NEWS & UPDATES

Most people think financial planning begins with numbers: income, expenses, investments, retirement age, and tax strategy. Those things matter. But they are not the starting point. For a follower of Christ, the better question is not simply, “Will I have enough?” The better question is, “Am I being faithful with what God has entrusted to me?”

Proverbs 13:22 reminds us that “a good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children.” That inheritance is far more than money. The greatest legacy we can leave is faith in Christ, a biblical worldview, wisdom, character, and a life that points the next generation toward God. But financial stewardship can also be one practical way we help prepare those coming behind us.

I used to enjoy listening to a local sports radio station in the Little Rock area. Lately, however, I can barely get through a segment without hearing a betting line, odds update, or gambling sponsor. It's everywhere — and it's not accidental. Sports betting is now a $160 billion industry, and it's buying influence fast.

Peter Lynch once said, “If you spend 13 minutes a year on economics, you’ve wasted 10 minutes.” That sounds strange until you remember who Peter Lynch is. He wasn’t guessing. He was one of the most successful investors of his generation. His point wasn’t that money doesn’t matter—it was that obsessing over the economy usually doesn’t help.

What if someone were to offer you a life principle that could immediately increase your fulfillment spiritually, financially, and emotionally—really in every area of life? Of course, you’d want to know what it is. The apostle Paul gives us exactly that kind of principle in Philippians when he writes, “I have learned to be content.” He did not say that contentment came automatically with his new nature when he accepted Christ; rather, he said he learned to be content.

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.

Ron Blue once said, “Do your giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where it’s going.” As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s worth remembering that the holiday isn’t just about thanks—it’s also about giving. Gratitude without generosity is incomplete. Recently, I came across a secular financial blog that claimed, “Tithing is a mistake… for some people.”

Ministry doesn’t stop when financial questions arise—but we know those questions can weigh heavily on pastors and churches. At BMA Financial, our goal is simple: to remove financial uncertainty so you can stay focused on what matters most—fulfilling your role for your church by trusting God and stewarding his finances well.

Did you know that BMA Financial offers open architecture investing? First, let’s define the term because we are not talking about...

In retirement planning some decisions are more critical than others.