NEWS & UPDATES

Most of the financial questions we face everyday aren't addressed chapter-and-verse in Scripture. The Bible doesn't tell you whether to lease or buy, how much to put in your 403(b), or whether to pay off debt before building an emergency fund. So how do we make wise financial decisions as followers of Christ?

While reading a recent article by Jim Denison, I was reminded of a timeless question: “How much money is enough?” The answer often reveals more about the human heart than the size of a bank account. It is often said that John D. Rockefeller was once asked how much money was enough, and he replied, “Just a little more.”

While reading a recent blog from Rob West, President of Kingdom Advisors, he shared a story from Ron Blue that I remembered reading years ago. Ron Blue once asked a local pastor in Kenya what most hindered the spread of the gospel. The pastor’s answer surprised him.

Kids are always watching—especially when it comes to money. Every purchase, every act of generosity, every sign of contentment is shaping how they see God’s provision. We’re teaching, whether we mean to or not. Deuteronomy 6 reminds us that discipleship happens in the everyday moments—when we sit, walk, lie down, and rise. That’s where financial discipleship lives too. Not in a lesson, but in a life.

If I have excess funds, should I invest them or pay off my mortgage? Personal finance is just that—personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But I think there is a wise way to think about it—and a biblical way to approach it.

Most of us in ministry don’t spend much time worrying about being sued. We’re focused on serving people, not protecting ourselves from them. But stewardship isn’t just about how we give and invest—it’s also about how we protect what God has entrusted to us. That’s where umbrella insurance comes into play. In an article in Kiplinger Personal Finance, author Ella Vincent outlines several situations where additional liability coverage may be wise.

Clergy face one of the most complicated tax situations of any profession. Ministers are employees for income tax purposes but self-employed for Social Security. Add housing allowances, parsonages, reimbursements, love offerings, weddings, funerals, and guest speaking, and it becomes clear—this is not a job for a general tax preparer.

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.

Financial questions are an unavoidable part of ministry leadership. Pastors and church leaders are often tasked with stewarding resources wisely while staying focused on shepherding people, leading vision, and fulfilling God’s calling. When financial uncertainty enters the picture, it can become a heavy and distracting burden.

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.

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.”

A recent article I read at FaithFi by David Wills addressed the need for us to align our giving with the heart of God. That thought stuck with me—because too often, our giving starts with our desires instead of His direction. Instead of asking, “Where do I want to give?” we should be asking, “Where does God want me to give?” True stewardship begins when God—not our personal preferences—is at the center of every financial decision.

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.

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.

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.

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.