Medicare may be one of the most important and confusing financial decisions you make in retirement Between enrollment deadlines late penalties Medicare Advantage Medigap prescription coverage and income-based premiums there are plenty of decisions to navigate And because some choices can have long-term financial consequences understanding the basics before you enroll is an important part of wise stewardship Eddie Holland Senior Private Wealth Advisor and Partner at Blue Trust as well as a CFP CPA and Certified Kingdom Advisor recently joined Faith Finance to help simplify Medicare and explain some of the most important planning considerations Understanding Medicare Parts A [... more]

Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet once wrote Wisdom without an inheritance is better than an inheritance without wisdom Every parent hopes the resources they leave behind will bless their children But a financial inheritance can have very different effects depending on the person receiving it That is why wise wealth transfer requires more than simply deciding how much to leave it requires careful thought prayer and an understanding of each child's unique circumstances Ron Blue co-founder of Kingdom Advisors and longtime teacher on biblical stewardship calls this the uniqueness principle Equal Love Doesn't Always Require Equal Treatment Studies show that many [... more]

Risk is unavoidable in investing and in life But not all risks deserve equal attention It is easy to focus primarily on the probability that something will happen If an investment career move or financial strategy has a high likelihood of succeeding we may assume it is a good decision But Mark Biller Executive Editor at Sound Mind Investing suggests another question may be even more important If things go wrong how wrong could they go That shift from focusing on probabilities to considering consequences can help us make wiser financial decisions and protect ourselves from risks that could permanently [... more]

Investors can pursue global diversification while staying aligned with their convictions through faith-based investing. A new international ETF, PRXI, offers a benchmark-like return while maintaining a faith-based approach. Certified Kingdom Advisors can help tailor portfolios to individual risk profiles and goals, and provide faith-aligned investment options. [... more]

The importance of recognizing God's authority and our role as stewards of His gifts, including our lives, talents, and resources. Jesus teaches that we are image bearers of God, and our ultimate purpose is to bring Him glory and honor. The decision to submit to God's authority and follow Jesus Christ is the most important one we can make, leading to eternal life and a deeper relationship with Him. [... more]

Harlan Akola explains how a reverse mortgage can be a tax-efficient way to manage retirement income, while Rob West discusses strategies for building credit and managing debt, emphasizing the importance of God's wisdom in financial decisions. [... more]

Meekness is a gentle disposition resulting from submission to the Holy Spirit, and it is a quality that should be in all our lives as we mature in the Holy Spirit. It is a fruit of the Spirit that cannot be engineered by the flesh, and it is a virtue that is precious in the sight of God. Meekness is not about being weak or passive, but about being strong and patient under control, and it is a quality that is essential for our spiritual growth and development. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers have passed a state budget that includes tax cuts, teacher raises, and disaster recovery funding. The budget, which was passed with bipartisan support, now heads to Governor Josh Stein's desk for signature. The budget also includes funding for economic development projects, including a commercial aircraft manufacturing facility in Greensboro. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $197 million in additional disaster recovery funding for Western North Carolina, which was affected by Hurricane Helene. [... more]

Investors should consider looking beyond the U.S. markets for diversification and growth opportunities, as foreign stocks can offer broader growth potential and emerging markets are exciting due to their significant growth potential and rapidly rising standards of living. [... more]

God's plans are not hindered by carnal or secular events, and His purposes are not frustrated by moral or marital failures. He is at work in all places, touching lives and shaping kingdoms, and His people are not excluded from high places due to handicap or hardship. [... more]

The story of Esther, a woman of strength and dignity, unfolds as she navigates the complexities of marriage, submission, and God's sovereignty. Her bravery and beauty inspire a chain of events that will ultimately lead to the deliverance and well-being of the remnant of Israel. Meanwhile, King Ahasuerus's actions, driven by his own desires and frustrations, demonstrate the power of God's hand in even the most mundane and secular of settings. [... more]

The story of Esther begins on an uneventful day, but God's hand is at work, weaving together an unknown young woman into the life of the most powerful man in the Persian Empire. Queen Vashti refuses to display her beauty to the king and his half-drunk friends, showing courage and dignity in the face of extreme whims. God's sovereignty operates in the mundane, messy, and morally complicated, and Esther's story is a reminder of God's control and power in our lives. [... more]

The core of Christianity is not a new perspective on life, but an empty tomb, because if Jesus is alive, then sins can be forgiven, addictions can be broken, and death is not the end. The most important question is what you decided about Jesus, and the answer is not about being good enough, but about surrendering to his Lordship and trusting in his sacrifice. [... more]

New parents can benefit from a financial checklist to ensure they're prepared for the added expenses of raising a child. This includes updating health insurance, life insurance, budgeting, creating or updating a will, building an emergency fund, updating taxes, and considering education savings. A financial advisor can help individuals navigate these changes and make informed decisions about their finances. [... more]

The prophets predicted Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, with over 330 predictions fulfilled, making it humanly impossible to prearrange. The New Testament explains the Old Testament, and the Holy Spirit animated the prophets and activated preachers to proclaim the gospel of salvation, which angels desire to understand, marvel at, and rejoice over. [... more]

The concept of salvation is central to the Bible, with prophets making numerous predictions about Jesus Christ that were fulfilled. The prophets, like spokesmen for God, shot arrows of truth into the air, but didn't know exactly where they would land. Their predictions centered on God's word and future events, anticipating salvation. The prophets' understanding of their writings was limited, but when put together, the picture on the front of the box was Jesus Christ. Jesus revealed to his disciples that the prophets wrote about him, and that many desired to see and hear what they saw and heard but did not. [... more]

Military service offers a unique opportunity for students to fund their college education while gaining valuable leadership experience and serving their country. However, the process of applying to service academies or ROTC programs can be complex and requires careful consideration. Meanwhile, individuals approaching retirement may need to reassess their financial plans, including their estate planning and retirement savings, to ensure a secure financial future. [... more]

Christian freedom isn't a license to live however we want, and love isn't giving in to everyone's preferences. True maturity holds both intention, conviction without arrogance, and liberty without carelessness. [... more]

The collision between liberty and love is a challenging tension in the Christian life. Paul's study of Romans chapter 14 reveals that both extremes of legalism and license miss the mark, and that the surprising secret to living freely while loving deeply is balance, with love being the card that trumps liberty. [... more]

The value of true love is often misunderstood, as exemplified by a rare $20 gold coin that was hidden away for years. True love is not about possessing something valuable, but about living out uncommon expressions of love, such as courtesy, concern, and control, which are rare in today's world. These qualities are essential for demonstrating the power of true love, which is undeniably real and precious. [... more]