A Biblical Perspective on the FIRE Movement

The Faith and Investing Podcast

In 1992 a book was released that offered transformation and happiness through discipline, accountability, and persistence. It attacked the idols of consumerism and workaholism and bemoaned their devastating consequences on our pursuit of joy and purpose in life.

The book was Your Money or Your Life, and it ended up being the match that lit the flame of the modern day FIRE movement.

FIRE in the personal finance world stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. The popularity of this movement has exploded among young professionals, including many in the Christian community, who are tired of “living to work.” Through aggressive saving and investing, these individuals hope to achieve total financial independence by their 30s or early 40s so that they no longer have to work.

In today’s article, Dr. Mark Roberts offers a thoughtful biblical analysis of the FIRE movement. What can we affirm, what can we critique, and how does it square with a biblical vision for investing?

On this episode:

Matt Galyon, Associate Director, ECFI
Mark D. Roberts, Senior Strategist, Fuller's Max De Pree Center for Leadership
Notes & Links:
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Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Article Reading (00:02:25)

3. Conclusion (00:19:11)