In this episode of Second Half Stewardship, we continue our conversation with Peter Greer, President of HOPE International and co-author of “Lead with Prayer”, focusing on the power and importance of prayer. Peter shares his journey in co-authoring the book "Lead with Prayer," the impact of integrating prayer into organizational culture, and lesson…

In this episode of the Second Half Stewardship Podcast, we welcome Peter Greer, President and CEO of Hope International. Join us as Peter shares his inspiring journey in global economic development and how Hope International integrates biblical principles with microfinance to lift families out of poverty. Explore the impact of church-based savings …

Join us on the Second Half Stewardship podcast as we examine the challenges of stewardship amidst uncertainty in our modern age. We discuss the pervasive influence of social media and the need to counteract fear-driven narratives. Drawing insights from biblical examples, historical figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the thriving underground chur…

Join us as we look at the remarkable life of John Wesley, a beacon of faith who exemplified radical generosity in the 18th century. From his humble beginnings to his profound impact on Christian stewardship, Wesley's journey offers invaluable insights into living a life of abundance and selflessness. Discover how Wesley's unwavering trust in God's …

Join us as we review remarkable life of George Mueller, a man who defied societal norms to demonstrate radical trust in God's provision. From his tumultuous past to the establishment of orphanages and a legacy of faith, discover how Mueller's unwavering obedience and dependence on God continue to inspire generations. Explore the transformative powe…

Dive into the remarkable life of C.T. Studd, a missionary who gave up everything for the sake of the Gospel. In this episode, we explore how Studd, inspired by the call of Jesus, sacrificed his wealth, comfort, and success to spread the message of Christ in Africa, China, and India. Join us as we unpack the challenges, triumphs, and unwavering fait…

Join us for Part 2 of our interview with Psychologist Dr. Brian Humphreys. In this episode, we examine the heart of family dynamics with Brian, a Christian counselor, as he shares insights on fostering relationships within the family. From the importance of being present with loved ones to navigating conflicts with grace and understanding, Brian of…

Join us for Second Half Stewardship, where we get a look into the wisdom of psychologist Brian Humphreys on nurturing relationships. As a seasoned professional in private practice, Brian shares invaluable insights on stewarding relationships, navigating through challenging times, and fostering deep connections among family and friends. Discover pra…

Join us as we talk to Jocelyn White and Chuck Day, two leaders from International Justice Mission (IJM), to discuss their incredible work in protecting the poor from violence across the globe. Discover IJM's approach to stewardship and their mission to strengthen local justice systems, rescue victims, restore survivors, and bring criminals to justi…

Join us as we talk to Jocelyn White and Chuck Day, two leaders from International Justice Mission (IJM), to discuss their incredible work in protecting the poor from violence across the globe. Discover IJM's approach to stewardship and their mission to strengthen local justice systems, rescue victims, restore survivors, and bring criminals to justi…

Join us for part 2 with Father Aaron as we discuss cultivating the soil of the heart. Drawing inspiration from the parable of the good soil in Mark 4, we’ll explore the challenges of different types of soil in life—rocky paths, thorny grounds, and cultivated soil. From the importance of confession and a flexible rule of life to the impact of sabbat…

Join us for an insightful conversation with Father Aaron Wright, the rector at Old North Abbey. Spencer and Father Aaron delve into the topic of stewardship, discussing how God owns everything in life, from resources to relationships. Father Aaron shares his personal journey, and valuable insights into the evolution of stewardship over time and the…

Do you find it challenging talking to your kids about money? What about your friends? Jesus invites us to be vulnerable with our struggles with other Christians. As well, he invites us into a lifelong journey of discipleship and multiplication. In this episode, we discuss how we teach our own kids to use money. We share how we use strategies like t…

This week, Spencer and Austin finish their series with Michael Blue. We talk about the transformative concept of giving sacrificially, drawing inspiration from Acts 4:32. Michael reflects on the potential pitfalls of individualism, cautioning against the danger of pride and ownership even when working diligently and living simply. We explore the co…

In this episode we continue our conversation with Michael Blue about living simply and making spending decisions with God's Kingdom in mind. Explore the counterintuitive nature of simplicity in the context of financial stewardship and how it aligns with seeking first the Kingdom of God. Michael draws on wisdom from Richard Foster's book Celebration…

In this episode, we have a special guest, Michael Blue, who is the director of discipleship for the Ron Blue Institute. He's also an attorney and a thought leader in stewardship. Join us as we dive into the heart of stewardship and explore the concept of "God owning it all" and how we respond as faithful stewards. We're discussing key insights from…

Welcome back to our two-part look at what Jesus teaches about money in the Bible. In this video, Austin and Spencer continue examining five key themes related to Jesus' teachings on money and possessions: 1. God is our provider 2. Relationship with Jesus is most valuable 3. We live exchanged lives 4. Money competes with God 5. Use money to care for…

Was Jesus neutral about money? Austin and Spencer discuss what Jesus actually taught about money and possessions. Over the next two episodes, they will cover five themes that emerged from Jesus' teachings on this topic. Join us for the first three in this episode! We analyze several impactful passages where Jesus proclaims God as our ultimate provi…

In this episode, Spencer and Austin discuss how we can't be good stewards without believing that God is our provider. From "My body, my choice!" to "Don't tread on me!" society tells us to pursue self-fulfillment, while the Bible calls us to find contentment and joy in Christ. They unpack Philippians 4:10-13 where Paul expresses contentment in time…

Austin and Spencer explore how the pursuit of success and financial independence can lead Christians away from their faith. Drawing insights from the biblical accounts of Solomon and David, they highlight the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of trusting in God as the ultimate provider. Discover how breaking the link between success and p…

Pentecost, and the sending of the Holy Spirit, caused the early church approach to finances radically. In this episode, Spencer and Austin explore the cultural significance of language, individualism, and communal sharing in light of the Holy Spirit's work. Discover how the first Christians lived with radical openness to God and each other and how …

Spencer and Austin explore the deep-seated human fear of insufficiency and the quest for "enough." They draw insights from frugal multimillionaires and everyday individuals, revealing our vulnerability and desire for control. The conversation centers on God's process of providing, with a focus on biblical accounts of Adam and Eve, as well as the Is…

There is an alarming rise in the levels of anxiety in modern culture, especially after the pandemic. From a spiritual perspective, what is one way that we can press back against the fears that often entangle? We discuss how placing our trust in God's provision can bring rest and peace in the midst of life's uncertainties. Join Spencer and Austin as…

How can Christians honor God with their giving? In this episode, we explore the crucial topic of giving with a focus on how Christians can honor God with their finances. We discuss the cultural trend of impulsive giving and advocate for a thoughtful process in determining where to give. Understanding that everything belongs to God causes us to cons…

Choosing where to give charitably can be incredibly overwhelming. Friends, churches, and organizations always have needs, and God regularly gives us opportunities to help those in need. How can you determine the best places to give charitably? Where does the Bible suggest that you give financially? Cameron Doolittle’s book Joy Giving gives some hel…

Conversations about charitable giving often revolve around how much you should give. What if that is the wrong question to ask? What if a more important question is how much should you keep? As we explore a biblical view of giving, we begin with the belief that God is our provider. Then we live in response to His generosity towards us. If God has g…

Giving money to church, missions organizations, or other charities can at times feel unsatisfying. Why is that? What causes us to feel apathetic towards giving? God desires that we experience fullness of life with Him, and this can come as we participate with Him in His work in the world through giving. Often times, however, we miss out on the joy …

Gifts. Talents. Calling. These are all words that we regularly use to describe what we think that we are good at and where we should serve. To know when and where to use our gifts, stewards need to listen to God and listen to the body of Christ. When you login to your favorite social media site you might be greeted with a quick quiz that will tell …

Every day people around the world struggle with nagging questions about their identity. Am I enough? Is the work I do fulfilling? Am I important? Essentially, we are trying to justify our existence apart from God. This inevitably will lead to internal striving and turmoil. It will drain our vitality in this life. What if we are asking the wrong que…

The easiest way to do damage to a relationship is through trying to control and manipulate. We all know this is true, but we often use our time and money as a way to control the people around us. What does it mean to be a generous steward of the relationships that we have? How might we use the time that we have with people or the money that we have…

Choosing who to invest your time with is an important question for every steward? When you consider who you spend your time with, are you seeking the Lord for wisdom in those moments? Paul, in 2 Timothy, instructs Timothy to teach faithful men who will teach other faithful men. This passage is often used as we talk about discipleship, but what does…

Who is the next steward? Are they prepared? How much is enough for the next steward? In the United States, estate planning typically follows this formula: Net Worth / Number of Kids = Amount to the Beneficiary. We rarely stop and ask whether that will be beneficial to the next generation. The Bible encourages us to pass along wisdom to those around…

Almost daily, we are inundated with images of poverty that can desensitize us to the vulnerable in our midst. Often, instead of taking steps towards the vulnerable, sadly we can move away. However, throughout Scripture we see that God loves the vulnerable and wants to show his kindness towards them. The Bible highlights four groups of people that a…

We are constantly surrounded of images of the good life. From trends on social media to the mall to the university, our eyes and ears are bombarded with opportunities to live your best life. This vision of the good life distracts us from true life that is found in Jesus Christ. The Lord, in Jeremiah 2:13 says, "for my people have committed two evil…

Jesus, even though he lived 2000 years ago in a time of greater technological simplicity, recognized the need to take time away from the hustle and bustle of life and connect with the Father. This is evident from the nine times that Luke recounts Jesus withdrawing to quiet places to pray. After spending 40 days alone in the desert Jesus was filled …

What does the Bible say about growing and passing on wealth? One of the most challenging money questions that we will continue to be faced with is "How much is enough?" Over our decades of reading the Scriptures, we have not found a verse where God gives us a clear number or percent. As faithful stewards, we need to ask the Lord "How much is enough…

How many times have you rejoiced when it was time to pay your taxes? This is a challenging question to consider, especially if we are not fond of what the government is doing with our finances. Taxes, however, are a sign of God's provision for you! When we pay our taxes, we ought to fall to our knees and rejoice that the Lord has given us income. J…

Debt has become a normal part of our everyday lives. From credit cards to car loans to mortgages, we are inundated with debt. The Bible contains compelling warnings about debt. How should Christians approach debt? Can we be wise stewards of the resources that God has given us if we have significant debt to repay? How do our lifestyle choices affect…

Only giving can free us from the power that money has over our lives. We can use money for living expenses, to owe taxes or debt, and to grow through savings. Stewards are called by God to give, and it can be challenging to obey His call. However, when we give money back to God, as He owns it all already, we free ourselves from the temptation to us…

As Christians, we must be aware of our lifestyle and spending. Stewardship requires of us that we regularly seek God to determine how much is enough to live on. If we avoid reflecting on our purchasing habits, then we can start to look like everyone else around us. Consumerism is one of the idols of the modern American culture, and even faithful Ch…

In the United States we are inundated with invitations to spend money. Cars, clothes, and vacations are all gifts from God as He provides for us, His children. However, being a faithful steward means that we must frequently ask the question, "How much is enough?" Christians need to take that question before the Father, and patiently listen to Him a…

Live, Give, Owe, Grow is a general framework from Ron Blue and Kingdom Advisors® which unpacks how people can use money. You can use money on ordinary life expenses, give to others, owe taxes and debt, or grow money through saving and investing. This is a helpful framework to consider where to use money throughout life. The Live, Give, Owe, Grow fr…

Every human is made in the image of God, and He has called us to work with Him to bring about the flourishing of all creation. The unique gifts that God has blessed us with and the experiences in life that He given us help us discover the work that He lays out for us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we can become co-creators…

In a culture of radical individualism, how do we lay down our lives for the good of those around us? What does it look like to love our neighbor as ourselves? Who is my neighbor? In this episode, we discuss the idea that God owns our relationships. To love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength will produce in Christians a lo…

Every day, we are witnesses to time's progression. Daylight comes and goes; night arrives only to be followed by daylight again. We can look at our watches or clocks and see the hands moving, but in what manner is time moving? Just as the days are continuously circular, so is God’s presence. He is with you now, in the past and in the future. So, ho…

You cannot serve two masters. You will either hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. In other words, you cannot serve both God and money. However, if we live as the current-day culture wants us to live, it is our life and we are the masters of ourselves. God knows everything, and He is the one who …

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Second Half Stewardship podcast! We believe that God owns it all and our response as Christians is to live generous lives. As former missionaries, we approach managing our personal finances through the lens of biblical stewardship. Journey with us as we explore how to be generous stewards of our money, time, …