NEWS & UPDATES

Jesus once asked a simple, almost practical question: “Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” (Luke 14:28). Before you build anything that matters, you stop and think about where it’s headed.

The greatest thing we can give our children is not money, opportunity, or even security. It is a clear understanding that Jesus Christ is their only hope—and that a life lived apart from Him, no matter how successful it may appear, is ultimately a wasted life.

With Christmas fast approaching, our attention often goes to a manger scene. But the real focus isn’t the manger—it’s the Savior lying in it.

As we enter the Advent season, I’m reminded of something simple but convicting--the greatest investment ever made wasn’t financial. It was God giving His only begotten Son. There’s no comparison. And when we consider that truth, it forces us to look at our own priorities a little differently.

At Round Prairie Baptist Church in Fairfield, Texas, Pastor Chris George knew he needed a better plan to provide long-term financial confidence for his family and ministry future. Like many pastors, he felt the pressure of planning ahead without the right guidance. That changed when he connected with BMA Financial.

There’s a false idea floating around that pastors are supposed to have it all together—especially when it comes to money. The truth is, many don’t. In fact, Amberlee Rich points out that nearly 40% of pastors face financial stress, and many are quietly struggling to meet basic needs. After coaching dozens of pastors, she’s identified six key principles that make a real difference.

As a participant in the BMA of America Retirement Plan, you know that a good retirement strategy is not just one-dimensional. It takes multiple streams of income working together—Social Security and your retirement plan investments—to provide both security and flexibility. This combination helps build what we call your Future Funded Ministry, allowing you to minister with or without compensation in your golden years.

When it comes to money, the best financial advice book you’ll ever find is the Bible. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” That’s God’s way of saying wealth isn’t built by chasing "get-rich-quick-schemes" but by steady, faithful stewardship over time.

If you’re retired—or even preparing for retirement—you’ve likely asked yourself a tough question: What happens if the market drops right when I need income? The last thing anyone wants is to be forced into selling stocks at a loss just to cover everyday expenses. That’s where a practical approach called the bucket strategy can help.

I've recently come to realize that there’s a subtle but critical difference between what’s real and what’s true. I know it sounds like a paradox—at least it did to me—but consider the following.

Jesus gave us clear guidance in Matthew 6:19–21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That’s not just spiritual poetry—it’s a clarion call to eternal investment.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 says, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Solomon—a man blessed with unmatched wisdom and wealth—saw firsthand that even the best of what the world offers falls short without God.

When it comes to financial stewardship, especially as pastors and ministry leaders, we need to fix our eyes on the finish line as well—not retirement, but readiness. Not escape, but effectiveness.

Pastors, missionaries, and ministers in the BMA: if you own two homes—say, one where you currently live and another you haven’t yet sold—you might be wondering if your housing allowance can legally apply to both. 

A recent FaithFi podcast featuring Matt Bell of Sound Mind Investing brought a powerful reminder: a small delay in retirement could make a big difference in your long-term financial security.

My fitness coach, Alex Van Houten, drilled a simple but powerful truth into me: “Consistency beats volume beats intensity.” At first, it hit me in the context of workouts and training. But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized: this same principle applies across the board—to fitness, finance, and faith.

Procrastination doesn’t just steal time—it can also steal God-given opportunity. When it comes to investing, delaying can have a lasting impact not only on your personal finances, but on your ability to steward resources for kingdom impact.

Let’s be clear—a church budget is not about crunching numbers; it’s about carrying out the mission. Money should never lead the ministry. Ministry must drive the money. If we get that backwards, we’re managing a balance sheet, not stewarding God's resources.

In weeks like this, when the markets are sliding and headlines are filled with uncertainty, it’s easy for anxiety to creep in.

Happiness is something most everyone longs for. Yet, this emotion can be elusive if we are not proactive in our approach to life.