Transcript [00:02] hello and welcome to this afternoon's [00:05] nrb live conversation on faith and [00:07] finances insights for wise money [00:09] managers we are delighted to welcome [00:11] Marion Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff [00:13] Hogan co-authors of the book Wise Women [00:15] managing money Miriam is the author of [00:18] 12 books a Christian counselor and a [00:20] frequent radio commentator Valerie is a [00:22] certified financial planner author and [00:24] attorney who is helping groups and [00:25] individuals learn about stewardship and [00:27] Financial Freedom together they host the [00:29] one minute Wise Women managing Money [00:31] Radio feature heard on numerous radio [00:33] Outlets Miriam and Valerie thank you so [00:35] much for being with us today [00:37] thank you for having us it's a pleasure [00:40] glad to be here so Miriam and Valerie [00:42] why is your perspective as two women who [00:44] have written on the topic of managing [00:46] money so important [00:48] well I think that [00:50] um the statistics are coming out that we [00:52] see women are really managing more [00:54] they're coming into more wealth they're [00:57] stewarding it now in numbers like 50 [01:00] plus and increasing and so we see that [01:04] demographic women also are primarily [01:09] going to be at least 50 single due to [01:11] widowhood divorce remaining single so I [01:15] mean the topic of women managing and [01:17] stewarding money we are even hearing [01:19] some statistics about two-thirds of [01:21] donors will be women so I mean to for [01:25] nrb and other non-profit groups that's [01:27] really important [01:29] well and another reason that we think [01:31] it's so important is women and [01:33] statistically we know this women lack [01:35] Financial confidence and we know that [01:39] all women can learn and all women can [01:41] know this and all women can do this so [01:43] we are bringing to the table I would say [01:46] uh first of all biblical but secondly [01:49] practical and we're two women sometimes [01:52] you hear women's voices differently than [01:55] men so yeah we're kind of passionate [01:57] about this [01:58] that's beautiful and it's such an [02:00] empowering and equipping message you [02:02] know the truth is many find it [02:04] challenging to talk about money but [02:05] you've made a Ministry out of it so what [02:07] can Christian communicators do to learn [02:10] how to talk better about money wealth [02:12] Financial wisdom topics of that nature [02:16] well one of the things we know that [02:18] first of all we need to have a very fast [02:20] solid vile foundation on the scripture [02:23] uh the first most prevalent topic is [02:27] love second is finances and stuff so [02:30] this should be right up there uh next to [02:33] the top of the list on what we're [02:34] learning about so we have this biblical [02:37] basis that's going to be sure and it [02:40] isn't going to change so it's very [02:42] important that we have that biblical [02:44] basis but then we need to be practical [02:47] and say look if we're already overseeing [02:49] 51 percent of the wealth in the United [02:51] States and before long it'll be 73 [02:54] percent God is entrusting us with a [02:58] whole lot [02:59] so we want to learn and we can and it's [03:03] all there and it's practical right and I [03:05] think communicators can really put [03:08] forward women's voices and faces talking [03:11] about this [03:12] um demonstrate women that are [03:13] Professionals in this area or also just [03:16] to speak to all audience and make sure [03:18] they're included [03:20] that's an encouraging word and that will [03:22] be an encouragement to viewers and [03:23] listeners for sure so in today's rapidly [03:26] changing world how can Christians adapt [03:28] their financial management and their [03:30] stewardship strategies to stay ahead of [03:32] the curve and prepare for an uncertain [03:33] future [03:35] and so what I would say to stay ahead of [03:37] the curve uh ahead of the game you know [03:40] do what we're supposed to be doing is [03:42] this kind of old-fashioned not um [03:44] bleeding edge or whatever technology [03:47] advice is let's do what God tells us to [03:50] do right it's that same message over and [03:53] over God has very specific instructions [03:56] as to how we're to build wealth how [03:58] we're to share wealth how we're to [04:00] Steward and manage it and those have not [04:02] changed with the market even though we [04:04] see movements in Market markets are [04:07] primarily [04:08] focused or moved by fear and greed and [04:12] neither one of those are a Biblical [04:14] basis for managing money so we see a lot [04:18] of fluctuations and movements but what [04:21] we can do is become educated on how the [04:24] world system is but run it through that [04:26] biblical lens of what God has said to do [04:29] all along you know have reserves [04:33] um first of all earn then spend I mean [04:36] very counter-cultural things that still [04:39] Rings true and we're seeing those [04:41] Concepts come back to roost again right [04:43] now [04:44] well to be specific Proverbs says [04:47] prepare the horse for battle but the [04:49] victory is the Lord so in other words we [04:51] don't know what the battle is going to [04:53] bring but we still and as Valerie [04:55] mentioned we work and earn money so we [04:58] can eat biblical starts out in Genesis [05:01] it talks about it in the New Testament [05:03] so there's this work work ethic thing [05:06] going on there and then there's the no [05:09] debt there are very few instances where [05:11] you can have debt [05:12] the debt numbers are staggering in [05:15] families and individuals today and the [05:18] government doesn't set a good example [05:20] but the Bible is our basis for the [05:23] example not elsewhere so I you can say [05:26] we could talk a lot about this we'd have [05:29] chapters on it in the book but it's so [05:31] important to realize things have always [05:34] changed no testimony New Testament times [05:37] old they will in our country and they [05:39] will continue to right so but the [05:42] biblical principles are always the same [05:44] yeah so we cannot kind of get whipped [05:47] around by the hype so to speak I mean [05:51] that that solid biblical wisdom is still [05:54] the best wisdom [05:56] yes time tested you know one of the [05:59] things in your book in fact I have a [06:00] copy of your book right here and I think [06:02] we'll talk later about how our viewers [06:03] can get a copy of that but one of the [06:05] things you talk about is the concept of [06:07] generosity to God in your perspective is [06:09] this the same thing as Financial giving [06:12] well in a sense [06:14] um you know we want to be generous [06:15] toward God but in a sense can we even be [06:18] generous to God because it's all his to [06:20] begin with so we start with that [06:22] principle but we really want to show God [06:25] appreciation and so I don't look at [06:29] giving or [06:31] um tithing or giving above time giving [06:35] Talent treasure all those things that we [06:38] can kind of quote unquote give and give [06:40] back were really given to us in the [06:42] first place but it's more of a not only [06:45] gesture of appreciation it's kind of a [06:48] demonstration that God is Lord capital [06:50] l-o-r-d in our life right and that he [06:53] owns it all but it's also an act of [06:55] worship gratitude thankfulness so it's [06:58] not really a to-do [07:00] um it is a response in a sense and what [07:04] we love to talk about is the Matthew 25 [07:06] principle of the stewards and all get [07:09] they're all given different amounts so [07:12] in other words words if some woman or [07:14] man or in a marriage they're saying well [07:16] our our talents are few still you double [07:20] them you put them to work or if they're [07:22] not you put them to work if you don't do [07:25] anything with them and hide them and [07:27] don't acknowledge it's God's on loan to [07:30] you that Steward didn't go well for him [07:32] so we want to be those really Matthew 25 [07:38] generous uh people overseeing that and [07:42] for many people like if you feel a [07:44] little bit like you're lacking financial [07:46] literacy here's a big boost for you know [07:50] your why when you know it's God's it's [07:52] like if you want to buy something or if [07:55] you want to go somewhere what do you do [07:56] you research it and you figure it out [07:59] okay so wow God has entrusted you with [08:03] this right so we say know it own it like [08:08] it or change it now when we talk about [08:10] we say we're practical [08:12] uh you know it you keep track where is [08:15] it going right and then you own it and [08:18] say wow that's looking back at me that's [08:21] what I'm doing same thing in marriage [08:22] and we have a chapter on uh marriage and [08:26] finances and by the way Jerry Jenkins [08:28] said all men should read this book [08:31] oh boy wait for the chat messages to [08:35] come through Jerry he's like okay guys [08:38] um yeah so so you know it you own it [08:40] then you say do I like that does that [08:42] honor God if not go to work on it you [08:45] know get out the shears or the weed [08:48] whacker or whatever but I think it's to [08:51] a thing of not only it's that it's that [08:54] act of worship and that act of gratitude [08:56] that we manage and Steward and obedience [08:59] just um and don't things go better when [09:01] he we just do what he told us to do [09:04] it's it's hard it's not always easy but [09:07] isn't that right you know and I think [09:09] that there's a lot of there's a lot of [09:11] different challenges and tensions that [09:12] come up perhaps for those who are just [09:14] beginning to think about financial [09:16] wisdom for the first time right we want [09:18] to save and plan and prepare and [09:20] strategize for the future but some may [09:22] be hearing this and saying well I trust [09:24] God to take care of me what would you [09:26] say to someone who is navigating that [09:28] tension between the need to Steward what [09:30] we have wisely and wanting wanting and [09:33] eating to rely on God's provision [09:36] yeah I I view this as kind of um maybe [09:39] not walking a tightrope but it's that [09:41] tet it's that tension between faith and [09:44] due diligence right so we don't want to [09:47] be so focused on the numbers that we [09:49] have that hoarding Spirit you know it's [09:51] just that it's all about me I've got [09:54] this under control III and me me me [09:56] that's just a little too us focused [09:58] right and not Faith focused we want to [10:01] leave uh open the opportunity and the [10:04] the wiggle room for the miraculous [10:06] because God does bring that into our [10:08] life but I would say we don't really [10:10] want to go at this with a YOLO you know [10:12] you only live once so oh well I'm just [10:14] gonna not do my due diligence and [10:17] Steward well and hope God cleans up the [10:19] mess attitude [10:21] um so there's a difference between faith [10:23] and that approach and so [10:26] um I really view it in attention and for [10:29] example when we're planning and [10:31] stewarding there were a couple examples [10:33] I like to say it's Joseph's stewardship [10:36] and stockpiling versus the guy with [10:38] bigger barns so both of them actually [10:41] stockpiled but one was doing it for [10:43] himself I need more I've got more the [10:46] other one was doing it because God told [10:48] Joseph to do it and it was for the good [10:50] of other people it was so but they were [10:52] both stockpiling so there's a just a [10:55] truckload of difference in the spirit [10:57] and and the why that we're doing [10:59] something in that tension between it's [11:02] between faith and due diligence I think [11:04] we walk that all the time in our faith [11:06] in many areas well and to those [11:08] listening say well does it have to be [11:10] always to this organization or this [11:13] church or whatever we need to remember [11:15] scripture also says to help those in [11:18] need so in other words I know sometimes [11:22] we know someone in a family where [11:24] there's a big Health crisis and they may [11:26] have been staying on budget and have [11:28] some Reserve but a Health crisis can [11:31] wipe everything and more out like [11:33] nothing will other families in the body [11:36] of Believers can help them in some ways [11:39] and it may be that an appliance wears [11:43] out and you can have one delivered in [11:45] other words someone may say well that's [11:47] a big Bill but what can you do and the [11:49] small thing can be something that honors [11:52] God and then one of the things that we [11:55] see all the time is in neighbors and [11:57] other people who aren't Believers say [11:59] well look at the body of Believers look [12:02] at how they're humming around that [12:04] person to help in their time of need and [12:07] it it may be though that it's that [12:10] one-on-one thing it may be through the [12:12] church it may be through a great [12:14] organization that we're helping to [12:15] support those are all good but we also [12:18] say lay your budget out before the Lord [12:22] and I do paper and pencil I'm old school [12:25] Val and Mark her husband they're so [12:27] techy they what is it you do we do [12:30] spreadsheets we do apps we we do all [12:32] kinds of things so you know it doesn't [12:34] really matter how to get it done but we [12:37] Steward for the Lord and we walk that [12:40] tension and I think I mean I just [12:42] remember the verse about we can cause [12:44] others to praise the Lord by our giving [12:47] and boy [12:48] there are days when I've seen others [12:51] that I'd like to see praising the Lord [12:53] and so the Bible talks about that from [12:55] our giving in from our generous example [12:58] um but key to doing that to generosity [13:01] is the stewardship [13:03] and to make margin in our budgets and [13:06] our lives [13:07] um just waiting for those Divine [13:09] appointments where we're doing what God [13:11] is asking us to do in the moment [13:14] one of the things we say too is if you [13:18] aren't putting aside money and building [13:20] that Reserve that three to six months [13:23] and for some families that might be [13:25] thirty five thousand dollars to have a [13:28] half a year you know depending on your [13:30] income and what you're spending it may [13:32] sound like a lot start with five dollars [13:35] a week [13:35] and you do without that one special cup [13:38] of coffee and I like coffee a lot but [13:41] can you can you say okay I'm gonna not [13:44] do that and then your confidence grows [13:47] and the other thing that we've seen when [13:50] you show God I want to be obedient to [13:52] you [13:53] he steps in in unique ways one woman [13:56] told me when she started she felt that [13:58] God helped her kept her old car running [14:01] longer with fewer repairs now is that in [14:04] the Bible no let's just let's just but [14:07] God sees this person this couple wants [14:10] to be obedient and they're doing [14:13] something and then you also say wow I'm [14:17] doing something and then you go from [14:19] there you start where you are you know [14:21] it and you own it and say do I like that [14:24] that's just wonderful and and several of [14:27] the things you said just now Valerie I [14:28] love your framing of due diligence [14:30] that's a wonderful way of thinking about [14:32] thinking about stewardship and Miriam [14:34] what you said about availability to meet [14:37] small needs as they arise whether it's [14:39] um the the small appliance that breaks [14:42] and someone needs a replacement I can [14:43] even recall being a beneficiary of that [14:45] type of generosity in another time in [14:46] life and it is so meaningful to the [14:49] recipient and it's it's it's remembered [14:51] and it's valued so much and how [14:52] wonderful to put yourself in a position [14:54] to be that person for someone else [14:57] well Miriam you had mentioned coffee and [14:59] I'm imagining that from this [15:00] conversation there are maybe several who [15:02] would like to have coffee with you at [15:03] nrb convention and I'm told that you [15:06] both will be attending and looking to [15:07] speak with those who are there we will [15:10] you'll see us roaming the floors [15:11] definitely probably with some lattes [15:14] some coffee so [15:16] um you can catch us there we'd love to [15:18] meet up with you and we just have [15:20] enjoyed that conference for years and [15:22] years and so we'll be there again this [15:24] year Lord willing well and we want to [15:26] serve you and uh you know Wise Women [15:30] managingmoney.com is a where you can go [15:32] and send us a message and we'd love to [15:35] sit with you some of you may be Network [15:37] owners are wise woman managing money is [15:40] on many many outlets now including Moody [15:43] broadcasting and Bot Network and some [15:45] others we'd love to be more a service to [15:49] your listeners because we're unique I'm [15:51] not saying we're great or smart or [15:54] anything but we are unusual and and [15:57] highly caffeinated and there's nothing [15:59] like this and it's women's voices [16:01] talking about money and finances we'd [16:04] love to meet with you or be interviewed [16:06] with you or do a television we've done [16:08] all of that there we love it yeah [16:11] well that's wonderful in fact I think it [16:13] may have been a 2022 convention where I [16:15] met both of you for the first time and [16:17] you were kind enough to give me a copy [16:19] of your book and I so look forward to [16:20] seeing both of you again [16:22] um can I offer each of you a parting [16:23] thought before we close out absolutely [16:26] one of the things I would like to say to [16:28] those listening is nrb is a very special [16:31] and important organization I'm not [16:33] biased just because my husband was a [16:35] part of it even the the he was the [16:39] finance guy on the board for a while I'm [16:42] not saying it because of that but it's a [16:44] unique opportunity the world is not in a [16:46] great place media is a great way to get [16:49] the word out there radio satellite I [16:53] mean there are so many methods that [16:54] people are using I want to applaud NRV [16:57] members and say take advantage of stuff [17:00] take advantage of the fact that we have [17:03] information we want you to have it we [17:05] want to serve you uh we we love the [17:09] organization so why not give back as [17:11] well and we might even buy you coffee [17:15] I also I would just say that um we're [17:17] available if you'd like perspectives on [17:19] reaching out to a women's audience and [17:22] just knowing some of the things that are [17:24] challenges and stewardship that are um [17:27] just data points and statistics of [17:29] what's coming down the road as far as [17:31] women and stewardship women as far as [17:34] confidence and money women as donors [17:37] we're available to talk with you about [17:39] those kinds of Trends as well well and I [17:42] would also add that uh Wise Women [17:46] managingmoney.com if you click on that [17:49] we have a 26 video series five minutes [17:52] long each [17:54] and we talk about many of these detail [17:56] in detail so if you want to know about [17:58] what we think about investing and I have [18:01] many opinions on that we have a chapter [18:04] on that but from that because we did [18:07] that video five minutes each a lot of [18:09] people don't have a whole lot of time [18:11] you can say is this is this what I want [18:14] to offer my audience or might I want to [18:16] offer this on a platform and someone saw [18:19] those actually a moody press guy and [18:22] said this needs to be a book so the book [18:24] is a lot longer more on each topic but [18:28] why are we doing this because God has [18:30] entrusted us the opportunity to do it we [18:35] love to [18:36] um you know get a little bit of makeup [18:38] on although not all the time but and and [18:41] talk to people about this we've gone to [18:44] churches and done Saturday morning [18:46] brunches talking about this luncheon [18:49] learns lots of different platforms so [18:52] yeah we're available and we'll hope to [18:53] see people at the convention [18:56] well that is wonderful and what an [18:58] incredible Ministry to provide [18:59] accessible Solutions on a topic area [19:02] that is challenging for many but so many [19:04] want to learn more about [19:06] it's been such an honor to have you with [19:08] us today these were our final thoughts [19:09] from two wise money managers Miriam Neff [19:12] and Valerie Hogan thank you so very much [19:14] Miriam and Valerie for being with us [19:16] today and we look forward to seeing you [19:17] at convention and I hope that today's [19:19] conversation ends up launching many more [19:21] conversations in person at convention [19:24] and Beyond and to our nrb audience thank [19:27] you so much for joining us today and we [19:28] look forward to seeing you next time
On Thursday, March 30, at 2:30 p.m. ET, Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan, authors of “Wise Women Managing Money,” joined NRB for an online conversation on financial empowerment and wise stewardship. Miriam and Valerie shared their insights on navigating finances and creating a legacy of financial wisdom.
