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
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Al Mueller is the founder and President of Excellence in Giving, a transformative organization dedicated to guiding High Net Worth families in making impactful philanthropic decisions. Al shares his inspiring journey from a successful Wall Street career to his current impactful role as a philanthropic consultant.
Al’s faith played a pivotal role in shaping his life’s purpose and mission. Through prayer and reflection, he crafted his mission statement: to motivate Christians to give significantly and sacrificially with maximum efficiency to Kingdom activities.
This statement led him to take a leap of faith and establish Excellence in Giving, a transformative consulting organization that now serves over 40 High Net Worth families, guiding them in strategic giving decisions ranging from $1 million to $25 million annually to various causes both domestically and internationally.
Al also helped launch the Kingdom Giving Fund, a pooled grant-making organization that focuses on high impact projects that change the trajectory of well-proven ministries. Throughout his interview, Al emphasizes the importance of stewardship, a deeper approach to generosity, where discernment and wise decision-making play a crucial role in making a meaningful impact.
Major topics covered include:
- Al’s journey from Wall Street to philanthropy
- The need to go beyond simple giving and foster a deeper approach to generosity for a lasting impact
- Al’s approach to highly effective giving
- The importance of celebrating wins in generosity
- Excellence in Giving’s approach to philanthropy
- The Kingdom Giving Fund model and collaborative giving
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “I felt like the Lord had a kingdom purpose for me that wasn’t helping wealthy people become wealthier.”
- “Faith is definitely important. And the crown ministry allowed us to really rethink that.”
- “Giving away money thoughtfully is a challenge.”
- “If you’re not experiencing the joy of generosity, you’re not doing it, right.”
- “Only the Lord has the capacity to deal with all the problems in the world.”
- “Joy is a big part of what God promises in the world of generosity and stewardship.”
- “Your passions have to be a subset of God’s passions.”
- “There is really no substitute for doing your own homework in the area of giving.”
- “When God breaks your heart, then figure out who’s championing that area and join them.”
- “There should be things in our lives that break our heart.”
- “When you have more money, you will just do more of what you’re already doing now.”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- Excellence in Giving
- The Kingdom Giving Fund
- Crown Ministries
- Halftime by Bob Buford
- Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell)
- Ben Carson Reading Rooms
- Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
- Rick Warren
- Compassion International
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
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.
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Mario Zandstra is the President and CEO of Family Legacy. Mario’s journey from humble beginnings to his success in commercial real estate, and now to his current leadership in ministry demonstrates the power faith has had in his life. He discusses his personal journey, the connection between faith and business, transitioning from business to ministry, and the impact of his current ministry, Family Legacy, in Zambia.
Mario’s faith guided his career in commercial real estate, where he upheld integrity and honorable work. His colleagues weren’t surprised when he later transitioned to ministry, inspired by “Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance.” He first led Pine Cove, one of the largest Christian summer camp programs in the U.S. and achieved remarkable growth, with 30,000 children coming to Christ. He emphasizes the ripple effect of generosity and the profound impact several key experiences had on his faith and future.
Currently, he leads Family Legacy, which supports thousands of children in Zambia, empowering them through education and providing a safe haven through the Tree of Life residential facility. Over 20,000 students have been educated, entire communities have been transformed through Family Legacy’s continued work.
Major topics include:
- Mario’s personal journey and the transformative power of faith.
- The impact of Mario’s faith on his career in commercial real estate and his commitment to integrity.
- Transitioning from business to ministry and the unexpected opportunities that arose.
- Stories of generosity and the ripple effect of giving.
- The significance of expressing gratitude and acknowledging the influence of others.
- Family Legacy’s founding, and the ministry today.
- Empowering children in Zambia through education, trade certifications, and holistic support.
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “I think about where I am in life, and I can’t imagine anything better.”
- “What’s stopping you from trusting Jesus?”
- “I turned my life over to Christ. And that was the beginning of a crazy adventure.”
- “Pull together a group of people that really know you well, and give them the right to ask you the tough questions.”
- “We leveraged, we took the principles of business that God has allowed to be created over the course of time, and we apply those into the organization.”
- “You just don’t know what happens in life.”
- “Be careful what you’re willing to go meet about because you might end up running a ministry in Africa.”
- “We believe in empowering, equipping, and encouraging kids to live up to their God-given potential.”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- Family Legacy
- Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru)
- Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Buford
- Pine Cove Christian Camp
- Redeemer City to City and Tim Keller
- Momentous Institute
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
2 Corinthians 5:21 | Christ’s Sacrifice
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Psalm 139:14 | Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Philippians 4:6 | Don’t Be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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.
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Lance Wood is a retired certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Area Director for the National Christian Foundation (NCF). Lance shares his journey from a successful career as a numbers-driven tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers to finding fulfillment in helping generous Christians maximize their giving through tax-efficient strategies. We explore the transformative power of generosity, the importance of combating materialism, and the intersection of faith, generosity, and tax savings. Lance’s expertise and personal experiences provide valuable insights into unlocking the potential of charitable giving and making a lasting impact.
Throughout the interview, Lance highlights the power of donor-advised funds as a platform for charitable giving. He explains how leveraging appreciated assets, such as businesses or real estate, can significantly increase the impact of donations while providing tax advantages. Lance emphasizes the benefits of gifting before a transaction occurs, allowing donors to maximize tax savings. We also delve into the concept of fractional interest giving and how it offers control, tax advantages, and increased giving potential for businesses and real estate.
Topics covered include:
- Leveraging donor-advised funds as a platform for charitable giving
- Unlocking the potential of appreciated assets to maximize tax benefits and donations
- Gifting before a transaction occurs for significant tax advantages
- Fractional interest giving for businesses and real estate
- Understanding the abundance-mindset and responsibility that come with wealth
- Participating in God’s unfolding plan through generosity
- Addressing the massive needs in the world
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “Generosity is not just about benefiting others, it’s about transforming our hearts”
- “You have to surround yourself with people who are generous”
- “Generosity moves people towards Jesus.”
- “Long-term capital gains tax is an optional tax”
- “God is moving right now. And we have a choice. Are we going to step into God’s plan?”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)
- Ronald Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)
- Faith Driven Entrepreneur
- Faith Driven Investor
- Henry Blackaby
- Helping Hands Charitable
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 | Building on the Foundation of Jesus
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Matthew 14:13-21 | The Fish and the Loaves
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.
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Mike Miller is a seasoned financial advisor and partner with Ronald Blue Trust as well as long term host of the Talking Money radio show. Mike shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of faith to establishing his own financial planning business, Plan First, which has since become part of Ronald Blue Trust. Mike highlights the importance of integrating biblical principles with financial advice, stewarding God’s resources wisely, and several helpful giving strategies. Major topics covered include:
- Mike’s early experiences with money
- Integrating biblical principles with financial advice
- Overcoming challenges and building relationships in the financial planning industry
- Balancing faith and professionalism as a Christian financial advisor
- Trusting God when everything is not clear
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “Don’t let money use you, and use money properly.”
- “Spend less than you make and do it for a long period of time.”’
- “You’ve got to be open to the fact that God may be leading you in a direction that you may not have considered yourself.”
- “Satisfy the needs of the people, the rest will take care of itself.”
- “Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- Ronald Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)
- Talking Money Radio
- How Good is Good Enough by Andy Stanley
- Letters to a Young Progressive by Mike Adams
- Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)
- Jim Wise, financial advisor (see our interview here)
- David Campaigne, financial advisor (see our interview here)
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
Jeremiah 33:3 | Call To Me
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Hebrews 13:6 | The Lord is my Helper
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper;I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Psalm 36:7-8 | Never Let Children Go Hungry
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
Matthew 25:24-30 | Not Investing Because of Fear
He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
2 Timothy 1:7 | No Fear
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Philippians 4:6 | Do Not Be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Timothy 6:10 | Love of Money
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 | Be Generous and Ready to Share
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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.
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Julie Wilson is the president of Women Doing Well, which encourages women towards a live of joy-filled generosity. Julie studied journalism in Boston and came to know Christ the same week she landed her dream job at NBC while living in New York. She later went on to work with Cru and then Generous Giving. It was during her time at Generous Giving when she began to realize the need for more community and guidance to support women givers.
Women Doing Well was birthed out of a survey of over 7000 women about generosity. In that survey, 94% of women reported not feeling confident in their giving, desiring community and support in their generosity journey. Since that time, Women Doing Well has grown to meet women in that desire, providing comprehensive and immersive experiences to deepen women’s purpose and joy in generosity and facilitating community to encourage them in the journey.
Julie had much to share on topics like:
- Findings from the survey of 7000 women
- The goal and purpose of Women Doing Well
- Women’s capacity for generosity
- What motivates women to give
- Barriers women face in giving generously
- Common misconceptions about generosity
- The importance of having a two-word purpose
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “Money is just a tool, it’s one of the ways you can be generous.”
- “Community is key, without community, women can’t access their full generosity.”
- “Money is more than just what it can buy, it’s what it can make you be.”
- “Women look for spiritual transformation around generosity.”
- “Purpose is a crucial part of generosity.”
- “If you are not in the world, some part of the Kingdom is going to lose out.”
- “Comparison is the total enemy of generosity.”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- Womendoingwell.org
- Cru.org
- Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
- On Purpose Partners – Purpose test
- Yale Science of Wellbeing course
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
Ephesians 4:6 | One God
One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Acts 4:32 – 34 | They Shared Everything They Had
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.
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.
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Lane Kipp is the founder of All Access International, a pooled giving fund focusing on high impact projects addressing spiritual and physical poverty. Many givers struggle knowing where to give and which organizations to trust. All Access has developed a 5 step screening strategy to select high impact projects all over the world through a variety of partner organizations.
When Lane started out, his goal was simply to better understand how to be a wise steward and impactful giver himself. However, after consulting with multiple major research institutions, Lane began to realize there was a little more of a science to effective giving. An initial trial run through a repeatable screening process on a project in India yielded results were orders of magnitude more effective than most giving today. It was this process that laid the framework for All Access International.
Lane had plenty to share on topics including:
- Patterns among the giving data he’s seen
- What makes nonprofit organizations effective
- His 5-step screening process for All Access International
- Accountability in the field
- Physical and spiritual poverty
Listen now to hear all he had to share!
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “Some of the most sustainable methods of alleviating physical poverty are also spiritual.”
- “Spending is a reflection of what we are really passionate about.”
- “All people deserve access to the Gospel.”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- All Access International
- When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert)
- Joshua Project (see our interview with Director, Dan Scribner)
- Walking with the Poor by Dr Byrant L. Myers
- Uncharitable by Dan Pallotta
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
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.
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
Peter Greer is the CEO of HOPE International, an international microfinance organization that equips people and families facing poverty to launch small businesses to support themselves and their communities. HOPE uses Christ-centered micro-loans and small savings groups to provide people with the temporary capital and the knowledge they need to successfully support themselves and their communities through businesses.
Since inception, HOPE has provided more than $1.5 billion dollars to more than 2.5 million small business owners across 24 countries in the form of microfinance loans in order to empower them to break their own cycle of poverty with the gifts God gave them.
Peter shares powerful testimonies of how micro-loans and small savings groups are fostering incredible fruitfulness and transforming communities all around the world in a sustainable process infused with the gospel. He also challenges us to cultivate a heart of generosity by changing the way we see people facing poverty and recognizing that we have nothing that we ourselves haven’t been given!
Listen now to hear all he had to share.
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- Just because someone is poor speaks more to the circumstance that they are living in more than their capacity as an individual.
- The Generosity movement is not a North American movement. It is a global movement for anyone who recognizes how much we’ve been given.
- A woman is the heart of the home.
- Lottery preys on individuals that have no hope and creates a trap that keeps people stuck.
- Have eyes to see the capacity and the dignity of every single individual
- What do I have that I haven’t been given?
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt)
- Mission Drift, by Peter Greer & Chris Horst
- Peterkgreer.com
- Created to Flourish, by Peter Greer & Phil Smith
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
1 Corinthians 4:7 | What Do You Have That You Haven’t Been Given?
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
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.
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Heather Tuininga is founder of the philanthropic consulting firm 10|10 Strategies and lives in Washington with her family. Heather Bergen her career in politics with a desire to spark change, but quickly find that the political sphere did not always lead to the movement she desired to see.
From there, Heather pivoted into the philanthropy space with the Gates Foundation, working with the Gates family directly to vet and analyze philanthropic opportunities around the world. After several years with the Gates family, she went on to work for a smaller family foundation in order to broaden her experience.
Heather launched 1010 Strategies in order to offer the same level of service to families and business who sought philanthropic guidance, but weren’t large enough to hire someone full time to manage their giving. Since that time, she has been able to help many families and business massive their impact and joy in giving. Heather has a particular passion for spontaneous generosity.
In 2017, during a presentation on generosity, she gave 400 women in the audience each a $20 bill to give to someone else, what later became known as her $20 Challenge. Since then, she has passionately encouraged others into somebody acts of generosity and had many stories to share.
Listen now to hear what Heather had to say on topics like:
- Why generosity is always linked to joy
- How she thinks about philanthropic strategy
- The power of small acts of generosity
- How to hear God’s prompting in generosity
- Leveraging Joy by giving to others so that they can give again
- Countless stories of spontaneous and strategic generosity
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “A life lived for others is a life well spent.”
- “When you are thinking about whether to share or give away or not, ask the owner, because He is the owner”
- “Giving is supposed to be sacrificial and cheerful”
- “When our giving is done well, both the giver and the receiver get life to the full.”
- “You can leverage joy to multiply joy”
- “Generosity and joy goes hand in hand”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- 10|10 Strategies
- Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
- Gates Foundation
- I Like Giving, by Brad Formsma
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
2 Timothy 2:21 | Instrument for Noble Purposes
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,[a] he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Psalm 24:1 | Earth is the Lord’s
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein
John 10:10 | Life to the Full
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
2 Corinthians 9:10 | Seeds to the Sower
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
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.
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Matthew Hendley serves as a generosity ambassador with National Christian Foundation (NCF), coming beside givers, financial advisors, and nonprofits in order to maximize the joy and impact of giving. Matthew lives in Georgia with his wife and five children.
Growing up in a Christian home, Matthew didn’t have much skin in the game until God got his attention through a powerful experience at his high school. As Matthew leaned deeper into his faith, God quickly grew in him a passion for generosity.
Matthew and his family have a particular knack for hearing God in the moment, and he had story after story of seeing God move after responding to that quiet prompting. He also shares some of the challenges of hearing that voice and the disappointment of missed opportunities. If you want to better learn how to follow God’s lead in the moment, then this episode is for you. Matthew also has a financial finish line and shares about how his family went about the process as well as how it has changed their outlook.
Matthew shares on topics including:
- Hearing God’s prompting to individual acts of generosity
- How he decided to set a financial finish line
- His process for setting his initial finish line
- Stories of families he’s worked with through NCF
- Obstacles that hold people back from radical generosity
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “God is going to give you as much as you can handle as soon as you are ready to handle it.”
- “Listen well and obey quickly”
- “Money matters are heart matters”
- “If you won’t be generous with $5 you won’t be generous with $5 000”
- “The love of money is what grips our heart”
- “Greed is a matter of the heart, not a matter of what’s in your bank account”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)
- Journey to Generosity (JoG)
- Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson)
- Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
- Faith & Finance, by The Chalmers Institute (see our interview with founder Brian Fikkert)
- The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author, Randy Alcorn)
- Simplifying the Money Conversation (see our interview with author, Ron Blue)
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
Ephesians 4:28 | Have Something To Share With Anyone
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
1 Timothy 6:10 | Love of Money
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
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.
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Brian Grasso is the CEO and founder of Simple Charity. When he was in high school, Brian was drawn to the intersection of the gospel and global poverty. He, along with a number of other high school students, set a goal to raise $100,000 through a variety of fundraisers to fuel organizations working in that space.
That effort continued to grow into the nonprofit that Brian leads today, which operates at college campuses across the country. Simple Charity inspires Christian students to grow in solidarity with people experiencing poverty and injustice through multiple creative programs and initiatives. And deeply entwined with their message is the invitation to radical generosity.
Brian had plenty to say on topics including:
- The challenges and benefits of reaching college students with the message of generosity
- The opportunities that exist today in reaching students
- How Simple Charity approaches vetting ministries
- How to stay grounded and energized when working in the nonprofit sector
- How he stays rooted in the Word
QUOTES TO REMEMBER
- “We have a God who is generous towards us who wants us to live the good life of grace and abundance, and part of that life is caring for the poor.”
- “It’s such a wonderful blessing to do meaningful work with people that you enjoy”
- “The word of God has the power to transform our hearts”
- “God wants us, rather than what we can do for him.”
- “There is always enough time to do the things that are most important. What changes is what is most important.”
- “Every seed that’s planted is an opportunity to see God work.”
- “The most important thing is seeking the Kingdom of God”
- “Solidarity with the poor starts by learning from the poor, by seeing their abundance.”
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
- Crazy Love by Francis Chan
- Heart for Africa (see our interview with COO Janine Maxwell)
- Biblingo
- The Great Opportunity
- Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
- Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving
- All Access International (see our interview with founder, Lane Kipp)
- When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert)
- The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
- The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group
BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW
Matthew 25:35-40 | I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you and when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
2 Corinthians 8:9 | He Became Poor
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Proverbs 31:10-31 | The Woman Who Fears the Lord
Matthew 5:3 | Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
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.