The Finish Line Podcast
 

The Finish Line Podcast

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Kealan, a surgeon, and Cody, a financial advisor, discuss the intersection of faith, generosity, and personal finance. They’re joined by a variety of guests, including pastors, financial advisors, radically generous givers, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and nonprofit leaders to explore one central question: How do we best steward God’s wealth? On The Finish Line Podcast, you’ll hear challenging and inspirational stories of tremendous generosity. You’ll also learn from experts in multiple fields about topics like setting a financial finish line, giving efficiently and effectively, and teaching generosity to your children. More than anything, though, you’ll see how God is constantly at work redeeming the world He created and loves. Visit the website at www.finishlinepledge.com to learn more.

Episodes

Todd Harper, Cofounder of Generous Giving, Sharing the Generous Giving Story (Ep. 25)

Monday Jul 26, 2021

Monday Jul 26, 2021

Todd Harper, one of the 4 cofounders of Generous Giving, sat down with us to share not only his incredible personal story, but the entire foundation story of Generous Giving. From a young age, Todd was fascinated by money, eventually dreaming of becoming a millionaire by 30. But God had a very different plan for his life. After a number of years in campus ministry, Todd’s life intersected with a couple of key individuals whose lives were marked by extreme generosity. As he carefully watched how their lives differed from those around them, his curiosity eventually grew into the foundation of Generous Giving.

Generous Giving’s purpose is to create environments where people can experience and ask questions about generosity in a safe, encouraging way. Generous Giving is fully funded by the Maclellan Foundation, so they never have to ask for donations in return. Their mission is simply to invite Christians into a spirit-led commitment to generosity in order to fill them with a newfound freedom and purpose when it comes to wealth.

Few organizations have had a greater impact on reframing the concept of generosity in the American church, and we were blessed to be able to sit down with Todd to hear the whole story. You certainly won’t want to miss this one. 

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • “If we really come to understand God’s plan for our lives, then living into that plan is the most obvious, natural way to live.”
  • “What I felt like God was asking me to give up was my dream to be a millionaire by 30.”
  • “I’m an eternal investment advisor, I help people lay up treasure in heaven.”
  • “The essence of what we started with is still the essence of what we do, which is to tell compelling stories and ask questions.”
  • “It’s so easy to be convinced that what the world is selling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year is legit – that bigger, better, faster makes you happy.”
  • “The Holy Spirit flips the switch for people from ‘ought to’ to ‘get to’ in their giving.”
  • “Desire is so much more powerful than duty.”
  • “Being around generous people is just stinkin contagious.”
  • “People who are giving their lives away for the sake of others – there is a joy and authenticity in their experience of life that is attractive.”
  • “I’ve never met an unhappy generous person.” 
  • “This orientation towards others, this orientation towards giving, really is the thing that brings life and joy.”
  • “Because of my orientation to always wanting more, the notion of what I had being enough created a sense of freedom and contentment that I never would have predicted.”
  • “I don’t always need to figure out how to make more, or save more, or create more for the future.”
  • “I think many of the most generous families I know have implemented some version of a finish line.”
  • “The idea of establishing limits to create freedom is a very powerful idea and it’s rarely implemented in the financial space.”
  • “The more dependant I am on God, the better of a place I’m in.”
  • “I’m not sure God ever wants us to get to the place where we are financially independent.”

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

John 8:32 | The Truth Will Set You Free 

32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Matt. 6:21 | Where Your Treasure Is

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 | That Which is Truly Life

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Andy and Mel Yoon on Giving Away Half Their Income (Ep. 24)

Monday Jul 12, 2021

Monday Jul 12, 2021

Andy and Mel Yoon started off chasing the high life, but found themselves living a life of stress and anxiety with a dental practice that was struggling. But when they started praying a dangerous prayer, God answered in a dramatic way, calling them to give away 51% of their income. Since taking that leap of faith, their life has been flipped upside down as they wade deeper and deeper into the joy of generosity.

Every part of their life today is filled with purpose and mission, from how Andy runs his dental practice to how they raise their kids. Listen now to hear their thoughts on topics like how to take that initial leap, how to draw others into generosity, and how to steward not only your finances, but your story as well.

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • “It’s a really scary place to be, because [God] can give you any answer. He can ask you to sell everything, move to Africa, leave your family, whatever it may be.”
  • “Andy, what have you done with what I’ve given you?”
  • “If I really am taking this seriously, I should be giving more than I take.”
  • “It doesn’t make any sense to us, but there’s gotta be a lot of room for faith.”
  • “The Great Commission applies to everyone.”
  • “When we’re going in to work with an organization, we’re meeting a spiritual need and we’re meeting a physical need.”
  • “We try to surround ourselves with people who will push us harder, push us further, and help us expand what we even think we can do.”
  • “How much is enough? At what point can you just give the rest away instead of it being a percentage?”
  • “Generosity is kind of like a snowball, and as it’s rolling down, it’s just picking up more and more snow and getting bigger and bigger.”
  • “We want to expand more and to grow more so that we can give more.”

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

Matt 19:16-22 | The Rich Young Ruler

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

Matt. 28:19-20 | The Great Commission

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Matt. 11:28-30 | My Yoke is Easy

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Richard Baxter DMD on Leveraging His Entire Dental Practice to Bring the Gospel to Unreached People Groups (Ep. 23)

Monday Jun 28, 2021

Monday Jun 28, 2021

Richard Baxter is a dentist in Birmingham, Alabama who has channeled every part of his business towards bringing the gospel to unreached people groups around the world. Not only does Richard run his own dental practice, but he founded the Alabama Tongue Tie Center and authored the best selling book, Tongue Tied. He also teaches several courses for other practitioners all over the country on the treatment of tongue ties. Most significantly though, Richard channels the vast majority of the funds from his book and courses, totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars, directly to organizations targeting unreached people groups. His passion for the gospel is infectious and it is amazing to see how God has used him to fuel it's spread in hard-to-reach places.

Richard is incredibly thoughtful in how he gives, and shares a wealth of resources for ways people can get involved in reaching unreached people groups with the gospel. We were so encouraged and challenged by Richard's story, you won't want to miss it!

 

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "Don't separate the reason for God's blessing from the purpose for God's blessing"
  • "There is an ability to finish the Great Commission, as far as we understand it, for every tribe, nation, people, and language."
  • "99% of Christian giving goes to where the gospel is already known ... less than 1% goes to the unreached."
  • "If my middle school teacher knew I wrote a book, she'd probably die."
  • "Unreached people groups are the best bang for your buck, the best eternal return on investment."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

Psalm 67:1-2 | The Purpose of God's Blessings 1

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— 2 so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

Matt 6:19-21 | Do Not Store Up Treasures on Earth

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Steve French, CEO of the Signatry, on Strategically Maximizing Our Financial Impact (Ep. 21)

Monday May 31, 2021

Monday May 31, 2021

Steve French is the President and CEO of the Signatry, which partners with families and generous givers to strategically advance the gospel and tackle some of the worlds greatest problems. He shares his story growing up in humble circumstances to becoming a seasoned investor and entrepreneur, purchasing over 15 companies in his career. However, despite all his success, it was one failure that he ranks above it all as one of the most defining moments of his life. Through that moment, God finally got Steve's attention, and we sure are glad that He did. Since that time, Steve has been rigorously focused on mobilizing families that have been given much to manage in order to have an incredible impact on the kingdom. On top of that, Steve gives us an inside look at how donor advised funds and other creative giving strategies can amplify and maximize our impact much more than we may realize. Listen now to hear Steve's incredible story and his depth of knowledge on creative giving strategies.

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "I didn't have a clue where God was leading me, I just knew I was supposed to leave."
  • "This is the most important thing to ever happen to me in my life other than my adoption, coming to know Christ, and getting married to my wife Debbie."
  • "Because God was telling me, 'I wanted you to learn for the rest of your life that you are a steward and I am the owner. But you thought you were the steward AND the owner.'"
  • "God intends, and always has intended, to work through the family."
  • "God has a vision and a mission for every family, and it's not a one generational purpose."
  • "God is the owner of everything. Not just our material resources, but our gifts, our talents, our time."
  • "Our life is determined, it's written in the Lamb's book of life. It has a start, and it has a finish. So how do we steward that time that's between those 2 points?"
  • "That failing to me is more important that my successes. And God get's glorified every time I tell that story."
  • "God is the best investor that there'll ever be or ever has been. His returns on investment are 2x or 3x. His returns are 100x or 1000x."
  • "By unlocking those assets, they can often give 10 times as much as they would have given had they given cash."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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David Johnson, CEO and Founder of Doulos Partners, on Finishing The Great Commission in Our Lifetime (Ep. 20)

Monday May 17, 2021

Monday May 17, 2021

We’re joined by former businessman and pastor David Johnson, the founder and CEO of Doulos Partners. Doulos Partners serves as a sort of mission’s mutual fund, sending resources where they will get the greatest return on investment. They partner with established, successful church planting ministries that already have deep relationships with indigenous pastors around the world and are spreading the gospel in their region. They are listed as one of the top 10 most effective missions organizations by by ROI Ministry, which rigorously screens missions organizations for effectiveness.

More than that, David shares a bigger picture vision for what God is doing on a global scale in the area of missions. In just the last year, there has been a beautiful collision of technology, manpower, and collaboration among many missions organizations that has never before been possible. Stay tuned to hear why David thinks these new developments have the potential to complete the Great Commission in our lifetime by bringing the gospel to all peoples, nations, and tongues. This conversation blew our minds, you will not want to miss it.

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "My master only expected one thing from me, and that was obedience."
  • "God what is it you want me to do? My 'Yes' is on the table."
  • "Find out where God is working, and join Him there."
  • "If you compare [the cost of a Western missionary] to someone in Cuba making $300 per year, then all of a sudden you can support 400 church planters for the same price that is costs to support 1."
  • "There are 5.1 billion people in the 1040 window, 59 countries, yet less than 3% of all Christendom's missions dollars go inside the window. That is, in fact, the Great Imbalance."
  • "I believe, for the first time in my life, I see how we can take the gospel not only to every continent and country and block and district and village, but to every man, woman, boy, and girl - this beautiful collision between technology, boots on the ground, communication, collaboration - doesn't matter who gets the credit, it's all about taking the gospel further and faster to the ends of the earth."
  • "In 13 years, we've had close to 4000 partnership requests from all over the world, and we've only said yes to 6."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

 

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Greg Baumer, Author of God and Money, on Moving From ”How Much to Give” to ”How Much to Keep” (Ep. 19)

Monday May 03, 2021

Monday May 03, 2021

Greg Baumer, a graduate of Harvard Business School, has had a successful career as Chief Growth Officer of a healthcare startup called naviHealth. In his early career, he focused on the high life, going to expensive dinners and vacations with his wife, Alison. However, a class at Harvard called God and Money flipped upside-down his view of money. Always a faithful tither, his question changed from "How much do I need to give" to "How much do I need to keep?". He is co-author of the book God and Money, along with previous podcast guest John Cortines. He has a deep wealth of experience on financial finish lines and speaks around the country on the finish line concept and generosity. Listen now to hear his story!

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "We were dutifully paying our 10% tithe, but there was no worship in it. It was not a way for us to interact with God, it was more like the cost of admission we paid God every week so that we could spend the other 90%."
  • "Everything that we have truly belongs to God."
  • "It is so helpful to have done the work in advance around the finish line concept, because then when the money comes, it is relatively straightforward to allocate it across the categories of giving, spending, and saving."
  • "Generosity is not a choice that we make one time, but rather a choice that we make daily in gratitude to Christ for his generosity towards us."
  • "The wrestling with the Holy Spirit, with your spouse, in the counsel of other wise Christians, is in fact the point."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! Find us on instagram or reach out on our contact page.

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Matt Letourneau, CEO of Neverthirst, on Providing Clean and Living Water to the Unreached (Ep. 18)

Monday Apr 26, 2021

Monday Apr 26, 2021

In this episode, we're joined by Matt Letourneau, CEO of Neverthirst. It’s estimated that 785 million people still lack access to clean and safe water. Neverthirst partners with local indigenous pastors as well as established local well drilling teams to bring clean water and the gospel to some of the poorest unreached people groups in the world.

For those of us seeking to manage God's wealth wisely, Matt shares on topics like accountability for nonprofits, balancing addressing physical and spiritual needs, and sharing a vision with others. He also explains why addressing clean water is a unique strategy with ripple effects through entire communities in areas like healthcare, gender equality, and education.

He also shares several inspiring stories of radical givers with a deep passion for serving the poor and unreached. Listen now to hear our conversation with Matt!

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "We are both physical beings and spiritual beings."
  • "If you look at Jesus' ministry, he met physical needs. He cared about the physical needs of the people that were put in his path."
  • "Every single person that they're around now has gotten the bug for being generous and they're the most joyful people I've ever been around.

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! Find us on instagram or reach out on our contact page.

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Steve Scalici, Financial Advisor and Pastor, on Sixteen Years with a Financial Finish Line (Ep. 17)

Monday Apr 19, 2021

Monday Apr 19, 2021

Steve Scalici is a seasoned financial advisor and pastor of Family Church Jupiter in Jupiter, FL. He and his family also have over 15 years of experience living with a financial finish line. In this episode, Steve shares his inspiring story as well as a wealth of perspective on topics like choosing a finish line, teaching generosity to your kids, and encouraging generosity in others. 

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "God prospers me not to increase my standard of living, but to increase my standard of giving."
  • "The only antidote to materialism is generosity."
  • "[Giving] frees you up to not worry about money... I pay attention to the dollars and I am aware, but it's just not a big concern or worry."
  • "I don't care if I close an account or not, and there's just so much peace in that."
  • "Give, save, and live on the rest."
  • "Sometimes, your heart goes somewhere, and then your treasure follows."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

Luke 12:16-21 | Bigger Barns

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God."

Matthew 6:19-24 | Lay Up Treasure in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Matthew 5:16 | Let Your Light Shine

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:3-4 | Give in Secret

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Proverbs 21:20 | The Wise Store Up

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

Acts 20:35 | More Blessed to Give than to Receive

35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Matthew 6:34 | Don't Worry About Tomorrow

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Luke 12:48 | To Whom Much is Given

48 Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! Find us on instagram or reach out on our contact page.

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Sean Conlon, Serial Entrepreneur, on Deciding to Sell Everything He Owns (Ep. 16)

Wednesday Mar 24, 2021

Wednesday Mar 24, 2021

Sean Conlon is a successful investor and entrepreneur who has started and sold several successful businesses over his career. In 2020, he and his wife made the surprising decision to sell everything they own and live out of an RV. Since that time, they have developed a radical and refreshing new outlook on life and purpose. Listen now to hear about his experience along the way.

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "God's going to accomplish what He's going to accomplish, whether it's through you or through someone else - it's all how your heart is positioned."
  • "We can let so much noise creep into our lives that we can no longer discern the Lord's voice."

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can leave a comment below or reach out on our contact page.

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Q&A: What If I Have Too Much Debt to Set a Finish Line? (Ep. 15)

Wednesday Mar 17, 2021

Wednesday Mar 17, 2021

One of the most significant barriers people face when considering setting a financial finish line is debt. Whether it's student loans or large credit card balances, debt can prove to be both a financial and emotional barrier to the freedom and purpose that come with setting a finish line. In this episode, we'll break down the different types of debt and how to think about each one. We'll also give some real examples, including some from our own lives, to show how a financial finish line can actually get you out of debt much faster than you would otherwise. Listen to the full episode to hear more! 

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

  • "Set a finish line as if the debt was already paid off, and then as you start to work towards that finish line, any margin above that finish line you can use to quickly pay down those debts so that they're no longer a barrier to giving."
  • "We started to find a little more of a balance between the three things that excess can go to, and that's debt, giving, and retirement."
  • "The process of getting rid of it is all in order to free us up to give more freely, it was about the freedom to be able to give without hesitation."
  • "We set a finish line, but what if we set a temporary lower line, which you could call a 'soft finish line', so that we could pay off that debt faster?"

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can leave a comment below or reach out on our contact page.

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