Episodi
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Micheline Ouedraogo, founder of Bridges to Burkina, grew up in a missionary family in West Africa with few resources. She learned from a young age what it looks like to completely depend on God for provision and guidance. While attending college in the US, she felt a call from the Holy Spirit to sponsor education for a handful of orphans in her home country, and despite her minimum-wage income, she stepped out in faith and obeyed. What began as a humble expression of generosity has bloomed into an amazing ministry.
Michelineâs inspiring dedication to live a life of submission and obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit led her from one divine connection to another, and Bridges to Burkina was born. Now, Bridges to Burkina works with rural villages in Burkina Faso, Africa, combating poverty by training locals to use agriculture and livestock to create sustainable businesses, as well as providing education for their children.
Major topics include:
Choosing to obey God when it doesnât make senseListening for the voice of the Holy Spirit in life and generosityBreaking the poverty cycle through education and business trainingBalancing a full-time career with serving in the ministryMichelineâs vision for growth in Bridges to BurkinaQUOTES TO REMEMBERâIâd rather take a risk and obey God than stay put and try to protect myself.ââI donât want to just fix the today-problem and leave you with the tomorrow problem. What God has put on my heart is for transforming lives for today and the future.ââEverything we do has to be led by love. Then God will open the door for things to happen.ââI donât want to do what I want to do, I want to do what you want me to do.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWBridges to Burkina The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWThe Book of Esther
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Actress Whitney Goin was raised in Orlando, Florida, immersed in a community, church, and family that modeled generosity as a way of life. Her father, a powerful influence, shaped her understanding of giving as a deeply relational commitment, leaving a profound legacy in his community through his wholehearted generosity. After his passing, Whitney felt compelled to pursue her own distinct path, discovering how to express generosity in a way that truly resonated with her.
A meaningful connection with our guest co-host, Julie Wilson, led Whitney to find a welcoming community in Women Doing Wellâa network of faith-driven, generous women. This supportive circle helped her reignite her sense of purpose in giving, as she uncovered Godâs unique design for her generosity journey. Now, Whitney uses her passion for acting and theater to inspire others, encouraging them to embrace their own distinctive calling to generosity in alignment with their purpose and passions.
Major topics include:
Her fatherâs generosity legacyLearning how God designed you to giveFollowing the voice of the Holy Spirit with joyThe blessing and tension of freedom from comparison in generosityHow to know and walk in your purposeIndividuality and diversity within the Body of ChristFreedom in spontaneous generosityQUOTES TO REMEMBERâGod does not ask us to give of ourselves until He fills us to overflowing with what Heâs asking us to give.ââI started realizing just how unique and special and diverse we all are, not only with how we give and where we give, but in the way we were created uniquely to give.ââIâm now on fire with joy! Itâs truly an overflow rather than trying to scrap for a little energy to be generous.ââSo much of our walk with the Lord is having the vulnerability to really get to know ourselves and let Him show us who we are. Stop trying to be who you think youâre supposed to be so you can truly be the hands and feet Heâs created you to be.ââI pray everyday, âCompel me or constrain me according to Your will.âââI donât need to be any bigger than the influence Heâs put right before me.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWJulie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here)Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)A Land Remembered by Patrick D. SmithThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWMatthew 11:30 | Easy and Light
âFor my yoke is easy and my burden is light.â
2 Corinthians 9:7 | A Cheerful Giver
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Psalm 31:7-8 | A Broad Place
I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Episodi mancanti?
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Bruce Hildenbrand, raised as a pastorâs kid in rural Michigan, learned early on to rely on God for everything. So, when he faced uncertainty about his college major, he encountered the Holy Spirit in a powerful way, guiding him into the business world with one condition: that Bruce would dedicate all of it back to God.
Since then, Bruce has become a serial entrepreneur with a 35-year passion for operating from a profound relationship with God. His journey is one of steadfast obedience, producing abundant fruit for the Kingdom. He fully dedicates his talents, resources, and business endeavors to glorify God. Bruce brings valuable insights into recognizing the voice of the Holy Spirit in business, practicing generosity, and investing in eternity.
Major topics include:
Bruceâs supernatural encounter in the middle of a business lectureThe necessity of a relationship with the Father as a businesspersonGodâs view of wealth vs. the pharisaical viewFocusing on EROI (Eternal Return on Investment)The heart posture of a generous giverKeys to hearing from the Holy SpiritHow you can start serving your community todayQUOTES TO REMEMBERâYou canât do anything if you donât have a relationship with the Father.ââIf you are going to exercise spiritual gifts, you need Godâs protection because you will be under spiritual attack.ââGod, donât prosper my bank account before You prosper my soul.ââGod wants all the credit. He wants you to say, âGod, You get all the credit for everything I do.âââRiches are not the divine approval for your life.ââYou can fool man, but you canât fool God.ââDonât violate Godâs principles and expect Him to prosper your business.ââA relationship with God must be consistent, persistent, and tenacious.ââGodâs first definition of a generous giver was a poor widow.ââItâs not about how much we give, itâs about our heart condition.ââWrite the check and get out of the way. Let the Holy Spirit to His work.ââAs a businessman, if you really understood the Bible and you really understood where youâre going to end up forever, you would be plowing every dime that you have into your eternal account.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWTreasures in Heaven, Part 1 by John MacArthur (YouTube Video)Treasures in Heaven, Part 2 by John MacArthur (YouTube Video)YouVersionThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWDeuteronomy 8:17-18 | God Gives Wealth
Beware lest you say in your heart, âMy power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.â You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Isaiah 48:17 | God Teaches How to Profit
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: âI am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.
John 15:5 | Abide in the Vine
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Proverbs 18:11 | Strong City, High Wall
A rich manâs wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
Proverbs 23:4 | Donât Toil
Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.
Proverbs 10:22 | Riches with No Sorrow
The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Matthew 6:19-21 | Treasure in Heaven
âDo not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mark 12:41-44 | The Widowâs Offering
Matt 6:3 | Giving in Secret
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Zenet Maramara is the founder and president of Christian Stewards in the Philippines. After Zenet became a born-again Christian in her thirties, she enrolled at a seminary where she stepped into a fundraising role. Wanting to master the art of fundraising, Zenet attended Regent University and there experienced a âsecond conversionâ into biblical stewardship, understanding the principles of managing Godâs money for His Kingdom purposes in a way that is transformational to the giver, not just transactional.
Zenet became passionate about advancing biblical stewardship education and has since built a multi-dimensional platform to empower the Filipino Church with generosity champions across the realms of business, ministry, and the local church. Christian Stewards has become a beacon of generosity in the Philippines and beyond, and Zenet had much wisdom to share.
Major topics include:
How Christian Stewards beganThe difference between transactional and transformational fundraisingArticulating your theology in fundraising and stewardshipIntentional integration of generosity and discipleship trainingEmpowering business owners to share the gospel by integrating business and faithSteward-leadership theologyCore beliefs for a conversion as a biblical stewardThe blessing and challenge of collaborationQUOTES TO REMEMBERâWhose money are you fundraising? Isnât it all Godâs money?ââItâs not just about money. Itâs about the heart.â âGiving is a barometer for our spiritual condition, and money is a great way to test if we are fully surrendered to God.ââFundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, a prayer, or going on a mission because youâre helping people understand who they are and how to relate with the resources that God has entrusted to them.ââMy vision is that every one of the 92,000 evangelical churches in the Philippines would have at least one generosity champion who will coordinate the teaching of generosity in their church.ââBusiness is the new âRoman Roadâ for the Gospel because weâre in the marketplace more than weâre in the church on Sunday.ââThe steward-leader theology and practice is an upside-down leadership. Most leaders have the power, but a steward-leader shares the power, shares privilege, and shares in the purpose of the organization or company.ââIf we hold lightly the material things that God has entrusted to us, then it is easier for us to listen to God when He calls us to move that resource to where it is most needed.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWChristian StewardsThe Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri NouwenJourney to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman)Stations of Generosity from the MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines)Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson)Faith Driven EntrepreneurRooting for Rivals (see our interview with author Peter Greer)Lausanne MovementThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Helen Schmid was very young when her family immigrated from China to the US with their eyes set on the American dream. She strove to be the best that she could be in all that she did to earn her place in life. Coming to faith as a student at New York University, Helen began to understand that her salvation was based on faith, not works.
For over a decade, Helen led high-growth marketing teams at Walmart, Amazon, and LâOreal. But in 2020, Helen and her husband felt dissatisfied with climbing the corporate ladder and were drawn to engage in purposeful, Kingdom-building work. They set a financial finish line and began to learn what generosity looked like, not only in finances, but with their skillsets and in all facets of their life.
Today, Helen is the founder of My Strategy Mentor, a successful marketing and growth consulting firm that works heavily with ministries and businesses to equip missional, faith-driven leaders so that they can grow their organizations confidently and strategically. She also serves as a board member for Women Doing Well with our special guest co-host, Julie Wilson. Helen has much to share about meaningful work, a holistic approach to generosity, and the joy of living a life surrendered to God.
Major topics include:
Discovering a counter-cultural faith in her early twentiesHer journey from financial generosity to whole life generosityFinding purposeful work beyond the corporate ladderMaking generosity about glorifying God, not performanceHow she encourages her children in generosityNavigating when generosity feels difficultThe impact of serving as a board member at Women Doing WellQUOTES TO REMEMBERâIf God owns my whole life, as in my possessions, my time, and my treasure, I need to understand what that means in terms of what I have to give.ââWhat might God have for me beyond climbing the corporate ladder?ââUnderstanding biblical stewardship and generosity has given me a shift in mindset and values where success no longer looks like more.ââThe more we surrender, the more we see the goodness and the faithfulness of God, and that allows us to then take more risks.ââWe think of generosity as partnering with God to serve His Kingdom and make an outward impact.ââI donât really view myself as a generous person. That feels like an achievement or a trophy. I just feel like Iâm learning the boundaries God has for me, and Iâm learning to listen and trust in Him more.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWMy Strategy MentorJulie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here)Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman)The Money Wise Adventures For Kids by Concepta Akinyi Otieno, Gabriela Awino Otieno, and Daniella Aloo OtienoThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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An affluent family with multiple homes and a successful business, Bruce and Sue Osterink were living the American dream. But God used one trip to Russia in the early nineties to begin a cascade of events that would bring a dramatic shift in their lives. The Osterinks began to hear a calling to simplify their lives and belongings so that they could be available to love others and be generous with their money, their time, and their relationships.
Over the last thirty years, Bruce and Sue have taken some radical steps of faith and obedience that have led to some amazing stories. They are no stranger to suffering, and their journeys have impacted countless college students, young couples, and givers of many kinds. You wonât want to miss all they had to share!
Major topics include:
Setting a financial finish lineLearning to be available to love othersLiving simply to give generouslyImportant lessons from serving as house parents to college studentsMaking big decisions in radical obedience to GodThe relationship between generosity and faithQUOTES TO REMEMBERBruce: âWhat God needs is people who are available to love others.âBruce: âOur generosity started with our money, but as we began to understand what God was calling us to more and more, we understood that it wasnât just our money. It was our time, it was our life. It wasnât only what we gave away, but what we did with what God allowed us to hold on to.âBruce: âUnity isnât compromise, itâs finding what God wants for us.âBruce: âItâs been interesting to be able to look back and see that had we made a plan, we would have had nothing in our plan of what was Godâs plan.âSue: âWhy say âno?â Thatâs kind of our philosophy. We tend to say âyes,â very seldom say âno,â as long as we feel itâs a good investment in the Kingdom.Bruce: âWe would much rather give our money away than spend it.âSue: âPick your lifestyle before you make any money.âBruce: âPray about your lifestyle. And whatever lifestyle God calls you to, you donât change it because you get a raise. You change it when God tells you to.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWThe Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn)Young LifeGenerous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWActs 4:32 | Unity Among Brethren
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Christopher Beth, founder of The Bucket Ministry, spent most of his life as a business consultant and thought he would retire from that line of work. But a radical encounter with God deep in the Amazon turned his life upside down and from that experience, The Bucket Ministry was born. The Bucket Ministry widely disperses water filters and the gospel all around the world using an advanced digital mapping platform to guide their work.
The mission of The Bucket Ministry is to share Godâs love through the gift of safe, clean, drinking water. While The Bucket Ministry started out in the Brazilian Amazon, it is now actively evangelizing and providing water filters all over the globe. Christopher has an incredible story as well as lots of great advice on effective ministry and data tracking. You wonât want to miss what he had to share!
Major topics include:
The impactful story of how The Bucket Ministry beganStartling statistics about drinking water access throughout the worldWater filtration as a vehicle to practically share the gospelTransitioning from business to ministryNavigating the tension between profession and callingLeveraging technology for ministry management and accountabilityChristopherâs vision for scaling to reach more people faster in the next five yearsQUOTES TO REMEMBERâI had no idea that at the age of 56, I would think more about fishing for men than fishing for fish.ââThe water in my toilet bowl is cleaner than 785 million people have access to around the world.ââOur focal points are Jesus, water, and discipleship. We donât do anything else.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWThe Bucket MinistryJoshua Project (see our interview with Director, Dan Scribner)SawyerJesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWActs 4:13 | God Uses Common Men
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Aimee Minnich is co-founder of the Impact Foundation, a donor-advised fund platform that enables givers to invest in world-changing companies with social, environmental, and spiritual impact. Aimee began her career in law followed by years of experience in the donor-advised fund space with the National Christian Foundation before eventually launching the Impact Foundation to enable streamlined impact investing with charitable dollars.
Aimee has been a central pillar in the impact investing space as it has rapidly grown over the last decade. She has a solid foundation in the full scope of what is available today as well as where impact investing is headed in the next 10 years. You wonât want to miss this one.
Major topics include:
A primer on impact investingThe story of the Impact FoundationDifferences between impact investing strategy and traditional investingRisk vs impact in the context of investingMeasuring success in impact investingThe interplay between inputs, outputs, and outcomesThe future of impact investingQUOTES TO REMEMBERâThe God of the universe is glorified when you and I are functioning at our best.ââGod created us to be generous because He is generous.ââTo be truly generous, you have to know God well.ââBusiness people can be used for more in the Kingdom of God than just giving money away.ââThe currency of the kingdom of God is relationships.ââThe right way to handle risk starts with âOK, God. What I have is yours. How would you lead us to steward this for your glory and the good of your people?â And then go from there.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWImpact FoundationGet Started with Impact FoundationK LifeWhen Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert)God and Money (see our interviews with coauthors Greg Baumer and John Cortines)The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn)Heaven by Randy Alcorn (see our past interview here)Bill High, Legacy Advisor and founder of The Signatry (see our past interview here)National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)Faith Driven InvestorFaith Driven EntrepreneurPraxis Mutual FundsEventideThe ChosenHope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer)Best Christian WorkplacesLaunch Capital PartnersFaith at Work MovementIn the Name of Jesus by Henri NouwenThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWJohn 13:3-16 | Jesus Washes the Disciplesâ Feet
Isaiah 30:21 | Step-By-Step Obedience
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, âThis is the way, walk in it,â when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
1 Corinthians 3:6 | Doing Your Part
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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JD Bauman is the Director of Effective Altruism for Christians (EACH) and founder of Christians for Impact. Born to missionary parents, JD was rooted in a Christian upbringing that emphasized the importance of generosity to see real change throughout the world for the Kingdom of God.
JD provides insightful perspectives on the principles of effective giving and the practical implications for believers who seek to harness their resources for maximum impact, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and how the ITN (Importance, Tractability, Neglectedness) framework can help individuals prioritize their charitable efforts, guiding them to tackle the most pressing issues in society effectively.
Major topics include:
Understanding effective altruismChristian perspectives on altruismCore frameworks for effective givingBalancing physical and spiritual needsPractical steps for giving effectivelyThe role of spontaneous givingConsidering the local church, global Church, and future Church in effective givingThinking about global problems with the ITN framework (importance, tractability, and neglectedness)Recommended charity evaluatorsInfluencing others through generosityHelping people pursue meaningful careers through Christian for ImpactQUOTES TO REMEMBERâI didnât love economics, but I studied economics because I thought I could earn more money with an economics degree and give more money away.ââEffective Altruism is this idea: Use evidence and reason to find the best ways to do good, and then to take action on the basis.ââI want to love those God loves and I think God loves everyone, and when weâre more effective, we can help more people made in Godâs image.ââOutcomes matter, good intentions arenât enough.ââJesus cares about the body and the soul. And we should too.ââI think we have really good reasons for thinking that a dollar goes a lot further globally. And if people gathering in Jesusâ name in West Bengal is just as important as them gathering in North Bethesda, then I think we should honor those faith communities equally. And I think we can, on average, promote a lot more growth in church communities globally than locally for the same dollar.ââAll problems can be categorized by Importance, tractability, and neglectedness.ââIf we want our charity to make a real impact in the real world, we need to be giving in ways that create a world thatâs better than it otherwise would have been, that bring the kingdom of God into this world where otherwise it might have been broken.ââLetâs make it a new normal in the Church to give radically and effectively.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWEffective Altruism for ChristiansChristians for ImpactOperation MobilizationWycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut)Society of Christian PhilosophersBlessBig.org (see our interview with founder Jay Dykstra)When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert)GiveWellHappier Lives InstitutesAnimal Charity EvaluatorsCharity NavigatorROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker)All Access International (see our interview with founder, Lane Kipp)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWMatthew 6:28-30 | God Will Take Care of You
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 25:14-30 | Parable of the Talents
Matthew 13:23 | Bearing Fruit
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.
John 10:10 | Abundant Life
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Dana and Bill Wichterman have a long history of generosity. From the onset of their marriage, Dana and Bill have practiced financial stewardship, always living below their means. Even in a one bedroom apartment with no vehicle to drive, they budgeted a specific amount they could use for spontaneous generosity, and trained their children in Spirit-led giving.
Their collective backgrounds in missions, politics, and poverty alleviation have given them a passion for impact investing, allowing God to use their money to see real change in the world. Recently the Wichtermans reached their net worth finish line, recognizing that they need nothing else for themselves. Yet the joy of giving drives them to continue in their careers simply to have more to fuel Godâs Kingdom. Dana is a senior advisor to the Impact Foundation, and she and Bill had some amazing insights to share about giving, stewardship, investing, and the importance of Christian community in the generosity space.
Major topics include:
Their unique backgrounds and stories of coming to faithHow they learned financial stewardshipThinking through an accumulation finish line vs. an income finish lineA long term view of maximized generosityBudgeting in view of their callings together and individualWhat is impact investing and how they got involved How to look for impact an returns in your portfolioStrategically praying for your investments to change the world and bless peopleThe blessing of community among Christians stewarding financesThe importance of hearing other peopleâs storiesQUOTES TO REMEMBERBill: âThe more you understand the nature of the Gospel and its implications for your life, the more you get the implications of generosity.âDana: âOnce we set a finish line, I entered into an abundance mindset.âDana: âNow that weâve reached our finish line, it makes our work that much more joyful. Now itâs like why would we ever want to retire? We want to keep generating this amount so that we can give.âBill: âItâs so fun to help change the world with your money!âDana: âYou have your Holy Spirit radar up for needs that you couldnât possibly anticipate, but you know you have to cash to give to that when it comes.âDana: âWe canât meet every need around us, but there are certain needs that have our name on it. And when our nameâs on it and then God provides, thereâs such a joy with that.âBill: âMost of the time, you possibility for world change is greater with for-profits, especially in poverty alleviation.âDana: âI believe that God made us all in His image to be creators. Weâre either builders or backers, founders or funders. So if weâre all doing what God calls us to, the success of it isnât so much on us. Itâs the faithfulness thatâs important.âDana: âItâs to Godâs glory that Heâs transforming us from selfish, self-absorbed individuals into more of the Family likeness which is more and more generous.âBill: âWhat do we have to boast about? Weâre only giving what weâve already been given.âDana: âSacrificial giving can actually become very joyful over time because it has become part of your DNA as God is transforming you, and then it doesnât feel sacrificial anymore. His burden becomes light, but only over time.âDana: âOne personâs generosity doesnât have to look like another personâs.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWImpact FoundationCrown Financial MinistriesNoble Story Co.Sunshine Nut Co.Scatter by Andrew ScottOperation MobilizationThe Steward Investor MasterclassThe GatheringNational Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWMatthew 25:14-30 | Parable of the Talents
2 Corinthians 9:7 | A Cheerful Giver
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Bill High was brought up in a low-income family in rural Missouri and came to know Jesus at a young age. His generosity journey began as a teenager, faithfully tithing on everything he earned. Bill started the first half of his career in law before leaving to launch what would later become The Signatry, a donor-advised fund platform that connects âdonors with doersâ tackling some of the worldâs biggest problems.
Through his work with The Signatry, Bill developed a passion for seeing individual families united by a clear and driving mission and vision that reflects Godâs particular calling for them. In recent years, Bill has focused much of his efforts on consulting for and guiding families stewarding wealth through some of these considerations, and he had many practical considerations to share.
Major topics include:
His personal and faith backgroundBillâs professional path from practicing law to funding urban ministryHow God started planting seeds of generosity in his heart as a childWhat he learned about encouraging generosity in individuals and familiesLooking biblically and practically at dealing with wealth transfers and family legaciesThe importance of defining your vision, mission, and values as a familyGuidance for families looking for a cause that aligns with their valuesQUOTES TO REMEMBERâWe wanted to write the last check to reach the last missionary group to take the gospel to the last unreached people group.ââGenerosity was just a part of the conversation.ââFamily is meant to be a multi-generational endeavor.ââFamily generosity is the easiest way to live our vision, mission, and values.ââSometimes I equate this finish line idea with âwhoâs the owner, you or God?ââThe number one thing that changed peopleâs generosity, typically, is when they understood the generosity of God along with the idea that God was the owner and they were not.ââIf you donât teach generational values, you get generational drift. ââThe biggest wealth transfer issue is to not transfer wealth consumption, but to transfer wealth creation.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWThe Signatry (see our interview with CEO, Steve French)Bill Highâs WebsiteLegacy StoneThe Generosity Bet by Bill HighNational Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)The Ten Second Rule by Clare De GraafYoung Americans BankContact Bill High at [email protected] Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWProverbs 24:3-4 | Wisdom Builds a House
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Genesis 15:5 | Like the Stars in Heaven
And he brought him outside and said, âLook toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.â Then he said to him, âSo shall your offspring be.â
Matthew 6:3 | Humility in Giving
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Psalm 78:5-7 | Generational Faith
He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, and a New York Times best-selling author. Mark grew up in the Midwest in a home that fostered faith and faithfulness in giving. His generosity journey started at a young age with some significant acts of faith, and some of those decisions have rippled through the rest of his life in ministry. National Community Church is overflowing with stories of generosity and radical steps of faith that have enabled them to support a wide array of other ministries and churches.
Mark highlights the importance of celebrating generosity and pushing the envelope to increase levels of giving, both personally and as a church community. He shares personal stories of the impact of small acts of generosity, encourages flipping blessings for others, and emphasizes living with holy anticipation. Mark discusses managing blessings wisely and finding joy and purpose through generosity. Major topics include:
Markâs personal and faith backgroundHow a failed church plant prepared him for 28 years of pastoring in DCThe role generosity has played in his personal life and in the churchFostering a church culture of generosityThe need for business-as-mission to fund Kingdom causesThe amazing story of Ebenezers CoffeeHouse, a business-as-mission coffee house on Capitol HillLearning to âFlip the BlessingâQUOTES TO REMEMBERâWe make a few major decisions and we spend the rest of our life managing those decisions.ââIn our hearts, we plan our course, but God orders our footsteps.ââIf you do little things like theyâre big things, God will do big things like theyâre little things.ââIâm a big fan of long obedience in the same direction.ââIf you stay humble and stay hungry, there is nothing God canât do in and through you.ââIf you arenât faithful with the little things, you wonât be faithful with the big things.ââGod owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He owns the hills, so we have this mindset that Itâs all from God and itâs all for God.ââEvery business is owned by somebody who has a worldview or a faith matrix of some sort. So for us, weâre going to allow our faith to inform how we show hospitality, how we create a business model.ââAs long as weâre caring for the poor and giving to missions, Iâm never worried about our bottom line. If youâre doing what is near and dear to the heart of God, I think Godâs got your back.ââWeâre going to inch our way to greater and greater levels of generosity.ââItâs kind of fun living life in a place where you save and you give and you give and you save and you save and you give, but you do it in a way thatâs generous. And I think the Lord has a way of honoring that.ââGod doesnât raise our income to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.ââYour generosity is someone elseâs miracle.ââFlip the blessing.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWMark Battersonâs WebsiteNational Community ChurchDouble Blessing by Mark BattersonEbenezers CoffeeHouseThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWPsalm 50:10 | God Owns It All
For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
Jeremiah 29 | Bless the City
7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Matthew 10:16 | Pure and Wise
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
2 Corinthians 9:16 | The Cheerful Giver
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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WHAT WEâLL COVER
Jim Rasmussen was raised as a pastorâs kid in a Lutheran church in Georgia, and his faith solidified in college as he involved himself in ministries that affected transformational change in many lives. After graduating with an accounting degree, Jim was led to a job with Chick-fil-A, first in accounting and later advising franchise owners on how to run their businesses more efficiently.
Today, Jim is a financial advisor and the co-founder of Pandowealth, an advising firm that provides personal finance guidance to franchise owners and other Chick-fil-A staff to empower them to more purposeful living and giving. Jim is a passionate teacher with powerful insights on financial stewardship, Kingdom-building generosity, and trusting God with big steps of faith.
Major topics include:
His personal and faith backgroundHis 20-year experience working for Chick-fil-AHow God led him from accounting to financial planningTrusting God with crazy steps of faithDealing with common barriers to generosityCopying others vs. doing what youâre called to do with your resourcesDeciding how much is enoughTools and framework to develop a written generosity planQUOTES TO REMEMBERâIâm not somebody who can sit behind a desk all day just doing debits and credits. I got the accounting degree so I could learn how numbers work and how I could move up and have more impact and influence in the world with the things that Godâs given me.ââIf you look around, all the people that have joy are generous.ââHow do I remove the obstacles to my generosity? If I can remove those, then I can be generous and experience more joy.ââThe company is about, âWe grow wealth to empower purposeful living and giving.â Whatâs better than that?ââWhat have you been given gifts for that God wants you to accomplish? If you can look at your life plan, then you can develop a financial plan that helps you to accomplish that.ââDonât just look through the lens of the financial, I want you to look through the lens of the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual as well. Sometimes, itâs ok to give up a little bit of the financial stewardship to improve your personhood of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual stability.ââOur goal is for 80% of our clients to have a written generosity plan.ââIâm now working to give, not working to live.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWRonald Blue and Co. (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman)Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. KiyosakiThe Eternity Portfolio by Alan GotthardtCharityvest (see our interview with CEO Stephen Kump)Money, Possessions, and Eternity (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn)The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn)National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)SwitchboardThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWLuke 12:16-21 | The Bigger Barns Parable
20 But God said to him, âFool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?â 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.â
1 Peter 4:10 | Stewarding Godâs Gifts
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of Godâs varied grace:
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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In this special 100th episode, the shoe is on the other foot as Kealan and Cody are interviewed by Todd Harper, co-founder of Generous Giving, and David Wills, President Emeritus of the National Christian Foundation (NCF). Together, Kealan and Cody share about their family and faith backgrounds, how they got started on their journeys of generosity, and some of the amazing things theyâve learned along the way.
The interviews conducted over the last 99 episodes have been life-changing for the Hobelmann brothers in many ways by providing opportunities for âspiritual templating,â implementing what theyâve learned from others into their own generosity strategies, and by facilitating connection between like-minded Believers.
Major topics include:
What life looks like now for Cody and KealanThe inspiration for the Finish Line PledgeHow setting Financial Finish Lines has changed both of their lives The evolution of the Finish Line PodcastMaking the Finish Line Pledge relationalMost memorable podcast momentsThe many ways they have seen God work through the podcastQUOTES TO REMEMBERCody: It kinda felt like I was walking up a staircase that I could not see the end of. It just continued up into the clouds. But when I set a financial finish line, suddenly I could see the top of the staircase, and I realized I was most of the way up it in terms of the course of my career.
Kealan: I appreciate so much more now the true breadth and diversity of expressions of generosity.
Cody: We realized that Godâs up to something that we didnât even notice. We had no idea. It really humbled me and helped me to understand that even though itâs a lot to ask of our guests and our wives to carve out this time once a week, once every other week, and do the editing and all that kind of stuff. It is such an honor to be able to do this and we hope to be able to do this for a very long time.
Kealan: At this point, I donât ever say for myself or for anybody else, âthis is how generosity has to be expressed,â or âthis way is how God intends it.â There is too much range of expression that God gives us for anybody to say âit has to be this way.â
Cody: Iâve learned that giving is a lot of fun and itâs a relational thing. As a financial planner and as someone who was not giving or living generously, it seemed like a transactional thing. But Iâm starting to understand that itâs far more complex than that and far mor joy-creating for everyone involved.
Cody: Iâm learning that generosity and giving are not the same thing. Giving is an expression of generosity, but when done in community as a relational thing, thereâs nothing better and itâs become my favorite use of money.
Kealan: I just want constant stories and relationships to help me grow as a Believer and not just in generosity. Weâve grown in prayer and community and so many other areas that are all interrelated to generosity.
LINKS FROM THE SHOWCody Hobelmann, Shifting to Eternal Kingdom Building (see our past interview here)Kealan Hobelmann, Answering âHow Much Money Do I Really Need?â (see our past interview here)Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman)National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)Crazy Love by Francis ChanCompound ImpactDoulos Partners (see our interview with CEO David Johnson)MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines)ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker)Jimmy Seibert, Pastor, On Sensing the Spirit through Spontaneous Generosity (see our past interview)Faith Comes by Hearing (see our interview with VP Morgan Jackson)Neverthirst (see our interview with CEO Matt Letourneau)Richard Baxter, DMD, On Leveraging His Entire Dental Practice to Bring the Gospel to Unreached People Groups (see our past interview here)Aaron and Miran Cho, Committing to Give More Than You Can Budget For (see our past interview here)Andy Dewitt on the Importance of Sharing Your Generosity Story (see our past interview here)Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn)The Finishing Fund (see our interview with founder Doug Cobb)IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut)Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)Faith Driven Investor PodcastFaith Driven Entrepreneur PodcastGenerosity Now PodcastCelebration Conference with Generous GivingThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW1 Corinthians 12:6 | God Empowered Action
And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
Proverbs 11:24 MSG | Generosity and Abundance
The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
Proverbs 30: 8b | Our Daily Bread
give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Jimmy Seibert is the founder and pastor of Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas. Jimmy didnât grow up in a Christian home, but his decision to follow Jesus in a radical way over a summer during his college years started him on a path of extreme generosity as an outflow of his relationship with God. Jimmyâs passion for generosity has poured over into the church that he leads, which now has a thriving culture of generosity. His principles of living simply, working diligently, giving generously, and living for eternity have paved the way for a lifestyle of spontaneous and strategic generosity.
He has many miraculous stories of Spirit-led giving as well as practical advice for givers of all kinds. He shares how surrendering to Jesus and embracing obedience and generosity transformed his life, even in the face of financial challenges, and opened the door for living out the Great Commission.
Major Topics Include:
His story of coming to faith and radically following the teachings of JesusHow God miraculously provided for him to go to the nations because of his obedience with his last dollarLearning to hear and obey the promptings of the LordSpontaneous giving vs. strategic, long-term givingCreating and inviting people into a culture of generosityIncorporating generosity into a family culturePlus, many powerful stories of Spirit-led generosityQUOTES TO REMEMBERâWhen you deal with money and possessions, you deal with everything in your heart.â
âYou asked me to show you that Iâm real, and I have come.â
âThe moving of God is just the normal outworking of a surrender to Jesus.â
âMy commitment was that if anybody asks for anything, give it.â
âUntil you feel, taste, and touch the power of the gospel in peoplesâ lives, giving is too distant of an experience.â
âWhen we live obedient lives of sacrifice, whether thatâs with our finances or going ourselves, it produces this incredible authority to see people find hope and help that they so desperately long for.â
âI donât want to get identity out of what I do. I want to get identity from the Lord, and then I want to be fully obedient in whatever expression Heâs given me and do that with all me heart.â
âI may not be as gifted as someone else, but I will do anything He says anytime, anywhere.â
âLearning to hear the voice of God is learning to trust the heart and person of God. Itâs really about trust in the end.â
âFrom years of meditating on who the Holy Spirit is in my life, and God the Father and the centrality of the beauty of Jesus, Iâve learned to take risks with confidence.â
âThe promptings of God are best learned through action.â
âYou are already right with God through the blood of Jesus alone. You canât earn anything in your standing with God by anything you do. Youâre good with God by the grace of God.â
âWeâre not looking to outdo our neighbor in our giving, weâre learning to build our relationship with God.â
âWhen we open up everything of our resources to God, intimacy with Him is His end goal, not provision.â
âItâs not a percentage, itâs a personal relationship with God.â
âIf you preach a surrendered message and then you live it out, it creates a catalyst for others. If you give, theyâll give.â
âGod will constantly challenge me when I have little to see if Iâm still in the game.â
âFollow the money. If you give to something, get involved in what you give to.â
âYouâll only stay in a posture of generosity as long as itâs connected to peopleâs lives being transformed in a way that you can touch.â
LINKS FROM THE SHOWCelebration of Discipline by Richard FosterGenerous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWLuke 6:35 | Give Freely
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Matthew 13:23 | Reaping a Harvest
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.â
Ephesians 2:10 | Created for Good Works
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
John 16:7, 12-13 | The Spirit of Truth
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Paul Bolte was brought up with a firm foundation in faith and generosity. A seventh-generation Christian born to a farming family in Australia, he learned the value of a good work ethic and the principles of giving as a small child. As an adult, Paul served in various leadership positions in Australia, New Zealand, and the US, and is a lifelong student of servant leadership.
Today, Paul is the Executive Vice President of TrustBridge Global. TrustBridge connects donor advised funds in countries all around the world to allow people to make tax deductible gifts to ministries in other countries, even if they donât have a 501c3 designation. TrustBridge acts as a powerful conduit for money to flow from Christians in countries with high concentrations of wealth to organizations working in other countries, impacting the Kingdom by getting financial resources to the âboots on the ground.â
Major Topics Include:
Paulâs family and faith background which laid the groundwork for what he does nowThe background of TrustBridge GlobalHow they choose partners in various countriesPaulâs view of how generosity is expressed uniquely in different culturesHow TrustBridge has helped facilitate interconnectedness between Believers across the globeQUOTES TO REMEMBERâI didnât realize that, âhow can I help,â was the very first question in a concept called âservant leadership.â And I became a student of leadership; for my entire life, Iâve been a student of leadership.â
âWeâre trying to mobilize the resources in the hands of Christians.â
âCulturally, we are all very different. But we all have this one core value of our faith and what weâre called to do. Weâre called to be generous with everything that we have and everything we are.â
âThere are many countries that have no tax benefits, yet they are still generous.â
âWhen you send money directly to a charity overseas, the bang for your buck is significantly higher because they can stretch it further and it can get to more people.â
âIf you want the best return on your investment, you can do that by giving directly to a charity overseas.â
âWe look for a way to say âyes.ââ
âGenerosity to me is not just about money, itâs about time.â
âWhen youâre working in a Kingdom business and you know that God is behind what youâre doing and you watch it grow and give all glory to Him, itâs such a joy to watch it all happen.â
âWhatever gifts or skills God has given you, take them and use them to serve others.â
LINKS FROM THE SHOWTrustBridge Global FoundationNational Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)C12: Christian Business Leadership CoachingInternational Generosity FoundationGenerosity PathGenerous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous GivingGlobal Trust Partners (see our interview with COO Trevor Lui)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWRomans 5:8 | Godâs Love Demonstrated
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 | The Gift of God
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Dr. Shane Enete is a professor at Biola University in Los Angeles and the author of the book âWhole Heart Finances.â In his early teens, Shane was driven to learn all that he could about investing, but leaning into the tension he felt between his faith and his passion for finances, he discovered a deep desire to be a bridge to help people learn about money in a way that draws them closer to Jesus instead of further from Him.
Shane spent many years in the finance world in a variety of roles, and throughout that time, God fostered a deep heart for generosity and stewardship. Shane now gets to spark that passion in college students, providing both a framework and purpose behind how they manage money. You wonât want to miss the stories, helpful tools, and frameworks he had to share.
Major topics include:
Shaneâs background and the inspiring story of encountering God in a hospital roomHow Shane began learning and teaching about finances at age 15Reconciling the tension between faith and financesHow he transitioned from his financial career and volunteering in the inner city into academiaThe story behind his book, Whole Heart Finances, and key points that will help give the average church goer a fresh, Christ-centered view of money as a pathway to worshiping GodAdvice for those in debt or in retirement who want to grow in generosityQUOTES TO REMEMBERâI sensed the tension between faith and finances and leaned into it, hoping that one day God could use me to be a bridge to help create the curriculum where people could learn about money in a way that draws them nearer to Jesus and not further away.â âI always love to find truth, and itâs a fascinating exercise to look at stock valuation, which is so subjective, and see if you can find any objective truths to align to.â âIf you give with a little, youâll give with a lot. If you save with a little, youâll save with a lot.â âThe more I gave, the more I realized the centrality of giving in all money and financial behavior and how it unleashes Godâs glory in a way that no other financial behavior does.â âHow can I think about saving, investing, and spending in ways that help facilitate giving?â âI build a financial planning model around the idea that God is being generous with His household, we experience that generosity and are transformed to have His generosity because weâre in Christ. Then we become a resource in Godâs household that gets sent out in an economy of salvation towards the world.â âAs a steward, our main goal is to shine a light on our financial behavior on a regular basis.â âThe longer you go without giving, the harder it is to give.âLINKS FROM THE SHOWWhole Heart Finances by Dr. Shane EneteDr. Shane Enete on LinkedInFaithfFi AppYNAB App (You Need A Budget)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWLuke 16:1-13 | The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
2 Corinthians 8:7 | Encouragement to Give Generously
But as you excel in everythingâin faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for youâsee that you excel in this grace of giving also.
Matthew 6:21 | Heart Treasure
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Pat and Janel Hord are the owners of Hord Family Farms in Ohio. Pat and Janel each had generosity modeled for them in their early years and they developed a passion for it, but God has led them through increasing levels of thoughtfulness and complexity with regards to what exactly that looks like for them. They have navigated the challenges of running a large, generational farming enterprise across multiple states with the mindset that God owns it all. They have a passion for loving their team members well, loving their community well, and bringing the gospel to the rest of the world. Pat and Janel also have great insight concerning fostering growth in generosity and in their business through good stewardship, and passing on a legacy of wisdom, wealth, and a Kingdom culture to the next generation. Major topics include:
Their spiritual background and upbringingTheir perspective on ministry and vocationLearning to steward their time, talent, and treasure over the yearsBeing led into knowing what and where to giveHow they intentionally fostered generosity in their kidsFlowing together in giving as a married couple with individual and shared passionsHow knowing your âwhyâ helps you to grow in generosity and businessSharing stories about God using your giving for His GloryTransferring a legacy of wealth and wisdom to the next generation Collaborating with people and organizations to serve the local communityFostering generosity within the teamMaking sure the team is taken care of first, then your community, and the nationsQUOTES TO REMEMBERPat â âI feel like God gives us the desires of our heart, He just wants us to surrender to Him.â
Pat â âEverything we have comes from the hand of God.â
Pat â âGod owns everything. So how do we steward our time, talent, and treasure?â
Janel â âJust get started on that first step in generosity.â
Janel â âWhat weâve been given we are responsible to give back.â
Pat â âWeâre just trying to figure out how to follow Christ in the best way we know how.â
Janel â âOur responsibility is to ask, âHow is Christ honored through that organization?ââ
Janel â âIt may be in our county, or it may be across the world. Nothingâs off the table.â
Pat â âGod has knit our hearts together in the area of generosity.â
Janel â âHow do we take what God has given us and make an impact in our community as well?â
Pat â âWe look at our business as a giving engine to do good.â
Pat â âYou have to know your âwhy.ââ
Janel â âNot all of us are called to go into Africa, but we are all called to give what weâve been given.â
Pat â âWe donât want to transfer wealth without wisdom to the next generation.â
Janel â âAs a giving engine, how do we support organizations that are trying to make a difference in the community?â
LINKS FROM THE SHOWGiving is the Good Life by Randy Alcorn (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn)National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)Gospel Patrons (see our interview with author John Rinehart)Neverthirst (see our interview with CEO Matt Letourneau)Lifesong for Orphans (see our interview with founder, Gary Ringger)Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)LifeWise AcademyHalftime by Bob BufordMarketplace ChaplainsFinancial Peace UniversityRelay for LifeThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWPsalm 37:4 | Delight in the Lord
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:3 | Humble Generosity
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Matthew 6:21 | Heart Treasure
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 5:16 | Your Light Glorifies God
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Ron Bare is a financial advisor and the founder of Bare Wealth Advisors in Lancaster, PA. Raised on a fifth-generation dairy farm with a faith-filled family, Ron learned early in life the value of hard work, the biblical principles of stewardship, and the eternal impact of generosity. Those elements became the foundation of who he is and what he does as a financial advisor, or in his words, a âpastor of finance.â In this episode, Ron shares personal stories and many helpful thoughts to show the power of intentional generosity as a conversation with God, and how giving of your finances, giftings, and time can change a life, a community, and even affect people across the globe.
Major topics include:
How Ronâs upbringing shaped who he is todayThe story of how Bare Wealth Advisors beganHow God prepared and called him to be a âpastor of financeâImplementing an intentional core value of generosity in his personal life and his businessHow Ronâs passion for good stewardship in finances led to his familyâs financial and practical involvement in supporting young moms in their local communityAdvice for following the voice of God and your passions to know how to serve and where to giveThe value of tracking generosity and its impactStewardship as a conversation with GodThe power of collaboration in givingQUOTES TO REMEMBERâPlan intentionally, give generously.â
âWe are pastors of finance.â
âThe biblical principle of stewardship isnât about how much we have. Itâs about being faithful with whatâs in our hands, even if it doesnât feel like a lot.â
âThe more that our works and our treasures are flowing together, the more our hearts will flow.â
âThe most important thing anyone decides with their finances is how they interact with generosity.â
âGiving isnât something we have to do; it is something we are invited into with God.â
âWe always need to be growing in generosity.â
âIf we donât answer the question âwhat is enough,â it can limit the impact that we have.â
LINKS FROM THE SHOWBare Wealth AdvisorsRon Blue, Founder of Kingdom Advisors (see our past interview here)Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)Crown Financial MinistriesJim Wise, Financial Advisor (see our past interview here)John Rinehart, Author of Gospel Patrons (see our past interview here)Randy Alcorn (see our past interview here)Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)Every Good Endeavor by Timothy KellerThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWMatthew 6:21 | Treasure of the Heart
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 | Rich in Good Works
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Luke 12:48b | Much Given, Much Required
Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 | The Cheerful Giver
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
John 3:16 | For God So Loved the World
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 8:7 | The Grace to Give
But as you excel in everythingâin faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for youâsee that you excel in this act of grace also.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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Ryan Skoog is the CEO of Venture, a non-profit that serves war refugees, trafficked people, oppressed children, and the unreached in the most difficult places in the world. Being raised as a âspiritual muttâ in a mission-minded and entrepreneurial household, Ryan began a company alongside Venture, funding the administration of the ministry with the profits, and freeing up the investments of givers to fund church planting and community development projects in unreached places across the globe.
Cameron Doolittle is a veteran in the generosity space. He is senior advisor to the Maclellan Foundation, executive director of Practicing the Way, co-founder of Generosity Path, and a founding CEO of Jillâs House, a ministry for kids with intellectual disabilities. With a background as a political advisor, Cameron now consults with organizations his family loves, including The Bible Project, Desiring God with John Piper, and many more.
Together with Peter Greer, Ryan and Cameron co-authored the newly released book, âLead with Prayerâ after years of studying how Christian leaders pray. They will share more about their personal stories, what God is doing in the nations through Venture, how âLead with Prayerâ came about, and many insightful keys to prayer and generosity as a great adventure with Christ.
Major topics include:
The difference between investing in the Kingdom and giving to the KingdomHow prayer is fueling the explosion of the global churchInvesting financially in prayer as an assetA look into the prayer lives of many church leaders around the worldMore leadership calls for more prayer timeFriendship-first prayerBuilding prayer âbellsâ or triggers throughout your dayHow generosity and prayer work togetherQUOTES TO REMEMBERâThe global church is exploding and it is a sight to behold! We get to live in some incredible times.â Ryan Skoog
âWhat if we just said, this is enough!â Cameron Doolittle
âThereâs something about the number 51. Once Youâve crossed that rubicon, youâre giving more than youâre keeping.â Ryan Skoog
âThereâs three reasons people give â to look good, to feel good, or to actually do good, even when it doesnât look good or feel good.â Ryan Skoog quoting Jay Yacov, Economist
âYou give to feel good or look good, but you invest because you want to see a return on your investment. You want to do good, even if it doesnât look good or feel good.â Ryan Skoog
âWhat if we stood at the feet of the global church and asked them to teach us how to pray?â Ryan Skoog
âIf prayer is the thing thatâs fueling what Godâs doing around the world, then how come weâre not talking about it more?â Ryan Skoog
âYou canât create a culture of prayer without being a person of prayer.â Cameron Doolittle
âWhen Jesusâs ministry was the busiest, the scriptures say he withdrew more often, not less.â Ryan Skoog
âWhenever youâre being generous, youâre going to say a lot of noes in order to say some big yeses.â Cameron Doolittle
âPrayer develops gratitude. And gratitude is the foundation of generosity.â Ryan Skoog
âPrayer is a key to having an adventure of generosity versus just an experience of giving.â Ryan Skoog
âLearning to obey the Holy Spirit in your giving opens the opportunity to have an adventure with your Friend Jesus on giving.â Ryan Skoog
LINKS FROM THE SHOWLead with PrayerHope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer)VentureMacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines)Jillâs HousePraxisGenerosity PathPracticing the WayGenerous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson)International Justice Mission (IJM)Echo (prayer app, Echo+ for ministries)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWMatthew 6:21 | Treasure of the Heart
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2 Corinthians 10:4 | Spiritual Warfare
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Acts 3:1 | The Hour of Prayer
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
John 15:5 | Abide in the Vine
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Luke 5:15-16 | Increased Ministry, Increased Prayer
But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Psalm 100:4 | Thanksgiving and Praise
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.
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