How do I live out my Christian Faith through my finances?
Living out your Christian faith through your finances involves aligning your financial decisions with your values and beliefs. This can include practicing generosity by giving to your church or charities and helping those in need. Join Ralph Estep Jr. on the Ask Ralph Show as he discusses how to live out one's Christian faith through financial decisions. He revisits an interview with Paul Granger, highlighting radical life choices made to follow God's calling. The show opens with a listener's question from Caroline about balancing spending, saving, and generosity according to Christian values. The episode features insights from Paul Granger's experience, stressing that financial security relies on trusting God's provision and practicing radical generosity. The conversation further delves into Ralph's personal stories of Faith, So Crucial in Financial Decisions, underlining that everything we have is entrusted to us by God.
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Aligning Finances with Christian Faith
Ralph opens the episode with a question that many Christians grapple with: how to live out their faith through financial decisions. He addresses the tension between saving for the future and being generous, reflecting on how challenging it can be to balance both. Ralph promises to replay an enlightening interview with Paul Granger, a man who made radical choices to follow God's calling. In this discussion, Ralph and Paul delve into trusting God’s provision and making financial decisions from a place of faith rather than fear. Ralph’s goal is to help listeners embrace a more faith-centered approach to managing their money.
Balancing Generosity and Saving
A listener named Caroline writes in, expressing her struggle to align her spending habits with her Christian values. She feels torn between saving for the future and being generous, a dilemma many listeners likely face. Ralph acknowledges that this is a question he hears frequently and praises Caroline for her thoughtful approach. He encourages listeners to submit their own questions, emphasizing that the heart of the show lies in addressing real-life concerns from a Christian perspective.
Honoring God with Wealth
To ground the conversation, Ralph shares a Bible verse from Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." He explains that this verse encourages believers to prioritize giving back to God as a key aspect of financial stewardship. Ralph highlights the importance of seeing wealth not as a means to accumulate personal gain, but as a tool to honor God and serve others.
Radical Choices for God's Calling
Ralph introduces Paul Granger, a man who has made extraordinary choices to follow God's calling. Paul and his family have been living in Richmond, Virginia, since 2008 and have taken bold steps of faith, including pursuing seemingly impossible housing situations and leaving stable jobs to serve in ministry. Paul has been involved in inner-city ministry since 2005 and is currently serving as the Interim Campus Director of YWAM City Lights. He also hosts the "Where Did You See God?" podcast, where he explores how faith intersects with everyday life.
Trusting God with Financial Security
During their conversation, Paul shares a powerful reminder: "Sometimes the riskiest thing we can do is play it safe and ignore God's call to step out in faith." Ralph and Paul explore the idea that true financial security doesn't come from a bank balance but from trusting God's provision. They discuss how stepping out in faith, even in financial decisions, can lead to greater blessings and opportunities to serve others. Ralph emphasizes that while financial planning is important, it should never override one's willingness to trust God and act generously.
Salvation and Faith
Paul asks Ralph to share more about his faith journey, and Ralph explains that the most important thing about him is that he is saved by grace, not by his own works. He shares how, at the age of 13, he came to know Christ through the influence of his missionary aunt and a conversation with a pastor. Ralph describes salvation as receiving a gift that is freely given but must be chosen, likening it to a child opening presents on Christmas morning. He reflects on how his relationship with Christ has shaped his financial decisions, guiding him to live with purpose and trust in God's provision.
The Lifelong Journey with Christ
Ralph discusses the concept of sanctification—the ongoing process of spiritual growth and transformation. He shares that as an accountant, his professional life requires precision and accuracy, but in his walk with Christ, he finds liberation in the fact that he doesn't have to be perfect. The freedom to rely on God's grace, rather than his own efforts, has been a key part of his spiritual journey. Ralph emphasizes that the Christian life is not about achieving perfection but about walking with God and allowing Him to guide each step.
A Christian Approach to Stewardship
Ralph explains that his podcast and his work as an accountant focus on merging faith and finance, helping Christians understand that they are stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. He believes that financial success and spiritual growth go hand in hand and that understanding one’s purpose is essential for making wise financial decisions. Ralph encourages clients and listeners to pray about their financial choices and to see their resources as tools for serving God’s kingdom. By doing so, they can experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and align their financial goals with their faith.
Following Christ’s Example
As the conversation deepens, Paul and Ralph discuss the challenging question of whether Christians are truly willing to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love. They acknowledge that it’s difficult to let go of financial security, especially in a world where bills need to be paid. However, Ralph points out that Christ invites His followers to trust in God’s provision, even when it seems counterintuitive. Both men reflect on the idea that true discipleship requires a willingness to give up earthly possessions and rely on God for security, a concept that can be difficult to embrace but leads to greater spiritual freedom.
Finding Joy in Generosity and Trusting God's Plan
Ralph concludes the episode by emphasizing the importance of surrendering financial fears to God and embracing a spirit of generosity. He encourages listeners to surround themselves with like-minded individuals who can offer support and accountability in their financial and spiritual journeys. Ralph reminds listeners that while financial success is important, it should never overshadow their relationship with Christ and their commitment to serving others. As he wraps up, Ralph invites listeners to reflect on their own financial decisions and consider how they can honor God with their wealth.
Paul’s Website
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