Christ Centered Stewardship

Nino Villa & Maria Casillas
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Christ Centered Stewardship by New Money Habits Welcome to Christ Centered Stewardship by New Money Habits, where biblical truth, practical financial skills, and real conversations come together to help you build a life of freedom, peace, and purpose. Hosted by Nino Villa and Maria Casillas, this show goes far beyond traditional personal finance. We believe that money isn’t just about numbers — it’s about identity, behavior, mindset, and what (or who) we trust. Most people never learn how to manage money in a way that aligns with their faith, their values, or the life God created them to live. We’re here to change that. Meet Your Hosts Nino Villa, an educator turned financial coach, brings clarity, structure, and biblically grounded wisdom. He specializes in helping people build new money habits that are simple, sustainable, and rooted in Scripture. His calm, practical coaching and his belief that God’s Word offers real answers make him a trusted guide for anyone seeking lasting financial transformation. Maria Casillas brings a creative, psychology-driven approach to money. After experiencing—and overcoming—more than $100k of debt fueled by fear, stress, and misaligned priorities, she now helps people understand why they do what they do with money and how to break the habits that keep them stuck. Her coaching style is fun, insightful, and rooted in behavior change and values alignment. Together, Nino and Maria create a dynamic, relatable, and faith-filled environment where listeners can grow, learn, and feel understood — no shame, no judgment, no overwhelm. What You’ll Find Here ✔ Biblical financial principles explained through real-life stories ✔ Practical tools and step-by-step guidance for building healthy money habits ✔ Honest conversations about the emotions, fears, and beliefs that shape our financial decisions ✔ Encouragement and hope for anyone feeling stuck, stressed, or unsure ✔ Weekly episodes and short-form content designed for teens, college students, young adults, and families ✔ A safe, Christ-centered space to explore money through the lens of stewardship Whether you’re navigating money for the first time or rebuilding after years of struggle… Whether you want to strengthen your marriage, deepen your faith, or break generational patterns… Whether you’re curious, confused, or simply ready for something different… You’re in the right place. This is more than a podcast. More than a YouTube channel. It’s a movement calling Christians back to God’s design for stewardship — a way of living that brings peace, freedom, and purpose to every area of life. Subscribe, listen, and grow with us as we learn to manage money God’s way. Because true financial freedom doesn’t start with a calculator. It starts with Christ at the center.

  1. 2d ago

    What Are You Telling Yourself? Changing the Thoughts That Shape Your Life (Revisit) | Ep. 35

    Most of us can point to something we'd like to change about the way we live. It's much harder to notice the thought or belief that keeps feeding the behavior in the first place.  That's where this conversation begins. Nino opens with Romans 12:2 and Paul's invitation to be transformed by changing the way we think. Maria then shares something much more ordinary: a family Christmas tradition that no longer felt right. What began years ago as a meaningful way to give gifts had gradually become a process of wish lists, checking boxes, trying to keep things equal, and wondering whether any of it still felt much like giving at all. Her decision to change the tradition becomes a simple example of something much bigger. Sometimes we continue doing things because we've always done them that way. Sometimes an old belief is still quietly influencing a current decision. And sometimes we don't even realize what we're telling ourselves until we slow down long enough to notice it.   Maria explains how those beliefs often develop early, become deeply rooted, and eventually operate so automatically that we're more likely to notice the emotion they create than the belief itself. An event happens, an unnoticed thought gives it meaning, an emotion follows, and our behavior responds. Over time, the result can reinforce the very belief that started the cycle.   That raises a much more hopeful question: if some of those scripts are no longer true, do we have to keep believing them? Nino and Maria talk about identifying the script, rewriting it, testing the new belief through different choices, and allowing new experiences to reinforce what is true. Nino connects that process back to Scripture and the work God does as His truth takes root in us. Transformation isn't simply deciding to behave differently. It's learning to recognize what isn't true and repeatedly returning to what God says is true.   Later, two questions about spending make the idea practical. One person has already shifted from thinking about a "no-spend" season to a more intentional "low-spend" approach. Another describes herself as an impulsive shopper, calls her own question stupid, says she can't continue living this way, and doesn't know where to begin. Rather than jumping immediately to spending tips, Nino and Maria pay attention to the words underneath the problem and explore how changing the internal conversation may help create space for a different next step.   Sometimes the first thing that needs to change isn't what we're doing. It's what we've been believing. In this episode Why transformation begins with the way we think How deeply rooted beliefs can shape emotions and behavior without us realizing it Recognizing the internal scripts we repeat to ourselves Why changing a belief takes more than simply saying something different Replacing old scripts with truth and reinforcing them through new choices What gift giving can reveal about expectations, obligation, and intention Why "no spend" and "low spend" can create very different ways of thinking How shame-filled language can keep us from asking for help Bringing the thoughts we repeatedly believe back to Scripture Weekly Challenge Choose one area of your life that either feels like a sore spot right now or is something you'd genuinely like to strengthen. It might be your marriage, parenting, finances, work, health, relationships, or another area God has entrusted to you. For the next several days, pay attention to the thoughts that repeatedly show up around that one area. Write them down when you notice them. Then take a closer look at the thoughts that keep returning and ask a simple question: Does this align with what is true in Scripture? If it doesn't, you aren't required to keep believing it. The goal isn't to manufacture a more positive thought. It's to recognize what you've been believing and begin replacing what isn't true with the truth God has given you.   Community Invitation As you listen, consider one thought or belief that may have been shaping your life longer than you've realized. Sometimes simply becoming aware of the script is the beginning of seeing it differently. If you'd like to continue these conversations with others who are learning to bring every area of life back into alignment with Christ, we'd love to have you join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by: Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    What Are You Telling Yourself? Changing the Thoughts That Shape Your Life (Revisit) | Ep. 35

  2. Aug 10

    Stewardship or Ownership? One Question That Changes Everything | Ep. 34

    There are certain times of the year when we naturally stop and ask ourselves whether we're becoming the people we hope to be.  Sometimes it's the beginning of a new year. Sometimes it's after a major life event. Sometimes it's simply a quiet moment when we realize something needs to change. This conversation originally began around New Year's resolutions, but it quickly became something much deeper. In this episode, Nino and Maria explore how easily we can begin thinking like owners instead of stewards, even when our intentions are good. Whether it's our money, our health, our possessions, our time, or our careers, we often assume we're in control. Scripture invites us to see those same things differently. As the conversation unfolds, they wrestle with practical questions that all of us face. Why do our habits swing so dramatically during certain seasons? How should we think about our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit? What does it look like to steward our possessions instead of simply accumulating them? And how do we begin replacing an ownership mindset with a stewardship mindset in the ordinary decisions of everyday life? Later in the episode, they respond to a listener who is considering leaving a demanding job. Rather than simply answering whether she should quit, they explore a deeper question: before asking other people to validate our plans, have we first asked God what He desires? That conversation becomes a reminder that faithful stewardship isn't just about making wise decisions. It's about inviting God into those decisions before we make them. Sometimes the greatest change doesn't come from setting better goals. It comes from seeing everything we have as something God has entrusted to our care. In this episode Stewardship versus ownership Looking beyond New Year's resolutions How worldly goals differ from biblical stewardship Stewarding our bodies, time, possessions, and resources Why perspective changes behavior Working as though we are serving the Lord Seeking God's direction before asking for validation Replacing ownership with faithful stewardship Weekly Challenge Make a list of five things you naturally think of as yours. They might include your time, your money, your home, your career, your possessions, or your relationships. Spend time in prayer this week asking God to help you see each one as something He has entrusted to your care. Rather than asking, "What do I want to do with this?" ask, "Lord, how would You have me steward this for Your honor, glory, and praise?" Community Invitation As you listen, consider where God may be inviting you to exchange an ownership mindset for a stewardship mindset. We'd love to continue that conversation with you inside the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by: Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    Stewardship or Ownership? One Question That Changes Everything | Ep. 34

  3. Aug 3

    What Is Christ Centered Stewardship? (Revisit) | Ep. 33

    When Nino and Maria recorded the first episode of Christ Centered Stewardship, they were beginning something new, but the conviction behind it had been developing for years.  Both had spent more than a decade helping people with money, and over time they kept seeing the same pattern. Financial struggles were often symptoms of something deeper. A spending decision might reveal a belief. A budget problem might reveal misplaced trust. A desire for greater financial control might point toward a deeper search for peace, comfort, or security. They also realized that people need more than better financial habits. They need Jesus at the center of the conversation. In this episode, Nino and Maria share the heart behind Christ Centered Stewardship and explain why stewardship cannot be limited to money. God has also entrusted us with our time, relationships, marriages, children, abilities, opportunities, thoughts, and every other part of our lives. The question is not simply whether we manage our finances well. It is whether we are faithfully managing everything God has given us in a way that brings Him honor, glory, and praise. They also introduce the foundational beliefs that continue to shape the ministry today. The conversation moves through stewardship over ownership, faith above circumstances, transformation through thinking differently, generosity as worship, the importance of planning, growth through community, peace through Christ, obedience to God’s will, contentment through gratitude, and the movement from knowledge toward wisdom. This was the first conversation in the Christ Centered Stewardship library, but it still sits underneath everything that followed. Money is part of the conversation because it often reveals what we believe and where we place our trust, but the deeper invitation is to place Christ at the center and begin seeing every part of life as something God has entrusted to our care. In this episode, Nino and Maria discuss: Why financial struggles are often symptoms of something deeperWhy people need more than new habits around moneyWhat it means to place Christ at the center of stewardshipWhy stewardship includes every part of life, not only financesThe beliefs that continue to guide Christ Centered StewardshipHow faith, gratitude, planning, community, and renewed thinking shape faithful livingWhy peace, comfort, and joy come from Christ rather than moneyThe progression from knowledge to understanding, wisdom, and good judgment Weekly Challenge Choose one area of your life that you regularly think of as yours. It may be your time, money, career, home, relationships, talents, or plans for the future. Spend a few quiet minutes asking God to help you see that area differently. What has He entrusted to you? What would it look like to manage it in a way that brings Him honor, glory, and praise? You do not need to change everything this week. Begin by noticing where an ownership mindset may have taken root and invite Christ back to the center. Community Invitation As you listen, consider what stewardship means in your own life. Where might God be inviting you to look beyond money and think more deeply about everything He has entrusted to your care? If you’d like to continue that conversation with others who are learning to live with Christ at the center, we invite you to join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by: Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    What Is Christ Centered Stewardship? (Revisit) | Ep. 33

  4. Jul 27

    Generosity as Worship: Living With Open Hands (Revisit) | Ep. 33

    When we hear the word generosity, most of us probably think about money. We may wonder whether we give enough, whether we tithe, or whether we are doing what God expects of us financially. But generosity reaches much further than what leaves our bank account. In this episode, Nino and Maria explore what it means to be generous with our time, our talents and our treasure. They talk about the difference between giving out of obligation and allowing generosity to become an intentional act of worship. They also reflect on the humility required to receive another person’s generosity and recognize that God may be using someone else to bless us. The conversation moves from the spiritual to the practical as they discuss prioritizing time with God, discovering talents we may not recognize in ourselves and planning ahead so we are prepared when an opportunity to help someone appears. In the Ask the Coach segment, Nino and Maria respond to a couple who feel as though they are not on the same page. They explore why agreement begins with honest communication, understanding what each person believes and creating enough room to listen without immediately trying to prove who is right. As we close our Christmas in July conversations, this episode brings us back to the deeper reason we prepare. Planning is not only about avoiding financial stress. It can create the freedom to respond generously when God places an opportunity in front of us. CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK  Choose one intentional act of generosity this week. It may involve your time, your talent, your treasure or some combination of the three. You might spend unhurried time with someone who needs you, use one of your abilities to serve another person, give financially or begin setting something aside so you are prepared when an opportunity appears. Whatever you choose, decide what you will do and follow through. Be intentional about it, not so you can receive recognition, but so your generosity can become an act of worship.   If you’d like to continue these conversations with others who are pursuing faithful stewardship, we’d love to have you join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    Generosity as Worship: Living With Open Hands (Revisit) | Ep. 33

  5. Jul 20

    Are You Growing...or Slipping Back Into Old Habits? | Ep. 32

    As we wrapped up another week of Christ Centered Stewardship, one couple came back into the classroom with an important question.  Actually...they came back with a contradiction. Or so they thought. Nino had described using a separate checking account and debit card for fuel purchases, then later talked about using a credit card instead. Which was it? That conversation became the foundation for one of our favorite discussions yet. In this episode, Nino and Maria explore the difference between changing the tool and changing the behavior. They discuss why healthy financial habits often begin with more structure, why maturity sometimes allows us to simplify, and how easy it is to mistake relapse for progress when we're no longer paying close attention. Along the way, they also discuss stress, emotional spending, gradual relapse, and the importance of building a bridge between where you are today and where you'd like to be tomorrow. Sometimes growth isn't about finding a better system. Sometimes it's about faithfully carrying the right habits into a new season. In this episode A question that came directly from the live CCS class Why tools can change while principles remain the same The difference between maturity and relapse Building habits before seeking convenience Why stress often leads to subtle financial drift Recognizing early warning signs before they become bigger problems The importance of "bridges" when changing financial behaviors Learning to challenge the conclusions we most want to hear Weekly Challenge Think about something you heard in this episode that immediately made you think, "That's what I want to do." Now ask yourself a second question. Why? Are you responding because it represents healthy growth...or because it feels like permission to return to an old habit? Growth often requires more than changing tools. It requires honestly examining the motivation behind the change. As you listen, consider where God may be inviting you to mature in your stewardship—not by making things easier, but by becoming more intentional. If you'd like to continue these conversations with others who are pursuing faithful stewardship, we'd love to have you join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    Are You Growing...or Slipping Back Into Old Habits? | Ep. 32

  6. Jul 13

    Christmas in July: The Secret to a Less Stressful Christmas | Ep. 31

    In this episode of the Christ Centered Stewardship podcast, Nino Villa and Maria Casillas invite you to think about Christmas...in July.  It may sound early, but there's a reason. For many families, Christmas arrives with joy, celebration...and financial stress. Too often, we wait until Black Friday to begin thinking about gifts, gatherings, and holiday traditions. By then, our emotions are leading the conversation, and planning often gives way to reacting. What if this year could be different? In this conversation, Nino and Maria walk through a simple three-step process for preparing now so you can experience greater peace later. They discuss creating a thoughtful gift list, setting spending guardrails, budgeting for experiences as well as presents, and saving a little each pay period instead of relying on debt or last-minute decisions. More importantly, they remind us that faithful stewardship isn't about having a perfect Christmas. It's about making intentional decisions that allow us to focus on what truly matters when the season arrives. In this episode, Nino and Maria discuss: Why July is the perfect time to begin planning for Christmas The emotional spending trap that catches many families Creating a thoughtful Christmas list Setting healthy spending boundaries Why meaningful gifts don't have to be expensive Planning for experiences as well as presents Saving gradually instead of relying on debt How planning ahead creates more peace during the holiday season Weekly Challenge Set aside thirty minutes this week and begin planning for Christmas. Make a list of the people you'd like to bless, the gatherings you'd like to attend, and the traditions you'd like to enjoy. Then estimate what those things might cost and begin setting aside a little from each paycheck. You don't have to do it perfectly. You simply have to begin. As you listen, consider where planning ahead might allow you to experience more peace and more presence during the Christmas season. Faithful stewardship isn't about having the perfect plan. It's about making intentional decisions that help you focus on what matters most. If you'd like to walk this journey in community, we invite you to join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group, where we reflect on Scripture, discuss each episode, and encourage one another in faithful living. https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by: Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    Christmas in July: The Secret to a Less Stressful Christmas | Ep. 31

  7. Jul 6

    A Mid-Year Reset: Celebrate Progress and Start Again | Ep. 30

    In this episode of the Christ Centered Stewardship podcast, Nino Villa and Maria Casillas invite you to pause at the halfway point of the year and take an honest look at where you are.  Maybe you've made great progress toward your financial goals. Maybe you've made some progress, just not as much as you hoped. Or maybe life happened, and the goals you set in January never really got off the ground. Wherever you find yourself, this conversation is a reminder that stewardship isn't about perfection. It's about faithfully responding to where you are today. Nino and Maria discuss why a mid-year reset can be more valuable than waiting for another New Year's resolution. They talk about celebrating progress, evaluating whether your original goals were realistic, learning from unexpected life events, and giving yourself permission to adjust your plans without giving up. The conversation also explores why many traditional monthly budgets fall short and why planning one pay period at a time often provides greater clarity and peace. In this episode, Nino and Maria discuss: Why it's never too late to start again The three places most people find themselves halfway through the year Celebrating progress instead of focusing only on what remains How unexpected life events reshape our plans Learning from both challenges and joyful interruptions Evaluating whether your original goals were realistic When it's appropriate to change a financial goal Why monthly budgets often aren't enough The value of planning one pay period at a time Weekly Challenge Take thirty minutes this week for your own mid-year reset. Look back over the first six months of the year and ask yourself: What progress have I made? What unexpected life events shaped this year? What have I learned? Which goals still matter? What needs to change during the next six months? Then choose one practical next step and begin today. Community Invitation As you listen, consider where God may be inviting you to stop measuring yourself by perfection and instead celebrate the faithfulness He has been building along the way. If you'd like to continue the conversation, we invite you to join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by: Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    A Mid-Year Reset: Celebrate Progress and Start Again | Ep. 30

  8. Jun 29

    How to Manage Inconsistent Income Without Constant Stress | Ep. 29

    In this episode of the Christ Centered Stewardship podcast, Nino Villa and Maria Casillas discuss one of the most common challenges facing entrepreneurs, commission-based professionals, tipped employees, freelancers, and small business owners: inconsistent income.  When your income changes from month to month, it can feel almost impossible to know how much you can spend, save, give, or plan ahead. That uncertainty often creates stress—not only for the person earning the income, but also for the spouse or family trying to manage the household. Nino and Maria explore how a thoughtful plan can replace uncertainty with clarity. They discuss determining what your household actually needs each month, paying yourself consistently from your business, building retained earnings for slower seasons, involving your spouse in the process, and learning to manage both the practical and emotional sides of variable income. Whether you're self-employed, receive commissions or tips, or simply experience fluctuating income throughout the year, this conversation offers practical wisdom rooted in faithful stewardship. In this episode, Nino and Maria discuss: Why inconsistent income creates stress even when income is sufficient The emotional difference between predictability and uncertainty How entrepreneurs can pay themselves a consistent income Creating a retained earnings account for slower months Why spouses often experience variable income differently The danger of making assumptions instead of creating a plan Using bonuses intentionally instead of spending every good month Why getting your finances on paper changes the conversation Working both sides of the equation: income and expenses Weekly Challenge Set aside thirty minutes this week to write down what it actually costs to operate your household each month. Don't guess. Don't estimate in your head. Write it down. Whether your income is consistent or inconsistent, clarity begins by knowing what your household truly requires. Once you know that number, you can begin making decisions from wisdom instead of uncertainty. Community Invitation As you listen, consider where God may be inviting you to replace financial uncertainty with faithful planning. Stewardship isn't about controlling the future. It's about responding wisely to what He has entrusted to you today. If you'd like to continue the conversation, we invite you to join the Christ Centered Stewardship Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/christcenteredstewardship Hosted by: Nino Villa and Maria Casillas

    How to Manage Inconsistent Income Without Constant Stress | Ep. 29
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Christ Centered Stewardship by New Money Habits Welcome to Christ Centered Stewardship by New Money Habits, where biblical truth, practical financial skills, and real conversations come together to help you build a life of freedom, peace, and purpose. Hosted by Nino Villa and Maria Casillas, this show goes far beyond traditional personal finance. We believe that money isn’t just about numbers — it’s about identity, behavior, mindset, and what (or who) we trust. Most people never learn how to manage money in a way that aligns with their faith, their values, or the life God created them to live. We’re here to change that. Meet Your Hosts Nino Villa, an educator turned financial coach, brings clarity, structure, and biblically grounded wisdom. He specializes in helping people build new money habits that are simple, sustainable, and rooted in Scripture. His calm, practical coaching and his belief that God’s Word offers real answers make him a trusted guide for anyone seeking lasting financial transformation. Maria Casillas brings a creative, psychology-driven approach to money. After experiencing—and overcoming—more than $100k of debt fueled by fear, stress, and misaligned priorities, she now helps people understand why they do what they do with money and how to break the habits that keep them stuck. Her coaching style is fun, insightful, and rooted in behavior change and values alignment. Together, Nino and Maria create a dynamic, relatable, and faith-filled environment where listeners can grow, learn, and feel understood — no shame, no judgment, no overwhelm. What You’ll Find Here ✔ Biblical financial principles explained through real-life stories ✔ Practical tools and step-by-step guidance for building healthy money habits ✔ Honest conversations about the emotions, fears, and beliefs that shape our financial decisions ✔ Encouragement and hope for anyone feeling stuck, stressed, or unsure ✔ Weekly episodes and short-form content designed for teens, college students, young adults, and families ✔ A safe, Christ-centered space to explore money through the lens of stewardship Whether you’re navigating money for the first time or rebuilding after years of struggle… Whether you want to strengthen your marriage, deepen your faith, or break generational patterns… Whether you’re curious, confused, or simply ready for something different… You’re in the right place. This is more than a podcast. More than a YouTube channel. It’s a movement calling Christians back to God’s design for stewardship — a way of living that brings peace, freedom, and purpose to every area of life. Subscribe, listen, and grow with us as we learn to manage money God’s way. Because true financial freedom doesn’t start with a calculator. It starts with Christ at the center.

Information

  • Creator
    Nino Villa & Maria Casillas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 2025 MNM Money Team (dba New Money Habits)
  • Show Website
    Christ Centered Stewardship