Money Made Faithful With John Putnam

John Putnam

Ready to dig deeper into what's really influencing you and your money? Let's connect the beliefs that are behind your choices - the financial, spiritual, and personal ones - so that you can be the faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you.At Money Made Faithful, we want to equip you with the truths, models, and practices so you can make better money choices so you can live more boldly, confidently, and faithfully. God is too good and life is too special to let money hold you back.

  1. May 12

    220 - Good Questions Can Change Everything

    Sometimes the wisest money move has nothing to do with a number and everything to do with the questions you’re brave enough to consider. In this final episode of this season, John discusses the surprising power of asking the right questions at the right time, showing how a young couple’s dream of a ski house could have derailed their financial future.  Through their story and his own personal reflections, John unpacks how “less is more” (less me, more God) when our financial decisions are rooted in biblical wisdom rather than the pursuit of status, comfort, plans or control.  He then offers twelve “Less Is More” conversation starters designed to help listeners evaluate their money, priorities, and lifestyle in light of God’s plans, not just the math. In this episode, John discusses:  One couple’s ski house story reveals how one “once in a lifetime opportunity” can reshape long term financial peace and freedom. Every major financial decision eventually moves beyond spreadsheets into deeper questions of trust, priorities, and obedience. Scripture reframes money decisions as heart decisions, revealing what we truly depend on. John’s twelve “less is more” conversation starters expose what our spending, schedules, generosity and more say about who we are and who we may be becoming. Key Takeaways: The most important part of a financial decision is often not the numbers, but the honest questions you’re willing to ask before you act. There is a critical point “where math stops and you begin,” and that space is where values, priorities, and biblical wisdom must guide your choices. A “less is more” approach can reduce distraction, debt, and pressure while increasing your capacity to follow God’s plans and love others well. Intentional conversations—using questions about lifestyle, family, generosity and more—can realign your money decisions with what matters most in the long run. “Sometimes the best financial decision you can make is not about the math—it’s about asking yourself the right questions before you make your choice.”- John Putnam CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    23 min

  2. Apr 28

    219 - What if 'Enough' Isn't a Number?

    What if the financial security you’re chasing can never 'really' be reached—because the “finish line” keeps moving? In this episode, John discussses the idea of “enough” and what if it isn't a number and invites listeners to consider the powerful idea that “enough” isn’t necessarily a financial figure to reach, but a posture of the heart and mind rooted in stewardship, contentment, and trust in God. Drawing from Scripture, personal observations as a former financial advisor, and biblical stories, he observes how chasing a number often leads to restlessness, sacrifices around what matters most, and a fragile sense of security. Instead, John calls listeners to focus on being faithful with what’s already in their hands today—living within their means, practicing generosity, and trusting God to provide what they truly need. In this episode, John discusses:  How easy it is to keep raising our “enough” number, believing the next financial milestone will finally make us feel secure. How Scripture shows money as a heart test, not just a provision tool—it’s never just about the amount, but what we’re trusting. The shift from defining “enough” by how much we’ve accumulated to defining it by faithfulness and stewardship of waht we have. How constantly chasing bigger numbers can slowly erode contentment, trust in God, and the health of our hearts. Key Takeaways: Treating “enough” as a specific financial number is a common trap, because circumstances, markets, and our own desires keep shifting the finish line. Scripture shows that the real issue with money is not the amount, but how it shapes the posture of our hearts and our relationship with God. Is htere a more complete question than “How much is enough?”  True contentment is found not in financial balances, but in trusting God’s presence and provision—living within our means, being generous, and refusing to sacrifice family, peace, or faith in pursuit of a specific amount. True freedom comes when we stop chasing “more” and instead focus on what’s already in our hands today, asking what faithfulness looks like in this moment. “Content with what you have, not content once you hit a new number, be content now with what's in your hands." - John Putnam CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    15 min

  3. Apr 14

    218 - Two Kingdoms Never Work

    When does wisdom-driven planning quietly turn into building your own kingdom? And how do you know when “being responsible” with money has started to compete with following God? In this episode we discuss the incompatibility of serving both God's kingdom and your financial ambitions, emphasizing that money often becomes a distraction, or even a barrier, to faith. John shares his personal journey of balancing material desires with spiritual fulfillment, highlighting the dangers of building a "little k kingdom" competing alongside God's kingdom plans.  In this episode, John discusses:  How easy it is to say “yes” to Jesus while quietly building a backup financial plan on the side Why God’s Kingdom and your own 'little k kingdom' always pulls you in competing directions The subtle, unhealthy mindset shift where security, identity, and worth start to come from what you own, control, and keep Why money so often becomes a barrier to God, not because money is bad, but because our hearts are vulnerable to drift What it looks like to recognize the “kingdom” you’ve been building, bring it honestly before God, and realign your finances with His better plan Key Takeaways: You can genuinely want God’s will and still quietly build a “little k kingdom” on the side, only realizing later that your plans may compete with His. Money itself isn’t the problem; the danger lies in the subtle heart shift where security, identity, and worth begin to rest in what you own, control, and keep instead of in God. The world’s financial system often appears to work—bigger house, better car, more investments, etc. — but over time, the maintenance, payments, and comparisons can quietly begin to weigh you down and pull you off course. Pursuing success without spiritual awareness can come with hidden costs: strained relationships, emotional distance from loved ones, and a growing gap between the life you’re building and the life God is inviting you into. Freedom comes from honestly asking, “Am I trying to live in two kingdoms?” and bringing that answer to God—trusting that He can realign your path, provide what you truly need. “I wanted God’s plan and my plan—His blessings and my stuff, His peace, my portfolio. But two kingdoms never work.”  CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    16 min

  4. Mar 31

    217 - Why It's Hard to Stop Wanting More

    You know it's true—the constant itch for “more” is intentionally influenced. From the moment you wake up and check your phone to the last screen you see before bed, you’re being coached to feel like what you have—and who you are—isn’t enough. In this episode, John discusses the struggle of wanting more, a theme explored in his book "He Spends, She Spends." John highlights the constant influence of advertising, designed to make us feel incomplete and discontent, and how this affects financial decisions. Emphasizing the need to renew one's mind spiritually to resist these influences, he shares scriptures, practical steps and questions to achieve contentment, advocating for a balance where one can keep their focus on God.  In this episode, John discusses:  How a constant stream of advertising and cultural messages quietly trains us to feel incomplete, discontent, and always in need of “more” Why the core problem isn’t just financial habits, but a spiritual issue rooted in what we believe about money, identity, and security. A simple but powerful shift from just asking, “Can we afford this?” to also asking, “How much is enough for us—and what are we really chasing?” The countercultural freedom of living modestly so we can serve God extravagantly. A practical one-week experiment, paying attention to feelings of “not enough,” and begin choosing peace over more. Key Takeaways: The constant desire for “just a little bit more” is often less about 'greed' and more about being shaped by messages specifically designed to make us feel incomplete and discontent. Our money problems are rarely just math issues; they’re spiritual issues, too—rooted in what we believe about God, provision, identity, and what will actually bring us peace. Renewing our minds, as Paul writes in Romans 12:2, gives us a new filter for money decisions so we’re no longer just copying what “everyone else” is doing, but testing and choosing what aligns with God’s will. Shifting from “Can we afford this?” to “How much is enough for us—and what are we really chasing?” opens the door to contentment, clarity, and a different definition of success. Learning to live with “enough” isn’t about shame or scarcity; it’s about freedom—loosening our grip on stuff, so it loosens its grip on us, and we’re freed to serve God more fully, generously, and joyfully. “You’ve got to think differently before you can act differently, and that takes time. It takes practice. It takes a lot of grace for yourself.” CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful   If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    14 min

  5. Mar 17

    216 - Brackets, Breakthroughs & Better Money Choices

    It's March Madness basketball time, but could there also be a 'madness' around our finances about repeating the same choices while hoping our financial stewardship will improve? In this episode John shares a fun, basketball-watching story from his childhood to show how a new perspective—and new action—can transform a situation.  Drawing from James 2:17 and the story of Moses lifting the bronze serpent, he reminds us that faithful stewardship requires both faith and action. If you feel stuck financially, this episode will challenge you to choose one area that needs a new game plan and take the next step. In this episode, John discusses:  How the excitement and constant adjustments of March Madness champions mirror the changes we often need to make in our financial lives A fun personal story from his family’s cattle farm that illustrates how a new perspective and simple action can transform how we spend our time and energy Why repeating the same financial choices while hoping for different outcomes is not faith, but wishful thinking The biblical connection between faith and action—from James 2:17 and Moses lifting the snake in the wilderness—to what it means to honor Jesus with our money Practical ways to choose a new financial perspective and take a next step, such as budgeting, cutting debt, increasing generosity, having honest money conversations, or seeking wise counsel Key Takeaways: A new perspective followed by a new action can change your financial reality, just as changing the “game plan” can change the outcome on the basketball court. Repeating the same financial choices while hoping for different results isn’t an act of faith—it’s wishful thinking that keeps you stuck. True stewardship is the union of faith and deeds: prayer paired with obedient financial action, as reflected in James 2:17 and the example of Moses lifting the serpent in the wilderness. Every financial decision becomes “holy in the shadow of the cross” when it is made to honor Jesus, helping you resist the destructive pull of a money-focused world. Breakthrough often begins by choosing one specific financial area—budgeting, debt, generosity, conversations, or wise counsel—and courageously embracing a new perspective and a new step of obedience. “If you keep making the same financial choices, you’re going to keep getting the same results. And that is not faith. That is just wishful thinking.” CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    13 min

  6. Mar 3

    215 - A Springtime Reset & Refresh for 5 Money Behaviors

    What if the shifts we feel in our finances each season are less about circumstances and more about the beliefs guiding our choices?  Today we explore how spring naturally invites a financial refresh and why money behaviors tend to drift when underlying beliefs quietly change.  Drawing from behavioral insights and real life patterns, John unpacks five common money behaviors—mental accounting, framing, following the herd, decision paralysis, and overconfidence—and how they influence our choices without us realizing it. With thoughtful reflection and practical encouragement, this episode invites you to examine what you believe about money so your actions can reset and refresh with your values, goals, and faithful financial stewardship. In this episode, John discusses:  How spring offers a natural invitation to refresh and reset your money habits and heart posture Why money behaviors don’t drift randomly, but shift when underlying beliefs quietly change The “silent partners” influencing your financial choices How to trace unhelpful financial behaviors back to beliefs like fear, fatigue, comparison, entitlement, or doubt What it means to rreset and refresh your money with faithful stewardship, Kingdom impact, and God’s greater story Key Takeaways: Money behaviors rarely change in isolation; they almost always follow a quiet shift in what we believe or influences. Treating some income as “extra” (like bonuses, refunds, or found money) can lead to poor spending, but viewing every dollar as God’s provision invites greater intentionality and faithfulness. The way we frame our financial questions can completely change the decisions we make. Comparison, social media highlight reels, and cultural momentum can gently pull us into “following the herd,” unless we choose to move from conviction instead of crowd pressure. A gentle spring reset is about awareness, revisiting core beliefs, and allowing God to realign our money behaviors with His purposes, so that our finances serve not just our comfort but our calling. “When your beliefs settle back into place, when you anchor back into those wise and faithful beliefs, your behaviors shift, not just improving your bank account financially, but in your thinking and in your heart.” SPECIAL LISTENER GIFT and details:  This month, March 3-31, 2026, John is giving away 28 signed hardcover copies of his book He Spends, She Spends— and he’ll even cover the postage for shipping in the continental United States - one (1) book per person, per email, per address - to receive your book, email john@moneymadefaithful.com with your first and last name and mailing address. John will personally sign, personalize, and mail a book to the first 28 listeners who reach out - thanks for listening!! CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    21 min

  7. Feb 17

    214 - When Money Becomes a Moment to Love

    Can money tensions become opportunities to love more deeply? In this episode of Money Made Faithful, John Putnam shares how everyday financial tensions can actually form our hearts and draw us closer, rather than fracture our relationships. Drawing from scriptures, our upbringing, fears, and expectations shape money conversations, and why it's critical that our goal is not victory but loving progress and oneness. With practical guidance on listening with curiosity, creating safe space for honest dialogue, and practicing shared stewardship, this episode invites couples to see every “money moment” as a moment to show our love - for God and each other - and a vital part of their spiritual growth together. In this episode, John discusses:  How money tensions can surface in any season Why financial disagreements are often shaped by our upbringing, fears, and future expectations The biblical call to contentment and the dangers of elevating money above our devotion to God How to lead money conversations with curiosity, patience, and grace instead of defensiveness The importance of shared stewardship, humility, and trust—especially when one spouse earns more Key Takeaways: Money tensions are not proof that a relationship is broken; they are often invitations to practice love more deeply in very practical, daily ways. Our financial habits and reactions are shaped early—sometimes as young as age six—which means compassion and curiosity toward our spouse’s story are essential in money conversations. Scripture reminds us that the love of money (not money itself) can lead to harmful desires and distraction, so our aim is contentment in Christ and faithfulness with what He provides. In financial disagreements, the goal is not to “win” the argument; the goal is loving progress, where oneness and unity matter more than being right. Shared stewardship honors God’s design for marriage: income level does not determine spiritual authority or importance—both spouses bring God-given wisdom, perspective, and value to the table. “Money moments are not interruptions to your spiritual growth; they are part of it.” CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    16 min

  8. Feb 3

    213 - Achieve Your Money Goals in 2026 - Putting It All Together

    What if the difference between frustration in pursuing your money goals and a focused faithful journey in 2026 isn’t more effort, but wiser rhythms and simple, steady practices? In this episode, John closes the “Achieve Your Money Goals in 2026” series with seven best-practice encouragements to help you actually live out your financial plans with faith and clarity.  He invites you to simplify—keeping prayer central, focusing on small faithful steps over big leaps, anticipating obstacles, inviting life-giving accountability, celebrating progress (not perfection), and scheduling regular check-ins to review your journey.  When life feels noisy or confusing, John points you back to the same four-step framework—learn your lessons, clarify your vision, align your mission, and live your values—so you can move forward one grounded, grateful, God-guided step at a time toward your 2026 money goals! In this episode, John discusses:  Keeping prayer central and simple in your financial decision-making Focusing on small, faithful steps instead of dramatic financial leaps Anticipating obstacles so your goals don’t get derailed when life changes Inviting life-giving accountability rooted in shared values, not pressure Returning to a clear framework (lessons, vision, mission, values) when money decisions feel noisy or confusing Key Takeaways: A faithful financial life in 2026 is built less on big, dramatic moves and more on small, steady, God-directed steps taken over time. When prayer becomes your first response rather than a last resort, money decisions shift from pressure-filled to peace-filled. Naming the obstacles and patterns that usually derail you is not pessimism; it’s wisdom that prepares you to stay aligned with your values when life gets noisy. Inviting a trusted, grace-filled “money confidant” into your journey transforms accountability from guilt and shame into encouragement and shared courage. Regularly returning to your lessons, vision, mission, and values keeps you grounded in what’s already true, even when your progress feels slow or invisible. “Faithful stewardship rarely requires dramatic leaps. It's usually built through small, consistent, obedient decisions that compound over time.” CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL! 2026 GOAL ACHIEVEMENT WORKBOOK: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page VISIT MONEY MADE FAITHFUL: https://moneymadefaithful.com/ GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN'S BOOK, 'He Spends She Spends', and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Ready to dig deeper into what's really influencing you and your money? Let's connect the beliefs that are behind your choices - the financial, spiritual, and personal ones - so that you can be the faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you.At Money Made Faithful, we want to equip you with the truths, models, and practices so you can make better money choices so you can live more boldly, confidently, and faithfully. God is too good and life is too special to let money hold you back.

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