Faith & Finance Faith & Finance

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’”

You may recall that verse from the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12. And what does that mean? A new FaithFi study guide focuses on this topic, and we’ll talk to Carolyn Calupca about it today.

Carolyn Calupca was a long-time senior producer at Crown Financial Ministries where she worked closely with Larry Burkett for many years. She’s now a frequent contributor here at Faith and Finance and the author of our new 4-week study guide, Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool.

Year after year, the annual survey taken for the T-I-A-A Institute Personal Finance Index shows low financial literacy for the 18-to-25 age group. A majority of these young adults consistently fail to demonstrate a working knowledge of financial concepts like budgeting, saving, insurance, and investing.

Think about what this means. Tens of thousands of young adults are going off to college or joining the workforce today without knowing how to manage their money, avoid overspending, or even build a solid financial future for themselves.

These days, we have online banking and instant digital transactions. It’s so easy to use credit and transfer money that many young people live day to day without a plan…until they need a bailout from Mom or Dad!

Young adults rarely handle cash, which also means they no longer have a physical connection to their money. When you don’t see and feel your money coming and going, you might not realize when it’s gone. This disconnect can lead to unintentional overspending and a lifetime of debt, not to mention a lack of motivation to save for the future.

So, whether you’re a parent of teenagers or a “Gen Z” just starting out, here are a few must-have financial skills and how to acquire them.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16

We don’t often think of time management as one of God’s financial and spiritual principles, but we definitely should. Busy moms certainly know how crucial it is. Crystal Paine joins us today with some tips on time management for achieving spiritual balance.

Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com and author of The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most.

Economist and investment expert Peter Bernstein once said, “The biggest risk is not knowing what you are doing.”

All investments carry some degree of risk. Companies fail, and governments fall, so ensuring the return is worth the risk is important. Mark Biller joins us today to discuss managing investment risk.

Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me" — Psalm 31:5 and 15

Those are the words of David, who suffered severe mistreatment at the hands of Saul. We’re all mistreated from time to time. It could be by a family member, a friend, a boss or co-worker, or someone you’re doing business with who may be trying to cheat you. So how should you respond?

You know two things that just don’t go together? Or shouldn’t go together? Springtime…and procrastination.

The birds are coming back, the daffodils are blooming and the maintenance chores you put off all winter need to get done. I have a “to do” list for you.