Second Half Stewardship

Hosted by Second Half Stewardship

Investing Religion Spirituality Christianity

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Episodes

104

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

At Second Half Stewardship, we are Christians who believe that God Owns it All. Therefore, we are called to be good stewards of every good gift from God, including our time, money, relationships, and everything else. Join us as we explore how to be generous stewards of God's gracious gifts!

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September 1, 2026Episode 10522 min

Ep. 105 - Christian Investing: How to Influence the Companies You Own

Christian investors have more options than simply owning a company or avoiding it altogether. As shareholders, investors have a voice—and an opportunity to influence how companies operate. In this episode, we explore what active ownership looks like from a biblical perspective, including proxy voting, shareholder resolutions, direct engagement, and investing through fund managers who actively advocate for change. We'll also discuss how Christians can think beyond financial returns and consider the impact their investments can have on businesses, communities, and human flourishing. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-105-investment-influence Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 0:00 – How Christian Investors Can Influence Companies 1:11 – A Biblical View of Shareholder Engagement 4:37 – Avoiding Darkness While Still Having Influence 6:41 – How Proxy Voting Works 10:04 – Engaging Companies Through Investment Funds 12:14 – Using Collective Influence to Drive Change 13:59 – What Can an Individual Investor Do? 16:09 – The Tradeoffs of More Active Engagement 18:26 – How Fund Alignment and Unity Can Lead to Change 20:59 – How Individual Action Can Spark a Movement #ChristianInvesting #BiblicalInvesting #ChristianStewardship #FaithBasedInvesting #BiblicallyResponsibleInvesting Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

August 18, 2026Episode 10422 min

Ep. 104 - How Do I Avoid Profiting from Ill-Gotten Gain?

If God owns everything and we are simply stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us, should we care what our investments are supporting? In this episode, we continue our discussion on biblically responsible investing by exploring what it means to avoid profiting from ill-gotten gain. We'll examine the biblical principles behind faithful stewardship and discuss practical ways Christians can thoughtfully evaluate the companies and industries they own through their investment portfolios. In this episode, you'll learn: • What the Bible teaches about ill-gotten gain. • Why Christians should care about what they support. • Common categories many faith-driven investors choose to screen out. • How investment screening works. • Why biblically responsible investing is about pursuing faithfulness. No portfolio will ever be perfect. But every Christian can seek to be intentional about stewarding God's resources in a way that aligns with biblical convictions. This conversation offers practical guidance to help you think through those decisions with wisdom and discernment. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-104-corrupted-profits Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 – Could Your Investments Be Funding Sin? 00:30 – Why Christians Should Care What They Own 02:20 – What Is Ill-Gotten Gain? 03:49 – What Should Christians Screen Out? 04:33 – Addiction Industries: Tobacco, Gambling & Alcohol 07:38 – Exploitation, Injustice & Human Dignity 10:23 – Life, Family & Other Difficult Screening Decisions 12:19 – How Investment Screening Actually Works 17:02 – The Benefits of Direct Indexing & SMAs 19:07 – Faithfulness Over Perfection Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

August 4, 2026Episode 10326 min

Ep. 103 - Investing Is Never Neutral: A Christian's Guide to Stocks & Bonds

Every investment is more than a financial decision—it's a stewardship decision. When Christians invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs, we're doing more than seeking financial returns. We're providing capital that helps businesses, governments, and organizations accomplish their goals. That raises an important question: Should our investments reflect our biblical convictions? In this episode, we explore what Scripture teaches about stewardship, ill-gotten gain, and the responsibility that comes with investing. We'll discuss the difference between stocks and bonds, and what it means to own or lend to a company, and offer a biblical framework for thinking through today's investment opportunities. In this episode, you'll learn: • What the Bible teaches about ill-gotten gain • Why investing is never morally neutral • The difference between stocks and bonds • What it means to own a company versus lend to one • Value-creating vs. value-extracting businesses • How Christians can think biblically about investing While there are rarely easy answers, Scripture gives us principles that help us faithfully steward the resources God has entrusted to us. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-103-never-neutral Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: What Are You Really Funding? 00:58 What Does the Bible Mean by "Ill-Gotten Gain"? 02:50 Identifying Businesses That Harm Human Flourishing 06:43 What Is a Stock? Understanding Public Equities 09:45 What It Means to Own Part of a Company 13:40 What Is a Bond? Lending vs. Owning 19:26 Is Your Bank Using Your Money Wisely? 21:07 Stewardship: What Are You Enabling with Your Investments? 24:51 Hebrews 13:5 and the Christian Investor's Perspective Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

July 21, 2026Episode 10226 min

Ep. 102 - What Is Your Portfolio Really Funding? The Christian Investor's Dilemma

The world says the goal of investing is simple: maximize risk-adjusted returns. But Scripture calls Christians to something greater—faithful stewardship. As followers of Christ, we aren't just asking how much our investments earn. We should also ask what they are funding. In this episode, we explore the tension between the world's investment philosophy and a biblical approach to investing. We discuss what it means to avoid ill-gotten gain, whether Christians should be concerned about the companies they own, and why faithfulness—not simply financial performance—should shape the way we deploy the resources God has entrusted to us. Whether you're just beginning to think about faith-based investing or you're looking to align your portfolio more closely with your convictions, this conversation will challenge you to view investing through the lens of Scripture. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-102-christian-dilemma Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 - Every Investor Is Living Inside a Story 00:34 - The World's Investment Narrative vs. God's Story 04:21 - You Cannot Serve God and Money 05:27 - The Goal of Modern Investing: Risk, Return & Time 08:53 - Are You Profiting Alongside Human Harm? 12:23 - Faithfulness vs. Maximum Returns 18:08 - Rethinking Risk, Return & Time Through Scripture 21:24 - Avoiding Ill-Gotten Gain as a Christian Investor 23:05 - How Christians Can Invest Differently 24:15 - The Foundation of Faithful Investing Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

July 7, 2026Episode 10126 min

Ep. 101 - How Should Christians Help Other Christians in Financial Need?

How Should Christians Help Other Christians in Financial Need? In this episode we discuss how Christians can wisely and compassionately respond to financial hardship within the body of Christ. From debt and poverty to medical bills and unexpected crises, we explore the difference between short-term relief and long-term transformation. You'll learn why financial struggles are often about more than money, how discipleship plays a critical role in lasting change, when lending or giving may be appropriate, and how the church can come alongside those in need with both grace and discernment. Helping others isn't just about solving a financial problem—it's about encouraging stewardship, spiritual growth, and lasting freedom in Christ. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-101-helping-christians Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Helping Christians in Financial Need 01:36 Understanding the Different Types of Poverty 03:25 Identifying the Root Cause of Financial Struggles 06:24 Crisis Poverty vs. Lifestyle Choices 10:16 The Church's Role in Financial Support 13:30 Short-Term, Medium-Term, and Long-Term Help 18:10 Moving from Relief to Lasting Transformation 18:52 The Importance of Submission and Change 20:36 Why You Are Not the Savior 23:24 Documenting Financial Assistance and Loans Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

June 23, 2026Episode 10025 min

Ep. 100 - Should Christians Lend Money? What the Bible Really Says

When a friend, family member, or fellow believer needs financial help, should you give, lend, or do something else entirely? In this episode we explore what Scripture teaches about lending, debt, stewardship, generosity, and accountability. We'll discuss key biblical principles from Proverbs and Nehemiah, the dangers of predatory lending, common mistakes to avoid, and how Christians can help others in ways that promote dignity, restoration, and healthy relationships. Whether you're considering helping someone financially or wondering how the Bible views lending, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating these difficult decisions with grace and faithfulness. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-100-christian-lending Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Should Christians Give or Lend? 02:30 Why Relationships Matter in Financial Help 04:20 Is the Bible Actually Against Lending? 05:27 The Borrower Is Slave to the Lender 07:00 Nehemiah 5 and the Dangers of Predatory Lending 10:27 How Relationships Change Lending Decisions 14:15 When a Loan May Be More Loving Than a Gift 18:10 Mistakes to Avoid When Lending to Others 21:43 Guarding Your Heart as a Lender 23:47 Lending with Joy and Reflecting God's Generosity Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

June 9, 2026Episode 9922 min

Ep. 099 - What the Bible Really Says About Paying Taxes

What does the Bible actually teach about paying taxes? For many people, taxes feel like a burden—money lost to a system they may not fully trust or agree with. But Scripture offers a different perspective. In this episode, we explore how Christians can view taxes through the lenses of gratitude, stewardship, obedience, and trust in God's provision. Drawing from Romans 13, the teachings of Jesus, and practical financial planning principles, they discuss why paying taxes is ultimately a heart issue, how wise tax planning differs from tax avoidance, and why gratitude should shape the way believers think about their finances. Whether you're writing a large check to the IRS or simply wrestling with the role of government and taxation, this conversation will challenge you to think biblically about money and stewardship. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-99-paying-taxes Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Can Christians Pay Taxes with Joy? 00:57 Why Taxes Feel So Frustrating 04:01 Common Reasons People Resist Paying Taxes 06:07 Romans 13 and Government Authority 08:07 Paying Taxes as Obedience to God 11:41 Render to Caesar: What Jesus Said About Taxes 12:47 Stewardship vs. Tax Avoidance 14:25 Resentment vs. Gratitude 16:15 Wise Tax Planning and Charitable Giving 18:00 What's at Stake in Our Heart Posture 20:54 Setting Our Hope on God, Not Riches Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

May 26, 2026Episode 9827 min

Ep. 098 - Is Debt a Sin? A Biblical Perspective on Money, Anxiety, and Stewardship

What does the Bible actually say about debt? In this episode, we explore debt through the lens of Christian stewardship, discipleship, and contentment. From Proverbs 22:7 to practical wisdom about mortgages, lifestyle inflation, anxiety, greed, and generosity, this conversation examines how debt can shape our hearts, limit our freedom, and affect our trust in God. Whether you're struggling with credit cards, considering a major purchase, or simply wanting to think more biblically about money, this episode offers practical and spiritual insight for Christians seeking wisdom and financial faithfulness. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-98-christian-debt Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe, and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Debt as a Discipleship Issue 02:11 The Connection Between Debt and Anxiety 04:01 C.S. Lewis on Giving, Comfort, and Luxury 05:38 Lifestyle Inflation and the Pursuit of More 08:19 Proverbs 22:7 — The Borrower is Slave to the Lender 11:03 How Debt Can Limit Obedience to God 13:13 1 Timothy 6 and the Love of Money 17:31 Is All Debt Sinful? A Biblical Perspective 19:24 Why Financial Margin Matters 21:13 "Make Debt Rare, Strategic, and Short-Term" 23:36 Practical Steps for Getting Out of Debt Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

May 12, 2026Episode 9719 min

Ep. 097 - Where Should Christians Give First?

When it comes to generosity, many Christians ask how much they should give—but an equally important question is where that giving should begin. In this episode, we walk through a biblical framework for prioritizing generosity, starting with the local church, then gospel-centered missions, and finally caring for those in need. If you've ever wondered how to give wisely, faithfully, and with purpose, this conversation offers a clear and practical guide. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: www.secondhalfstewardship.com/episodes/ep-97-giving-first Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Where Should Christians Give First? 01:22 The Biblical Target for Giving 03:15 Why the Local Church Comes First 06:14 What If You Don't Trust Your Church With Money? 08:20 The Second Ring: Gospel Missions 12:50 The Outer Ring: Caring for the Poor 14:40 Giving to Family, Believers, and Beyond 16:21 Giving Through Relationship, Not Guilt 17:44 Stewardship, Wisdom, and Open Hands Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com/ The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.

April 28, 2026Episode 9617 min

Ep. 096 - Giving Wisely: How to Be a Faithful and Tax-Efficient Steward

How much should Christians give? Is the tithe a rule, a starting point, or something more? Giving is more than a financial decision—it's an act of stewardship. In this episode, we explore how to approach charitable giving with both the right heart and wise strategy. Learn how to give in a way that reflects generosity while also maximizing efficiency, reducing taxes, and simplifying your record keeping. We break down key strategies like qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), recurring giving, and donor-advised funds, along with practical tips to help you stay organized and prepared for tax season. Whether you're giving consistently or navigating more complex financial situations, this conversation will help you make thoughtful, impactful decisions with your resources. If you want to give faithfully and wisely, this episode will help you take the next step. You can find show notes and resources for this episode at: https://secondhalfstewardship.com/episode/ep-96-giving-wisely Download our free Guide to Biblical Giving at https://secondhalfstewardship.com/subscribe , and we'll unpack what the bible says about tithing, giving to the poor, or giving away everything you own for the sake of the Kingdom. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Giving with Wisdom and Stewardship 00:28 From "How Much" to "How Do I Give?" 01:08 The Heart Behind Generosity Matters Most 02:15 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) Explained 03:21 How QCDs Reduce Taxes and Income 08:07 Recurring Giving and Simplicity 10:42 Donor-Advised Funds: Benefits and Use Cases 14:02 Why Record Keeping Is So Important Advisory services offered through Retirement Planning Services, LLC. https://seriousretirement.com / The information in this recording is intended for general educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as investment advisory, financial planning, legal, tax, or other professional advice based on your specific situation. Please consult with your professional advisor(s) before taking any action based on its contents.