00:35:28,680 S9: K to their new 401 K company or keep it there. 645 00:35:29,080 --> 00:35:31,799 S9: So I made the decision to keep my funds in 646 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,440 S9: the original account that it was in. 647 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:33,799 S10: All right. 648 00:35:33,840 --> 00:35:36,960 S9: So since then, I've been contributing to the new account. 649 00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:41,360 S9: Now I'm unable to find the one that the old account. 650 00:35:41,560 --> 00:35:44,319 S9: I've tried to search for it. I reached out to different, um, 651 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:47,240 S9: to different companies that thought that the account was there. 652 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:50,680 S9: I can't find it. Can you provide any recommendations or 653 00:35:50,719 --> 00:35:52,680 S9: maybe a website? Or some way I can try to 654 00:35:52,680 --> 00:35:56,080 S9: find this old 401 account that I have? 655 00:35:56,280 --> 00:36:00,560 S2: Yeah. Um, so it's the same employer, just a new 656 00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:02,920 S2: planned administrator that you have now. 657 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:06,560 S9: Actually, it's a name change. A whole new company. 658 00:36:06,680 --> 00:36:08,200 S2: Whole new company. Okay. 659 00:36:08,350 --> 00:36:09,790 S10: Yeah, it was bought out. 660 00:36:09,790 --> 00:36:10,509 S9: By a company. 661 00:36:10,670 --> 00:36:14,750 S2: Got it. And do you have the name of the custodian? Uh, 662 00:36:14,750 --> 00:36:17,790 S2: from an old statement or something that you received from 663 00:36:17,790 --> 00:36:18,990 S2: that old 401 K. 664 00:36:21,030 --> 00:36:23,870 S9: I don't I can't find anything. 665 00:36:23,989 --> 00:36:27,630 S2: Okay, so no paperwork, no emails. I mean, what you 666 00:36:27,630 --> 00:36:29,670 S2: need to figure out is. And maybe you need to, 667 00:36:29,830 --> 00:36:34,149 S2: to call, uh, the current HR department and just say, listen, 668 00:36:34,150 --> 00:36:36,190 S2: you know, I need to know who the term you're 669 00:36:36,190 --> 00:36:39,750 S2: looking for is the plan administrator. I need to know 670 00:36:39,750 --> 00:36:45,390 S2: who the plan administrator was from the 401 K before 671 00:36:45,910 --> 00:36:50,470 S2: the merger or buyout occurred. And they should know that 672 00:36:50,469 --> 00:36:53,750 S2: because there was a massive process for the new plan 673 00:36:53,750 --> 00:36:59,150 S2: administrator to take over, uh, or to assume that responsibility 674 00:36:59,190 --> 00:37:02,910 S2: for that old plan administrator and, um, you know, that's 675 00:37:02,910 --> 00:37:05,910 S2: what you're looking for. Is it fidelity or, you know, 676 00:37:05,950 --> 00:37:09,670 S2: is it TIAA Cref or is it Schwab or, you know, 677 00:37:09,710 --> 00:37:12,910 S2: any of the the big firms that they typically use. 678 00:37:12,989 --> 00:37:15,950 S2: And then you can call that company, give them your 679 00:37:15,950 --> 00:37:18,590 S2: Social Security number and they should be able to chase 680 00:37:18,590 --> 00:37:22,390 S2: that down. I mean, there are some national databases, you know, 681 00:37:22,430 --> 00:37:26,830 S2: like unclaimed retirement benefits and things like that. But, um, 682 00:37:26,830 --> 00:37:29,029 S2: I would probably I think you're going to have more 683 00:37:29,030 --> 00:37:34,310 S2: success in starting with your current HR department and saying, 684 00:37:34,350 --> 00:37:36,509 S2: you know, I need to chase down that plan administrator 685 00:37:36,510 --> 00:37:39,549 S2: from the previous company. And if if they don't want 686 00:37:39,550 --> 00:37:41,590 S2: to be bothered with it, don't take no for an answer. 687 00:37:41,630 --> 00:37:45,069 S2: Keep moving it up to somebody who can, you know, 688 00:37:45,110 --> 00:37:47,550 S2: has the know how to get that information for you. 689 00:37:48,510 --> 00:37:51,230 S9: Okay. Sounds good. I'll take that route. Thank you so much. 690 00:37:51,590 --> 00:37:53,830 S2: All right. Lindsay. Absolutely. All the best to you. Thanks 691 00:37:53,830 --> 00:37:56,670 S2: for calling today. You know, going back to the the 692 00:37:56,670 --> 00:37:59,229 S2: idea of wealth transfer for a second, we talked about 693 00:37:59,230 --> 00:38:02,509 S2: this uniqueness principle. If we love our kids equally, we 694 00:38:02,510 --> 00:38:06,069 S2: will treat them uniquely. But I think, you know, in 695 00:38:06,180 --> 00:38:10,859 S2: terms of how we approach the larger inheritance conversation, uh, 696 00:38:10,860 --> 00:38:14,899 S2: you know, it really is a matter of of recognizing that, uh, 697 00:38:14,900 --> 00:38:18,819 S2: the money is often going to propel the lives of 698 00:38:18,820 --> 00:38:24,300 S2: our kids further and faster in whatever direction they're already running. 699 00:38:24,940 --> 00:38:27,259 S2: And so, depending on where they're at in terms of 700 00:38:27,300 --> 00:38:32,380 S2: their own financial and spiritual maturity. So, for instance, and 701 00:38:32,380 --> 00:38:35,020 S2: I hope this isn't the case, but obviously it is 702 00:38:35,060 --> 00:38:38,020 S2: a reality with many, uh, kids, they're running, you know, 703 00:38:38,060 --> 00:38:40,420 S2: in a season where they're running away from the Lord 704 00:38:40,460 --> 00:38:43,860 S2: and maybe making lifestyle choices that you don't agree with. 705 00:38:43,860 --> 00:38:46,940 S2: And so, you know, dropping a hundred or thousand or 706 00:38:46,940 --> 00:38:50,940 S2: $1 million in their lap could accelerate that move away 707 00:38:50,940 --> 00:38:52,900 S2: from the Lord. You need to be aware of that. 708 00:38:52,900 --> 00:38:54,859 S2: And I think, think and pray through that and just 709 00:38:54,860 --> 00:38:59,100 S2: consider the implications of it. Now let's take the opposite, 710 00:38:59,380 --> 00:39:01,980 S2: which is also true. Let's say they're running toward Jesus 711 00:39:01,980 --> 00:39:06,290 S2: and making really wise decisions and And demonstrating financial maturity. Well, 712 00:39:06,290 --> 00:39:08,810 S2: you can have confidence that money dropped in the lap 713 00:39:08,810 --> 00:39:11,410 S2: of those kids is probably in part, going to be 714 00:39:11,410 --> 00:39:15,290 S2: given away and used for very productive purposes. Now, you 715 00:39:15,290 --> 00:39:18,810 S2: may decide to put the relationship, you know, over a 716 00:39:18,810 --> 00:39:20,730 S2: lot of that, but I do think we need to 717 00:39:20,770 --> 00:39:24,370 S2: at least consider this factor of what trajectory are our 718 00:39:24,370 --> 00:39:27,410 S2: kids running, and is the money going to accelerate that? 719 00:39:27,410 --> 00:39:29,530 S2: And perhaps one of these questions we need to ask 720 00:39:29,530 --> 00:39:32,650 S2: is if I go ahead with my wealth transfer plans 721 00:39:32,650 --> 00:39:35,170 S2: the way I'm planning, what is the worst thing that 722 00:39:35,170 --> 00:39:38,330 S2: can happen and just talk it through doesn't mean you 723 00:39:38,330 --> 00:39:40,969 S2: have to make a change. It just means that, you 724 00:39:40,969 --> 00:39:43,010 S2: know you need to at least consider it. Because here's 725 00:39:43,010 --> 00:39:46,049 S2: the other reality and we see this very clearly. You know, 726 00:39:46,090 --> 00:39:49,330 S2: this idea of wisdom over wealth is a big one 727 00:39:49,530 --> 00:39:53,450 S2: that we see in Ecclesiastes. It comes from Ecclesiastes 711 728 00:39:53,450 --> 00:39:57,770 S2: and 12. Listen to this wisdom, like an inheritance, is 729 00:39:57,770 --> 00:40:01,489 S2: a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Everyone. 730 00:40:01,810 --> 00:40:05,359 S2: Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter. But 731 00:40:05,360 --> 00:40:10,719 S2: the advantage of knowledge is this wisdom preserves those who 732 00:40:10,719 --> 00:40:14,200 S2: have it. And so here's kind of the takeaway from that. 733 00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:20,000 S2: When wealth grows faster than wisdom, there's risk. And this 734 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:25,240 S2: happens very acutely when we have an inheritance that's passed 735 00:40:25,239 --> 00:40:29,200 S2: down in some cases. So we've got think about kind 736 00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:32,200 S2: of an x y axis. I'm getting a little technical here. 737 00:40:32,239 --> 00:40:36,640 S2: And and we've got wisdom growing from birth throughout a 738 00:40:36,680 --> 00:40:40,200 S2: child's life. And then we've got another kind of line 739 00:40:40,200 --> 00:40:42,720 S2: which is the wealth that they have that's probably growing 740 00:40:42,760 --> 00:40:45,520 S2: hopefully slower than wisdom. But then we have this big 741 00:40:45,560 --> 00:40:49,520 S2: turn up and spike in the amount of wealth that's 742 00:40:49,560 --> 00:40:53,120 S2: in the equation. And, you know, it can all of 743 00:40:53,120 --> 00:40:56,720 S2: a sudden surpass the wisdom that's there. And that's just 744 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:58,719 S2: a risk. That's a danger zone. You just need to 745 00:40:58,719 --> 00:41:03,040 S2: be aware of that. The ideal situation would be to 746 00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:08,160 S2: obtain the preservation of wisdom and allow wisdom to grow 747 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:11,840 S2: faster than wealth. And that's what we're looking for here. 748 00:41:11,840 --> 00:41:14,240 S2: And so we want to be intentional to pass a 749 00:41:14,360 --> 00:41:18,520 S2: spiritual inheritance as primary. That's a number one. And then 750 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:22,120 S2: we want to pass a character capital. You know, perhaps 751 00:41:22,120 --> 00:41:24,280 S2: it's that we want to work hard and live simply 752 00:41:24,280 --> 00:41:26,880 S2: and give generously. I mean, maybe it's that simple in 753 00:41:26,880 --> 00:41:29,200 S2: terms of the character and the values that we're passing. 754 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:32,480 S2: And then we want to pass the financial capital. But 755 00:41:32,480 --> 00:41:35,640 S2: we always want to keep this idea that wisdom preserves 756 00:41:35,640 --> 00:41:39,360 S2: those who have it. That's the advantage of wisdom over 757 00:41:39,360 --> 00:41:41,680 S2: wealth doesn't mean money is bad. It's a good gift 758 00:41:41,680 --> 00:41:46,280 S2: from God. Um, what we do need to recognize, though, 759 00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:49,879 S2: is that when we worship the creation over the creator, 760 00:41:50,040 --> 00:41:52,319 S2: we got a real problem. So our goal each day 761 00:41:52,320 --> 00:41:54,839 S2: on this program is to help you put all that 762 00:41:54,840 --> 00:41:57,480 S2: in its proper order. God is our ultimate treasure. Money 763 00:41:57,480 --> 00:41:59,640 S2: is a tool. Hey, by the way, you heard one 764 00:41:59,640 --> 00:42:03,190 S2: of our last callers there mentioned being a faith partner. Boy, 765 00:42:03,190 --> 00:42:05,629 S2: it's a huge blessing that so many of you are 766 00:42:05,630 --> 00:42:08,469 S2: faithful partners if you're not yet a faith life partner. 767 00:42:08,510 --> 00:42:11,390 S2: If you've been considering becoming a faith life partner, now's 768 00:42:11,390 --> 00:42:14,230 S2: the time to do it. Today is the final day 769 00:42:14,230 --> 00:42:18,190 S2: of our year end campaign to fund Faith fi. As 770 00:42:18,190 --> 00:42:22,990 S2: a listener supported ministry, every gift received before midnight will 771 00:42:23,030 --> 00:42:30,629 S2: be doubled. Just head to faith. B-complex. That's faith. Your 772 00:42:30,630 --> 00:42:33,310 S2: gift will be doubled. And every gift of any amount 773 00:42:33,310 --> 00:42:37,069 S2: allows us to send you my new devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure, 774 00:42:37,070 --> 00:42:39,790 S2: when it comes out early next year. Hey, a big 775 00:42:39,790 --> 00:42:43,270 S2: thanks to my team today Taylor, Amy, Devin and everybody 776 00:42:43,270 --> 00:42:46,029 S2: here at Faith fi. We don't do this without that 777 00:42:46,030 --> 00:42:48,870 S2: amazing group of men and women. May God bless you 778 00:42:48,870 --> 00:42:50,430 S2: and we'll see you next time.