NEWS & UPDATES

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.

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.

As storm season approaches, we’re reminded that water and flood damage is one of the costliest things that can happen inside a building.

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.

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.

Someone once noted that the most sensitive nerve in the human body is the one to the pocketbook! We must be a good steward of God's money.

While the analogy Jesus used is not the main impetus to the teaching, "counting the costs" is a necessary part of stewarding God's assets.

If you fall under the RMD mandate, you may wish to make a QCD from your IRA. Read more to learn what all this means.

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

The world of personal finance is vast and can be overwhelming. So, who can you trust? We can help!