NEWS & UPDATES

When it comes to money, Jesus poses a poignant question in His Sermon on the Mount. He asks what we truly treasure? Then he adds, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The direction of our money often reveals the condition of our heart more clearly than our words ever could.

Retirement planning can sometimes feel overwhelming. We may think meaningful progress requires a large contribution or a painful reduction in our current lifestyle. But one of the most effective approaches is also one of the simplest: increase your retirement contribution by just 1% each year—or each time you receive a raise.

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?”

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.”

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.

In my role I’m often asked, “When should I start Social Security?” It’s a fair question. This decision affects your income for the rest of your life, so it deserves careful thought. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us that good planning matters, and deciding when to start Social Security is one of those moments. Let's consider some of the factors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Planning for your future funded ministry can be hard. But here are some easy steps that will help

Rob West of FaithFi shares the following: Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, especially when the future seems uncertain.

Strengths can become weaknesses if we are not filtering our decisions through the Word of God.