Women currently control the majority of wealth in the United States, and their financial influence is growing. But perhaps the more important question isn’t simply how much wealth women will steward. It’s what they want that wealth to accomplish.Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well, joins the show today to share some new research, conducted in partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, that offers an encouraging look at how Christian women are approaching generosity. The findings reveal women who are engaged, discerning, and increasingly intentional about aligning their financial decisions with their faith, values, relationships, and sense of purpose.When Generosity Becomes More Than a DutyJulie tells the story of Leanne Horton, a CPA and serial entrepreneur who had been a faithful and generous giver for years.Leanne approached generosity much as she approached business: carefully and methodically. She tracked her giving, studied what Scripture said about money, and genuinely wanted to steward her resources well.But after attending a Women Doing Well event, something shifted. Surrounded by women who spoke openly and joyfully about generosity, Leanne recognized that her meticulous approach had gradually become more legalistic than spiritually formative. Giving had become more about getting it right than responding to God's goodness.Her experience reflects an important theme in the research: faithful stewardship involves more than making the right financial decisions. Generosity can also express worship, gratitude, community, and purpose.Women Are Taking a Larger Role in Financial StewardshipWomen already wield significant financial influence, and that influence is expected to grow considerably in the decades ahead.According to the research shared by Women Doing Well, 95% of women will become the primary financial decision-maker for their families at some point in their lives. Women are also expected to receive a significant share of the wealth changing hands during the coming generational wealth transfer.That raises an important stewardship question: What will women seek to accomplish with the resources entrusted to them?The research suggests that many Christian women are already thinking deeply about that question. They aren't standing on the sidelines. They're participating, leading, discerning, and looking for ways to align their resources with their faith.Generosity Flourishes Through RelationshipsOne striking finding involved married couples. Seventy-two percent of married women surveyed said they make charitable giving decisions jointly with their spouse.That's encouraging, but sharing a bank account doesn't necessarily mean sharing a vision.Couples may support the same organizations without ever discussing what they ultimately hope their generosity will accomplish. Meaningful conversations about shared values, priorities, and passions can help generosity become something a couple pursues together rather than simply a collection of individual gifts.And community matters beyond marriage.Whether women are single, married, divorced, or widowed, relationships often play an important role in shaping generosity. Among the women surveyed, 98% said their values were important or very important to their giving, while 95% said the same about their faith.Conversations with family, friends, church leaders, mentors, and trusted advisors can offer valuable opportunities to discern how to steward resources faithfully.Proximity Can Shape GenerosityThe study also found that firsthand involvement often shapes generosity.Forty-three percent of women surveyed identified personal exposure to needs as a particularly powerful driver of their giving. The same percentage pointed to involvement with nonprofit organizations.That suggests ministries can invite people into something deeper than a financial transaction. Seeing needs firsthand, serving alongside an organization, or developing relationships with the people involved can help donors better understand the work their generosity supports.Scripture gives us pictures of this kind of proximity. Ruth remained close to Naomi in a season of profound vulnerability and need. In Acts 9, Dorcas saw the widows around her and responded practically, making clothing and serving those within her community.Generosity often becomes more tangible when needs stop being abstract.Purpose Isn't Just for Wealthy GiversSome people hear words like "purposeful giving" and assume they apply primarily to wealthy philanthropists with sophisticated charitable plans. But purposeful generosity isn't determined by the size of someone's bank account.Women Doing Well encourages women to think in terms of purpose, passion, and plan.Purpose asks who God has made you to be and how you can faithfully contribute. Passion considers what needs or opportunities you care deeply about. A plan then provides a practical way to steward your resources in light of both.Ephesians 2:10 reminds believers, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."Our purpose begins not with our possessions, but with our identity in Christ. From there, we can prayerfully consider how the time, talents, relationships, and financial resources God has entrusted to us might serve Him and others.An Opportunity for Faithful StewardshipAs more wealth comes under women's stewardship, the opportunity for generosity is significant. But the most encouraging finding may not be the amount of money involved.It's the intentionality behind it.Christian women are asking thoughtful questions about faith, values, relationships, and generosity. They're seeking community, engaging personally with needs, and considering what faithful stewardship can look like in their own lives.And those are questions worth asking for every steward.To learn more about Women Doing Well and its research on women, wealth, and faith, visit WomenDoingWell.org. You can also explore the special edition of Faithful Steward focused on women and wealth at FaithFi.com/Shop.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I’m 66 and have two annuities worth about $95,000 total, including a Roth IRA annuity. They’re past their surrender periods, but I’m unhappy with the performance and fees. As a single retiree, what should I consider doing with these accounts?I’m new to investing and only have about $500 to start. Is that enough to begin, and how can I invest without taking unnecessary risk?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerWomen Doing WellWomen, Wealth, and Faith (Research Study by the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at Indiana University for Women Doing Well in Collaboration with Blue Trust)Faithful Steward Special Edition: Women & WealthThe Sound Mind Investing Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Money From a Biblical Perspective by Austin Pryor with Mark BillerSchwab Intelligent Portfolios® | Fidelity Go®Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
