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Now, let's dive into the podcast. What if the Bible doesn't just give us advice about money, but reshapes the way we think about it entirely? I am Rob West. The messages we absorb from culture shape our fears, our goals, and even where we look for security. But scripture offers a different foundation, one that brings clarity, freedom, and purpose to every financial decision.
Today, Ron Blue joins us to explore how the Bible changes everything about money. And then we'll take your phone calls at 800-525-7000. This is Faith in Finance, biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. Our guest today is Ron Blue, co-founder of Kingdom Advisors and the author of numerous influential books on stewardship and wise money management. He's been a pioneer in the world of biblical personal finance and has been a personal mentor to me for years.
Ron, always a joy to have you here.
Well, likewise, Rob, good to be with you. Ron, let's jump right in. When you look at scripture, what's one core assumption about money that it quickly turns upside down?
Well, I think everybody would look to money to provide security. We all want to be secure, and we're looking for the answer to the question, how much do I need? But scripture says real security doesn't come from any money at all, but it comes only from trusting God, and that's eternal security. The culture trains us to pursue more. I mean, there's billions of dollars being spent today to make all of us discontent.
Yes. And the Bible calls us to pursue faithfulness. and not what the culture promises. And money Also seems to promise certainty, but you know what? We all die.
And God offers eternal life and stability that is eternal. Money will never buy it. Oh, for sure. And that really changes the lens. You know, so many people feel like no matter how much they have, it's never quite enough.
So how does scripture then reshape the way we think about the idea of contentment and where true security is found?
Well, that's one of the most significant questions that you can ask. And Hebrews 13, 5 says, be content with what you have. Yeah.
So really contentment is a spiritual choice and not a financial outcome. And the Bible also, by implication, says that what you have is enough, and that's defined by God because He's promised to meet all of my needs. and culture never will meet my needs. And so we we grow secure and we grow peaceful and joyful and practice gratitude when we don't have to accumulate something, looking for something that will never give it to us. And um basically fear kind of drives all of this uh It's the fear of not having enough, the fear of losing what you do have.
But God says, I am the provider and I will always provide what you need when you need it. That is well said. Ron, here's another message we hear all the time, that what we have is ours to own and control. Scripture, of course, flips that upside down as well, doesn't it? Oh yeah, the Bible clearly, clearly teaches that God owns everything, He provides everything, He created everything.
So naked I came into the world, naked I'm going to leave, and while I'm here, I'm a steward. And that shifts my whole focus of life from controlling and managing to one of a responsible trustee for what God has entrusted. Uh to me.
So ownership says, what do I want? Stewardship says, what does God want? And viewing money as belonging to God changes how we save, spend, give, think and feel.
So it's a big deal when we recognize God's ownership. Ron, he gives us differing amounts. How do we process that in light of biblical wisdom?
Well, you know, God treats us, He loves us equally, but He treats every one of us uniquely. Yeah.
So uh he knows better than I do what I need. And can provide it.
So, can I trust him for what I need, saying what I have right now is what I need because this is what God provided for me? And I think this idea, I teach it in wealth transfer, that if you love your children equally, you'll treat them uniquely. because they're unique human beings as anybody that has more than one child knows And God treats everybody uniquely.
So that principle carries over how I think about money and how I transfer money, also. That's well said. The key for us is the next faithful decision. What's your next faithful step today? Ron Blue's been our guest today.
Ron, always a treat to have you, my friend. Thank you, Rob. Thanks for having me. Ron Blue is the co-founder of Kingdom Advisors. He's written more than 20 books on this topic.
If you'd like to find an advisor who shares this thinking, go to findacka.com. We'll be right back. Imagine having biblical financial wisdom delivered to your inbox every week, helping you integrate your faith and financial decisions for the glory of God. At faithfy.com, you can join a community of over 70,000 people who are already receiving our weekly wisdom email, filled with articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive offers on resources that will deepen your understanding of biblical stewardship. Start your journey today by creating your FaithFi account at faithfi.com.
Just click sign up.
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Well, I'm ready to start helping you manage God's money when you place a phone call to the broadcast today, 800-525-7,000. Again, that number with any financial question today, 800-525-7000. We'd love to hear from you. We will dive into those questions here in just a moment. In the news today, rising college costs and student debt are pushing more high school graduates toward cheaper, career-focused alternatives.
A new report from the National Student Clearinghouse finds growing interest in two-year degrees and short-term credential programs, especially at community colleges. Enrollment in certificate and associate programs rose about 2% in the fall of 2025, while bachelor's programs grew less than 1%. Community colleges now enroll 752,000 students in certificate programs. That's up 28% in four years, driven largely by affordability and job-aligned training. With tuition at two-year schools averaging about $4,100 compared to nearly $12,000 at public four-year colleges, many students are looking to avoid heavy borrowing and uncertain post-college job prospects.
Analysts say the traditional safety premium of a bachelor's degree is shrinking as AI reshapes hiring and skilled trades offer strong earnings. New workforce Pell Grants are also making short-term training more accessible, opening doors for students who couldn't afford it before. Taken together, these trends suggest that higher education is shifting toward faster, more practical pathways tied to employment. For many students, the goal is less about prestige and more about graduating with skills, a job waiting, and certainly without overwhelming debt.
So it'll be interesting to watch as all of this continues. To unfold. Not only these trends I just referred to today, the other issue that colleges are facing is this demographic cliff where we're just seeing a falloff in the number of students available as we see a shrinking population. And so, you know, they've got some big challenges ahead to maintain those massive campuses and the physical plant and all that comes, especially if there's less students to go around, not only because there's just demographically less students, but if the trends are changing, they're going to have to adjust with it. We may end up seeing college costs come down as a part of that.
But certainly something we'll keep an eye on. The game is changing quite a bit because of tech and a whole host of other issues. That is for sure. All right, the calls are coming in. We've got still two lines open, it looks like maybe three, 800, 525, 7,000.
With any financial question today, call right now. Let's dive in. Oklahoma. Robert, go ahead, sir. Mm.
Hi. Thanks for taking my call. Of course. listened to you several times, and I've heard you talk a lot about Uh you know, in a credit Counseling. I know someone that has some credit card debt that's pretty overwhelming.
And it's about forty thousand. And they're able to make payments that are significant, but the payments aren't getting them anywhere. And so I was trying to advise them or they were asking me for advice and Uh And I've heard you mention in the past that you should ver you know, that you that you suggest credit card uh credit counseling ver over like equity loan you know, to pay off uh by debt.
So well I've understood it, but I don't really understand. I mean, I don't know the reason. And they were asking me, well, why would you do that versus doing equity loans?
So I didn't have that answer for them. Can you tell me that, please? I'd be delighted to. Yeah, you're exactly right. That is my preferred option.
And for a few reasons. Number one, with credit counseling, you're going to get that reduction in interest rate that most people are looking for when they take out either a consolidation loan unsecured to kind of roll up all the credit card debt into one new loan. Or if they take a home equity loan on their home, you know, they're going to get a lower interest rate than the average credit card interest rate, which is north of 20%. And, you know, home equity loans, let's call it 7.5% right now.
So it's quite a bit of savings. But you're going to experience something similar, perhaps even better. It depends on which creditors you have in credit counseling because the average rate drops from whatever it is right now, north of 20, probably, maybe higher than that, and to an average of somewhere between 0 and 10%.
So, you'd probably end up with an aggregate rate across all the cards of somewhere equal to or less than what you would get in that consolidation loan or home equity loan rate, anyway.
So, that's reason number one. Reason number two is: I just find that when people don't do the hard work to pay off the credit cards, they keep them open, and then they just transfer that debt to a new loan, whether that's a home equity loan or a consolidation loan, they don't do the work to fix the problem that led to the debt in the first place. And usually, that's lifestyle spending beyond their means. And so, they just keep chugging along, except now the pressure has come off because the monthly payment is lower. They feel a little better because that interest rate's down.
And then they call me six months later and they say, Guess what, Rob? You know, now I've got this consolidation loan at 40K and my credit cards are back to 10,000. And that's just because, again, you know, you. You need to, when you go into credit counseling, those cards are going to be closed. And you're going to have one level monthly payment.
And the focus is at that point going to be on, you know, really right-sizing the budget, dialing back spending where possible to live within your means.
So that's reason number two. Reason number three would be that often folks will try to put this on the home. And now, in doing that, we've taken what's called unsecured debt, meaning it's not collateralized anything other than your good name, and we've put the home up as collateral.
So if something catastrophic happened and the borrower was unable to make the payment, now we're not just looking at a judgment where you'd have to start paying it back based on the court's admonition, but now we're putting the home at risk and there's a potential foreclosure here.
So those would be the three primary reasons that I would say, let's just leave the debt right where it is. Let's slide it into a credit counseling program. You'll end up making one level monthly payment, probably a Around 3% of the balance.
So, for 40K, I mean, that would be somewhere between $1,000 and $1,200, probably a month. They're probably already paying that anyway. But now, with this reduction in interest rates and that level monthly payment, meaning they're not going to pay less every month as the balance comes down, which is what happens with minimum payments, the combination of those two has you paying this back on average 80% faster in these programs. But, you know, give me your follow-up questions on that, Robert. Does that all make sense?
Yes, it all makes perfect sense. I think that's all I needed. I mean I know the pros and cons on both sides. I just need the basis for why it was so much better to do credit counseling. But I think the biggest one that Sounds to me is the uh you're actually doing e even though they have a lot of equity in their home and it's not a much of a risk, but if something catastrophic did happen, they are transferring unsecured debt to secured debt, and then that would be That's that.
That's the one that rings home most for me. Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, and often with those home equity loans, they might end up stringing that debt out longer just because, you know, that payback might be 10, 15, 20 years on that home equity loan in terms of whatever amortization you set up with the lender.
So even though it's a lower rate, you know, you end up paying more in interest by the time it's all paid off.
So hopefully that gives you some talking points. Our friends at ChristianCreditCounselors.org is our preferred solution. They've worked with thousands of our listeners. They're amazing. They're all Christ followers.
They'll do a great job. ChristianCreditCounselors.org. Robert, you sound like a great friend. Thanks for calling today. We appreciate it.
A quick break and back with much more on Faith and Finance. You all stay with us. We'll continue to apply God's wisdom to your financial decisions and choices just around the corner. Are you a financial professional looking to grow your practice while offering advice that aligns with your Christian values? By becoming a Certified Kingdom Advisor, you'll gain the biblical wisdom and professional credibility to serve clients who are seeking faith-based financial guidance.
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We've got room for maybe one or two more questions between now and the end of the program, in addition to those holding. If you want to call right now with your financial questions, 800-525-7000. Let's go to Virginia. Marty, how can I help?
Well, God bless you and thank you for this wonderful work of Ministry that you and your team there are doing. That's awesome. And my question today. for the team is I want to be a good steward of God's Money. Part of that to me, I'm convicted.
It's to give 10%.
Now, what really is the difference between tithing and offering? Because I'll be honest, as a person that goes to church, I've been more leaning on the offering side. I haven't really been given my 10% of my gross. In calm. which I believe I'm I'm missing the mark, and I just need help trying to understand that part.
Well, first of all, Marty, let me just say how thrilled I am that you called. I'm delighted that you're thinking about managing God's money. It sounds like you're taking that really seriously. And, you know, it's a high calling that you have, that I have, that we all have, that we get to manage the resources that belong to the King of Kings. And so our goal is faithfulness.
And that's what I hear in your voice and in your heart. You want to be found faithful as unto the Lord. And I love that you're talking about giving because I think one of the primary reasons God entrusts to us what he does is so that we can manage it in such a way that, yes, we can enjoy it and yes, we can provide. And there's nothing wrong with those things. In fact, we see those on full display in God's Word.
In 1 Timothy, I've given you all things to enjoy.
So we should enjoy it. But it can't rival our hearts. It can't become the end game. And one of the ways we break the grip of money over our lives is we give it away. We hold it loosely.
And that's actually a joy. It comes as an overflow of the gratitude that we have for the grace, the unmerited faith. That's been extended to us, namely on the cross through Jesus and his shed blood. And so giving is just one of those natural responses, and we get the joy of participating in God's activity.
Now, you're asking about the tithe, and that traditionally refers to giving the first tenth. Of your income back to God. We see that in Malachi 3:10. And I would say it reflects gratitude and trust. It acknowledges that everything we have, as I said just a moment ago, ultimately comes from him.
And then offerings are those gifts given above and beyond the tithe. And these are voluntary expressions of generosity for specific needs or ministries or people.
Now, scripture never teaches giving out of guilt or fear. nor does it ignore financial pressures that are real. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul, the Apostle Paul, emphasizes willingness, not the amount. Here's what he says: if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
So the idea here is that God looks at the heart. not the size of the gift.
So, I would say if you're living paycheck to paycheck and you're focused right now in this season on getting a more solid financial foundation under you, it's wise to focus first on caring for your household. We see that in 1 Timothy 5:8. and getting to a place of stability. And that's going to come once you recognize God owns it all, which is a shift in perspective. Mechanically, that place of stability is going to come from living within your means, which means you got to have a budget.
It's going to mean reducing debt. It's going to mean getting an emergency fund in place and building some margin, something that's left over at the end of the month. And as your finances strengthen, then I think that's the opportunity for you to give more freely and joyfully. At the end of the day, giving. Marty, it's a part of worship.
It's not a transaction.
So start small if needed, whether that's a few dollars, maybe it's giving some of your time, acts of service. The goal is to cultivate generosity rooted in trust, hope, and love, not burden. I think God honors the desire to give more than the actual gift itself.
So those are just a few thoughts. Give me your reaction to all that. Amen, amen, Rob.
so much better. I've been feeling guilty not being able to give as much as the other members of the church I feel guilty when I go to church.
Sometimes I'm not the best dressed. But all in all, what you just told me was that God looks on the inward part, the heart. That's right. Yes. I'm reminded of whenever the lady gave the two mites.
Yes. And she gave all that she had. That's right. But it was acceptable in the sight of God.
So God bless you and the whole team.
Well, thank you very much, Marty. I want to do a couple of things for you just because I so appreciate you and your heart today and your desire to honor the Lord with what he's given you. I want to send you first a copy of our magazine. I'm going to have the team send you, the magazine is called Faithful Stewart. It comes out every quarter.
I'm going to send you a copy of issue three, which is a few issues ago. And one of our feature articles was on the tithe. It's called Tithing, a Fresh Look at an Ancient Practice. And I think it will be an encouragement to you.
So we'll put that in the mail as our gift to you. The other thing I'd be happy to do if it would be of help to you. Is connect you with one of our certified Christian financial counselors. These are men and women who have been trained to do stewardship counseling around budgeting and debt repayment. And, you know, it would just be somebody who understands the heart of God in scripture, who can really just come alongside you and be a sounding board, provide some help to you as you put that budget together and get the Faith Vi app set up.
And we'll pay for that, for that person's time to do that. It won't cost you anything. Would that be helpful to you? Thus saith the Lord, Rob, I I want to be completely obedient to whatever God is doing, and I know that you are And your team are God spirit field. I definitely believe that.
Wow, that's great.
Well, I'm thrilled to hear that. Marty, stay on the line. Our team will get your information. We'll send you Faithful Steward Issue Three, and then we'll get you connected with a certified Christian financial counselor. And listen, we want to just walk alongside you, my friend, and help you honor the Lord with what He's entrusted to you.
That's why we exist. Marty, thanks for calling today. Stay on the line, we'll get your information and get those things right out to you. Lord bless you, my friend. Let's see, we're going to go to Tamarack, Florida.
Barbara, go right ahead. Hi, I was going to be applying for Social Security, and I wanted to know: is it the best way to apply for it up online? Go in. To the office, or I can do it by phone, but I want to do it online. Is it okay to do it online?
Yeah, so there's an online application. And so, yeah, I would just, it's convenient. You can do it in 15 minutes or less. And it's the way a lot of folks do that. You just go to the SSA.gov website and you navigate the benefits application section.
I like that a lot. I mean, you can do it in person or over the phone, but I think going through the SSA.gov website is a great way to go. Oh, okay. Thank you very much. All right.
You're very welcome. Thanks for your call today. Listen, if you want to support our work, consider becoming a FaithFi partner. You can do that at faith5.com/slash partner. Thanks to my team: Taylor, Patty, Devin, and everybody here at Faith Phi.
We'll see you tomorrow. Faith in Finance is provided by Faith Buy and listeners like you.
