1,000 Reasons to Keep Growing Together

Friend, can I just say something?

I cannot truly believe that we are here today.

1,000 episodes.

And for me, that means you showed up.

That wasn't always perfect.

It wasn't always on time.

But you kept coming back.

And I believe you came back for peace and not pressure, for wisdom and not shame.

And today I just want to celebrate this special milestone with you.

Because this isn't about a number.

It's about the people behind the number.

It's about you.

So here's the question I want to answer today.

What have we learned after 1000 episodes of faith and Finance?

And I want to give you a simple takeaway.

And then I want to thank you from the bottom of my.

Hey, friend.

Ralph Eastep, Jr.

Here.

Welcome to this special episode of Financially Confident Christian, where we learn how to walk through life and money with wisdom, with peace, and with a heart anchored in God's truth every day.

My mission is pretty simple here.

I want to help you break that cycle of financial shame and build steady habits deeply rooted in faith and become the kind of person who handles money with clarity and calm.

So just welcome so much for being here today.

And I go back to thinking about episode 1000.

It feels unreal for me to be honest.

And before I teach anything today, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for trusting me.

Thank you for trusting me with something as personal as your money.

Thank you for being honest about the stress and honest about the regret and honest about the fear.

And despite all those things, thank you for choosing growth.

Anyway, and if you were sitting across from me right now, I think you might ask this, Ralph, after all this, what's the biggest thing I need to remember?

So today I just want to give you a few things I've learned, and maybe you'll hear one you needed today.

Because if we're being real, money is one of those topics that doesn't just live in your wallet.

It lives in your chest.

It follows you to the grocery store.

It shows up in your marriage.

It creeps into your sleep or the lack thereof.

And sometimes you're not anxious because you're irresponsible, anxious because you've been trying as hard as you can try.

So if you've ever felt behind, if you've ever felt embarrassed, if you've ever felt tired.

Friend, I want to start by saying today you are not alone.

So here's what I've learned along this journey.

I'm going to share with you a few lessons.

Here's the first thing.

Shame never changed anybody Shame doesn't build budgets.

Shame doesn't create discipline.

Shame just makes you hide.

But grace, grace turns a light on without burning you.

Here's the second thing.

Small steps are never small.

One saved dollar one.

Honest budget, one.

No, you didn't think you could say.

That's not nothing.

That's training and that's faithfulness.

Here's number three.

Peace is a financial goal.

Not just more money, not just more stuff.

Peace.

The kind of peace where you can breathe again.

The kind of peace where you can give again.

And the kind of peace where you can sleep again.

Here's number four.

God is not asking for perfection.

He's asking for honesty.

He's asking for honesty about what's coming in.

Honesty about what's going out and honesty about what you're carrying.

And when you bring that to him, he doesn't shame you.

He helps you.

And number five, you were never meant to do this alone.

Community matters.

Encouragement matters.

A plan matters.

A steady voice matters.

Sometimes you don't need another tip.

You need a reminder that you can keep going.

And I hope for you that's what this show has become.

And let me share this from the book of James, chapter one, verse five.

It says this.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

Friend, listen to what that says.

Without finding fault.

That means God isn't standing there with a clipboard keeping score.

He's standing there with open hands.

How about we pray together?

Lord, thank you for every person listening today.

Thank you for carrying them through seasons of stress and uncertainty.

Give them wisdom without fear, Lord.

Give them courage without shame, Lord.

And most of all, give them peace that steadies their heart and strengthens their home.

And I ask this in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen.

So here's your small step for today.

I'd love it if you would share this show with just one person.

Just think of one person out there right now.

Maybe you've got a friend who's stressed or a couple trying to breathe.

Maybe a single parent caring too much.

And I just want you to send them this episode and say, something like this helped me.

Maybe it'll help you too.

And if you've never left a review for this show, today would be a beautiful day to do that.

It helps more people find a shame free place to grow.

So, friend, I don't take this lightly.

1,000 episodes means a thousand chances to point you back to hope.

And I am so grateful you let me be a voice in your day.

So from my heart to you, thank you for being here.

And friend, just remember this.

You don't have to fix everything today.

You just got to take that next faithful step.

God is with you.

And I can say this in confidence.

You are becoming a financially confident Christian.

So as I always say, stay financially savvy.

May God Almighty bless you and I'll see you on the next show.