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Faith & Finance

Faith & Finance

Written by: Faith & Finance
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 Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry of FaithFi, hosted by Rob West, CEO of Kingdom Advisors. At FaithFi, we help you integrate your faith and financial decisions for the glory of God. Our vision is that every Christian would see God as their ultimate treasure. Join Rob and expert guests as they give biblical wisdom for your financial journey and provide practical answers to your pressing financial questions. From budgeting and debt management to investing and stewardship, Faith & Finance equips listeners with insights to handle money wisely and live generously for God's Kingdom. Listen now or ask your question live by calling 800-525-7000 each weekday from 10-11 a.m. ET on American Family Radio and 4-5 p.m. ET on Moody Radio. You can learn more at FaithFi.com.Copyright 2023-2025 FaithFi: Faith & Finance Christianity Economics Ministry & Evangelism Personal Finance Spirituality
Episodes
  • How Counterfeit Verses Distort Stewardship with Taylor Standridge

    How Counterfeit Verses Distort Stewardship with Taylor Standridge
    Feb 10 2026
    Counterfeits are dangerous precisely because they look convincing. The same is true of spiritual sayings that sound biblical but quietly distort how we think about God, stewardship, and money.Many believers can quote phrases that feel deeply spiritual—comforting even—but when placed under the light of Scripture, they don’t actually appear there at all. Or worse, they twist what Scripture truly says. These “counterfeit verses” often shape how we view success, risk, provision, and dependence on God without us even realizing it.To explore this issue, we sat down with Taylor Standridge, Production Manager of FaithFi and a regular contributor to Faithful Steward. Taylor is also the lead writer behind Look at the Sparrows and Our Ultimate Treasure. In his recent article, Counterfeit Verses: How to Spot The Sayings That Aren’t in the Bible, Taylor traces this problem all the way back to the beginning.“Did God Really Say?”—The First CounterfeitTaylor begins in Genesis 3, when the serpent approaches Eve with a deceptively subtle question: “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1).This moment is critical because the enemy doesn’t begin with an outright lie. Instead, he distorts what God has said and, in doing so, undermines God’s character. The implication isn’t merely that the command is questionable—but that God Himself may be withholding something good.Once Adam and Eve doubt God’s goodness, disobedience follows naturally.That same pattern persists today. Many modern financial lies—whether cultural narratives or counterfeit verses—aren’t blatant falsehoods. They’re half-truths. They sound wise. They feel spiritual. And because they’re close enough to the truth, they feel safe.Like a ship that veers off course by only one degree, the deviation seems harmless at first. But over time, it leads somewhere very different from what was intended.At the heart of every counterfeit is the same ancient question: Can God really be trusted?Counterfeit verses don’t come with warning labels. They borrow biblical language, appeal to our emotions, and speak to real desires—hope, comfort, identity, and security.Sometimes they even quote Scripture, but rip it out of context.The danger isn’t familiarity with Scripture—it’s fragmented familiarity. When we know verses as slogans rather than as part of God’s larger story, we become vulnerable to subtle distortions. The goal, however, isn’t suspicion or cynicism. It’s discernment—learning to recognize when a truth has been nudged just slightly off course.Studying the Real Thing: A Lesson from Counterfeit CurrencyTaylor uses a powerful illustration from the film Catch Me If You Can. Frank Abagnale Jr. succeeds as a forger not by inventing fake money from scratch, but by studying the real thing in obsessive detail—down to the ink, paper, and watermarks.Ironically, that expertise later makes him invaluable to the FBI.Banks don’t train tellers by showing them every possible fake. They train them by handing them genuine currency until authenticity becomes instinctive.The same is true of Scripture. Discernment doesn’t come from memorizing every error—it comes from knowing God’s Word so deeply that when something sounds “almost right,” you can feel that it isn’t.Common Counterfeit Verses That Shape Our View of Money“Money is the Root of All Evil”This misquote radically reshapes our theology of money. If money itself is evil, then wealth becomes suspicious, and stewardship feels compromising.But Scripture says something far more searching: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10).The issue isn’t possession—it’s devotion. Scripture doesn’t demonize money; it disciples our hearts.“God Helps Those Who Help Themselves”This phrase flips the gospel upside down. It places self-sufficiency at the center and turns God into a backup plan.Biblically, grace always comes first. God meets us in our need, not our strength. Stewardship, then, isn’t self-rescue—it’s dependence. Jesus says it plainly: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).“God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle”This saying sounds comforting, but it places the burden of endurance squarely on our shoulders.Paul tells a different story: “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength… so that we would not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9).God often allows what we cannot handle so that we learn to rely on Him.“Let Go and Let God”This phrase requires nuance. Scripture does call us to trust—but never to passive disengagement.Faith and obedience always move together. Noah builds. Abraham goes. Ruth works. Grace empowers action; it doesn’t replace it. As J. I. Packer once said, the Christian motto isn’t “Let go and let God,” but “Trust God and get going.”Growing in Discernment Without FearDiscernment begins with familiarity. Counterfeits thrive when ...
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    25 mins
  • Money In Marriage: It’s a Matter of Value with Shaunti Feldhahn

    Money In Marriage: It’s a Matter of Value with Shaunti Feldhahn
    Feb 9 2026
    What would you call a marriage where spouses see “eye to eye” about money? Some might call it bliss.It’s true that most couples at least occasionally quarrel about their finances. But could a better understanding of each other’s values help spouses avoid that bickering? Shaunti Feldhahn thinks so, and she joins us today to talk about it.Shaunti Feldhahn is a Harvard graduate, former Wall Street analyst, social researcher, best-selling author, and a prominent public speaker. She is the co-author of Thriving in Love and Money: 5 Game-Changing Insights about Your Relationship, Your Money, and Yourself, written with her husband, Jeff, and has co-authored several other books with him, revealing impactful truths about relationships at home and in the workplace.A Lesson Learned Over DinnerShaunti and her husband, Jeff, learned this lesson early in their marriage. Living in New York, they often ate out due to their demanding schedules. However, a seemingly small issue—ordering a Diet Coke—would trigger recurring arguments. Jeff, concerned about their financial future and mounting student loan debt, saw the expense as unnecessary, while Shaunti viewed it as a simple enjoyment that enhanced her meal.It wasn't until years later, during their research for their book Thriving in Love & Money, that they realized their conflict stemmed from differing values. Jeff prioritized financial security, while Shaunti valued the experience and enjoyment of a meal. Once they uncovered this, they could communicate more effectively and honor each other's perspectives.The Root of Money Conflicts in MarriageFinancial disagreements often arise because couples fail to recognize and respect each other's values. In Shaunti and Jeff’s national study, they found that:67% of couples in financial conflicts believe their perspective is the logical one.Couples often perceive their spouse’s spending habits as irrational simply because they prioritize different things.For example, one spouse might see value in spending money on a gym membership for networking and health benefits, while the other might believe household essentials from Costco are a better use of resources. The key takeaway? Neither perspective is wrong—both are rooted in deeply held values.The Power of CommunicationThe solution to money conflicts isn’t just budgeting or financial planning; it’s communication. It’s crucial that couples discuss not just what they want to spend money on, but why it matters to them.By having open and honest conversations about financial priorities, couples can:Build mutual understanding and trust.Find compromises that respect both perspectives.Create a financial plan that aligns with their shared goals and values.While couples can work through these issues on their own, it can be very beneficial to seek guidance from financial advisors—especially those with a biblical perspective. Kingdom Advisors, for example, are trained to address not just the numbers, but the relational and spiritual aspects of money management.Advisors can help couples navigate tough conversations, align their financial goals with their values, and ultimately steward their resources in a way that honors God and strengthens their marriage.At the heart of every financial decision in marriage lies an opportunity to foster unity rather than division. God cares just as much about the marriage as He does about the finances. By understanding and honoring each other’s values, couples can turn money from a source of conflict into an instrument of peace and purpose.————————————————————————————————Shaunti Feldhahn’s full article, “Money in Marriage: It’s a Matter of Value,” appears in the 1st issue of Faithful Steward magazine. When you become a FaithFi Partner with a monthly gift of $35 (or $400 annually), you’ll receive Faithful Steward magazine and other exclusive resources to help you grow as a faithful steward. Visit FaithFi.com/Partner to learn more.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My husband and I sold a property, paid off all our debt except our mortgage, and I’m rebuilding my savings after a $14,000 home project. Once my savings are fully restored, should I start investing? And if so, should I invest all of it or just a portion? I’d be looking at about $112,000, but I’m cautious and not experienced with investing.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Thriving in Love and Money: 5 Game-Changing Insights about Your Relationship, Your Money, and Yourself by Shaunti and Jeff FeldhahnOur Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful StewardshipWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in ...
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    25 mins
  • How to Choose a Trustworthy Tax Preparer This Season

    How to Choose a Trustworthy Tax Preparer This Season
    Feb 6 2026
    The holidays are behind us; you know what that means—it’s tax season! But before you start gathering your W-2s and receipts, there’s an important question: Do you know who will prepare your taxes this year?With a nationwide shortage of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and tax professionals, waiting too long to find a preparer could leave you scrambling—and vulnerable to scams. Here’s how to protect yourself and find a trusted tax preparer.Who Can Prepare Your Taxes?When hiring a tax professional, your preparer will likely fall into one of three categories:Certified Public Accountant (CPA): These professionals undergo rigorous education, exams, and licensing requirements. Many specialize in tax preparation and can also provide broader financial guidance.Enrolled Agent (EA): Licensed by the IRS, EAs are tax experts who can prepare and file returns, represent clients before the IRS, and provide tax planning services.Tax Attorney: These legal professionals specialize in tax law and are particularly useful for complex tax situations, audits, or disputes.Each of these professionals is highly qualified—but the problem is there aren’t enough of them.There is a growing shortage of CPAs and tax professionals, largely due to fewer young people entering the field. One of the major "Big Four" firms, KPMG, continues to offer high school students internships at $22 an hour to encourage them to become CPAs.What does this mean for you?Longer wait times to book a tax preparerHigher fees due to increased demandGreater risk of falling into the hands of fraudulent preparersWhen people are desperate to file their returns, they can become easy targets for scammers who fake credentials or engage in tax fraud.How to Avoid Tax Scams and Find a Qualified PreparerTo protect yourself, follow these IRS-recommended steps when choosing a tax preparer:1. Choose a Year-Round Tax PreparerA reputable preparer should be available year-round. You don’t want your tax preparer to disappear if you get audited.2. Verify Their IRS CredentialsAsk for the IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid tax return preparers must register with the IRS and enter their PTIN on every return they file.Check their status using the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers at IRS.gov.3. Look for Professional CredentialsAsk if the preparer holds a credential such as:CPA (Check with the State Board of Accountancy)Enrolled Agent (Verify at IRS.gov under "Verify Enrolled Agent Status")Tax Attorney (Confirm with their State Bar Association)Additionally, inquire about continuing education, as tax laws change frequently; professionals should stay current.4. Be Cautious About FeesBeware of tax preparers who:Charge fees based on a percentage of your refundClaim they can get you a larger refund than competitorsA legitimate preparer should charge a flat or hourly rate based on the complexity of your return.5. Verify IRS E-File CapabilityMost tax preparers handling more than 10 clients must file electronically. If your preparer refuses to e-file, that’s a red flag.6. Ensure Proper DocumentationA trustworthy tax preparer will ask for the following:Your W-2 and 1099 forms (not just a pay stub)Records of deductions and creditsIf a preparer doesn’t ask for supporting documents, walk away. The IRS requires proper documentation to verify your return.7. Understand Representation RulesOnly CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax attorneys can represent you before the IRS if you're audited. Non-credentialed tax preparers—including your math-savvy cousin Bill—cannot represent you in an audit.8. Never Sign a Blank or Incomplete Tax ReturnPlease review your return carefully before signing. Ensure all information is accurate, and ask questions if anything appears incorrect.9. Your Refund Should Go to You—Not the PreparerCheck the routing and account number on your tax return to ensure your refund is deposited into your own account, not your preparer’s.Looking for a Faith-Based Financial Professional?If you want to work with a tax professional who aligns with biblical financial principles, consider finding a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or tax attorney with the Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®) designation. To find a trusted, faith-based tax professional, visit FindaCKA.com. With tax season here, choosing a reputable, qualified tax preparer is more important than ever. Don’t wait until the last minute—start your search today to avoid scams and ensure your taxes are filed accurately and ethically.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have long-term care insurance and want to know if it covers assisted living, and for how long. Also, how expensive are these policies—what’s the range?I’m 45 and looking to buy a house with a 30-year mortgage. Is that a wise move since I’d be nearing retirement by the time it’s paid off?I’m remodeling our bathroom for my husband, who has Parkinson’s, and it will cost about $25,000–$30,000...
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    25 mins
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