Shane Enete, Author and Professor, on Excelling in Giving (Ep. 97)

The Finish Line Podcast

Dr. Shane Enete is a professor at Biola University in Los Angeles and the author of the book “Whole Heart Finances.” In his early teens, Shane was driven to learn all that he could about investing, but leaning into the tension he felt between his faith and his passion for finances, he discovered a deep desire to be a bridge to help people learn about money in a way that draws them closer to Jesus instead of further from Him.

Shane spent many years in the finance world in a variety of roles, and throughout that time, God fostered a deep heart for generosity and stewardship. Shane now gets to spark that passion in college students, providing both a framework and purpose behind how they manage money. You won’t want to miss the stories, helpful tools, and frameworks he had to share.

Major topics include:

• Shane’s background and the inspiring story of encountering God in a hospital room
• How Shane began learning and teaching about finances at age 15
• Reconciling the tension between faith and finances
• How he transitioned from his financial career and volunteering in the inner city into academia
• The story behind his book, Whole Heart Finances, and key points that will help give the average church goer a fresh, Christ-centered view of money as a pathway to worshiping God
• Advice for those in debt or in retirement who want to grow in generosity

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

• “I sensed the tension between faith and finances and leaned into it, hoping that one day God could use me to be a bridge to help create the curriculum where people could learn about money in a way that draws them nearer to Jesus and not further away.”
• “I always love to find truth, and it’s a fascinating exercise to look at stock valuation, which is so subjective, and see if you can find any objective truths to align to.”
• “If you give with a little, you’ll give with a lot. If you save with a little, you’ll save with a lot.”
• “The more I gave, the more I realized the centrality of giving in all money and financial behavior and how it unleashes God’s glory in a way that no other financial behavior does.”
• “How can I think about saving, investing, and spending in ways that help facilitate giving?”
• “I build a financial planning model around the idea that God is being generous with His household, we experience that generosity and are transformed to have His generosity because we’re in Christ. Then we become a resource in God’s household that gets sent out in an economy of salvation towards the world.”
• “As a steward, our main goal is to shine a light on our financial behavior on a regular basis.”
• “The longer you go without giving, the harder it is to give.”
  

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

• Whole Heart Finances by Dr. Shane Enete
• Dr. Shane Enete on LinkedIn
• FaithfFi App
• YNAB App (You Need A Budget)
• The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
• The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

Luke 16:1-13 | The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

2 Corinthians 8:7 | Encouragement to Give Generously

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this grace of giving also.

Matthew 6:21 | Heart Treasure

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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