“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” — Proverbs 12:15 Wise financial decisions don’t happen in a vacuum—they often require wise counsel. But how do you know if the person giving you advice shares your convictions and values? Brian Cochran joins us today to explore how biblical wisdom should shape not just our decisions, but the voices we trust. Brian Cochran is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), and also serves as the Chief Stewardship Officer at John Moore Associates.

A recent survey reveals that nearly 1 in 4 Americans has no emergency savings, and more than a third had to tap into their savings just to get through the past year. Even more sobering, Bankrate reports that only 46% of U.S. adults have enough savings to cover three months of expenses, while 33% have more credit card debt than they do in emergency savings. The numbers are alarming, but they don’t have to define your future.

Have you ever felt like giving to your church is more of a burden than a joy? You're not alone. For many believers, the offering moment stirs up anxiety instead of worship. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Those words—not reluctantly and not under compulsion—are key. God doesn't want us giving out of guilt. He invites us to give freely, joyfully, and with a heart aligned to His mission. But guilt is a powerful motivator. Perhaps you've felt it—when the plate passes or a giving campaign is launched. Thoughts flood in: “I haven’t given enough... I’m letting God down.” That’s not generosity born of grace. That’s fear. And it contradicts the gospel.

Have you ever faced an upcoming surgery—not just anxious about the procedure itself, but also wondering how you’ll cover the cost? Imagine if someone stepped in to guide you through the process, coordinating the details and helping you navigate the expenses. Good news: that kind of support is available, and Lauren Gajdek is here to tell us all about it. Lauren Gajdek is the Senior Director of External Affairs at Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

Earlier this year, FaithFi had the opportunity to sit down with Tim Tebow—Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback, and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation. But this wasn’t a conversation about championships or accolades. Instead, it focused on the moments that most people would rather forget—the painful setbacks that God can use to shape something far greater than we could ever have imagined. Tim Tebow is a Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback, and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving vulnerable children and individuals with disabilities through initiatives such as Night to Shine, orphan care, medical outreach, anti-human trafficking efforts, and support for children with profound medical needs.

When it comes to money, most people are searching for two things: security and peace of mind. That’s understandable—life is unpredictable, expenses arise, and markets swing. But what if true peace isn’t found in your circumstances at all? Financial wisdom doesn’t start with a budget or a savings plan. It begins with trust—specifically, trusting in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” If you chase peace through your paycheck or portfolio, you’ll always come up short. But when Christ is your foundation, you begin to see money in a new light—not as a source of peace, but as a tool to steward.

Do you work to live…or live to work? For many, the answer is simple: “I work to make a living.” But what if there’s more to work than just earning a paycheck? Could it be that work holds deeper meaning—something essential to who we are and how we’re made? David Bahnsen joins us today to offer a perspective on work you might not have considered. David Bahnsen is the Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a national private wealth management firm managing over $7 billion in client assets. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox News, and Fox Business. He is also the author of Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life.

How do you live a life that truly flourishes—not just financially, but in every area God cares about? Today, we’re talking about how to live with purpose, peace, and wisdom by following God’s design for life. Ron Blue joins us to unpack biblical principles that lead to flourishing, not through formulas, but through faithfulness. Ron Blue is the co-founder of Kingdom Advisors and the author of numerous books on biblical finance, most notably "Master Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment."

The world constantly tells us, “You just need a little more.” But what if real peace isn’t found in having more, but in learning to need less? What comes to mind when you hear the word “wealth”? For some, it means freedom. For others, it brings anxiety and pressure. Today, Jeff Manion joins us to explore how we can cultivate contentment in a culture that always craves more. Jeff Manion is the Teaching Pastor at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for over 40 years. He is also the author of several books, including Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption.

Mentoring often sounds like the perfect way to steward your time in retirement—until you try it and realize it’s not as intuitive as you'd hoped. For many retirees, mentoring seems like a meaningful way to invest in the next generation—a way to put their life experience to work. But what if we’ve misunderstood how mentoring fits into God’s design for this season of life? Jeff Haanen joins us with practical stories and spiritual insight to help us reframe it. Jeff Haanen is an accomplished entrepreneur and the founder of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work. He is the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life and Working from the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to Inner Work That Transforms Our Outer World.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6 As parents, we often wonder when to begin teaching our kids about money. The simple answer? It’s never too early. In fact, a study by Purdue University found that most of our lifelong money habits are formed by the age of seven. That’s a sobering realization—but also a hopeful one. Because with intentionality and biblical wisdom, we can help our children become faithful stewards from an early age. Here’s how to begin—step by step.

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” - Romans 6:6 Being born again in Christ changes a person. We’re given a new nature that fights against our old, corrupt nature. Sometimes, the evidence of this is in the area of finances. Straight ahead—a journey to faithful stewardship.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3 In the final episode of our Financial Ethics series, we’re tackling a message that promises health and wealth—but often leads to heartache: the prosperity gospel. Dr. David W. Jones joins us to unpack its dangers and point us back to a truly biblical view of blessing and provision. Dr. David W. Jones is Senior Professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in Christian Financial Ethics and is the co-author of Health, Wealth, and Happiness: How the Prosperity Gospel Overshadows the Gospel of Christ by Dr. W. Jones and Russell S. Woodbridge.

In today’s world, scarcity seems to be everywhere. Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough security. It’s easy to live like we’re always behind, always grasping, always worried. But is that the full story? Here at FaithFi, we believe Scripture paints a different picture—one where scarcity isn’t the final word. Instead, through Christ, we’re invited to live with hope, wisdom, and trust in God’s abundant care.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” - Proverbs 17:22 As we wrap up our series on the temperaments and how they impact our financial decisions, we’re turning the tables a bit. Today, Kathleen Edelman—who’s been our guide through this journey—is taking the host seat to interview Rob West about the Yellow temperament. Kathleen Edelman is the author of I Said This, You Heard That: How Your Wiring Colors Your Communication. She is certified in Biblical Studies and Christian Counseling Psychology and has spent over 30 years coaching clients in the art of effective communication.

College students may be pros at pulling off last-minute study sessions, but when it comes to finances, cramming just doesn’t cut it. Everyone often needs a budget, and for college students, that is even more crucial. Today, Dr. Kelly Rush joins us with practical budgeting advice every college student should hear. Dr. Kelly Rush is a Professor of Finance, Department Chair, and Financial Planning Program Coordinator at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio.

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” With those words, Warren Buffett reminded us that character and integrity matter—especially in the world of money. Now, after more than sixty years of market-shaping moves and famous one-liners, Buffett is calling it a career. Today, Matt Bell joins us to reflect on his legacy and share what timeless lessons every investor can learn from it. Matt Bell is the Managing Editor at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” - Hebrews 13:5 Sports betting is more popular—and more accepted—than ever, even among Christians. But is it just harmless fun, or something more? Dr. David W. Jones returns to our financial ethics series to help us examine what Scripture says about gambling and how believers should approach it. Dr. David W. Jones is Senior Professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in Christian Financial Ethics and is the author of Every Good Thing: An Introduction to the Material World and the Common Good for Christians.

“The simple believe everything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” — Proverbs 14:15 In an age where scams are becoming more sophisticated by the day, Scripture reminds us that discernment isn’t optional—it’s essential. As believers, protecting the resources God has entrusted to us is more than a practical concern—it’s an act of stewardship. Here’s how you can guard your finances with wisdom, not fear.

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” - 1 Corinthians 14:33 We’re continuing our series on temperaments—how our God-given wiring shapes the way we communicate, relate to others, and make financial decisions. Kathleen Edelman is back with us, joined by Andrew Stanley, as we take a closer look at the Blue temperament and its influence on our approach to money. Kathleen Edelman is the author of I Said This, You Heard That: How Your Wiring Colors Your Communication. She is certified in Biblical Studies and Christian Counseling Psychology and has spent over 30 years coaching clients in the art of effective communication. Andrew Stanley is a nationally touring stand-up comedian who’s been performing across the country since 2016. You can learn more at AndrewStanleyComedy.com. In this episode, he also joins us as our representative for the Blue Temperament.