Giving when money is tight sounds crazy, right? But in this episode of the Faithful Finance podcast, Emily Stroud and Alison Gengelbach tackle one of the most misunderstood and controversial topics in personal finance: tithing and generous giving.

Emily reframes giving not as a religious obligation or prosperity gospel, but as an act of worship and faith. Grounded in biblical principles, she explains why tithing is less about rules (10% net vs. gross?) and more about the posture of your heart toward God and others.

You'll hear honest conversation about the blessings of generosity, why you can't outgive God (and what that really means), and how to start giving even when your budget feels tight. Emily and Alison share personal stories—including a powerful reflection on the woman with the alabaster box—and tackle the hard questions: What if I can barely pay my bills? Does volunteering count as tithing? What about giving to nonprofits beyond the church?

What You'll Learn:
➡️ Why tithing is an act of worship, not a religious tax
➡️ The biblical foundation for generous giving
➡️ How to start giving when your budget is tight
➡️ Whether to tithe on gross or net income
➡️ The difference between tithes and offerings
➡️ How to include giving in your monthly budget
➡️ Why automating contributions builds consistency
➡️ The blessings of giving (and why they're not always monetary)
➡️ How to give as a couple with unity and intentionality
➡️ What to do when you're the one who needs to receive help
➡️ Why giving of your time can feel more sacrificial than money

Resources:
Download Emily's free budget worksheet and other practical tools at:
https://faithfulfinance.com/resources

Buy Emily's Book:
Purchase Faithful Finance by Emily Stroud on her website:
https://faithfulfinance.com/resources/

Support the Show:
✅ Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode
✍️ Leave a review and share your biggest takeaway
📲 Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement about giving

Connect With Emily:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyGStroud/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygstroud/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@emilygstroud
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faithfulfinancepodcast

Connect With Alison:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amgengelbach/

Credits:
A Faithful Finance production.
Executive Producer: Emily Stroud
Produced by Greatlight Creative: https://www.greatlightcreative.com

Emily G. Stroud, MBA, CFA is a Registered Representative.
Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC to residents of: TX, UT, WV, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IL, KY, MT, and NC. Investment Advisor Representative Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Stroud Financial Management, Inc. are not affiliated. Cambridge and Emily G. Stroud, LLC are also not affiliated.
Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck: BrokerCheck.FINRA.org | www.FINRA.org | www.SIPC.org | Form CRS

Financial worry is loud. But it doesn’t have to be the voice leading your life. In this episode, Emily Stroud and her dear friend Alison Gengelbach answer a big question: what is a financial adviser… and how do you know who to trust?

Emily frames the conversation around "wise counsel" as a biblical principle rooted in Proverbs: plans fail without counsel, but succeed with many advisers. Together, Emily and Alison normalize asking for help, both from God and from qualified professionals, so you can stop spiraling about the future and start building a plan with peace.

You’ll hear practical guidance on how to find the right adviser, what credentials actually matter, and how to do a quick background check through FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Emily also shares why she views herself as the “quarterback” of your financial team, doing things like coordinating insurance, estate planning, and long-term strategy so you’re not trying to piece it all together alone.

The heart of the episode turns personal as Emily and Alison talk candidly about grief, loss, and life’s “fire seasons,” including Emily’s husband’s sudden heart attack and how having protections in place (like life and disability insurance) gave her the freedom to focus on family—not financial panic.

This episode sets the foundation for the series: shame-free, faith-filled, and practical—so you can move from confusion and fear to clarity, confidence, and rest.

What You’ll Learn:
➡️ What a financial adviser actually does (and why you don’t have to do this alone)
➡️ The biblical case for “wise counsel” and how it reduces financial anxiety
➡️ How to find a trustworthy adviser, starting with referrals from people you trust
➡️ How to use FINRA BrokerCheck to verify licenses and check for complaints or lawsuits
➡️ Which credentials matter (MBA, CFA, CFP) and what they typically indicate
➡️ When you should reach out for help: new seasons, new beginnings, and “wake-up moments”
➡️ Why insurance and foundational planning must happen before a crisis hits
➡️ How a financial plan can reduce stress and strengthen communication in marriage
➡️ Why there’s “no shame in this game” and how small choices add up over time

Resources:

Visit faithfulfinance.com for free tools and practical guides to help you take your next step: https://faithfulfinance.com/resources

Buy Emily's Book:

Purchase Faithful Finance by Emily Stroud on her website: https://faithfulfinance.com/resources/

Support the Show:

✅ Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode
✍️ Leave a review and share your biggest takeaway
📲 Share this episode with someone who could use peace around their finances

Connect With Emily:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyGStroud/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygstroud/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@emilygstroud
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faithfulfinancepodcast

Connect With Allison:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amgengelbach/

Credits:

A Faithful Finance production.
Executive Producer: Emily Stroud
Produced by Greatlight Creative: https://www.greatlightcreative.com

Emily G. Stroud, MBA, CFA is a Registered Representative
Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC to residents of: TX, UT, WV, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IL, KY, MT, and NC. Investment Advisor Representative Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Stroud Financial Management, Inc. are not affiliated. Cambridge and Emily G. Stroud, LLC are also not affiliated.Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck: BrokerCheck.FINRA.org www.FINRA.org | www.SIPC.org | Form CRS