Episódios
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Barry and Linda Rowan, a corporate executive and a CPA, were both raised in environments that emphasized faith, family, and the pursuit of financial success. By their late 20s, they had each established successful careers; however, they found themselves in a crisis as they sought meaning in their work. In their quest for purpose, they were brought to a position of total spiritual surrender. Through a series of paradigm shifts, they learned from God how to integrate their faith, generosity, and professions, ultimately creating a harmonious blend of work and spirituality.
Barry has served as CEO and CFO of eight major companies over his career and sees business as an expression of faith when walking in step with God. Together Barry and Linda set a finish line early in their marriage which has guided their generosity since, and they are passionate about raising up the next generation of givers and Christ-following leaders to view all that they are, all that they do, and all they have to give as belonging fully to God.
Major topics include:
Discovering what purpose and calling looked like in their faith journeysDeveloping a biblical view of money and stewardship in their early 20sViewing money as a gift to be shared, not a goal to be achievedAmazing stories about seeing God triumph greatly through failureInvesting in spiritual disciplinesPowerful insights on prayerWhat businesses and ministries can learn from each otherHow to pass leadership and generosity on to the next generationQUOTES TO REMEMBER“I was trying to derive meaning from the work instead of bringing meaning to the work. It’s really God’s perspective of the work that infuses our work with meaning.” – Barry“If we haven’t figured out how much is enough, we are by default lovers of money.” – Barry “We stay in prayer until God unites our hearts in decisions.” – Linda“We’ve never made a major financial decision or contribution without coming to a consensus. And the process of talking through it is often as valuable as the end decision.” – Barry“Prayer is an anchor.” – Linda“If we give God the time to speak to us, then He will meet us right where we are. God is the Great I Am, and I must meet Him just as I am.” – Barry“We are made for the benefit of others.” – Barry“Nothing is wasted in God’s hands when we offer it with open palms.” – Linda“God is inviting us to live an integrated life under Him, and as we do, our work is not something that stands in the way of faith, but rather an expression of faith.” – Barry“It starts with surrender.” – Barry“At this stage in our lives, we have nothing to prove, we have nothing to fear, and we view our lives as an act of total generosity.” – BarryLINKS FROM THE SHOWGod and Money (see our interviews with coauthors Greg Baumer and John Cortines)The Spiritual Art of Business by Barry RowanWorld VisionThe Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWColossians 1:27 | The Hope of Glory
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 | The Love of Money
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:19 | The Gift of Enjoying Wealth
Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.
Luke 12:48b | An Expected Return
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.
Luke 14:33 | Full Surrender
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Jeremiah 29:11 | Plans for Your Good
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Mark 10:18 | Only the Father Is Good
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Galatians 2:10 | Remember the Poor
Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Acts 28:31 | Teaching with Boldness
[Paul lived] proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
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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Dawn Hynes Esposito—entrepreneur, business owner, and author—always aspired to become a corporate executive, and her journey seemed to be right on track as she climbed the ranks within a Fortune 500 company. Yet, despite reaching the heights of her career dreams, Dawn realized she was missing a deeper sense of fulfillment. That’s when God captured her attention.
In a profound moment of transformation, Dawn fully rededicated her life to Christ, embracing the gospel with a renewed passion and a heart for bold witness. Since that time, she has devoted her time, talents, and resources to spreading the gospel as widely as possible, witnessing God’s powerful work in the lives of others. Dawn brings valuable insights into integrating faith and profession, offering inspiration on being creatively generous with all that God has abundantly provided.
Major topics include:
Dawn’s inspiring journey into a life of full surrender to GodGrowing in boldness with evangelismGenerosity as a form of worshipFollowing the Spirit into starting her businesses to build the KingdomHow she and her husband hear from the Holy Spirit to make decisionsDawn’s faith journey in writing her bookLeveraging your profession to build the Kingdom of GodQUOTES TO REMEMBER“Evangelism is like building a muscle. The more you do it, the more comfortable you become speaking about faith with co-workers and friends. And then you start to get a supernatural boldness.”“Financial generosity is a natural outgrowth of understanding how Christ freely gave all. And there’s nothing we can give in return except our lives, our heart, our talents, and our treasure. It’s really just a form of worshiping the King.”“Whatever we give, God gives back to us in multiples.”“The Lord prompts us to do things that don’t make sense to the natural mind, and as we submit to Him and follow His leading even though we don’t know where He’s going, He just blows our mind with the outcome.”“Our’s is to act obediently; His is the outcome and the results.”“Through our minute generosity, God has demonstrated His great generosity in blessing us so that we can be a greater blessing.”LINKS FROM THE SHOWGod of My Every Day by Dawn Hynes EspositoCampus Crusade (Cru)The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWZechariah 4:6 | By My Spirit
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Isaiah 58:10-11 | God Is Generous with Those Who Are Generous
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
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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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.
Micheline’s 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 doesn’t 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 ministryMicheline’s vision for growth in Bridges to BurkinaQUOTES TO REMEMBER“I’d rather take a risk and obey God than stay put and try to protect myself.”“I don’t 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.”“Everything we do has to be led by love. Then God will open the door for things to happen.”“I don’t want to do what I want to do, I want to do what you want me to do.”LINKS FROM THE SHOWBridges to Burkina The Finish Line Community Facebook GroupThe Finish Line Community LinkedIn GroupBIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOWThe Book of Esther
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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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 Well—a network of faith-driven, generous women. This supportive circle helped her reignite her sense of purpose in giving, as she uncovered God’s 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 father’s 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 REMEMBER“God does not ask us to give of ourselves until He fills us to overflowing with what He’s asking us to give.”“I 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.”“I’m now on fire with joy! It’s truly an overflow rather than trying to scrap for a little energy to be generous.”“So 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 you’re supposed to be so you can truly be the hands and feet He’s created you to be.”“I pray everyday, ‘Compel me or constrain me according to Your will.’”“I don’t need to be any bigger than the influence He’s put right before me.”LINKS 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
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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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Bruce Hildenbrand, raised as a pastor’s 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:
Bruce’s supernatural encounter in the middle of a business lectureThe necessity of a relationship with the Father as a businesspersonGod’s 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 REMEMBER“You can’t do anything if you don’t have a relationship with the Father.”“If you are going to exercise spiritual gifts, you need God’s protection because you will be under spiritual attack.”“God, don’t prosper my bank account before You prosper my soul.”“God wants all the credit. He wants you to say, ‘God, You get all the credit for everything I do.’”“Riches are not the divine approval for your life.”“You can fool man, but you can’t fool God.”“Don’t violate God’s principles and expect Him to prosper your business.”“A relationship with God must be consistent, persistent, and tenacious.”“God’s first definition of a generous giver was a poor widow.”“It’s not about how much we give, it’s about our heart condition.”“Write the check and get out of the way. Let the Holy Spirit to His work.”“As a businessman, if you really understood the Bible and you really understood where you’re going to end up forever, you would be plowing every dime that you have into your eternal account.”LINKS 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, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 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: “I 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 man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
Proverbs 23:4 | Don’t 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
“Do 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 Widow’s 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 “second conversion” into biblical stewardship, understanding the principles of managing God’s 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 REMEMBER“Whose money are you fundraising? Isn’t it all God’s money?”“It’s not just about money. It’s about the heart.” “Giving is a barometer for our spiritual condition, and money is a great way to test if we are fully surrendered to God.”“Fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, a prayer, or going on a mission because you’re helping people understand who they are and how to relate with the resources that God has entrusted to them.”“My 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.”“Business is the new ‘Roman Road’ for the Gospel because we’re in the marketplace more than we’re in the church on Sunday.”“The 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.”“If 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.”LINKS 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 L’Oreal. 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 REMEMBER“If 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.”“What might God have for me beyond climbing the corporate ladder?”“Understanding biblical stewardship and generosity has given me a shift in mindset and values where success no longer looks like more.”“The more we surrender, the more we see the goodness and the faithfulness of God, and that allows us to then take more risks.”“We think of generosity as partnering with God to serve His Kingdom and make an outward impact.”“I don’t really view myself as a generous person. That feels like an achievement or a trophy. I just feel like I’m learning the boundaries God has for me, and I’m learning to listen and trust in Him more.”LINKS 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 won’t 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: “What God needs is people who are available to love others.”Bruce: “Our generosity started with our money, but as we began to understand what God was calling us to more and more, we understood that it wasn’t just our money. It was our time, it was our life. It wasn’t only what we gave away, but what we did with what God allowed us to hold on to.”Bruce: “Unity isn’t compromise, it’s finding what God wants for us.”Bruce: “It’s 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 God’s plan.”Sue: “Why say ‘no?’ That’s kind of our philosophy. We tend to say ‘yes,’ very seldom say ‘no,’ as long as we feel it’s a good investment in the Kingdom.Bruce: “We would much rather give our money away than spend it.”Sue: “Pick your lifestyle before you make any money.”Bruce: “Pray about your lifestyle. And whatever lifestyle God calls you to, you don’t change it because you get a raise. You change it when God tells you to.”LINKS 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 God’s 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 won’t 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 accountabilityChristopher’s vision for scaling to reach more people faster in the next five yearsQUOTES TO REMEMBER“I had no idea that at the age of 56, I would think more about fishing for men than fishing for fish.”“The water in my toilet bowl is cleaner than 785 million people have access to around the world.”“Our focal points are Jesus, water, and discipleship. We don’t do anything else.”LINKS 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 won’t 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 REMEMBER“The God of the universe is glorified when you and I are functioning at our best.”“God created us to be generous because He is generous.”“To be truly generous, you have to know God well.”“Business people can be used for more in the Kingdom of God than just giving money away.”“The currency of the kingdom of God is relationships.”“The right way to handle risk starts with ‘OK, God. What I have is yours. How would you lead us to steward this for your glory and the good of your people?’ And then go from there.”LINKS 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 Disciples’ Feet
Isaiah 30:21 | Step-By-Step Obedience
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” 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 REMEMBER“I didn’t love economics, but I studied economics because I thought I could earn more money with an economics degree and give more money away.”“Effective Altruism is this idea: Use evidence and reason to find the best ways to do good, and then to take action on the basis.”“I want to love those God loves and I think God loves everyone, and when we’re more effective, we can help more people made in God’s image.”“Outcomes matter, good intentions aren’t enough.”“Jesus cares about the body and the soul. And we should too.”“I think we have really good reasons for thinking that a dollar goes a lot further globally. And if people gathering in Jesus’ 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.”“All problems can be categorized by Importance, tractability, and neglectedness.”“If we want our charity to make a real impact in the real world, we need to be giving in ways that create a world that’s better than it otherwise would have been, that bring the kingdom of God into this world where otherwise it might have been broken.”“Let’s make it a new normal in the Church to give radically and effectively.”LINKS 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 God’s 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 people’s storiesQUOTES TO REMEMBERBill: “The more you understand the nature of the Gospel and its implications for your life, the more you get the implications of generosity.”Dana: “Once we set a finish line, I entered into an abundance mindset.”Dana: “Now that we’ve reached our finish line, it makes our work that much more joyful. Now it’s like why would we ever want to retire? We want to keep generating this amount so that we can give.”Bill: “It’s so fun to help change the world with your money!”Dana: “You have your Holy Spirit radar up for needs that you couldn’t possibly anticipate, but you know you have to cash to give to that when it comes.”Dana: “We can’t meet every need around us, but there are certain needs that have our name on it. And when our name’s on it and then God provides, there’s such a joy with that.”Bill: “Most of the time, you possibility for world change is greater with for-profits, especially in poverty alleviation.”Dana: “I believe that God made us all in His image to be creators. We’re either builders or backers, founders or funders. So if we’re all doing what God calls us to, the success of it isn’t so much on us. It’s the faithfulness that’s important.”Dana: “It’s to God’s glory that He’s transforming us from selfish, self-absorbed individuals into more of the Family likeness which is more and more generous.”Bill: “What do we have to boast about? We’re only giving what we’ve already been given.”Dana: “Sacrificial giving can actually become very joyful over time because it has become part of your DNA as God is transforming you, and then it doesn’t feel sacrificial anymore. His burden becomes light, but only over time.”Dana: “One person’s generosity doesn’t have to look like another person’s.”LINKS 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 “donors with doers” tackling some of the world’s 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 God’s 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 backgroundBill’s 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 REMEMBER“We wanted to write the last check to reach the last missionary group to take the gospel to the last unreached people group.”“Generosity was just a part of the conversation.”“Family is meant to be a multi-generational endeavor.”“Family generosity is the easiest way to live our vision, mission, and values.”“Sometimes I equate this finish line idea with ‘who’s the owner, you or God?”“The number one thing that changed people’s generosity, typically, is when they understood the generosity of God along with the idea that God was the owner and they were not.”“If you don’t teach generational values, you get generational drift. ”“The biggest wealth transfer issue is to not transfer wealth consumption, but to transfer wealth creation.”LINKS FROM THE SHOWThe Signatry (see our interview with CEO, Steve French)Bill High’s 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, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
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:
Mark’s 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 “Flip the Blessing”QUOTES TO REMEMBER“We make a few major decisions and we spend the rest of our life managing those decisions.”“In our hearts, we plan our course, but God orders our footsteps.”“If you do little things like they’re big things, God will do big things like they’re little things.”“I’m a big fan of long obedience in the same direction.”“If you stay humble and stay hungry, there is nothing God can’t do in and through you.”“If you aren’t faithful with the little things, you won’t be faithful with the big things.”“God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He owns the hills, so we have this mindset that It’s all from God and it’s all for God.”“Every business is owned by somebody who has a worldview or a faith matrix of some sort. So for us, we’re going to allow our faith to inform how we show hospitality, how we create a business model.”“As long as we’re caring for the poor and giving to missions, I’m never worried about our bottom line. If you’re doing what is near and dear to the heart of God, I think God’s got your back.”“We’re going to inch our way to greater and greater levels of generosity.”“It’s 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 that’s generous. And I think the Lord has a way of honoring that.”“God doesn’t raise our income to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.”“Your generosity is someone else’s miracle.”“Flip the blessing.”LINKS FROM THE SHOWMark Batterson’s 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 WE’LL COVER
Jim Rasmussen was raised as a pastor’s 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 you’re called to do with your resourcesDeciding how much is enoughTools and framework to develop a written generosity planQUOTES TO REMEMBER“I’m 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 God’s given me.”“If you look around, all the people that have joy are generous.”“How do I remove the obstacles to my generosity? If I can remove those, then I can be generous and experience more joy.”“The company is about, ‘We grow wealth to empower purposeful living and giving.’ What’s better than that?”“What 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.”“Don’t 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, it’s ok to give up a little bit of the financial stewardship to improve your personhood of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual stability.”“Our goal is for 80% of our clients to have a written generosity plan.”“I’m now working to give, not working to live.”LINKS 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, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
1 Peter 4:10 | Stewarding God’s Gifts
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s 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 they’ve 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 “spiritual templating,” implementing what they’ve 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 God’s up to something that we didn’t even notice. We had no idea. It really humbled me and helped me to understand that even though it’s 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 don’t ever say for myself or for anybody else, “this is how generosity has to be expressed,” or “this way is how God intends it.” There is too much range of expression that God gives us for anybody to say “it has to be this way.”
Cody: I’ve learned that giving is a lot of fun and it’s a relational thing. As a financial planner and as someone who was not giving or living generously, it seemed like a transactional thing. But I’m starting to understand that it’s far more complex than that and far mor joy-creating for everyone involved.
Cody: I’m 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, there’s nothing better and it’s 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. We’ve 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 “How Much Money Do I Really Need?” (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 didn’t 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. Jimmy’s 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 REMEMBER“When you deal with money and possessions, you deal with everything in your heart.”
“You asked me to show you that I’m real, and I have come.”
“The moving of God is just the normal outworking of a surrender to Jesus.”
“My commitment was that if anybody asks for anything, give it.”
“Until you feel, taste, and touch the power of the gospel in peoples’ lives, giving is too distant of an experience.”
“When we live obedient lives of sacrifice, whether that’s with our finances or going ourselves, it produces this incredible authority to see people find hope and help that they so desperately long for.”
“I don’t 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 He’s given me and do that with all me heart.”
“I may not be as gifted as someone else, but I will do anything He says anytime, anywhere.”
“Learning to hear the voice of God is learning to trust the heart and person of God. It’s really about trust in the end.”
“From years of meditating on who the Holy Spirit is in my life, and God the Father and the centrality of the beauty of Jesus, I’ve learned to take risks with confidence.”
“The promptings of God are best learned through action.”
“You are already right with God through the blood of Jesus alone. You can’t earn anything in your standing with God by anything you do. You’re good with God by the grace of God.”
“We’re not looking to outdo our neighbor in our giving, we’re learning to build our relationship with God.”
“When we open up everything of our resources to God, intimacy with Him is His end goal, not provision.”
“It’s not a percentage, it’s a personal relationship with God.”
“If you preach a surrendered message and then you live it out, it creates a catalyst for others. If you give, they’ll give.”
“God will constantly challenge me when I have little to see if I’m still in the game.”
“Follow the money. If you give to something, get involved in what you give to.”
“You’ll only stay in a posture of generosity as long as it’s connected to people’s lives being transformed in a way that you can touch.”
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.”
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 don’t 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 “boots on the ground.”
Major Topics Include:
Paul’s family and faith background which laid the groundwork for what he does nowThe background of TrustBridge GlobalHow they choose partners in various countriesPaul’s view of how generosity is expressed uniquely in different culturesHow TrustBridge has helped facilitate interconnectedness between Believers across the globeQUOTES TO REMEMBER“I didn’t realize that, ‘how can I help,’ was the very first question in a concept called ‘servant leadership.’ And I became a student of leadership; for my entire life, I’ve been a student of leadership.”
“We’re trying to mobilize the resources in the hands of Christians.”
“Culturally, we are all very different. But we all have this one core value of our faith and what we’re called to do. We’re called to be generous with everything that we have and everything we are.”
“There are many countries that have no tax benefits, yet they are still generous.”
“When 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.”
“If you want the best return on your investment, you can do that by giving directly to a charity overseas.”
“We look for a way to say ‘yes.’”
“Generosity to me is not just about money, it’s about time.”
“When you’re working in a Kingdom business and you know that God is behind what you’re doing and you watch it grow and give all glory to Him, it’s such a joy to watch it all happen.”
“Whatever gifts or skills God has given you, take them and use them to serve others.”
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 | God’s 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 “Whole Heart Finances.” 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 won’t want to miss the stories, helpful tools, and frameworks he had to share.
Major topics include:
Shane’s 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 REMEMBER“I 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.” “I always love to find truth, and it’s a fascinating exercise to look at stock valuation, which is so subjective, and see if you can find any objective truths to align to.” “If you give with a little, you’ll give with a lot. If you save with a little, you’ll save with a lot.” “The more I gave, the more I realized the centrality of giving in all money and financial behavior and how it unleashes God’s glory in a way that no other financial behavior does.” “How can I think about saving, investing, and spending in ways that help facilitate giving?” “I 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 we’re in Christ. Then we become a resource in God’s household that gets sent out in an economy of salvation towards the world.” “As a steward, our main goal is to shine a light on our financial behavior on a regular basis.” “The longer you go without giving, the harder it is to give.”LINKS 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 everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see 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 “why” 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 – “I feel like God gives us the desires of our heart, He just wants us to surrender to Him.”
Pat – “Everything we have comes from the hand of God.”
Pat – “God owns everything. So how do we steward our time, talent, and treasure?”
Janel – “Just get started on that first step in generosity.”
Janel – “What we’ve been given we are responsible to give back.”
Pat – “We’re just trying to figure out how to follow Christ in the best way we know how.”
Janel – “Our responsibility is to ask, ‘How is Christ honored through that organization?’”
Janel – “It may be in our county, or it may be across the world. Nothing’s off the table.”
Pat – “God has knit our hearts together in the area of generosity.”
Janel – “How do we take what God has given us and make an impact in our community as well?”
Pat – “We look at our business as a giving engine to do good.”
Pat – “You have to know your ‘why.’”
Janel – “Not all of us are called to go into Africa, but we are all called to give what we’ve been given.”
Pat – “We don’t want to transfer wealth without wisdom to the next generation.”
Janel – “As a giving engine, how do we support organizations that are trying to make a difference in the community?”
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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