Rob West Financial literacy matters, but for Christians, knowing how money works is only the beginning. I am Rob West. What if even something as ordinary as banking could help us disciple the next generation to become faithful stewards? Aaron Caid gives us today to talk about banking as a discipleship tool for Gen Z and young adults. And then it's on to your calls at 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. This is Faith and Finance on American Family Radio, biblical wisdom for your financial journey.
Well, it's a pleasure to have my friend Aaron Cay back on the program. He's chief marketing officer at AdelFi Christian Banking, a longtime underwriter of this program, and our recommended banking partner. Aaron, great to have you with us.
Aaron Caid Well, thank you, Rob, it's great to be here with you.
Rob West Folks, don't miss working with AdelFi Christian Banking. More and more of our listeners are wanting to align their banking partner with their biblical values, and AdelFi is the largest in this space and our great friends. Today we're talking about Gen Z, though—those roughly in their teens to late 20s. And Aaron, as you know, they face plenty of financial challenges, but they also have an opportunity to develop habits that honor God for a lifetime. Teaching them financial literacy is, of course, important, but from a Christian perspective, I know you say that financial literacy alone isn't enough, right?
Aaron Caid It's true. I was surprised to read in a recent study from Personal Finance Index that only 38% of Gen Z respondents could answer basic financial questions—I mean, basic financial questions. That makes them the least financially literate generation ever. By comparison, baby boomers had a financial literacy rate 17 percentage points higher, at 55%. But financial literacy by itself is not enough. Without stewardship, it can still produce materialism. And stewardship ultimately begins with recognizing that God owns it all and has entrusted resources to us to manage wisely.
Rob West Boy, you're sharing something that is on my heart: they absolutely need to be financially literate, but we also need to understand the heart of God and what it means to be a steward. And if we want to disciple young people financially, what are some of those biblical priorities that you would share with our listeners today as we teach them?
Aaron Caid Well, scripture has a tremendous amount to say about money. More than 2300 verses and numerous parables deal with finances. And they tell us we have to align our financial priorities with God's purposes. And those include giving generously, providing for our families, meeting our financial obligations, saving for the future, and then finally, gratefully enjoying God's provision. So those principles can help young adults make financial decisions based on scripture rather than simply following the culture.
Rob West Yeah, and those are key ideas. Now I know you say, and I've long said, that it starts with us as parents. And you've been pretty candid about your own experience. What have you learned as a dad, Aaron?
Aaron Caid Well, I did not model financial management as well as I could have when my children were young. And I still feel like I'm playing catch-up now that they're young adults. I mean, that experience has shown me how important it is for parents to talk openly with their children about money and model faithful stewardship. Most financial health is built through ordinary habits repeated over time: budgeting, avoiding unnecessary debt, saving consistently, giving generously, and learning contentment.
Rob West Mm. Yeah, we say more is caught than taught. And so we absolutely need to go first and model this. Aaron, where does banking itself fit into this? How can choosing a financial institution like AdelFi become part of living out those values, especially for the next generation?
Aaron Caid Well, I mean, as a Christian financial institution, we understand that our faith shapes the way we think about and use money, and it can help reinforce healthy financial habits. At AdelFi, we serve Christ-followers, families, churches, and ministries, so we understand the heart behind our members and are equipped to serve them with that perspective. And we want younger Christians to understand that banking isn't just transactional; it's another financial choice where their faith can make a difference.
Rob West Well, Aaron, I love what you all are offering because not only are they getting world-class solutions like the high-yield money market and even the bonus for FaithFi listeners, but they're getting great technology in the mobile app and even knowing that a portion of every dollar is going to Christian ministries, right?
Aaron Caid Exactly. It truly sets us apart not just from the big secular banks, but it also sets us apart from just your average everyday financial institution.
Rob West Well, that's exactly right, and that's why we are so honored to partner with you. Thanks for stopping by today, my friend.
Aaron Caid Thank you. As always, a pleasure, Rob.
Rob West That's Aaron Caid with AdelFi Christian Banking. And you know, they've served Christ-followers, churches, and ministries for more than 68 years. FaithFi listeners, listen to this: you can earn up to a $400 bonus on new accounts, including their new high-yield money market. Just go to faithfi.com/banking and enter code "FaithFi". That's faithfi.com/banking, code "FaithFi". We'll be right back.
SEGMENT 2
Rob West Delighted to have you with us today on Faith & Finance here on American Family Radio. Well, the lines are open. We're ready for your phone calls today: 800-525-7000. Any financial question today, 800-525-7000. We want to be there for you to help you process the practical decisions you're making in light of biblical wisdom, understanding that there's all kinds of principles we find in God's Word, from diversification to savings to, uh, really the importance of giving. I had a chance to spend uh quite a bit of time yesterday with my friend Randy Alcorn. He's actually uh writing right now—and, in fact, the manuscript is done—our newest devotional. It's a 31-day devotional called Wealth That Lasts. And uh we were able to unpack just so much of God's heart around us for our giving and really it being an overflow of of the grace of God that's been extended to us and our response being generosity, the privilege that comes with it, the studies around happiness that relate to giving because it's the way God has hardwired us. Uh that's all through Scripture. We see that clearly in the Old and New Testament, that we're to be a generous people. And it's really not about what God wants from us, because we've said clearly God owns everything, so it's really what God wants for us. And the joy that comes through our giving is just remarkable. And so we should be generous as we're moving through life. All of these ideas we find in Scripture, and we want to help you apply those to the very practical decisions you're making in your financial life as you give, and save, and spend, and invest, and do that in a way that aligns with your values and your priorities as a Christ-follower. So call right now. We'd love to tackle your questions today: 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. The team is standing by; we'd love to get you on the air and get your question tackled.
Speaking of Randy Alcorn, we're so excited as we head toward year-end to put the finishing touches on Randy's first-ever devotional on money. He's written, actually—this devotional, Wealth That Lasts, is his 70th book. Think about that for a second. This is number 70! And uh he's doing it with FaithFi, uh bringing his uh first-ever devotional on money through FaithFi. We can't wait to put it in your hands uh as you engage with FaithFi, especially here at year-end. It will be out right after uh the first of the year. And as we head toward year-end, as you might imagine as a listener-supported ministry, December 31st is a big day for us and the days that lead up to it, because it's really a key time for us to hear from faithful listeners and donors who want to support the ministry. And uh we have a goal that we've set between now and the end of December—December 31st—a giving goal of $200,000. And here's what's exciting about that:
Number one is, it's going to set us up in a meaningful way to be able to fund the work that we have planned for 2027. Secondly, it's all going to be matched. So every gift donated up to $200,000, there's a group of donors that have come together to say, "We want to encourage givers to support FaithFi, and we're going to match whatever is given." So whatever that grand total is up to $200,000 on December 31st, uh they're going to write a check uh to be able to double that, bringing uh additional resources into FaithFi. Thirdly, every gift of any amount allows us to be able to give you a copy of Randy's new devotional, Wealth That Lasts. So a gift of any amount will put that in the mail to you as soon as it's ready. You'll be among the first to receive it when you give at faithfi.com/give. So check it out today: faithfi.com/give. We'll get you a copy of the devotional, and uh you will be a part of helping us, Lord willing, reach our goal between now and December 31st. Again, that website: faithfi.com/give.
In the news today, millions of Americans are reviewing their employer-sponsored health insurance plans for 2027, and many are bracing for another round of rising costs. Uh employers anticipate their steepest healthcare cost increase in more than two decades, driven by higher hospital expenses, costly prescription drugs, and increased demand for mental health services. Uh according to KFF, workers are already paying an average of $7,471 annually toward family coverage in 2026. That's up far beyond inflation—9% higher than the previous year. Including uh employer contributions, uh total family premiums now average $28,303. Uh and premiums aren't the only concern. Employees uh could be facing higher deductibles, copays, and restrictions on which doctors and medications their plans cover. Uh experts recommend reviewing all options, of course comparing out-of-pocket expenses and considering anticipated medical needs before selecting a plan. Uh meanwhile, Christian Healthcare Ministries, uh one of our faithful underwriters, offers an entirely different approach through what's called faith-based medical cost sharing. And CHM has announced it's not going to raise its member rates for 2027. So if you'd like to check it out, especially as we're in uh the midst of this open enrollment season—and I know a lot of folks scrambling to figure out what they're going to do in light of these uh increased costs—uh just head to faithfi.com/chm. That's Christian Healthcare Ministries: faithfi.com/chm uh to learn more today.
Uh we're going to dive into your questions here in the next segment, so now's the time to call. The team is uh fielding those calls, but uh we do have room at the moment and we will begin taking those uh in the next segment. So if you've got a question today, uh call right now: 800-525-7000. Again, that number: 800-525-7000.
Uh you know, we live in a world that constantly tells us we need more—uh whether that's more money, more security, more possessions, more opportunities—and somewhere along the way, we begin to believe that contentment is something we'll finally experience when we have enough. You know what the apostle Paul says? He offers a radically different perspective. This comes from 1 Timothy 6:6: "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
To appreciate the significance of those words, I think that we need to understand their context. Listen to this: Paul's warning Timothy about false teachers who viewed godliness as a means of financial gain. Uh they had turned faith into an opportunity for personal enrichment. But Paul turns that thinking upside down. The greatest gain isn't what we can get from God—it's God Himself! That's the beauty of godliness with contentment. You see, godliness is a life increasingly shaped by our relationship with Christ. Contentment is the settled confidence that because we belong to Him, our deepest needs are already met. Now, he continues in verses 7 and 8: "For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." You see, he's reminding us that everything we possess, it's temporary. We enter this world empty-handed and will leave the same way. Our possessions may serve as uh a meaningful purpose, and it may carry out1 meaningful purposes, but they were never meant to provide our ultimate security or satisfaction. And that's important because Paul isn't condemning wealth—not at all. Later in the chapter, he instructs those who are rich to enjoy what God has provided, to place their hope in Him, and to be generous toward others. You see, contentment, folks, isn't the absence of ambition or financial responsibility or even material abundance; it's freedom from believing that any of those things can give us what only God can provide. And godliness isn't a strategy for acquiring more wealth; it's the joyful pursuit of becoming more like Christ.
I hope that's uh an encouraging reminder for you today. All right, a quick break, back with your phone calls. Lines are open, call right now. Any financial question: 800-525-7000. Don't go anywhere.
SEGMENT 3
Rob West Great to have you with us today on Faith & Finance here on American Family Radio, taking your financial questions today. Maybe it's paying off debt or giving wisely as we head toward year-end. Perhaps for you, it's navigating this stock market, just knowing that the volatility seems a little hotter than normal, especially given the midterms. We've got obviously this market bouncing around as we process where AI maybe headed, especially in light of the change in Congress and perhaps the Democrats wanting to slow down AI development. We're weighing the oil markets as the conflict in Iran continues, not to mention a hot CPI Consumer Price Index reading. All of that the market is processing, and maybe you're processing that as well with your 401k or IRA. So, whatever questions you have today, we'd love to hear from you at 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. You can call right now. Let's head to Texas. Robert, you'll be first up, sir. Go ahead.
Robert Uh good morning.
Rob West Hi there.
Robert Uh I have I had a severance of service with my employer just recently and uh I've called in my 401k with the company that's holding and uh they're telling me that there's a 23-day to 30-day waiting period because I don't have the 59 and a half years of age to pull it out immediately or and other uh things that are going on, I guess. But what I'm so nervous about the three-week to four-week waiting period because from what I understand, my 401k, which is in the tens of thousands, is still going to be at risk during that waiting period, and that makes me very nervous.
Rob West Yeah.
Robert So, even though it can mature, like it did last night, about 300 was added. So, uh I'm wondering is there anywhere that I can move that money? I have about 53% in the S&P 500 Index and the other 16% is in the T-Row blue chip and I got about 29% of it on loan, which of course I would have to pay back
Rob West Yeah, yeah.
Robert uh when the distribution happens. I mean, is is there anything other than prayer that I can do to keep that money safe during this waiting period, because I don't know what's going on. I'm there's going to be a change of Congress coming up.
Rob West Mhm.
Robert Uh Well, let me give you some thoughts here, Robert. You know, I think Well, let me give you some thoughts here, Robert. You know, I think
Rob West Yeah, I think the most important thing to understand is that you wouldn't necessarily have to wait 23 days to protect the money from market losses. Even if you can't withdraw or roll the funds over immediately, uh you would likely be able to move the investments inside the 401k to a more conservative option. Now, I'd like to talk about kind of where you go from here and uh what you're going to be doing with this money down the road. But let's deal with your your immediate concern, and that is market volatility given your current investment mix. Uh have you asked whether changes to the investments are permitted during the waiting period?
Robert Uh I did. However, uh they told me that they would they there's a certain place they can put it where there's really no uh fluctuation.
Rob West Yeah.
Robert Uh but I'm uh I'm not sure where to you know, where to put that.
Rob West Okay. Well, so that's the good news. I mean, I want to talk about where we go from here and and why you're concerned about leaving it invested if in fact, you know, you you do want this money to last for a long time because uh you know, we need to get it properly invested according to your age, your goals, your risk tolerance, and that's likely going to involve some allocation to stocks because even once you retire, and I'd like to know more about kind of where what you see your work picture looking like in the future, but even once you fully retire, um you know, you still have a, Lord willing, a decades-long need for this money. And one of the ways we outpace inflation and the loss of purchasing power is we keep it invested, but we take a more conservative posture. But again, going back to your more immediate concern, um you could move it during this waiting period to what's called a stable value fund or a money market fund, and that would ensure that, you know, you're eliminating the market exposure during this period. But again, I would ask why we're doing that. So, give me a picture of where you're going from here. You've separated from service. What's next?
Robert Well, of course there's the unemployment funds. However, uh I was thinking about uh stepping back into uh transportation with my commercial driver's license.
Rob West Okay.
Robert Uh I have a background in loading docks and and uh forklift operating. And there's also uh an option of going into entertainment. Uh I recorded two songs with a uh recording studio here in South Texas and uh I don't really want to if if I don't have to, I'd really rather not go into entertainment.
Rob West Yeah. So, what what are your what are your income sources in the meantime? Are just unemployment?
Robert It would just go to the unemployment and this 401k of course
Rob West And what do you have in the 401k?
Robert Uh it's minuscule. Although it's in the tens of thousands, it's it's nowhere near somebody uh less than 10 years away from retirement should be.
Rob West Okay.
Robert Uh I got a severance paycheck coming and of course the last payroll check, uh but I've only been making I've only been earning between 45 and 55,000 a year.
Rob West Okay. All right.
Robert Of course, if I go back into transportation, things would look better. And if I did go into entertainment, it's the the pay is going to be much better. It's just I really don't want to go in that direction.
Rob West Okay. Yeah. And obviously that's going to involve, you know, quite a bit of time, I would imagine, and and trying to break in, which is is not easy. I'm not saying it's not where the Lord might be leading, but uh normally in order to entertain something like that, we need to have stable employment with a consistent paycheck until something materializes that we can count on, which often takes quite a bit of time. I listen, I would say the the most important thing is not moving that that uh you know, $10,000 or $30,000 401k. I'd keep that invested. Your full-time job needs to be looking for your next job. Let's talk a bit more off the air. We'll be right back.
SEGMENT 4
Rob West Thanks for joining us today on Faith and Finance here on American Family Radio. I'm Rob West. We're taking your questions today at 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. We've got lines open. We're ready for you. Whether you're thinking about paying down some debt today, maybe it's that credit score, you know, more and more people are concerned about just how that score tends to move around, and, you know, if you're preparing to go get a new mortgage or you're looking to buy a car, you're wondering, how do I get that up above a certain threshold? Uh, we'd love to help you process that. Maybe for you, it's investments, or how to give wisely, preparing the next steward, or how much is the right amount of inheritance to leave to our heirs? Whatever you're considering today, call right now. We'd love to tackle it with you. 800-525-7000, that's 800-525-7000. You know, I think, uh, as we were talking with Robert a moment ago about the markets and the fluctuation, um, oftentimes we can feel like, uh, we have no control over our retirement savings. And I think it's, uh, incumbent upon us to remember that God calls us to be faithful stewards, not to predict or control the future. Remember Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding." So, does that mean we ignore financial risks? No, not at all. It means we approach them with wisdom rather than fear. And so, what does wisdom look like? Well, it means taking a long-term perspective. It means, uh, being faithful with what has been placed in our hands today. Remember, faithfulness is the measure of the steward, right? Because when we recognize God owns it all and that money is a tool, then we see faithfulness as our measure. So the question is, with what God has given me today, however much income I have, whatever assets I have, what does faithfulness look like? Well, faithfulness doesn't look like putting our hope in riches. We see that clearly in what Paul said to Timothy. Faithfulness doesn't look like get rich quick. Faithfulness doesn't look like fear. It means trusting God, uh, with wisdom rather than fear, replacing that fear with faith. But it also does look like limiting, uh, our spending, living within our means. You know, the the world will allow us to live outside of God's provision through debt, namely credit cards. And a lot of people find themselves in that spot. We can't be in that position. We've got to make an absolute commitment to live within our means. And when we do that, it allows us to, uh, cover what we have in front of us right now. It also means allowing us to, hopefully, have something left over because margin, what's left over at the end of the day, is the only way we're going to fund our longer term goals. You know, if we want to be able to give more, we want to be able to start a business, we want to pay down debt, the only way we do that is through having the ability, uh, to have something left over at the end of the month. So that's part of what faithfulness looks like. It also means saving for the future. That's where our investments come in. It means giving generously. Uh, it means listening to the Holy Spirit, but also planning to give, being intentional about our giving. And so, remember that. I think the key for the steward is faithfulness.
All right, let's head back to the phones. By the way, we do have some lines open. 800-525-7000. Uh, let's go to Arkansas. Kyle, go ahead.
Kyle I have a, uh, uh, question about a group called F-I-S-Y-N.
Rob West Okay. What what do you know about it and what are you wondering?
Kyle ... and my phone is, uh, Now, can now can you hear me?
Rob West Yes, sir. Mhm.
Kyle F-I-S-Y-N, Fyson. It's a it's a group that I guess uh they're looking for investors to put some money into, uh, in Texas for some of those data centers that's already been approved and they're looking for, uh, investors and I was wondering if you knew anything about this group.
Rob West I don't specifically, but I will tell you, um, you know, any kind of real estate investment company, um, you know, that that promises a 12% return, I would be cautious to say the least. Um, you know, the opportunity could be attractive. I don't want to immediately dismiss it. I think the the big question is whether the 10% is guaranteed, projected, or simply a preferred return. Um, you know, the pros would be obviously if there was the potential for a 12% return, that's significantly higher than what you would get, you know, and certainly in a banking product and and, um, you know, if it was guaranteed, it's quite a bit better than, you know, what you would be guaranteed in the stock market for sure because there are no guarantees there. Uh, we know that AI and cloud computing are driving demand for data center. So there's growing demand. Um, obviously, if you've got the real estate backing where it's secured by the land or the buildings, that's helpful. There's some potential income there and there's property appreciation. I think the, uh, you know, the downside is, you know, we've got, um, the change in the administration, including there in Texas, which I think has put some of these projects, at least put a question mark by them. Uh, the Texas electricity infrastructure and grid connections can create delays. Um, higher returns generally mean higher risk. So I'd love to know how the risk is being communicated to you. There's also often illiquidity, which just simply means your money is locked up for years. You need to be okay with that. And, you know, I think often times these returns are entirely dependent upon the successful development or the financing, which again, um, you know, that it's it's speculative development. So, a property purchased for a future data center may never become one just given, you know, the the changes that are going on right now, politically and otherwise. But how how is the return being communicated to you, Kyle?
Kyle Well, it was going to be returned monthly, monthly, is what they would do. \
Rob West But is it a guarantee or is it a projection?
Kyle It was, uh, a guaranteed 12%. But I haven't signed any papers to see the fine print on it. You know, there's always the devil's in the details. So, I didn't know if you might already know something about it before I delve into it.
Rob West I don't, other than here's what I would just say and I I realize I'm talking generally here, but if they're using the word guarantee, that would raise an important red flag for me because a guarantee is only as strong as the company or the institution that's legally obligated to honor it. And a a 12% guaranteed return on private real estate as an investment is very different than a 12% return on a FDIC insured bank product. Um, so I I would want to know who is guaranteeing the the 12%? Is it this FISYN? Is it a separate insurance company? Is it another entity? Uh, is the principal guaranteed too, or is it just the the 12% payment, um, that's guaranteed? That doesn't mean the original investment is protected. Is it guaranteed in writing? Who backs it? And what happens if they go bankrupt? Um, because, you know, investors, uh, often, you know, if they're unsecured creditors, um, you know, would be left out. So, uh, I would just, uh, be careful there. I I suspect what you will hear from them when you press in is that that's a target return based on their objectives, not a guaranteed. And and then you'll find in the fine print that say all private investments carry risk of loss. And so, I think given that, um, you know, you just need to right size your expectations that that's a projection and you've got to be comfortable with the illiquidity, meaning it's going to be difficult to get your money back. And then secondly or thirdly, I think you just need to recognize, you know, a lot of these projects are in flux right now just because of what's going on politically, not only nationally, but there in Texas.
Kyle Right. Right. I agree. Okay. Well, appreciate your time.
Rob West Absolutely, Kyle. Lord bless you, my friend. This is Faith and Finance on American Family Radio. I'm Rob West. Uh, we're going to take a quick break. We come back, a special guest stops by. Also, uh, we'll try to sneak in a few more questions. 800-525-7000. Any financial question today. Hey, our goal between now and the end of the year here at FaithFi, $200,000. It's going to be matched every gift of any amount. We'll send you Randy Alcorn's new devotional that comes out right up to the first of the year, Wealth, That Lasts. faithfi.com/give
SEGMENT 5
Rob West Financial literacy matters, but for Christians, knowing how money works is only the beginning. I am Rob West. What if even something as ordinary as banking could help us disciple the next generation to become faithful stewards? Aaron Caid gives us today to talk about banking as a discipleship tool for Gen Z and young adults. And then it's on to your calls at 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. This is Faith and Finance on American Family Radio, biblical wisdom for your financial journey.
Well, it's a pleasure to have my friend Aaron Cay back on the program. He's chief marketing officer at AdelFi Christian Banking, a longtime underwriter of this program, and our recommended banking partner. Aaron, great to have you with us.
Aaron Caid Well, thank you, Rob, it's great to be here with you.
Rob West Folks, don't miss working with AdelFi Christian Banking. More and more of our listeners are wanting to align their banking partner with their biblical values, and AdelFi is the largest in this space and our great friends. Today we're talking about Gen Z, though—those roughly in their teens to late 20s. And Aaron, as you know, they face plenty of financial challenges, but they also have an opportunity to develop habits that honor God for a lifetime. Teaching them financial literacy is, of course, important, but from a Christian perspective, I know you say that financial literacy alone isn't enough, right?
Aaron Caid It's true. I was surprised to read in a recent study from Personal Finance Index that only 38% of Gen Z respondents could answer basic financial questions—I mean, basic financial questions. That makes them the least financially literate generation ever. By comparison, baby boomers had a financial literacy rate 17 percentage points higher, at 55%. But financial literacy by itself is not enough. Without stewardship, it can still produce materialism. And stewardship ultimately begins with recognizing that God owns it all and has entrusted resources to us to manage wisely.
Rob West Boy, you're sharing something that is on my heart: they absolutely need to be financially literate, but we also need to understand the heart of God and what it means to be a steward. And if we want to disciple young people financially, what are some of those biblical priorities that you would share with our listeners today as we teach them?
Aaron Caid Well, scripture has a tremendous amount to say about money. More than 2300 verses and numerous parables deal with finances. And they tell us we have to align our financial priorities with God's purposes. And those include giving generously, providing for our families, meeting our financial obligations, saving for the future, and then finally, gratefully enjoying God's provision. So those principles can help young adults make financial decisions based on scripture rather than simply following the culture.
Rob West Yeah, and those are key ideas. Now I know you say, and I've long said, that it starts with us as parents. And you've been pretty candid about your own experience. What have you learned as a dad, Aaron?
Aaron Caid Well, I did not model financial management as well as I could have when my children were young. And I still feel like I'm playing catch-up now that they're young adults. I mean, that experience has shown me how important it is for parents to talk openly with their children about money and model faithful stewardship. Most financial health is built through ordinary habits repeated over time: budgeting, avoiding unnecessary debt, saving consistently, giving generously, and learning contentment.
Rob West Mm. Yeah, we say more is caught than taught. And so we absolutely need to go first and model this. Aaron, where does banking itself fit into this? How can choosing a financial institution like AdelFi become part of living out those values, especially for the next generation?
Aaron Caid Well, I mean, as a Christian financial institution, we understand that our faith shapes the way we think about and use money, and it can help reinforce healthy financial habits. At AdelFi, we serve Christ-followers, families, churches, and ministries, so we understand the heart behind our members and are equipped to serve them with that perspective. And we want younger Christians to understand that banking isn't just transactional; it's another financial choice where their faith can make a difference.
Rob West Well, Aaron, I love what you all are offering because not only are they getting world-class solutions like the high-yield money market and even the bonus for FaithFi listeners, but they're getting great technology in the mobile app and even knowing that a portion of every dollar is going to Christian ministries, right?
Aaron Caid Exactly. It truly sets us apart not just from the big secular banks, but it also sets us apart from just your average everyday financial institution.
Rob West Well, that's exactly right, and that's why we are so honored to partner with you. Thanks for stopping by today, my friend.
Aaron Caid Thank you. As always, a pleasure, Rob.
Rob West That's Aaron Caid with AdelFi Christian Banking. And you know, they've served Christ-followers, churches, and ministries for more than 68 years. FaithFi listeners, listen to this: you can earn up to a $400 bonus on new accounts, including their new high-yield money market. Just go to faithfi.com/banking and enter code "FaithFi". That's faithfi.com/banking, code "FaithFi". We'll be right back.
SEGMENT 2
Rob West Delighted to have you with us today on Faith & Finance here on American Family Radio. Well, the lines are open. We're ready for your phone calls today: 800-525-7000. Any financial question today, 800-525-7000. We want to be there for you to help you process the practical decisions you're making in light of biblical wisdom, understanding that there's all kinds of principles we find in God's Word, from diversification to savings to, uh, really the importance of giving. I had a chance to spend uh quite a bit of time yesterday with my friend Randy Alcorn. He's actually uh writing right now—and, in fact, the manuscript is done—our newest devotional. It's a 31-day devotional called Wealth That Lasts. And uh we were able to unpack just so much of God's heart around us for our giving and really it being an overflow of of the grace of God that's been extended to us and our response being generosity, the privilege that comes with it, the studies around happiness that relate to giving because it's the way God has hardwired us. Uh that's all through Scripture. We see that clearly in the Old and New Testament, that we're to be a generous people. And it's really not about what God wants from us, because we've said clearly God owns everything, so it's really what God wants for us. And the joy that comes through our giving is just remarkable. And so we should be generous as we're moving through life. All of these ideas we find in Scripture, and we want to help you apply those to the very practical decisions you're making in your financial life as you give, and save, and spend, and invest, and do that in a way that aligns with your values and your priorities as a Christ-follower. So call right now. We'd love to tackle your questions today: 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. The team is standing by; we'd love to get you on the air and get your question tackled.
Speaking of Randy Alcorn, we're so excited as we head toward year-end to put the finishing touches on Randy's first-ever devotional on money. He's written, actually—this devotional, Wealth That Lasts, is his 70th book. Think about that for a second. This is number 70! And uh he's doing it with FaithFi, uh bringing his uh first-ever devotional on money through FaithFi. We can't wait to put it in your hands uh as you engage with FaithFi, especially here at year-end. It will be out right after uh the first of the year. And as we head toward year-end, as you might imagine as a listener-supported ministry, December 31st is a big day for us and the days that lead up to it, because it's really a key time for us to hear from faithful listeners and donors who want to support the ministry. And uh we have a goal that we've set between now and the end of December—December 31st—a giving goal of $200,000. And here's what's exciting about that:
Number one is, it's going to set us up in a meaningful way to be able to fund the work that we have planned for 2027. Secondly, it's all going to be matched. So every gift donated up to $200,000, there's a group of donors that have come together to say, "We want to encourage givers to support FaithFi, and we're going to match whatever is given." So whatever that grand total is up to $200,000 on December 31st, uh they're going to write a check uh to be able to double that, bringing uh additional resources into FaithFi. Thirdly, every gift of any amount allows us to be able to give you a copy of Randy's new devotional, Wealth That Lasts. So a gift of any amount will put that in the mail to you as soon as it's ready. You'll be among the first to receive it when you give at faithfi.com/give. So check it out today: faithfi.com/give. We'll get you a copy of the devotional, and uh you will be a part of helping us, Lord willing, reach our goal between now and December 31st. Again, that website: faithfi.com/give.
In the news today, millions of Americans are reviewing their employer-sponsored health insurance plans for 2027, and many are bracing for another round of rising costs. Uh employers anticipate their steepest healthcare cost increase in more than two decades, driven by higher hospital expenses, costly prescription drugs, and increased demand for mental health services. Uh according to KFF, workers are already paying an average of $7,471 annually toward family coverage in 2026. That's up far beyond inflation—9% higher than the previous year. Including uh employer contributions, uh total family premiums now average $28,303. Uh and premiums aren't the only concern. Employees uh could be facing higher deductibles, copays, and restrictions on which doctors and medications their plans cover. Uh experts recommend reviewing all options, of course comparing out-of-pocket expenses and considering anticipated medical needs before selecting a plan. Uh meanwhile, Christian Healthcare Ministries, uh one of our faithful underwriters, offers an entirely different approach through what's called faith-based medical cost sharing. And CHM has announced it's not going to raise its member rates for 2027. So if you'd like to check it out, especially as we're in uh the midst of this open enrollment season—and I know a lot of folks scrambling to figure out what they're going to do in light of these uh increased costs—uh just head to faithfi.com/chm. That's Christian Healthcare Ministries: faithfi.com/chm uh to learn more today.
Uh we're going to dive into your questions here in the next segment, so now's the time to call. The team is uh fielding those calls, but uh we do have room at the moment and we will begin taking those uh in the next segment. So if you've got a question today, uh call right now: 800-525-7000. Again, that number: 800-525-7000.
Uh you know, we live in a world that constantly tells us we need more—uh whether that's more money, more security, more possessions, more opportunities—and somewhere along the way, we begin to believe that contentment is something we'll finally experience when we have enough. You know what the apostle Paul says? He offers a radically different perspective. This comes from 1 Timothy 6:6: "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
To appreciate the significance of those words, I think that we need to understand their context. Listen to this: Paul's warning Timothy about false teachers who viewed godliness as a means of financial gain. Uh they had turned faith into an opportunity for personal enrichment. But Paul turns that thinking upside down. The greatest gain isn't what we can get from God—it's God Himself! That's the beauty of godliness with contentment. You see, godliness is a life increasingly shaped by our relationship with Christ. Contentment is the settled confidence that because we belong to Him, our deepest needs are already met. Now, he continues in verses 7 and 8: "For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." You see, he's reminding us that everything we possess, it's temporary. We enter this world empty-handed and will leave the same way. Our possessions may serve as uh a meaningful purpose, and it may carry out1 meaningful purposes, but they were never meant to provide our ultimate security or satisfaction. And that's important because Paul isn't condemning wealth—not at all. Later in the chapter, he instructs those who are rich to enjoy what God has provided, to place their hope in Him, and to be generous toward others. You see, contentment, folks, isn't the absence of ambition or financial responsibility or even material abundance; it's freedom from believing that any of those things can give us what only God can provide. And godliness isn't a strategy for acquiring more wealth; it's the joyful pursuit of becoming more like Christ.
I hope that's uh an encouraging reminder for you today. All right, a quick break, back with your phone calls. Lines are open, call right now. Any financial question: 800-525-7000. Don't go anywhere.
SEGMENT 3
Rob West Great to have you with us today on Faith & Finance here on American Family Radio, taking your financial questions today. Maybe it's paying off debt or giving wisely as we head toward year-end. Perhaps for you, it's navigating this stock market, just knowing that the volatility seems a little hotter than normal, especially given the midterms. We've got obviously this market bouncing around as we process where AI maybe headed, especially in light of the change in Congress and perhaps the Democrats wanting to slow down AI development. We're weighing the oil markets as the conflict in Iran continues, not to mention a hot CPI Consumer Price Index reading. All of that the market is processing, and maybe you're processing that as well with your 401k or IRA. So, whatever questions you have today, we'd love to hear from you at 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. You can call right now. Let's head to Texas. Robert, you'll be first up, sir. Go ahead.
Robert Uh good morning.
Rob West Hi there.
Robert Uh I have I had a severance of service with my employer just recently and uh I've called in my 401k with the company that's holding and uh they're telling me that there's a 23-day to 30-day waiting period because I don't have the 59 and a half years of age to pull it out immediately or and other uh things that are going on, I guess. But what I'm so nervous about the three-week to four-week waiting period because from what I understand, my 401k, which is in the tens of thousands, is still going to be at risk during that waiting period, and that makes me very nervous.
Rob West Yeah.
Robert So, even though it can mature, like it did last night, about 300 was added. So, uh I'm wondering is there anywhere that I can move that money? I have about 53% in the S&P 500 Index and the other 16% is in the T-Row blue chip and I got about 29% of it on loan, which of course I would have to pay back
Rob West Yeah, yeah.
Robert uh when the distribution happens. I mean, is is there anything other than prayer that I can do to keep that money safe during this waiting period, because I don't know what's going on. I'm there's going to be a change of Congress coming up.
Rob West Mhm.
Robert Uh Well, let me give you some thoughts here, Robert. You know, I think Well, let me give you some thoughts here, Robert. You know, I think
Rob West Yeah, I think the most important thing to understand is that you wouldn't necessarily have to wait 23 days to protect the money from market losses. Even if you can't withdraw or roll the funds over immediately, uh you would likely be able to move the investments inside the 401k to a more conservative option. Now, I'd like to talk about kind of where you go from here and uh what you're going to be doing with this money down the road. But let's deal with your your immediate concern, and that is market volatility given your current investment mix. Uh have you asked whether changes to the investments are permitted during the waiting period?
Robert Uh I did. However, uh they told me that they would they there's a certain place they can put it where there's really no uh fluctuation.
Rob West Yeah.
Robert Uh but I'm uh I'm not sure where to you know, where to put that.
Rob West Okay. Well, so that's the good news. I mean, I want to talk about where we go from here and and why you're concerned about leaving it invested if in fact, you know, you you do want this money to last for a long time because uh you know, we need to get it properly invested according to your age, your goals, your risk tolerance, and that's likely going to involve some allocation to stocks because even once you retire, and I'd like to know more about kind of where what you see your work picture looking like in the future, but even once you fully retire, um you know, you still have a, Lord willing, a decades-long need for this money. And one of the ways we outpace inflation and the loss of purchasing power is we keep it invested, but we take a more conservative posture. But again, going back to your more immediate concern, um you could move it during this waiting period to what's called a stable value fund or a money market fund, and that would ensure that, you know, you're eliminating the market exposure during this period. But again, I would ask why we're doing that. So, give me a picture of where you're going from here. You've separated from service. What's next?
Robert Well, of course there's the unemployment funds. However, uh I was thinking about uh stepping back into uh transportation with my commercial driver's license.
Rob West Okay.
Robert Uh I have a background in loading docks and and uh forklift operating. And there's also uh an option of going into entertainment. Uh I recorded two songs with a uh recording studio here in South Texas and uh I don't really want to if if I don't have to, I'd really rather not go into entertainment.
Rob West Yeah. So, what what are your what are your income sources in the meantime? Are just unemployment?
Robert It would just go to the unemployment and this 401k of course
Rob West And what do you have in the 401k?
Robert Uh it's minuscule. Although it's in the tens of thousands, it's it's nowhere near somebody uh less than 10 years away from retirement should be.
Rob West Okay.
Robert Uh I got a severance paycheck coming and of course the last payroll check, uh but I've only been making I've only been earning between 45 and 55,000 a year.
Rob West Okay. All right.
Robert Of course, if I go back into transportation, things would look better. And if I did go into entertainment, it's the the pay is going to be much better. It's just I really don't want to go in that direction.
Rob West Okay. Yeah. And obviously that's going to involve, you know, quite a bit of time, I would imagine, and and trying to break in, which is is not easy. I'm not saying it's not where the Lord might be leading, but uh normally in order to entertain something like that, we need to have stable employment with a consistent paycheck until something materializes that we can count on, which often takes quite a bit of time. I listen, I would say the the most important thing is not moving that that uh you know, $10,000 or $30,000 401k. I'd keep that invested. Your full-time job needs to be looking for your next job. Let's talk a bit more off the air. We'll be right back.
SEGMENT 4
Rob West Thanks for joining us today on Faith and Finance here on American Family Radio. I'm Rob West. We're taking your questions today at 800-525-7000. That's 800-525-7000. We've got lines open. We're ready for you. Whether you're thinking about paying down some debt today, maybe it's that credit score, you know, more and more people are concerned about just how that score tends to move around, and, you know, if you're preparing to go get a new mortgage or you're looking to buy a car, you're wondering, how do I get that up above a certain threshold? Uh, we'd love to help you process that. Maybe for you, it's investments, or how to give wisely, preparing the next steward, or how much is the right amount of inheritance to leave to our heirs? Whatever you're considering today, call right now. We'd love to tackle it with you. 800-525-7000, that's 800-525-7000. You know, I think, uh, as we were talking with Robert a moment ago about the markets and the fluctuation, um, oftentimes we can feel like, uh, we have no control over our retirement savings. And I think it's, uh, incumbent upon us to remember that God calls us to be faithful stewards, not to predict or control the future. Remember Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding." So, does that mean we ignore financial risks? No, not at all. It means we approach them with wisdom rather than fear. And so, what does wisdom look like? Well, it means taking a long-term perspective. It means, uh, being faithful with what has been placed in our hands today. Remember, faithfulness is the measure of the steward, right? Because when we recognize God owns it all and that money is a tool, then we see faithfulness as our measure. So the question is, with what God has given me today, however much income I have, whatever assets I have, what does faithfulness look like? Well, faithfulness doesn't look like putting our hope in riches. We see that clearly in what Paul said to Timothy. Faithfulness doesn't look like get rich quick. Faithfulness doesn't look like fear. It means trusting God, uh, with wisdom rather than fear, replacing that fear with faith. But it also does look like limiting, uh, our spending, living within our means. You know, the the world will allow us to live outside of God's provision through debt, namely credit cards. And a lot of people find themselves in that spot. We can't be in that position. We've got to make an absolute commitment to live within our means. And when we do that, it allows us to, uh, cover what we have in front of us right now. It also means allowing us to, hopefully, have something left over because margin, what's left over at the end of the day, is the only way we're going to fund our longer term goals. You know, if we want to be able to give more, we want to be able to start a business, we want to pay down debt, the only way we do that is through having the ability, uh, to have something left over at the end of the month. So that's part of what faithfulness looks like. It also means saving for the future. That's where our investments come in. It means giving generously. Uh, it means listening to the Holy Spirit, but also planning to give, being intentional about our giving. And so, remember that. I think the key for the steward is faithfulness.
All right, let's head back to the phones. By the way, we do have some lines open. 800-525-7000. Uh, let's go to Arkansas. Kyle, go ahead.
Kyle I have a, uh, uh, question about a group called F-I-S-Y-N.
Rob West Okay. What what do you know about it and what are you wondering?
Kyle ... and my phone is, uh, Now, can now can you hear me?
Rob West Yes, sir. Mhm.
Kyle F-I-S-Y-N, Fyson. It's a it's a group that I guess uh they're looking for investors to put some money into, uh, in Texas for some of those data centers that's already been approved and they're looking for, uh, investors and I was wondering if you knew anything about this group.
Rob West I don't specifically, but I will tell you, um, you know, any kind of real estate investment company, um, you know, that that promises a 12% return, I would be cautious to say the least. Um, you know, the opportunity could be attractive. I don't want to immediately dismiss it. I think the the big question is whether the 10% is guaranteed, projected, or simply a preferred return. Um, you know, the pros would be obviously if there was the potential for a 12% return, that's significantly higher than what you would get, you know, and certainly in a banking product and and, um, you know, if it was guaranteed, it's quite a bit better than, you know, what you would be guaranteed in the stock market for sure because there are no guarantees there. Uh, we know that AI and cloud computing are driving demand for data center. So there's growing demand. Um, obviously, if you've got the real estate backing where it's secured by the land or the buildings, that's helpful. There's some potential income there and there's property appreciation. I think the, uh, you know, the downside is, you know, we've got, um, the change in the administration, including there in Texas, which I think has put some of these projects, at least put a question mark by them. Uh, the Texas electricity infrastructure and grid connections can create delays. Um, higher returns generally mean higher risk. So I'd love to know how the risk is being communicated to you. There's also often illiquidity, which just simply means your money is locked up for years. You need to be okay with that. And, you know, I think often times these returns are entirely dependent upon the successful development or the financing, which again, um, you know, that it's it's speculative development. So, a property purchased for a future data center may never become one just given, you know, the the changes that are going on right now, politically and otherwise. But how how is the return being communicated to you, Kyle?
Kyle Well, it was going to be returned monthly, monthly, is what they would do. \
Rob West But is it a guarantee or is it a projection?
Kyle It was, uh, a guaranteed 12%. But I haven't signed any papers to see the fine print on it. You know, there's always the devil's in the details. So, I didn't know if you might already know something about it before I delve into it.
Rob West I don't, other than here's what I would just say and I I realize I'm talking generally here, but if they're using the word guarantee, that would raise an important red flag for me because a guarantee is only as strong as the company or the institution that's legally obligated to honor it. And a a 12% guaranteed return on private real estate as an investment is very different than a 12% return on a FDIC insured bank product. Um, so I I would want to know who is guaranteeing the the 12%? Is it this FISYN? Is it a separate insurance company? Is it another entity? Uh, is the principal guaranteed too, or is it just the the 12% payment, um, that's guaranteed? That doesn't mean the original investment is protected. Is it guaranteed in writing? Who backs it? And what happens if they go bankrupt? Um, because, you know, investors, uh, often, you know, if they're unsecured creditors, um, you know, would be left out. So, uh, I would just, uh, be careful there. I I suspect what you will hear from them when you press in is that that's a target return based on their objectives, not a guaranteed. And and then you'll find in the fine print that say all private investments carry risk of loss. And so, I think given that, um, you know, you just need to right size your expectations that that's a projection and you've got to be comfortable with the illiquidity, meaning it's going to be difficult to get your money back. And then secondly or thirdly, I think you just need to recognize, you know, a lot of these projects are in flux right now just because of what's going on politically, not only nationally, but there in Texas.
Kyle Right. Right. I agree. Okay. Well, appreciate your time.
Rob West Absolutely, Kyle. Lord bless you, my friend. This is Faith and Finance on American Family Radio. I'm Rob West. Uh, we're going to take a quick break. We come back, a special guest stops by. Also, uh, we'll try to sneak in a few more questions. 800-525-7000. Any financial question today. Hey, our goal between now and the end of the year here at FaithFi, $200,000. It's going to be matched every gift of any amount. We'll send you Randy Alcorn's new devotional that comes out right up to the first of the year, Wealth, That Lasts. faithfi.com/give
SEGMENT 5
Financial literacy matters. But for Christians, knowing how money works is only the beginning. What if even something as ordinary as banking could help us disciple the next generation to become faithful stewards? On this Faith & Finance on AFR, Rob West and Aaron Caid talk about banking as a discipleship tool for Gen Z and young adults. Then, it’s on to calls.
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