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. NOV 25

    206 - Before you Buy - 3 Questions to Ask on Black Friday

    What if the real challenge of Black Friday isn’t the crowds, the countdown timers, or the deals—but the quiet pressure shaping the way we think about money? In this Thanksgiving episode, John invites us to pause, renew our minds, and approach the shopping season with wisdom, peace, and a Christ-formed mindset. Through personal stories, scripture, and practical tools, he helps us recognize how consumer culture tries to conform us—and how a transformed heart can lead to faithful, joyful stewardship. In this episode, John discusses:  Why Black Friday can subtly reshape our thinking and test our financial mindset How Romans 12:2 calls us to resist cultural pressure and embrace a renewed mind His lifelong lessons of value and quality that shaped wise decision-making Three simple questions that help us shop with intention, clarity, and peace Key Takeaways: Black Friday can stir urgency and pressure, pulling us toward choices that aren’t always wise or grounded. A healthy money mindset holds both value and quality together—lessons shaped by family, faith, and a desire to live with intention. Wisdom in spending begins with simple questions: Is this wise? Is this planned? Will it last? When we stay mindful and rooted in truth—not swayed by marketing or hype—we practice faithful stewardship and step into a deeper sense of peace. “We want to be transformed, not conformed, we want to be anchored, not pressured, and we want to be discerning rather than drifting.” - LINK TO WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE: https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/will-trumps-trade-war-break-americas-addiction-to-cheap-stuff-ff21df9e?mod=panda_wsj_section_alert&mod=djemLifeStyle_h   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

  2. NOV 11

    205 - 4 Ways to Help When the Holidays Hurt

    What if the greatest gift we could give this holiday season isn’t wrapped in paper but offered through presence, compassion, and awareness? While the world rushes toward celebration, many quietly carry heartache, loss, or financial strain. In this episode, John invites us to slow down, open our eyes, and become the hands and feet of encouragement for those who are hurting. Together, we’ll learn how faithful awareness and small acts of kindness can bring hope, restore joy, and reflect God’s love in a season that isn’t always easy for everyone. In this episode, John discusses: Why the holidays can be a time of both celebration and hidden hurt The importance of spiritual endurance amid trials (James 1:2–4) How awareness becomes a spiritual muscle that grows through intentional action Four practical ways to bring comfort and hope to others during the holidays Key Takeaways: True joy isn’t the absence of hardship—it’s the presence of God’s peace and purpose in the middle of it. Awareness is more than observation; it’s a spiritual discipline that helps us see people the way Jesus does. Small, faithful acts—buying a meal, offering a kind word, or simply listening—can lift heavy burdens and remind others they’re not forgotten. Stewardship is not only about managing money well; it’s about using all we have—our time, influence, and attention—to reflect God’s heart. “Joy never runs out when you give it away. The more you steward it, the more it grows in you and through you into the world.” 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

  3. OCT 28

    204 - Finding Peace this Season in a Pay-Later World

    What if the peace we long for this season isn’t something to be bought, but something to be protected? In a world filled with tempting offers to “buy now, pay later,” this episode invites us to slow down and make room for calm before the holiday rush begins. Together, we’ll uncover how wise preparation, mindful spending, and trust in God’s provision can quiet the financial noise around us and within us. Let’s rediscover the kind of peace that no purchase can provide—peace that flows from gratitude, wisdom, and faithful stewardship. In this episode, John discusses: How financial “noise” increases during the holiday season and how to quiet it The spiritual and emotional dangers of credit cards and “buy now, pay later” offers Why debt can drown out peace and gratitude in our daily lives Three faithful ways to prepare your heart and finances before the holiday rush Key Takeaways: Real peace can’t be purchased or financed—it’s received, protected, and practiced through faithful, daily decisions that align with God’s wisdom. Financial noise often comes from the world around AND from within us, especially when we rush to satisfy wants instead of resting in God’s provision. Every easy payment or credit decision today is a future commitment that can multiply stress, distraction, and debt. When we choose to pay in full, pause before purchases, and set God-honoring boundaries, we trade financial pressure for lasting peace and freedom. “Victory over debt isn’t just about paying off balances. It's about transforming the heart that created them to begin with.” 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

  4. OCT 14

    203 - Are You One of the Beautiful People?

    This time of year always make me think about how the leaves are most beautiful when they're dying. Interesting, right? And it made me think, we can be beautiful, too in a similar way! What if our most radiant beauty comes from 'dying to ourselves" - not from what we hold onto, but from what we release? In this episode I share how letting go of our plans, possessions, and gifts allows God’s glory to shine more vividly through us. Join me as we explore the kind of beauty that heaven notices—the beauty born from faithful surrender and intentional generosity. In this episode, John discusses:  Understanding the deeper meaning of true, lasting beauty How surrender transforms our view of giving and living Recognizing the power of faithful stewardship in daily life Embracing God’s design of transformation through release. Key Takeaways: True, enduring beauty is found when we willingly die to our own plans and ambitions, allowing God to transform our hearts and reveal His glory through a surrendered life. Supporting those who serve—missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders—extends our reach beyond ourselves, making us active participants in the stories of lives changed through God’s work. When we intentionally use our unique gifts, experiences, and resources to serve others, we reflect God’s creativity and purpose while multiplying the eternal impact of our obedience. Releasing control of our possessions, influence, and desires opens the door to deeper freedom and reveals a kind of beauty that draws others closer to God and echoes beyond this lifetime. “These beautiful colors—the reds, the oranges, the yellows, and the golds—just remind me about this beauty that God invites us each into, that isn't found in what you hold on to, but is revealed in what you release.”     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

  5. SEP 30

    202 - Theirs, Mine or His? 5 Steps for Finishing Well

    Are you chasing the wrong results with your money? It’s easy to get caught in comparison, or in building a certain lifestyle, but those paths often leave us with half-finished plans and unnecessary stress. In this episode, we’ll uncover why God’s results are different—and better—than our own, and how His wisdom gives us the steps to finish well. Together, we’ll explore five timeless principles that can bring peace, clarity, and eternal purpose to your financial journey. In this episode, John discusses: Comparison and the pressure to measure success against others The tension between lifestyle choices and long-term life purpose Aligning financial decisions with God’s eternal results Practical wisdom for building a faithful financial foundation Key Takeaways: Spending less than you earn provides a faithful and steady foundation, lowering stress and keeping your financial life sustainable over the long term. Avoiding lifestyle debt keeps you from building on shifting sand, freeing you to pursue God’s call without the burden of unnecessary payments. Keeping cash on hand for emergencies creates a margin that allows you to weather financial storms while staying rooted in God’s bigger picture. Practicing generosity directs your heart toward God’s results, reminding you that giving isn’t extra credit—it’s a centerpiece of faithful stewardship. Establishing and following a clear financial plan ensures your good intentions don’t stall out, helping you finish well instead of leaving “half-built towers.” “When you spend your energy chasing THEIR results, you will rarely finish well in YOUR results, and you will likely exhaust yourself taking steps on a path that was never meant for you.” 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

  6. SEP 16

    201 - 3 Timeless Lessons to Help 'Unstick' your Giving

    In this episode, we’re diving into some of the tensions of giving - too often, we wrestle with wanting our giving to be both obedient to God and effective in impact—and it can leave us feeling stuck. Through stories from scripture and history, we’ll uncover three timeless lessons that bring clarity to how we approach generosity. Join us as we learn how awareness, action, and alignment can transform our giving into a powerful partnership with God’s greater story. In this episode, John discusses: The tension between obedience and effectiveness in giving Lessons from scripture and history on strategic generosity The role of awareness, action, and alignment in stewardship How generosity connects us to God’s greater plan Key Takeaways: Obedience and effectiveness in giving are not mutually exclusive, and when we release control to God while also stewarding our resources wisely Developing awareness means looking beyond our giving plans and instead, begin discerning what a ministry or mission truly needs, whether that’s financial support, expertise, influence, or encouragement. Taking action in partnership with others multiplies the strength of our generosity, reminding us that collaboration—whether between families, friends, or businesses—can amplify the reach and effectiveness of what we give. Aligning our giving with God’s plans, rather than pursuing our own giving plans, magnifies His glory and transforms even ordinary gifts into powerful expressions of worship and participation in His greater story. “The most effective giving is not always about funding our personal preferences—it’s about aligning with God’s plans.”  Resources Mentioned: NOTE: Original article link of RG Letourneau article from 'Center for Faith & Work' is now forwarding to this page about RG Letorneau: https://www.letu.edu/library/exhibit/panel-faith.html   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!

    18 min

  7. SEP 2

    200 - A Pause Without a Plan

    In this milestone episode, we reflect on the lessons learned during our recent 'prayerful pause'. Instead of walking away with a grand plan, we discovered something deeper—a renewed spirit, a rested soul, and a thankful heart.  Together, we’ll explore how seasons of waiting can shape our faith, guide our stewardship, and reframe how we view both scarcity and abundance. Join us as we embrace the pause, lean into God’s whispers, and find peace in serving faithfully right where we are. In this episode, John discusses: The value of a 'pause' even when it doesn't deliver a clear plan How waiting seasons can strengthen our stewardship journey Hearing God’s direction in subtle, quiet ways Staying faithful with what we already have Key Takeaways: Pausing may not always reveal all the answers, but it can restore, refresh, and reignite. When clarity is missing, we can look back at what God has already done and faithfully use what we have. God often guides us through gentle whispers, not always in dramatic signs, teaching us to slow down and listen closely. Seasons of waiting are not wasted—they are times when God is preparing us for the next faithful step. “Pausing does not come easy for me… but I knew that God was inviting me to walk closer to Him and to clarity and to you, this community around Money Made Faithful.”  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!

    11 min

  8. AUG 26

    199 - 3 Steps to a Budget That Sticks - 'Refreshed Replay'

    Ever feel like your budget just won’t stick—no matter how solid it looks on paper? You’re not alone! In this special refreshed replay of one of our most popular episodes, we’re taking a fresh look at why so many budgets fall apart—and how we can align our finances with our faith to create a plan that truly sticks. Together, we explore three simple, faith-centered steps to help us refresh our mindset, clear out distractions, and take small, intentional actions that honor God and bring lasting traction to our finances. In this episode, John discusses: The importance of aligning budgeting practices with faith and values Common challenges that make sticking to a budget difficult How mindset shifts can improve long-term budget consistency Practical steps for removing distractions and staying financially focused Key Takeaways: Achieving budgeting success requires a fundamental shift in mindset, viewing budgeting as a faith-driven journey rather than just a numbers game, focusing on aligning financial decisions with core personal values, spiritual goals, and life purpose. Consistently reviewing and refreshing your budget allows it to stay relevant to your current financial needs and spiritual objectives, ensuring it remains a true reflection of both where you are now and where you aim to go, all while staying connected to your faith. Identifying and eliminating small “financial idols”—like impulsive purchases, unused subscriptions, or habitual overspending—helps you clear distractions that can derail your budget, ultimately creating more space for intentional, values-based financial choices. Building a sustainable budget means starting with small, manageable spending adjustments that gradually strengthen your budgeting consistency, empowering you to experience financial peace while also helping you avoid burnout or frustration along the way. “When you align your budget with your faith, you're placing your treasure, your heart, and your mind in God's hands, bringing more peace and purpose into your budgeting process.”  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!

    19 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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