In the first episode of this season of Faith and Finance Top 10s, Simon selects his Top 10 Bible Passages about Money and Possessions.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon and Bex start off the episode by explaining that this new season will comprise ten ‘Top Ten’ lists on a faith and finance theme, starting off with Simon’s favourite ten biblical passages about money and possessions. [00:52]
• Simon’s first choice is a verse which underpins many of the comments that he has made about stewardship in this podcast - Psalm 24.1: ‘The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’. [03:17]
• Being disciplined in giving is a theme covered in Simon’s second selection, 1 Corinthians 16.1-2: ‘Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.’ [05:10]
• Simon’s third verse (Mark 12.43) makes a significant contribution to the topic of how much we should give: ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.’ [07:13]
• Simon uses the well-known expression, ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ (from 2 Corinthians 9.7) to introduce some comments about the importance of our attitude when we give. [09:11]
• Simon then comments on Acts 4.32-37, especially verses 34-35: ‘For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.’ [11:40]
• Simon draws attention to how love can be expressed through the use of money, as illustrated through the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’ and Luke 10.35, in particular: ‘The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”.’ [14:14]
• Simon’s next choice, Matthew 6.19-21, is a passage that is well known to the listeners of this podcast: ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ [16:20]
• Warnings are also included in the Bible verses selected, with Ezekiel 28.5 sounding a note of caution: ‘By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.’ Simon then takes the opportunity to sneak in an additional warning verse in the form of 1 Timothy 6.10: ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.’ [19:02]
• The Parable of the Shrewd Manager also provides a warning, with Luke 16.10 making it clear that there will be consequences if we mismanage the resources that have been entrusted to our care: ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.’ [20:57]
• Simon’s final verse in his top ten list comes from the Parable of the Talents, with Matthew 25.23 putting forward an end of life accolade that is worthy of our aspiration: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ [22:13]
• The focus of our next episode will be on ten ways to achieve a healthy relationship with money. [23:21]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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In this bonus episode, Simon and Bex discuss FAQs relating to the faith and finance choices that we make as individuals.

Some key points covered in this episode include the following:

• The first question from a listener about individual faith and finance choices is from Charlie, who asks about giving principles: how much should we give, and to whom or what should we give? [02:24]
• The next question is from Morven, who is interested in hearing thoughts about principles that can help us to decide how much it is appropriate to spend on ourselves. [09:14]
• Simon then provides responses to three questions from Bex that are particularly relevant to the later stages of life: (i) Should Christians take out life / health insurance? [13:40]; (ii) What should the Christian attitude to inheritance be? [16:28]; (iii) What are three top faith and finance tips that Christian parents can pass on to their children? [20:38]
• A couple of questions about how we should react to financial stress are then posed by Ruth, through Bex. [23:33]
• Next up, Simon comments in response to three questions about best practice when managing church finances that were sent in by Guy. [27:19]
• The final question provided by listeners was submitted by Alison, who asks: ‘How do we step out in faith responsibly?’ [32:15]
• Simon rounds off the episode by encouraging listeners to get in touch with requests for topics to be discussed on the podcast, especially as future plans have not yet been finalised. [33:54]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In this bonus episode, Simon and Bex discuss FAQs about using our money in an ethical and responsible manner that benefits society.

Some key points covered in this episode include the following:

• Bex explains that the Season 7 bonus episodes will feature faith and finance FAQs. The first episode focuses on using our money in an ethical and responsible manner that benefits society and the second one explores issues to do with our personal finances and the choices that we make in that context. [00:30]
• The first question from listeners that Bex poses to Simon is from Don: ‘How much should we be digging to find out what our money is funding down the chain whilst it sits in bank/savings/investment accounts, and what options are available to us for more 'ethical' investing?’ [02:33]
• Reflecting on ways of influencing situations [07:23], Bex notes that campaigns and protests can become quite complex in their impact and invites Simon to share his thoughts on that area. [08:36]
• Simon explains and explores the issues that arise when trying to achieve a good balance between benefiting from investments and creating benefits by investing. [10:46] For those wishing to take an ethical approach to investing, Simon describes a range of options that runs from ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing through Ethical and Impact investing to Philanthropy. [11:54] He then goes to speak about some steps that are being taken to reduce the ability of companies to ‘greenwash’ their products in order to make them appear more ethical and responsible than they actually are. [15:36]
• In response to a question from Bex, Simon outlines some suggestions that can help us to identify and implement ways of using our money to support causes that we are passionate about. [18:39]
• Bex then asks Simon for some top tips for anyone interested in setting up a Christian charity or social enterprise. [21:51]
• Simon proffers some comments about whether or not there should be any expectation that church members should provide services to churches at preferential rates. [26:44]
• Simon provides three top tips for ways in which Christians can make a difference in a financial context. [30:26]
• The second bonus episode of this season will focus on FAQs relating to the faith and finance choices that we make as individuals. [31:47]
• In closing, Simon recommends the information and resources provided by the charity, ‘Stewardship’, as being relevant and helpful in connection with the content of this episode. [32:22]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.