Episodes
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She paid cash to deliver two of her babies.
She had no insurance and almost no money.
So Lisa Bevere did it using the stock market.
That is just one of the wild stories she told us.
Today, Lisa and her husband John have given away more than 60 million books in over 150 languages.
But they started out broke, praying about whether they could afford a fax machine.
In this episode, Lisa sits down with Linda and me to talk about marriage, money, and faith.
She shares the moment in the shower that changed her marriage forever.
We talk about why men and women were never meant to be enemies.
She explains the kind of "giving" message that makes her walk out of the room.
And she tells us about the million-dollar gift that fell through, and the surprise that showed up instead.
This one is about biblical stewardship, generosity, marriage, and trusting God as your real source.
Timestamps 0:00 Why they'd rather give their money to their kids than the bank 15:12 The shower moment that turned John from a boy into a man 24:56 The "erase the whiteboard" trick that ends their money fights 35:25 How Lisa paid cash to deliver her babies with no insurance 37:09 The kind of "giving" message that makes Lisa walk out 49:05 The million-dollar pledge that vanished, and what came instead 1:13:50 How they raised four sons who love God and handle money well 1:20:59 The one message Lisa wants you to take from her book What We CoverHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
How Lisa paid cash to deliver her babies with no insurance The shower moment that changed her marriage Why she says men and women were never meant to be enemies The kind of "give to get" message that makes her walk out of the room What happened when a million-dollar pledge fell through How they give away more books than they sell and still aren't broke What they did to protect their marriage after watching a pastor fall How they raised four sons who love God and handle money well Bible Verses Mentioned Ephesians 3:20 Ephesians 6:12 Deuteronomy 8:18 Malachi 2:14-15 Malachi 3:16 Proverbs 21:9 Proverbs 31:16 Genesis 26:12 Matthew 6:26 2 Corinthians 9:7 John 17:21 1 Corinthians 15:37-38 Hebrews 4:15 Matthew 25:14-30 Revelation 12:17 Revelation 21:8 Psalm 51:7 Psalm 51:13 Resources Mentioned Lisa Bevere's new book The Fight for Female Messenger International (John and Lisa Bevere's ministry) The Awe of God by John Bevere Introduction to the Holy Spirit by John Bevere DisclaimerObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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>>> First, grab the guide I told you about in this episode: How to become a millionaire even on an average salary
A few years ago we sold off some Tesla stock to pay off our second house. If you run the math on what that stock would be worth now, the result is honestly brutal. But I felt the Lord tell me clearly to do it. And looking back, I think I see exactly why He said what He said.
In this episode Linda and I walk through five biblical investing secrets most Christians have completely missed: the verse Solomon wrote down 3,000 years before a man named Harry Markowitz won a Nobel Prize for the same idea, why God rebuked a servant in Matthew 25 for playing it too safe, the Bible verse that describes Warren Buffett's entire patient-compounding strategy, the move every wealth advisor still preaches that came straight from Joseph in Genesis 41, and the generational vision in Proverbs that reframes a lot of what most Americans get wrong about money and family.
If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
Why God rebuked a servant in the Bible for NOT investing (and most Christians have missed it) The investing principle Solomon wrote down 3,000 years before Wall Street figured it out Why "boring" is the actual investing strategy (and the lottery winner stat that proves it) The Bible verse that describes Warren Buffett's entire investing strategy The Joseph blueprint that every wealth advisor still preaches today The "vitamin K on day 8" principle that shows how specific God's instructions really are The Tesla stock decision Bob can't undo (and why he is at peace with it anyway) Why generational wealth without character is dangerous (and how to do it the other way) BIBLE VERSES MENTIONED Matthew 25 (Parable of the Talents) Luke 19:23 Ecclesiastes 11:2 Proverbs 13:11 Genesis 41 (Joseph and the seven years) Proverbs 13:22 RESOURCES MENTIONED 10x Investing (use code PODCAST for a discount) Grab the guide I told you about in this episode: (How to become a millionaire even on an average salary) DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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Missing episodes?
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Grab our brand new prayer book here: https://shop.sdti.me/products/30-days-of-prayer-for-your-finances
The first time I prayed a prayer I thought might be selfish, I was 20 years old and brand new in my faith. God said yes. I spent the next seven months refusing to accept the answer because I could not believe He had actually said it. Years later I prayed a different prayer, this one about our mortgage. The answer came back in a way I never would have written. Ten months later the mortgage was gone.
In this episode Linda and I get into the four reasons most Christians do not pray about money (and why all four are wrong), the five categories of prayer most of us have never named, the moment Linda figured out she could unload on God the same way she unloads on me, the prayer Joshua prayed that should reframe how bold we are willing to be, and the comment one woman left on our Instagram about a 'lowercase g' God that I have not been able to shake.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
The four reasons Christians don't pray about money (and why all four are wrong) The selfish-feeling prayer Bob fought against for seven months before accepting God's yes The five categories of prayer most of us have never named for our finances What Joshua's prayer in the Bible has to do with how boldly we should pray The Instagram comment about a 'lowercase g' God that has stuck with us Why God redirected the mortgage prayer toward tripling our giving instead What letting your kids barge into your office reveals about how we are meant to approach God The one-sentence prayer challenge to take this weekBIBLE VERSES MENTIONED
Philippians 4:6 James 4:2-3 Joshua 10 (referenced — Joshua praying for the sun to stand still) 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Matthew 6:11 James 1:5 James 3:17 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Matthew 6:24 Psalm 24:1 RESOURCES MENTIONED 30 Days of Prayer for your Finances Simple Money, Rich Life (the book) DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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The first time I ever heard the word tithing, I watched a guest preacher publicly shame two guys at the altar of a small Florida church for not doing it consistently. They walked back to their seats with their heads down. I never forgot it. Linda has a different shame story — quiet, private, ten years long, all over a single tithe she felt led to give to friends going on a mission trip instead of her local church. Two completely different shame stories, same root system. Both deadly to generosity.
In this episode, we finally do the conversation we've sidestepped for almost two decades. We get into the difference between condemnation and conviction, why we treat tithing the same way we treat Sabbath, and the moment we corrected our giving and got a raise the very next day that exactly covered the gap.
This is not a shame episode. It's not a license episode either. It's where we've actually landed.
And If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
The altar-shaming Bob watched as a brand-new Christian (and what it did to his view of giving) The 10-year guilt cycle Linda carried over a single tithe she gave to the "wrong" place Why condemnation comes from the enemy and conviction comes from God (and how to tell which is which) The Sabbath analogy that finally helped us land somewhere honest Why both shame and license are wrong (and what 2 Corinthians 9:7 actually says) Where to start if 10% feels impossible right now BIBLE VERSES MENTIONED Matthew 7 (referenced — "if your eye causes you to sin") Genesis 14 (Abraham and Melchizedek, referenced) Genesis 22 (Abraham, "God will provide" / Jehovah Jireh) 2 Corinthians 8-9 (referenced as a giving framework) 2 Corinthians 9:7 Galatians 3:13 (referenced — "redeemed from the curse of the law") John 8 (the woman caught in adultery, referenced) Luke 19 (Zacchaeus, referenced) Hebrews (Jesus as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, referenced) RESOURCES MENTIONED True Financial Freedom (church curriculum) → seedtime.com/true DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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Mike Tyson made $400 million and ended up $23 million in debt. A janitor named Ronald Reed made minimum wage his whole career and left $8 million to charity. The difference had nothing to do with income — and everything to do with one rule. That's where this conversation starts.
Linda and I were guests at a church for their "Money Talks" series and the questions were so good we wanted to bring this to the podcast. We walk through the John Wesley framework we based our whole book on (make all you can, save all you can, give all you can — and enjoy it), the one number that tells you whether you're moving forward or backward financially, why net worth is actually the wrong thing to track as a Christian, the "Never 100 Rule" that changed everything for us, the one-category budget that works when every other budget fails, and what happened when we started giving in a way that felt irresponsible but resulted in our mortgage being paid off in three years.
If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
Why "net worth" is actually the wrong metric for Christians — and what to track instead The one number that tells you whether you're moving forward or backward financially right now The Never 100 Rule: the single rule that makes all the difference between building wealth and staying stuck Why Mike Tyson went broke (and what it has to do with your budget) The one-category budget — why it gets 80% of the results of full budgeting with 20% of the effort Why willpower-based budgeting always fails — and what to do instead The giving account that made generosity actually fun (instead of a guilt trip) What Bob and Linda would tell their 19-year-old selves about money How to handle money differently when you and your spouse are total opposites BIBLE VERSES MENTIONED 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 2 Corinthians 8-9 Proverbs (referenced as a daily reading practice — one chapter per day) RESOURCES MENTIONED Simple Money, Rich Life (the book) Assets Under Management free resource DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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Matt Chandler has been in the room with actual billionaires on multiple occasions — and the way he describes what happens to people who have everything almost everyone else is chasing isn't what most of us would expect. He told us he won't even let some of them bless him. And after 23 years pastoring one of the most affluent suburbs in America, he's seen exactly what the chase actually does to families.
In this conversation, we get into a question Matt says nobody has asked him: what he's actually watched wealth do to people up close. We talk about the upgrade cycle most Christian families never name (and the bigger house Matt and Lauren refused to buy because of it), why the finish line always moves no matter how much you make, the diagnostic he gives for whether money is serving you or you're serving it, and what bad stewardship really does to the peace in your home.
And for more rich teaching on how to become more like Jesus check out his new book Becoming Like Jesus -
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
What Matt has watched wealth do to families over 23 years in Dallas The room full of billionaires moment most pastors never talk about The bigger house Matt and Lauren almost bought (and the math that decided it) "The finish line always moves" — the trap most Christians never name The diagnostic Matt uses to spot whether money is serving you What bad stewardship actually does to the peace in a home How Matt and Lauren built radical generosity into their budget when he made $12,000 a year Why budgeting is a spiritual discipline, not a numbers nerd thing BIBLE VERSES MENTIONED 1 Corinthians 16:2 RESOURCES MENTIONED Matt Chandler's Book: Becoming Like Jesus DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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We are opening up our Mission Driven Millionaire Cohort to 15 people and we are enrolling now until spots fill up. Get details and apply here: https://seedtime.com/cohort
Also, this is an episode you might just want to watch (you know, with your eyeballs lol) for it to make the most sense. And you can do that here if you want.
I have coached people pulling in 250,000 a year who are completely broke. No margin, no savings, no clue where any of it went. And I have sat with families bringing in 40,000 who quietly become millionaires. It is not income. It is not pinching pennies. There is one specific thing that decides which side of that line you end up on.
In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact system Linda and I built that helped us give away over a million dollars by my 40th birthday and pay off our mortgage in the process. We get into why most extra money disappears before you ever see it, why holding water in your hands is the picture of money without a system, the simple framework we use for budgeting, bills, and automated giving and investing, and why the system itself is what made the miracles possible.
I will show you what Joseph storing grain has to do with your 401k, why pinching pennies is what people try when they do not have a system, and what to put in place so when extra shows up it actually has somewhere to land.
What We CoverHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
Why most extra money disappears within a month of showing up The one decision Linda and I made before money landed that changed everything How to hold water without spilling it (the analogy that finally made this click for me) Why income alone never fixes the problem (we have coached 250,000-a-year families who are dead broke) The exact flow of how money moves through our system, from paycheck to giving to investing Why pinching pennies is a sign you do not have a system yet The Joseph principle that links faith and structure, and why miracles ride on top of it The slow leak that drains every raise, bonus, and tax refund you have ever received Bible Verses Mentioned Matthew 6:33 1 Corinthians 16:2 DisclaimerObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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37% of people making $250,000 a year are living paycheck to paycheck right now. Which means the thing keeping most of us stuck financially has almost nothing to do with how much we make. Linda and I have coached people pulling in $250k who are dead broke. We've watched a $20,000 raise get absorbed by lifestyle inside six months and leave them exactly where they started. The problem isn't income. The problem is that most of us are working hard on the wrong math problem.
In this episode we walk through the four stages of money (surviving, stable, secure, and surplus) and the one mistake almost everybody makes when they try to jump from one stage to the next. We get into why "boring" is the actual investing strategy, why we wish we wouldn't have taken the raise, the bank-manager story that explains why the system is rigged against people in stage one, and the moment we finally figured out that the move that got us from stage one to stage two was the exact same move keeping us stuck in stage two for years.
If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book. You just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
The stat that proves your financial stage has almost nothing to do with your income The 4 stages of money and how to know which one you're actually in The one mistake almost everybody makes trying to jump from one stage to the next Why a $20k raise can leave you with the same $0 left at the end of the month The bank manager story that exposes how the system is rigged against people in stage one Why "boring" is actually the right investing strategy at stage three The Elon-Musk-doesn't-mow-his-own-lawn principle most people get backwards Why willpower-based budgeting always fails (and what to do instead) BIBLE VERSES MENTIONED Matthew 14:13-21 (referenced. The five loaves and two fish. "You bring it to me and I'll multiply it.") RESOURCES MENTIONED Mission-Driven Millionaire cohort Simple Money, Rich Life (the book) Free book offer DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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In this episode I walk through our entire 2026 investment portfolio: every account, every position, and exactly what I'm doing with our money. That includes a full update on gold (which has nearly doubled but I genuinely don't care), where we stand with Bitcoin at $65k, why I moved Linda's Roth IRA into a fixed indexed annuity after spending my whole career skeptical of them, our real estate split between Fundrise and Roots, the Tesla concentration problem in our stock portfolio, and what happened when I ran an app that automatically copies Nancy Pelosi's trades for 8 months — including the $1,500 I put in and the 12.4% it returned.
If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
The Christian fund I've held for a year that's down 3% while the S&P is up 17% — and why I'm not selling The app that automatically mirrors Nancy Pelosi's stock trades (Trump mentioned her record in the State of the Union) Why gold has nearly doubled — and why I genuinely don't care The Tesla concentration problem in our stock portfolio that every rebalancing strategy says to fix (but I won't) Why I spent my whole career skeptical of annuities — then moved Linda's Roth IRA into one What we're actually putting in crypto right now, and why 80% of it is in one coin Why I want as few US dollars as possible right now — and what I'm holding instead BIBLE REFERENCES Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) RESOURCES MENTIONED Sound Mind Investing (FCTE / Full Cycle Trading Fund) Roots Fundrise Innovation Fund Alto IRA OneGold Autopilot app Webull DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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Most of us have quietly convinced ourselves that busy-ness is a badge of honor.
Mark Buchanan believed the same thing — until it almost cost him his health, his marriage, and his connection with God. And what he found on the other side of that is something the modern church has almost entirely stopped talking about.
In this conversation, Linda and I sit down with Mark Buchanan — author of The Rest of God, God Walk, and his new historical fiction novel What Is Left of the Night — to talk about why busyness kills the heart, what Sabbath really means as more than a day, how walking is a deeply spiritual practice woven all through Scripture.
His book The Rest of God is what started our practice of monthly sabbaticals 13 years ago, and this conversation took us somewhere we didn't expect.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
Why Mark nearly burned out as a pastor — and how discovering Sabbath saved his marriage and his ministry Why Sabbath isn't just about a day of the week — it's an attitude and a way of seeing everything The phrase "busyness kills the heart" and what it actually looks like in your everyday life How Bob and Linda's 13-year practice of monthly sabbaticals grew out of one book — and led to a full year off The spiritual practice of walking, and the surprising number of times it shows up in Scripture Mark's new historical fiction novel about a French village that protected 2,500 Jews during WWII with zero casualties What connects Sabbath, walking, and a village that simply refused to live by the world's rules RESOURCES MENTIONEDMark Buchanan's Books:
The Rest of God God Walk What Is Left of the Night DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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You're not careless with money. You try to be intentional. But somehow at the end of the month, there's still less than there should be — and you can't quite figure out where it went.
What if the problem isn't discipline — but a type of spending leak that even the most careful budgeters almost never catch?
In this episode, I walk through the Cost vs. Frequency Matrix — a simple framework for identifying three invisible drains that quietly bleed most middle-class budgets dry.
We talk about value decay (purchases that made total sense once, but quietly stopped serving you), what the average American home's 300,000 items tells us about how we buy things, and how this all connects back to what it really means to steward what God has entrusted to you.
This is a workshop-style episode, so grab something to write with.
If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
Why the average American home has 300,000 items — and what that tells us about how we actually spend money The three types of invisible "drains" that bleed most middle-class budgets without anyone noticing What "value decay" is and how to spot purchases that quietly stopped making sense in your life How to use the Cost vs. Frequency Matrix as a practical tool in about 10 minutes Why even the most disciplined budgeters often miss this category of spending What it means to manage money as a steward — and how that single mindset shift changes every decision The surprising connection between clutter, housework, and how much money is quietly walking out the door RESOURCES MENTIONED Real Money Method course Mission Driven Millionaire program DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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The day Jesus fed five thousand people from almost nothing — he was also grieving the violent death of his best friend and cousin. He'd tried to get away to be alone. The crowds followed him anyway. And instead of sending them home, the Bible says "he had compassion on them." Out of his grief. Out of his exhaustion.
In this episode, Linda and I walk through Matthew 14 and what was actually happening to Jesus during this wild 24-hour stretch — the grief, the exhaustion, the interrupted attempt at solitude, and the back-to-back miracles that came out of it. We also talk about what Linda walked through after her mom died last year, and why the moments when you feel least able are sometimes the moments God does his most visible work.
If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
Why the feeding of the 5,000 hits completely differently when you know what Jesus was going through that day What it means that Jesus "had compassion on them" right after learning his cousin was killed How grief and exhaustion didn't disqualify Jesus from doing miracles — they may have been the condition for them What Linda experienced leading and speaking through the grief of losing her mom last year Why your weakest moments might be the ones where God gets the most visible credit What it actually looks like when you show up empty and God shows up anyway The three o'clock in the morning detail — and why the story doesn't end after the feeding BIBLE VERSES MENTIONEDMatthew 14:13
Matthew 14:14
Matthew 14:23
Matthew 14:25
DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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She prayed for seven years for a breakthrough. The more she prayed, the worse things got. And she ended up on the bathroom floor saying she didn't want to be alive anymore. What the Holy Spirit showed her in that moment — about control, about fear disguised as faith, about the difference between begging and believing — is something I haven't been able to stop thinking about.
In this episode, Linda and I sit down with Alex Seeley — author of The Divine Counselor — for one of the most honest conversations we've had on this show.
Alex shares how a 20-year eating disorder rooted in unforgiveness, a $23 last-dollar miracle when she and her husband gave everything to move to America, and a word from a stranger about a "tissue box" that just keeps refilling shaped her understanding of what it actually means to walk with the Holy Spirit.
We also talk about why Linda used to go shopping when things got tight financially — and what the Holy Spirit revealed was really going on underneath that.
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEHere's a little of what we cover in this episode:
The difference between praying from fear and praying from faith (they can look identical from the outside) How a 20-year eating disorder rooted in unforgiveness was never going to "just work itself out" Why there's a 24/7 counselor available to you right now who's better than any therapist you could book an appointment with The $23 miracle: what happened when Alex and Henry gave their last dollars before moving to America Linda's confession about going shopping whenever money was tight — and what the Holy Spirit revealed about why The difference between conviction and condemnation (this reframes a lot) What it looks like when your seed goes into the next season — not just into an offering bucket BIBLE VERSES MENTIONEDActs 1:8
Isaiah 1
John 14:16
Romans 8:28
1 Peter 5:7
Philippians 4:13
DISCLAIMERObligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting.
Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.
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Have you ever wondered why financial breakthrough feels so close yet so far? Bob and Linda Lotich reveal that God is constantly testing us with money—and most of us don't even realize it's happening. In this eye-opening conversation, they break down the three distinct money tests every believer faces, how to identify which one you're in right now, and what God is trying to teach you through it. What You'll Learn:
The Three Tests - The Struggling Test - When you have less than you think you need The Surplus Test - When extra money comes your way The Stable Test - When nothing has changed for years Key Insights: Why the habits you build in struggle carry you into surplus The George Mueller story that will transform how you pray about provision How to know if you're in a "rest season" or need to take action Why stability might be the sneakiest test of all The practical "50/50 rule" for handling raises and windfalls How to create your own "stack of stones" to remember God's faithfulness
Powerful Quotes: "The habits that we build in the struggle are the habits that carry us into the surplus time." - Bob "We've just been through this too many times." - Bob (during a financial crisis moment) "What do I need to do the job that God's asked me to do? And then the rest of it can just go." - Linda "It's an open book test and you have the teacher who wants to give you the answers." - Bob
Biblical Foundations: Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) The Rich Fool (Luke 12) George Mueller's radical faith Israelites and the manna James 1:2-5 on trials and wisdom
Action Steps: Identify which test you're in right now - Are you struggling, experiencing surplus, or in a stable season? Create your modern "stack of stones" - Write down a timeline of how God has provided for you in the past Do a self-evaluation - How are you handling your current test? Ask God for wisdom - Is this a season to rest or a season to take action? Set up structures for surplus - Consider implementing the "50/50 rule" for future raises
The Bottom Line: You don't have to pass these tests perfectly—none of us do. But God is using money to teach you to trust Him more deeply, steward more faithfully, and expand your belief in what He can do. The question isn't whether you're being tested. The question is: Do you recognize the test? Scripture References: Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents) Luke 12 (The Rich Fool) James 1:2-5 (Consider it all joy) Proverbs (multiple references to saving and wisdom) Genesis 8:22 (Seedtime and harvest)
Resources Mentioned: Simple Money, Rich Life by Bob Lotich - seedtime.com/smrl George Mueller's autobiography - https://www.georgemuller.org/uploads/4/8/6/5/48652749/the-autobiography-of-george-muller.pdf True Financial Freedom course - seedtime.com/tff Mission-Driven Millionaire program - seedtime.com/mdm Ready to grow what God's given you? Get your free copy of Simple Money, Rich Life at seedtime.com/podcast Have a question about which test you're in? Share it in the comments below or email us at [email protected]Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/sMnrFh6o2Ls)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. -
In all of Scripture, there are only a handful of times when God explicitly tells us to "remember" something. Each time, it's attached to something vital—communion, Christ's resurrection, where we've fallen. But there's one verse where God commands us to remember a principle that much of the church seems to have forgotten entirely. In this episode, Bob and Linda explore 2 Corinthians 9:6: "Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop, but the one who plants generously will get a generous crop." Key Topics Discussed: Why This Verse Matters How God uses the word "remember" throughout Scripture for critical truths The context of 2 Corinthians 8-9 and its focus on generous giving Why this principle of sowing and reaping has been pushed aside by many believers The Enemy's Strategy How biblical principles get twisted and weaponized The 1980s prosperity gospel backlash and its lasting impact Two ditches to avoid: manipulation on one side, scarcity mindset on the other Getting Your Heart Right The crucial difference between giving to people versus giving to the Lord How to avoid being manipulated while still embracing biblical generosity Why you can love your church and still have questions The Multiplication Principle From Genesis to today: God's design for abundance The apple seed illustration that proves God's multiplication DNA How one butterfly's wings can literally change the world Why quiet faithfulness often shapes culture more than loud voices What Happens When We Forget Generosity becomes optional instead of formative Fear replaces faith We settle for what we can maintain in our own strength Our expectations of God begin to shrink Quotable Moments: "God doesn't command that we remember something that is trivial." "When you give to the Lord, that's when you can see the harvest. When you are giving to a person, they can't give you a harvest." "It's easy to be a voice... but there are so many people quietly shaping the culture of their nation." "The butterfly can flap its wings here in Tennessee and literally over in Australia there can be a hurricane—that is how God created things." Challenge: Don't let the enemy's twisting of Scripture cause you to forget what God told you to remember. Sowing and reaping isn't just about farming or fundraising—it's about how God designed His entire creation to multiply. Every smile at the coffee shop, every dollar given in faith, every child raised in love has exponential Kingdom impact. The question isn't whether God's multiplication principle is real. The question is: are you partnering with it or have you forgotten it entirely?
Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/ls_6kLhS2rY)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. -
Is our money system actually working against faithful stewardship? In this episode, Bob and Linda tackle a conversation almost no one in the church is having—but one every Christian steward needs to understand. Bob opens with a shocking reality: $100 in 1971 now buys about $12 worth of stuff. Same number. Far less value. So what happened? From there, the conversation zooms out to explore inflation, fiat currency, and why Scripture repeatedly condemns unequal weights and measures. Is our modern money system quietly violating biblical principles—and if so, what should believers do about it? This isn't about fear, conspiracy theories, or predicting the end of the dollar. It's about wisdom, stewardship, and preserving the value of what God has entrusted to us so we can live generously and faithfully over the long term. In this episode, we cover: Why saving money can feel like running on a treadmill What changed in 1971—and why it matters to your everyday life The biblical problem with "unequal weights and measures" (Proverbs & Amos) Why fiat currency quietly erodes purchasing power over time How money worked in the Bible: weight, scarcity, and real value Why Bob views gold as a store of value, not an "investment" How Bitcoin compares to gold (and why Bob separates it from other crypto) The hidden danger of keeping all your savings in cash How volatility differs from slow, invisible loss Why this conversation is ultimately about generosity and kingdom impact Key Scriptures (NLT): Proverbs 11:1 – "The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales…" Proverbs 20:10 – "False weights and unequal measures… are detestable to the Lord." Amos 8:5–6 – God rebukes those who manipulate money for gain Genesis 23:16 – Abraham pays with weighted silver Exodus 30:13 – Money measured by the sanctuary shekel Genesis 2:11–12 – Gold appears early in creation—and God calls it good
Go deeper:
If you want a deeper, step-by-step breakdown of how Bob thinks through gold, Bitcoin, and long-term investing from a Christian perspective, check out the 10x Investing Course mentioned at the end of the episode (https://seedtime.com/10x).
The heart of this episode This isn't about gold or Bitcoin being a "savior." God is our provider—always. But wisdom matters. If money quietly loses value every year, that affects families, retirees, and our ability to give generously. As Bob explains, better stewardship today can mean greater generosity tomorrow. Action step for the week: Take 30 minutes to review where your savings are currently stored. Pray for wisdom (James 1:5), and ask this simple question: "Is all of our money sitting in something that loses value over time?" No pressure to act—just awareness, prayer, and learning. Important note: This episode is for education and biblical reflection—not personalized financial advice. Always pray and seek wise counsel before making financial decisions.Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/euzv8IC40R0)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. -
When money is tight, a budget can feel like punishment. Like proof you messed up… or worse, proof your faith is weak. But what if that's backwards? In this episode, Bob and Linda flip the script and show why a budget isn't evidence of failure—it's evidence of faith in action. Drawing from Scripture, psychology, and real-life stories, they unpack why budgeting is actually a weapon God gives us in seasons of financial pressure. If you've ever thought, "If God would just fix this, why do I need a spreadsheet?"—this conversation is for you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why tight money seasons are normal, not a sign God has forgotten you How financial stress literally reduces your brain's capacity—and why structure matters The overlooked budgeting lesson hidden in 2 Kings 4 (the widow, the oil, and God's plan) Why God's miracles often create margin, but structure makes it meaningful How a budget pushes back against chaos, anxiety, and decision fatigue What Scripture really says about money, worry, and priorities (Matthew 6, Haggai 1, Philippians 4) Why a budget can act as a mirror, revealing where money is leaking How real people saw fast wins—even without making more money Key Scriptures Mentioned (NLT): 2 Kings 4:1–7 – God's miracle + human participation Matthew 6:24–34 – You cannot serve God and money; the cure for anxiety Haggai 1:5–7 – Wages put into purses with holes (misaligned priorities) Philippians 4:11–13 – Learning contentment in plenty and in need Big Idea: A budget isn't about restriction—it's about alignment. It's not a punishment used against you, but a tool placed in your hands. When money is tight, God doesn't just say "have more faith." He often gives a plan. Action Step for This Week: Take inventory. Just like the widow in 2 Kings, start by asking: "What do I actually have?" Write it down. No judgment—just clarity. Helpful Resources Mentioned: Simple Money, Rich Life – The "One Category Budget" (best on-ramp if you've never budgeted) https://seedtime.com/smrl The Real Money Method (UNB budgeting approach) https://seedtime.com/realmoney Visit seedtime.com to learn more. Encouragement If You're Struggling: You're not broken. You're not behind. You're not alone. Tight seasons are part of the training—not proof of failure. And a budget might be one of the most practical acts of worship you can make right now.
Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/VW6BGb25wCk)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. -
Get Your Spirit Back: Breaking Free from the Lies Holding You Back - with Pastor Earl McClellan What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances… but the lies you've believed about yourself? In this powerful, deeply honest conversation, Bob & Linda sit down with Pastor Earl McClellan, lead pastor of Shoreline City Church and author of Get Your Spirit Back, to talk about negative self-talk, fear, calling, identity, and what it really looks like to walk by faith when you're scared. This isn't a hype-up, "just believe harder" episode. It's a grounded, biblical, and deeply human conversation about doing what God's calling you to do even when you don't feel qualified — and learning to see yourself the way God sees you, not the way others have labeled you. If you've ever felt stuck, hesitant, intimidated, or like you're living beneath your potential, this episode is for you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The two powerful questions God asks repeatedly in Scripture — and why they change everything How negative self-talk creates "self-made prisons" (and how to walk out of them) Why Gideon's story resonates so deeply with fear, insecurity, and calling What it means to do the hard thing scared — and why that's often real faith How other people's words (teachers, parents, leaders) quietly shape our identity Why community is essential for spiritual growth — and why "just me and God" isn't enough How to handle criticism, misunderstanding, and being judged for your motives The difference between humility and shrinking back from what God has asked you to do A powerful picture of laying down both criticism and praise before God Key Moments & Themes: "Who told you?" — Identifying the source of the lies you're believing Earl's upbringing with a single mom and how God used unlikely environments to shape his calling The freedom that comes from realizing you cannot control how others perceive you Why tearing down old "altars" from your past is part of stepping into your future The danger of listening to voices that don't have authority in your life Learning to accept God-given responsibility without turning it into pride A Quote You'll Want to Sit With: "The pride isn't stepping forward — the pride is refusing to step into what God has asked you to do." Action Step for This Week: Ask God — honestly and quietly — these two questions: "Where am I really?" "Who told me this about myself?" Then, share what comes up with one trusted, godly person in your life. Don't process it alone. Resources Mentioned: Get Your Spirit Back by Earl McClellan - https://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-Spirit-Back-Self-Talk/dp/0593445643 The story of Gideon (Judges 6–7, NLT) Revelation 4 (the elders laying down their crowns) Final Encouragement: You don't have to feel ready. You don't have to feel confident. You just have to be willing. God isn't asking you to be fearless — He's asking you to be faithful.
Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/Yahvsl-ry0I)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. -
A viral clip claims something shocking: any pastor who gets paid by a church will eventually be corrupted by money. It's a bold accusation — and honestly, harder to dismiss than you might think. In this episode, Bob and Linda watch the clip, slow it down, and wrestle with the real tension underneath the claim. Is the modern church system broken? Does money inevitably compromise spiritual leadership? Or is this another example of painting faithful people with too broad a brush? This conversation isn't defensive or dismissive. It's thoughtful, biblical, and honest — especially for anyone who's experienced church hurt, wrestled with money in ministry, or wondered how pastors are actually supposed to live. In this episode, we discuss: The viral argument that "no pastor escapes being corrupted by church money" Why temptation does not equal sin — for pastors or anyone else How this logic breaks down when applied to everyday work and income Why most pastors are not in ministry for the money (and the real stats behind pastor burnout) The unseen pressures pastors carry — isolation, expectations, and spiritual attack What the Bible actually says about paying those who preach the Gospel Paul's tent-making example — and what it does (and doesn't) prove Why rest, Sabbath, and sabbaticals may be more of the solution than changing pay structures How church hurt can quietly turn into distrust of God if we're not careful What it looks like to give pastors grace without excusing real abuse Key Scriptures referenced (NLT): "The Lord has commanded that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it." — 1 Corinthians 9:14 "Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money." — 1 Timothy 6:17 "You cannot serve both God and money." — Matthew 6:24 A key takeaway: Money creates tension — but tension doesn't automatically lead to corruption. The real danger comes from isolation, burnout, lack of accountability, and forgetting how deeply human our pastors actually are. If you've ever wondered whether the church can handle money faithfully — or whether pastors can be trusted at all — this episode offers a more hopeful, biblically grounded way forward. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who loves the Church but struggles with trust. And if you're a pastor listening: you are not alone, you are not invisible, and you are not wrong for receiving support as you serve God's people.
Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/lXTSQrNK9wE)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. -
What if obedience doesn't lead to the breakthrough you expected? Andy and Serena Ryan did "the right things." They took a biblical money course. They committed to tithing. They tried to steward their finances faithfully. And then everything fell apart. They lost income. Fell behind on rent. Needed food pantries and church assistance. And eventually—after months of praying for a miracle—they packed up their family and moved into an RV in someone else's backyard. This episode isn't a prosperity story. It's a surrender story. In one of the most vulnerable conversations we've ever had on the podcast, Andy and Serena share how their financial collapse became the very thing God used to reshape their hearts, heal their marriage, humble their pride, and prepare them to steward money in a way they never could before. Their turnaround didn't come from a check in the mail. It came when they stopped clinging to how they thought life had to go—and released it to God. In this episode, we talk about: Why radical generosity without clarity can still lead to chaos The hidden danger of "YOLO money" and living paycheck-to-paycheck—even with faith What it feels like to receive help when you've always been the helper The difference between humility and humiliation How to discern God's voice when everyone around you is saying something different Why surrender often comes before provision—not after How living with less brought more joy, peace, and community than they'd ever known What changed when they finally stopped fighting God's plan and trusted His timing Andy and Serena also share how God eventually restored stability—not instantly, not painlessly, but faithfully—and how they're now paying off debt, rebuilding their credit, and stewarding money with a completely new mindset. If you're walking through financial stress, uncertainty, or a season that doesn't look anything like what you prayed for, this conversation will remind you: rock bottom is not the end of your story. "Sometimes the things we look to for hope are the very things we need to release to God." Scripture referenced (NLT): "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones…" — Luke 16:10 "That is why we never give up… our present troubles are small and won't last very long." — 2 Corinthians 4:16–17 This episode is for encouragement and education—not individualized financial advice.
Watch this episode on our SeedTime Money Podcast YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/JIdhLJ68Eoo)!
If you haven't checked out our best-selling book Simple Money, Rich Life (https://seedtime.com/smrl/), we think you'll love it. It was named the 2022 Book of the Year by ICFH and has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, and is best described as "a money book for people who don't read money books."
You can take it for a test drive for FREE at https://SeedTime.com/sample where you can download chapter 1 of the audiobook, grab the 1st 2 chapters of the ebook version, and even get the 5-week book study companion guide. - Show more
