Generous Business Owner

Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt

5.0 (3)
Entrepreneurship
Updated Weekly

Many business owners think they have to wait until after they sell their company to do significant giving. Each week, listen as Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt and their guests discuss practical ways to be more generous NOW. Whether your business does one million in revenue or one billion, this podcast is for you.

1d ago

David McDonald: Leading with Service in Multi-Generational Businesses

Have you thought about how your business will continue to serve four generations in the future? In this episode, Jeff and David discuss: Why loving and serving people is the secret to success. Starting a business young and making every mistake three times. Scaling even without planning to sell. Multi-generational businesses in multiple industries. Multiplying every tool you’ve been given. Key Takeaways: You should always run your organization with an outward, not an inward, focus. Invite people into the ministry, whatever that looks like for your organization, with no pressure. Reserve the time and just ask. Like with tithing, when you take time to give to God, He will give back to you in ways you can’t imagine. We have clear evidence in scripture that when people steward in God’s way, great blessings will come. Think long-term when making short-term decisions. "We've said that if someone said, ‘you can no longer do Bible study,’ we literally would probably close down the company, because it's the lifeblood of what we do, and it has tremendous impact on our people, and we've seen people grow in their faith, we've seen people come to know God in a deeper way." — David McDonald About David McDonald: David and his brothers are third-generation automobile dealers based out of Denver. In 1991, alongside his brother and college roommates from the University of Oklahoma, David founded Escalante Golf, a boutique owner and operator of luxury golf properties. In 2004, David moved the company’s headquarters to Fort Worth to help fuel its growth. Escalante Golf now stewards 25 properties in 17 states. David and his wife Dorenda have four grown children; three working in the family business and one working in full-time ministry with CRU. Connect with David McDonald: Icon Golf: https://exploreicongolf.com/ Escalante Golf: https://www.escalantegolf.com/ McDonald Automotive: https://www.mcdonaldag.com/ Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

42 min
Jun 23

Russ Crosson: Leveraging Your Wealth with Biblical Wisdom

What if the real measure of your success isn’t the size of your business, but how intentionally you leverage your wealth for generosity, family harmony, and impact that outlasts your lifetime? In this episode, Jeff and Russ discuss: Separating the business finances from the personal. Intentional communication around wealth. Teaching and learning biblical financial principles for decades. Integrating family communication in wealth conversations. Leveraging business wealth for generosity, donor-advised funds, and eternal impact. Key Takeaways: Growing wealth increases complexity, not simplicity. Intentional planning and communication must increase as net worth grows. Separating business and personal finances is foundational; confusion between the two creates stress, conflict, and poor decisions. Assets should match the skills and calling of the recipient. Misaligned inheritances often create frustration instead of freedom. Joint ownership among heirs also commonly creates frustration and conflict and should be approached with caution. Don’t tie your ego to your assets so much that you don’t have the courage to begin to convert the form to help your kids. "Take your specific assets, run them through, and see where the unintended consequences are, and come back to not a lot of joint ownership. You want your kids to do what God's called them to do, not what God called you to do." — Russ Crosson About Russ Crosson: Russ Crosson is a senior partner of Blue Trust and was hired in 1980 as the second employee of Blue Trust. From 1999 to 2002, Russ served as Executive Director of the National Christian Foundation (NCF) and president and CEO of Blue Trust from 2002 to 2017. He currently serves as Chief Mission Officer for BlueTrust, working to ensure the mission never changes and is inculcated into future generations. Russ is the author of several books, including Your Life… Well Spent, The Truth About Money Lies, What Makes a Leader Great, Your Money Made Simple, and Leverage. He has also been a featured speaker in many venues. Russ graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in mathematics and a master’s degree in education. Russ and his wife Julie live in Roswell, Georgia, and have been married for 46 years. They have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. In his spare time, Russ enjoys playing pickleball and spending time with his grandchildren. Connect with Russ Crosson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-trust-wealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluetrustfinancial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bluetrust/ Books: Your Life… Well Spent: The Eternal Rewards of Investing Yourself and Your Money in Your Family The Truth About Money Lies: Help for Making Wise Financial Decisions What Makes a Leader Great: Discover the One Key That Makes the Difference Your Money Made Simple: The Key to Financial Freedom Leverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

43 min
Jun 16

Chuck Welden: Integrating Faith Deeply into Your Business

What is the goal and assignment you have received from God? In this episode, Jeff and Chuck discuss: God can find you wherever you are, even if you aren’t expecting it. Humbling and honestly handling struggles. Ministry outside of church employment. Beginning with moderation on business ministry. Key Takeaways: Your work matters to God. He can have an impact through you no matter what industry or sector you are in. You’re not as smart as you think you are; you’re not as dumb as you think you are, either. You don’t treasure what you don’t measure. How are you progressing God’s Kingdom each day? Get good at what you’re doing. It will help your business flourish and your generosity increase. "We say you don't treasure what you don't measure. We measure everything, and then we rely on God to show us how we can change and how we can evolve, how we can modify." — Chuck Welden Episode References: Pete Ochs: Creating a Vision of Who You Can Be Lead Like Jesus Revisited by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Phyllis Hendry Your Work Matters to God by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks About Chuck Welden: Chuck Welden is a principal at WeldenField in Birmingham, Alabama, where he focuses on alternative investments and real estate opportunities, which include acquisition, development, and construction for multifamily, single-family, hotel, active adult, and land development. www.weldenfield.com Investing in Business as Mission Companies has been one of the focal points for alternative investments, with over 40 investments in a dozen countries. He, along with several others, created the Lion’s Den, which is an annual “shark tank” like event for business as mission companies held in Birmingham each October. www.thelionsden.us These interactions continue to inform WeldenField as it looks for intersection points for integrating business and faith in its own business activities, including forming a Business as Mission Real Estate Fund focused on value-add opportunities in the Southeast. The Fund’s goal is to achieve market-rate returns while having a strong social and spiritual impact with their residents and the surrounding community. Chuck and his wife, Lauren, reside in Birmingham, Alabama. They have four children and eleven grandchildren. Connect with Chuck Welden: Website: www.weldenfield.com Website: www.thelionsden.us Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

40 min
Jun 9

Jacob Robinson: Operating with Imagination, Building with Faith

What if all of the nos and disasters of your life are the start of the exact path God is using to build something bigger? In this episode, Jeff and Jacob discuss: Discovering entrepreneurship through networking. Seeing the world how Jesus asks us to. Operating from a place of faith, not fear, regardless of our memory of fear. Learning something every step of the way. Key Takeaways: Take the first step - it is more likely to be a curb or a three foot wall, not a cliff. Start before you know everything. You will be learning throughout the process of whatever you’re doing. You are going to miss, both for good and for bad, but you won’t know if you don’t start. The spirit of fear is not of the Lord. He can do more with us than we think is possible. You cannot write the end of your story. Just keep going - your story will be worth telling one day. "The Lord did not give you this vision or this desire or this relentless ability for nothing, and one of two things are going to happen: either the business will come to fruition, the way that you've envisioned it, and the way that the Lord has put on your heart, or it won't, but something will come out of that for the better." — Jacob Robinson About Jacob Robinson: Jacob Robinson is the founder of three start-ups including Dig World, a theme park where kids and adults get to operate real construction equipment. 1 Stone Solutions, a commercial cleaning company and DryPort Capital, an industrial outdoor storage real estate firm. He has successfully started, raised funds, built management teams, and executed plans to bring three diverse businesses to life. In 2023, Jacob was recognized as one of the “Most Admired CEOs in Houston” by the Houston Business Journal. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Brookwood Community for disabled adults and is involved in his church. In 2025, Jacob aired on ABCs hit show, Shark Tank telling his personal story and the story of Dig World to a national audience. Jacob is a graduate from Texas A&M University. He lives in Katy, TX with his wife, Melissa and children, Pierce, Annie, and Spencer. Connect with Jacob Robinson: Website: https://digworldnation.com/ Website: https://www.jacobrobinson.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-robinson-9912b215 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacob.robinson.942/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinsonjacob Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

40 min
Jun 2

Ron Blue: How Biblical Money Principles Unlock Contentment and Generosity

Which of the five money habits do you need to strengthen in your life? In this episode, Jeff and Ron discuss: Hiring for quality to build the culture you’re looking for in your organization. Understanding where God stands in your life and path of success. Planting and watering people and allowing God to give the increase. The 4H Tool for a financial foundational framework. The five money habits everyone needs to master, from individuals to businesses to governments. Key Takeaways: God wires us all differently, and we're all unique pieces in his plan. God's Word speaks to any and every financial decision that anybody would make at any time under any set of circumstances. Being values aligned with your financial advisor is good business sense. Take time every day to spend with God in prayer and in the Bible. Listen to what He would have you do. "If you're not spending time in the morning with the Lord, then you really don't have anything to bring to the day." — Ron Blue About Ron Blue: Ron Blue is the founder of the Ron Blue Institute. He has also been the founder and co-founder of several organizations, including Ronald Blue and Company. That firm now Blue Trust, grew to advise on over $59 Billion in assets for its more than 10,000 clients nationwide with a staff of over 400 people in 17 offices across the country; Kingdom Advisors (KA), a ministry that trains Christian financial professionals to integrate biblical wisdom into their client advice; and the National Christian Foundation (NCF), a ministry that helps generous people create a biblically principled strategy that empowers Christians to be more faithful, generous, and fully alive. Ron is the author of more than twenty books on personal finance from a Biblical perspective. The Ron Blue Institute (RBI) serves Christian universities, churches, high schools, and financial professionals nationally and globally. RBI is dedicated to multiplying Ron’s decades of professional experience and intellectual property through publications, curriculum development, courses, and consultation in multiple outlets worldwide. Ron and his wife Judy have been married for fifty-eight years. They have five adult children, thirteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, and live in Bloomington, Indiana. Connect with Ron Blue: Website: https://ronblueinstitute.com/ Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

40 min
May 26

Tim Barker: Helping Others in Ways That Matter Forever

When it feels like everything in your life blows up, what do you do next? In this episode, Jeff and Tim discuss: Praying the dangerous prayer with intention. Finding joy in making a difference. How God refines us through loss. Discovering the global giving imbalance and the founding of ROI Ministry. Key Takeaways: God programmed us to desire to serve others, not to serve ourselves. Serving others in the middle of a personal crisis can become a turning point, shifting focus from self‑pity to joy and renewed calling. Your struggles and tribulations are what are going to allow you to serve others in unique ways. Strategic generosity—applying the same due diligence used in business to where and how we give—can multiply impact dramatically, especially for the poorest and least reached. Even small, consistent steps of wise giving, done in community and with trusted counsel, can compound over time into significant, kingdom-level influence. "No matter what you're going through, no matter how difficult it is, somebody else is probably going through something worse. Take the focus off yourself and go ahead, it's going to help you more than it helps them." — Tim Barker Episode References: Books by Dr. Ron Braund The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren About Tim Barker: Tim Barker Bio- Executive Director of ROI Ministry Inc. https://roiministry.org One of the very few proven ways to “Know you’re making a difference” by giving to the Top 10 through our website Author of BOOM – What to do with life blows up around you https://boomtimbarker.com An encouraging book to help you go from striving to thriving in ways that will matter to you, God, and others forever! Founder and sole owner of Resolute D&D Consulting Inc. https://resolutednd.com World’s leading High-risk demolition subject matter expert and primary developer of the industry’s professional certification and only 40-hour certification course High-risk contractor management services to help Fortune 500 and other large companies complete their projects safely on schedule and budget Connect with Tim Barker: Website: https://roiministry.org Website: https://resolutednd.com Book: BOOM: What To Do When Life Blows Up Around You - https://boomtimbarker.com Show: Problem + Solution: https://roiministry.org/problem-solution/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbarkerrednd Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

40 min
May 19

Steve Adams: God Sows the Seeds We Plant

What is God leading you to uniquely do in the discipleship of Him? In this episode, Jeff and Steve discuss: Developing leaders and allowing God to sow the seeds for what will happen later. Creating IBAM and the Tiger Medical Institute. Keeping the gospel as the core, no matter the tool of your business. Realigning with the Kingdom Path. Key Takeaways: The outside of something can look fantastic, but the inside may be crumbling. Don’t just take what you see at face value. Discipling is a commitment to walk with Jesus, not just speaking the right words. He calls for us to abide with Him. Abiding with Jesus does not require a grandiose plan. It requires walking with Him in His way. There is nothing secular in your life. Every decision and every action you take is sacred. "If you want to disciple others, you’ve got to be a disciple yourself." — Steve Adams Episode References: Practicing The Way by John Mark Comer With by Skye Jethani At Work As In Heaven by Scott Ryser Jordan Raynor Books: https://www.jordanraynor.com/books Get Free Access to Third Fish Academy: https://www.thirdfish.org/ About Steve Adams: Steve Adams is the Founder and CEO of IBAM (International Business As Mission), a global movement equipping Christian entrepreneurs to launch redemptive businesses that fuel church planting, disciple-making, and sustainable poverty alleviation. After leaving a successful corporate banking career at God's urging, Steve built a company to $100M in revenue — then redirected that operating discipline toward Kingdom impact. A 2004 mission trip to Bangkok ignited a calling that would reshape his life. Over the next decade, Steve helped plant 30 churches and witnessed 1,500 new believers come to Christ. But something was missing. As a businessman, he couldn't see himself working as a traditional missionary in a way that used his particular strengths. A business-driven mission trip to Russia in 2007 changed everything — training local believers to start sustainable businesses as platforms for discipleship showed him the power of entrepreneurship as a mission. In 2014, Steve launched IBAM and built the Three Fish Model: Give a Fish (startup loans), Teach to Fish (biblical entrepreneur training), and Equip for Discipleship. Today, IBAM operates across multiple countries in Africa, Asia, and Central Asia, with indigenous master trainers replicating the model locally. Biblical business training has raised loan repayment rates from roughly 40% to over 90%, proving that every dollar creates a flywheel — not a one-time handout. Steve also hosts the IBAM Biblical Entrepreneurship Show, a weekly podcast inspiring faith-driven entrepreneurs worldwide. His long-term vision: a business-as-mission practitioner in every village and one million entrepreneurs discipling nations through business. Learn more at www.ibam.org Connect with Steve Adams: Website: http://www.ibam.org/ Website: https://www.tigermi.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iBAM-org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-l-adams/ Twitter: https://x.com/ibamtoday Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/internationalbusinessasmission Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibamtoday/ Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

42 min
May 12

Peter Greer: How Leaders Lose Their Way

Where are the small cracks in your organization that are deviating you from your mission, even if it seems inconsequential now? In this episode, Jeff and Peter discuss: Closing the gap between what we know and how we live. Leadership warnings from King David and King Solomon. Training up the next generation of leaders. Actively fighting against mission drift. Key Takeaways: What you do today might not seem consequential, but the habits that we establish, the way that we live today, the cumulative impact of those small decisions, do impact where we end up. The earlier you catch that you’re off track, the easier it is to get back on track. The best leaders realize they’re part of a bigger story. They actively and intentionally seek out and celebrate the success of others. Generosity is good for our hearts. It is a way of recentering ourselves in what God is doing in the world, not just with what we want. "Problems left unaddressed only grow in significance and impact on your life and on the lives of the people who are around you." — Peter Greer Episode References: HOPE International: https://www.hopeinternational.org/ Tim Keller: https://timothykeller.com/ How Leaders Lose Their Way: And How to Make Sure it Doesn’t Happen to You by Peter Greer: https://www.peterkgreer.com/how-leaders-lose-their-way-2/ About Peter Greer: Peter Greer is the CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered nonprofit working to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship and discipleship in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He is a bestselling coauthor of over 15 books, including Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, Lead with Prayer, and How Leaders Lose Their Way. Before joining HOPE, Peter worked internationally in microfinance in Cambodia, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda, and holds a graduate degree from Harvard Kennedy School. While his sports loyalties remain in New England, Peter and his family live in Lancaster, PA. Connect with Peter Greer: Website: https://www.peterkgreer.com/ Medium Blog: https://medium.com/@peter_greer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkgreer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterKGreer Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

41 min

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Many business owners think they have to wait until after they sell their company to do significant giving. Each week, listen as Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt and their guests discuss practical ways to be more generous NOW. Whether your business does one million in revenue or one billion, this podcast is for you.

Creator

Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

217
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Jeff Thomas
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Generous Business Owner

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