Faith & Biblical Insights and Contemporary Applications

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27; Proverbs 13:22 

Theme: Understanding our creation in the image of God (imago Dei) and its implications for financial stewardship. Key Points:

• Imago Dei: Exploring what it means to be created in God's image and how this shapes our view of possessions and responsibilities.
• Proverbs 13:22: The importance of leaving an inheritance and planning for future generations. 

                    Academic Integration:

• Smith, C. (2017). Religion: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters. Discuss the concept of imago Dei and its ethical implications.
• Psychological insights from Monroe (1998) on altruism and legacy.

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:33-34 Theme: The role of altruism in Christian financial planning and estate distribution. 

Key Points:

• Heavenly Treasures: Investing in eternal values versus temporary earthly gains.
• Generosity: Encouraging generosity and selflessness in estate planning. Academic Integration:
• Monroe, K. R. (1998). The Heart of Altruism: Exploring the psychological basis of altruistic behavior.
• Practical examples from Choi and Carr (2023) on how family dynamics influence estate planning.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 

Theme: Applying theological ethics to financial decision-making. Key Points:

• Honor God with Wealth: Biblical principles for managing finances ethically.
• Wealth and Good Deeds: Using wealth to do good, be rich in good deeds, and build a strong foundation for the future. Academic Integration:
• Berry-Stölzle and Xu (2022): How religious beliefs influence conservative financial behaviors.
• Practical applications for modern financial decisions based on Erdem and Martin (2020).

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35; James 1:27 Theme: The church’s role in providing financial guidance and support. Key Points:

• Early Church Practices: How the early church managed resources and supported one another.
• Modern Applications: Encouraging churches to offer financial counseling and stewardship programs. Academic Integration:
• Herzberg and Schwartz (2023): The importance of early estate planning.
• Developing church-based programs inspired by the insights from the Journal of Financial Planning.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3; Philippians 4:6-7 

Theme: Understanding the psychological aspects of financial behavior and decision-making. 

Key Points:

• Commitment and Trust: Trusting God with financial plans and decisions.
• Peace of Mind: Finding peace in financial decisions through prayer and wise planning. Academic Integration:
• Insights from Monroe (1998) on altruism and psychological motivations.
• Application of findings from Erdem and Martin (2020) on how religious reminders impact financial decisions.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-7; 2 Timothy 4:7-8 

Theme: Leaving a legacy of faith and ethical stewardship. 

Key Points:

• Teaching Future Generations: The importance of instilling values and ethical practices in children.
• Finishing Well: Leaving a legacy that reflects one’s faith and ethical convictions. Academic Integration:
• Discuss the findings from Choi and Carr (2023) on how relational histories impact estate planning.
• Application of the Transtheoretical Model of Change (Quartuch et al., 2021) to legacy planning.