When someone hears the phrase “net worth,” it’s easy to assume we’re talking about millionaires, investment portfolios, or people who have their financial lives completely figured out.

But net worth isn’t just for wealthy people. In fact, knowing your net worth is one of the simplest ways to understand where you stand financially today and where you may want to go from here.

The good news? You don’t need a financial degree or a complicated spreadsheet to calculate it. You just need two things: what you own and what you owe.

I can tell you personally, when I started focusing on my net worth and tracking it every six months—January and June of each year—I was completely taken aback by how much financial progress I was actually making toward reaching my goals. Sometimes we don’t even realize the small progress we’re making until we look back over an extended period of time and see how far we’ve come. And then, bam. You hit the milestones you set out to reach. It’s important to know our own individual numbers. Plus, it doesn’t take long to figure them out.

What Is Net Worth?

Your net worth is the value of everything you own minus everything you owe.

The basic formula is: Assets − Liabilities = Net Worth

• Assets: Things that have financial value.
• Liabilities: Debts and other financial obligations.

For example, imagine someone has:

• $20,000 in checking and savings accounts
• $80,000 in retirement accounts
• $10,000 in other investments
• A home worth $400,000
• A vehicle worth $25,000

That’s $535,000 in total assets.

Now suppose they owe:

• $300,000 on their mortgage
• $15,000 on an auto loan
• $5,000 in credit card debt

That’s $320,000 in liabilities.

Their net worth would be: $535,000 − $320,000 = $215,000

That $215,000 is their current net worth. Simple, right?

Step 1: Add Up What You Own

Start by making a list of your assets. You don’t have to get the number down to the exact dollar. A reasonable estimate is enough to give you a useful picture.

Cash

Include the money you currently have in:

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Certificates of deposit
• Other cash accounts

Investments and Retirement Accounts

Next, look at your investment accounts.

These might include:

• 401(k) or 403(b) accounts
• Traditional IRAs
• Roth IRAs
• Brokerage accounts
• Other investment accounts

Use the current account value, not what you originally contributed.

For example, if you’ve contributed $100,000 to your 401(k) over the years but the account is now worth $145,000, you would count $145,000.

Real Estate

If you own a home, include its estimated current market value. You don’t need to hire an appraiser just to calculate your net worth. A reasonable estimate based on recent comparable sales or other reliable information is generally sufficient. You can jump on Zillow for a quick value as a benchmark.

If you own additional property, such as a rental property or vacation home, include those as well.

Personal Property

You can also include valuable personal property, such as:

• Vehicles
• Boats
• Jewelry
• Collectibles
• Other significant assets

This is where I’d encourage a little common sense. You probably don’t need to estimate the value of your toaster, couch, or 12-year-old collection of classic rock band T-shirts.

The goal isn’t to create an inventory of everything you own. The goal is to get a meaningful picture of your financial position.

Remember, our household items are never as valuable as we think they are!

Step 2: Add Up What You Owe

Now it’s time to look at your liabilities.

Start with the big ones.

Mortgage

If you own a home, look at your current mortgage balance. Remember, this is different from the home’s value.

If your home is worth $400,000 and you owe $300,000 on the mortgage, the $400,000 goes on the asset side and the $300,000 goes on the liability side.

The difference—$100,000—is the equity you’ve built in the home.

Other Loans

Include outstanding balances on things like:

• Auto loans
• Student loans
• Personal loans
• Home equity loans
• Lines of credit

Credit Card Debt

Don’t forget credit cards.

Even if you pay your cards off every month, include any balance that is currently owed if you’re calculating your net worth as of a specific date.

The important thing is to use the amount you currently owe, not your credit limit.

For Business Owners: You’ll want to include the value of your business less any liabilities of the business too. For many, this may not be a simple calculation. It may involve having your CPA help with factoring the value of your business.

Step 3: Do the Math

Once you’ve listed everything, add your assets together. Then add your liabilities together.

Finally: Total Assets − Total Liabilities = Net Worth

And there you have it.

Your net worth is essentially a snapshot of your financial balance sheet today.

What If My Net Worth Is Negative?

This is an important question, and one that can come with a lot of emotion.

If your liabilities are greater than your assets, your net worth will be negative.

That might happen early in someone’s career because of student loans. It could happen after purchasing a home. It could happen because of credit card debt or other financial circumstances.

That’s life starting out. That’s why it’s important to track it overtime.

A negative net worth doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you have a starting point.

And that’s one of the most useful things about tracking net worth: it gives you something you can measure.

Over time, you can watch what happens as you pay down debt, save more, invest, build equity, and make other financial decisions.

Your Net Worth Is a Number. Not Your Worth.

There’s another important distinction.

We can be tempted to turn financial numbers into scorecards for our lives. If our retirement account isn’t where we think it should be, we feel behind. If someone else’s house is bigger, we feel like we’re losing. If our net worth isn’t growing as quickly as we’d hoped, we assume we’re doing something wrong.

That’s not what this number is for.

Net worth is a tool.

It helps you understand where you are so you can make better decisions about where you’re going.

Why Should I Track My Net Worth?

Calculating your net worth once can be helpful. Tracking it over time can be even more valuable.

Tracking your net worth can help you:

• See progress: Paying down a mortgage or student loan may not feel exciting month to month, but seeing your liabilities decrease over several years can make the progress much more tangible.
• Identify opportunities: Maybe you’re carrying more cash than you need. Maybe you have significant debt that needs attention. Maybe your investment accounts have grown but aren’t aligned with your overall plan.
• Set meaningful goals: Instead of simply saying, “I want to save more,” you can begin looking at how your assets and liabilities are changing over time.
• Make better financial decisions: Big financial decisions—buying a home, changing careers, retiring, giving, or helping family—make more sense when you understand your overall financial picture.

Don’t Just Ask, “How Much Do I Have?”

One of the reasons I like net worth as a financial planning tool is that it encourages us to look at the whole picture.

A $1 million retirement account sounds great, but what if someone also has $900,000 of debt?

On the other hand, someone might have a relatively modest investment account but own a home outright, have little debt, and have a strong income and savings plan. I’d place them in the “rich” category, but that’s just my perspective and how I’d see their balance sheet and net worth.

The number in one account doesn’t tell the whole story.

Net worth helps us zoom out.

And that’s really what good financial planning is about: understanding how all the pieces fit together.

What Does Your Net Worth Say About Your Financial Life?

Here’s a simple exercise: calculate your net worth today.

Then save the number.

Six months or a year from now, calculate it again and continue tracking it year after year. Look at how the numbers change over time, including year-over-year percentage changes and one-, three-, and five-year trends. Over time, those numbers can tell a powerful story.

Don’t worry about whether the number is “good enough.” Instead, ask some better questions:

• Is my net worth moving in the direction I want?
• Which assets are growing?
• Which debts are decreasing?
• Are there areas where I’m unnecessarily carrying financial risk?
• Are my financial decisions helping me move toward what matters most?

Because ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to have a bigger number. The goal is to be aware of what your money is doing and if your financial resources are adequately supporting the life you want to live, the people we care about, and the things we value most.

Calculating your net worth is a simple place to start.

When someone hears the phrase “net worth,” it’s easy to assume we’re talking about millionaires, investment portfolios, or people who have their financial lives completely figured out.

But net worth isn’t just for wealthy people. In fact, knowing your net worth is one of the simplest ways to understand where you stand financially today and where you may want to go from here.

The good news? You don’t need a financial degree or a complicated spreadsheet to calculate it. You just need two things: what you own and what you owe.

I can tell you personally, when I started focusing on my net worth and tracking it every six months—January and June of each year—I was completely taken aback by how much financial progress I was actually making toward reaching my goals. Sometimes we don’t even realize the small progress we’re making until we look back over an extended period of time and see how far we’ve come. And then, bam. You hit the milestones you set out to reach. It’s important to know our own individual numbers. Plus, it doesn’t take long to figure them out.

What Is Net Worth?

Your net worth is the value of everything you own minus everything you owe.

The basic formula is: Assets − Liabilities = Net Worth

• Assets: Things that have financial value.
• Liabilities: Debts and other financial obligations.

For example, imagine someone has:

• $20,000 in checking and savings accounts
• $80,000 in retirement accounts
• $10,000 in other investments
• A home worth $400,000
• A vehicle worth $25,000

That’s $535,000 in total assets.

Now suppose they owe:

• $300,000 on their mortgage
• $15,000 on an auto loan
• $5,000 in credit card debt

That’s $320,000 in liabilities.

Their net worth would be: $535,000 − $320,000 = $215,000

That $215,000 is their current net worth. Simple, right?

Step 1: Add Up What You Own

Start by making a list of your assets. You don’t have to get the number down to the exact dollar. A reasonable estimate is enough to give you a useful picture.

Cash

Include the money you currently have in:

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Certificates of deposit
• Other cash accounts

Investments and Retirement Accounts

Next, look at your investment accounts.

These might include:

• 401(k) or 403(b) accounts
• Traditional IRAs
• Roth IRAs
• Brokerage accounts
• Other investment accounts

Use the current account value, not what you originally contributed.

For example, if you’ve contributed $100,000 to your 401(k) over the years but the account is now worth $145,000, you would count $145,000.

Real Estate

If you own a home, include its estimated current market value. You don’t need to hire an appraiser just to calculate your net worth. A reasonable estimate based on recent comparable sales or other reliable information is generally sufficient. You can jump on Zillow for a quick value as a benchmark.

If you own additional property, such as a rental property or vacation home, include those as well.

Personal Property

You can also include valuable personal property, such as:

• Vehicles
• Boats
• Jewelry
• Collectibles
• Other significant assets

This is where I’d encourage a little common sense. You probably don’t need to estimate the value of your toaster, couch, or 12-year-old collection of classic rock band T-shirts.

The goal isn’t to create an inventory of everything you own. The goal is to get a meaningful picture of your financial position.

Remember, our household items are never as valuable as we think they are!

Step 2: Add Up What You Owe

Now it’s time to look at your liabilities.

Start with the big ones.

Mortgage

If you own a home, look at your current mortgage balance. Remember, this is different from the home’s value.

If your home is worth $400,000 and you owe $300,000 on the mortgage, the $400,000 goes on the asset side and the $300,000 goes on the liability side.

The difference—$100,000—is the equity you’ve built in the home.

Other Loans

Include outstanding balances on things like:

• Auto loans
• Student loans
• Personal loans
• Home equity loans
• Lines of credit

Credit Card Debt

Don’t forget credit cards.

Even if you pay your cards off every month, include any balance that is currently owed if you’re calculating your net worth as of a specific date.

The important thing is to use the amount you currently owe, not your credit limit.

For Business Owners: You’ll want to include the value of your business less any liabilities of the business too. For many, this may not be a simple calculation. It may involve having your CPA help with factoring the value of your business.

Step 3: Do the Math

Once you’ve listed everything, add your assets together. Then add your liabilities together.

Finally: Total Assets − Total Liabilities = Net Worth

And there you have it.

Your net worth is essentially a snapshot of your financial balance sheet today.

What If My Net Worth Is Negative?

This is an important question, and one that can come with a lot of emotion.

If your liabilities are greater than your assets, your net worth will be negative.

That might happen early in someone’s career because of student loans. It could happen after purchasing a home. It could happen because of credit card debt or other financial circumstances.

That’s life starting out. That’s why it’s important to track it overtime.

A negative net worth doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you have a starting point.

And that’s one of the most useful things about tracking net worth: it gives you something you can measure.

Over time, you can watch what happens as you pay down debt, save more, invest, build equity, and make other financial decisions.

Your Net Worth Is a Number. Not Your Worth.

There’s another important distinction.

We can be tempted to turn financial numbers into scorecards for our lives. If our retirement account isn’t where we think it should be, we feel behind. If someone else’s house is bigger, we feel like we’re losing. If our net worth isn’t growing as quickly as we’d hoped, we assume we’re doing something wrong.

That’s not what this number is for.

Net worth is a tool.

It helps you understand where you are so you can make better decisions about where you’re going.

Why Should I Track My Net Worth?

Calculating your net worth once can be helpful. Tracking it over time can be even more valuable.

Tracking your net worth can help you:

• See progress: Paying down a mortgage or student loan may not feel exciting month to month, but seeing your liabilities decrease over several years can make the progress much more tangible.
• Identify opportunities: Maybe you’re carrying more cash than you need. Maybe you have significant debt that needs attention. Maybe your investment accounts have grown but aren’t aligned with your overall plan.
• Set meaningful goals: Instead of simply saying, “I want to save more,” you can begin looking at how your assets and liabilities are changing over time.
• Make better financial decisions: Big financial decisions—buying a home, changing careers, retiring, giving, or helping family—make more sense when you understand your overall financial picture.

Don’t Just Ask, “How Much Do I Have?”

One of the reasons I like net worth as a financial planning tool is that it encourages us to look at the whole picture.

A $1 million retirement account sounds great, but what if someone also has $900,000 of debt?

On the other hand, someone might have a relatively modest investment account but own a home outright, have little debt, and have a strong income and savings plan. I’d place them in the “rich” category, but that’s just my perspective and how I’d see their balance sheet and net worth.

The number in one account doesn’t tell the whole story.

Net worth helps us zoom out.

And that’s really what good financial planning is about: understanding how all the pieces fit together.

What Does Your Net Worth Say About Your Financial Life?

Here’s a simple exercise: calculate your net worth today.

Then save the number.

Six months or a year from now, calculate it again and continue tracking it year after year. Look at how the numbers change over time, including year-over-year percentage changes and one-, three-, and five-year trends. Over time, those numbers can tell a powerful story.

Don’t worry about whether the number is “good enough.” Instead, ask some better questions:

• Is my net worth moving in the direction I want?
• Which assets are growing?
• Which debts are decreasing?
• Are there areas where I’m unnecessarily carrying financial risk?
• Are my financial decisions helping me move toward what matters most?

Because ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to have a bigger number. The goal is to be aware of what your money is doing and if your financial resources are adequately supporting the life you want to live, the people we care about, and the things we value most.

Calculating your net worth is a simple place to start.

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17

Most of us have accumulated more information than we know what to do with.

We have shelves full of books we’ve highlighted, podcasts we’ve saved, sermons we’ve listened to, and conferences we’ve attended. We know the right verses about generosity. We understand the importance of stewardship. We can explain why legacy matters and why our money belongs to God in the first place.

Yet knowledge has a way of creating the illusion of progress. We can become convinced that understanding an idea is the same thing as living it.

Bob Goff’s book Love Does challenges that assumption in an unforgettable way. (I’ve read it multiple times and highly recommend it!) Rather than presenting another systematic theology or step-by-step guide to Christian living, Goff tells story after story illustrating a simple truth: love is never content to remain an idea. Love is an action.

That message resonates deeply with us at St. Croix Advisors because it mirrors what we’ve observed over decades of walking alongside families. Over the years, I’ve discovered something surprising about first meetings. Many people apologize before we ever begin. They apologize for not saving enough, for carrying debt, for waiting too long, or for decisions they wish they could undo. It’s as though they believe they need to clean up their financial lives before they’re worthy of asking for help.

But that has never been the invitation. You don’t have to arrive with everything figured out. Just bring the real story. Financial planning doesn’t begin once your life is perfect; it begins with honesty about where you are today.

Stewardship Is Participation, Not Observation

One of the recurring themes throughout Love Does is that Jesus consistently invited people to participate.

He didn’t merely ask them to believe certain things. He invited fishermen to leave their nets. He called tax collectors away from comfortable careers. He asked ordinary people to feed crowds, care for strangers, forgive enemies, and follow Him into places that rarely felt predictable or safe.

Participation has always been God’s preferred classroom.

That perspective changes the way we think about stewardship.

Many Christians sincerely believe everything the Bible teaches about generosity while rarely allowing those beliefs to influence the way they spend, save, invest, or give. Stewardship quietly becomes another theological category rather than a daily practice.

Jesus never separated belief from action. He continually demonstrated that faith becomes visible through ordinary decisions made over long periods of time.

That’s why financial planning should never become merely an exercise in optimization. Tax strategies, retirement projections, investment allocations, and estate documents are valuable tools, but they remain just that—tools. Their purpose is not simply to create financial efficiency. Their greater purpose is to help position resources for Kingdom impact.

The question isn’t simply whether our financial plan is technically sound.

The deeper question is whether our financial plan is helping us become more faithful in our stewardship of the treasures we’ve been entrusted with?

We’ve all met people who sincerely want to be generous someday. They’re waiting until the mortgage is paid off, until the kids finish college, until retirement feels secure, until there is just a little more margin. Yet stewardship doesn’t begin once every circumstance is perfect. Like every other area of discipleship, it grows through participation. A written giving plan, however modest, often shapes a heart more than years of saying generosity is important. Actions speak loudly!

Success Can Become a Dangerous Goal

One of the most memorable observations in Love Does is the realization that it is far more dangerous to succeed at things that ultimately don’t matter than to fail while pursuing what does.

Our culture rarely encourages that kind of thinking.

Success is usually measured by larger homes, growing account balances, prestigious careers, and increasing influence. I used to think that way, but over the years as I’ve gained wisdom, my thinking has changed. Over time many people experience that. But none of those things are inherently wrong. In fact, many of them may be wonderful gifts from God.

Problems arise when those achievements quietly become our destination instead of our tools.

Jesus consistently redirected people’s attention away from accumulation and toward purpose. He reminded His followers that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions because possessions were never designed to answer the deepest questions of the human heart.

Financial planning often reveals this tension.

Someone may reach every retirement goal they established 20 years earlier and still discover an uncomfortable emptiness because the destination they pursued was never intended to satisfy them. Have you purchased something you were so excited about only later to be no longer enthusiastic about? Or you’ve filled your financial bucket up, now thinking, that’s not enough?

Another family may experience setbacks, unexpected detours, or financial disappointments while simultaneously developing deeper relationships, stronger faith, and a remarkable spirit of generosity.

Which life was actually more successful?

In planning meetings, we often ask a question that changes the entire conversation: “On track toward what?” It’s possible to be perfectly on schedule financially while slowly drifting away from the relationships, generosity, faith, and purpose that mattered most when you first began. Being “on track” only matters if you’re moving toward the right destination.

The World’s Math Isn’t God’s Math

One of the more intriguing ideas Goff explores is what he calls God’s “reverse economy.”

The world’s economy tells us that security comes from holding tighter, accumulating more, protecting ourselves first, and giving only after we’ve determined there is enough left over. The Bible directs us to give from our first harvest. It’s not an afterthought.

Scripture often points in another direction.

Jesus repeatedly taught that generosity produces abundance, that serving leads to greatness, and that those who seek first God’s Kingdom discover everything else placed into proper perspective.

From a purely mathematical standpoint, generosity often appears to subtract.

From God’s perspective, generosity transforms.

We’ve witnessed this repeatedly in conversations with clients.

Some of the most generous people we’ve served are not those with extraordinary wealth. They are people who decided long ago that giving would become one of the defining characteristics of their lives, regardless of their income.

Likewise, we’ve met individuals whose wealth continued to increase while their anxiety did as well. More assets simply gave them more things to worry about.

Money amplifies what already exists in the heart.

If our identity rests in our possessions, more possessions usually create more fear. This is so true and I see it.

If our identity rests in Christ, greater resources simply create greater opportunities to serve. I see this and I want this even for myself.

That is why generosity isn’t merely something Christians do after becoming financially successful. Generosity is one of the primary ways God shapes us into the people He desires us to become.

God’s economy has always worked differently than Wall Street’s.

Quiet Faith Often Has the Greatest Impact

Modern culture rewards visibility.

We announce accomplishments, celebrate milestones, and share nearly every meaningful experience with an audience.

Jesus often modeled something entirely different.

Again and again, He performed remarkable acts of compassion before telling people not to make a spectacle of them.

There is something deeply freeing about quiet faithfulness.

One of my favorite ideas from Love Does is the phrase “secretly incredible people.” They don’t need recognition to stay motivated. In many ways, that’s what faithful stewardship looks like. Some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones few people ever know about. Anonymous generosity reminds us that giving is ultimately an act of worship, not reputation.

Some of the most extraordinary acts of generosity we’ve encountered have never appeared in annual reports or fundraising banquets.

Relationships Will Always Outlast Portfolios

One of the most refreshing themes throughout Love Does is the repeated reminder that people matter infinitely more than programs, systems, or accomplishments.

The same principle applies to financial planning.

A portfolio is important.

A retirement strategy is important.

An estate plan is important.

But none of those things represent the final objective.

Our hope is that wise stewardship creates more opportunities to love spouses well, invest in children and grandchildren, strengthen churches, support ministries, encourage neighbors, and serve communities.

Money is simply one of God’s many tools for accomplishing those purposes.

The relationships remain long after the financial statements have been forgotten.

Living With Open Hands

At some point every Christian must answer a deeply personal question.

What is God asking me to do with everything He has entrusted to me?

For one family, the answer may involve increasing charitable giving. One question to ask: Are we only here for consumption?

For another, it may mean helping adult children establish healthy financial habits instead of simply providing more money.

For someone else, it could involve supporting a missionary, funding a scholarship, mentoring a younger family, serving on a nonprofit board, or simply becoming more intentional about hospitality.

The specific answer is different for every person.

The invitation is the same.

God never intended stewardship to become another item on a financial checklist. He designed it as an expression of trust, worship, and participation in His work.

When we begin to view our careers as opportunities to fund Kingdom purposes, our wealth as something temporarily entrusted to us, and our financial plans as tools for serving others rather than merely protecting ourselves, something remarkable begins to happen.

We discover that faithful stewardship was never primarily about what we own.

It has always been about becoming the kind of people who reflect the heart of the One who entrusted it to us.

At St. Croix Advisors, we believe financial planning should help people do far more than prepare for retirement. It should help them live faithfully today, steward wisely tomorrow, and leave behind a legacy that reflects God’s love long after they are gone.

Because in the end, love was never meant to remain an idea.

Love does.

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17

Most of us have accumulated more information than we know what to do with.

We have shelves full of books we’ve highlighted, podcasts we’ve saved, sermons we’ve listened to, and conferences we’ve attended. We know the right verses about generosity. We understand the importance of stewardship. We can explain why legacy matters and why our money belongs to God in the first place.

Yet knowledge has a way of creating the illusion of progress. We can become convinced that understanding an idea is the same thing as living it.

Bob Goff’s book Love Does challenges that assumption in an unforgettable way. (I’ve read it multiple times and highly recommend it!) Rather than presenting another systematic theology or step-by-step guide to Christian living, Goff tells story after story illustrating a simple truth: love is never content to remain an idea. Love is an action.

That message resonates deeply with us at St. Croix Advisors because it mirrors what we’ve observed over decades of walking alongside families. Over the years, I’ve discovered something surprising about first meetings. Many people apologize before we ever begin. They apologize for not saving enough, for carrying debt, for waiting too long, or for decisions they wish they could undo. It’s as though they believe they need to clean up their financial lives before they’re worthy of asking for help.

But that has never been the invitation. You don’t have to arrive with everything figured out. Just bring the real story. Financial planning doesn’t begin once your life is perfect; it begins with honesty about where you are today.

Stewardship Is Participation, Not Observation

One of the recurring themes throughout Love Does is that Jesus consistently invited people to participate.

He didn’t merely ask them to believe certain things. He invited fishermen to leave their nets. He called tax collectors away from comfortable careers. He asked ordinary people to feed crowds, care for strangers, forgive enemies, and follow Him into places that rarely felt predictable or safe.

Participation has always been God’s preferred classroom.

That perspective changes the way we think about stewardship.

Many Christians sincerely believe everything the Bible teaches about generosity while rarely allowing those beliefs to influence the way they spend, save, invest, or give. Stewardship quietly becomes another theological category rather than a daily practice.

Jesus never separated belief from action. He continually demonstrated that faith becomes visible through ordinary decisions made over long periods of time.

That’s why financial planning should never become merely an exercise in optimization. Tax strategies, retirement projections, investment allocations, and estate documents are valuable tools, but they remain just that—tools. Their purpose is not simply to create financial efficiency. Their greater purpose is to help position resources for Kingdom impact.

The question isn’t simply whether our financial plan is technically sound.

The deeper question is whether our financial plan is helping us become more faithful in our stewardship of the treasures we’ve been entrusted with?

We’ve all met people who sincerely want to be generous someday. They’re waiting until the mortgage is paid off, until the kids finish college, until retirement feels secure, until there is just a little more margin. Yet stewardship doesn’t begin once every circumstance is perfect. Like every other area of discipleship, it grows through participation. A written giving plan, however modest, often shapes a heart more than years of saying generosity is important. Actions speak loudly!

Success Can Become a Dangerous Goal

One of the most memorable observations in Love Does is the realization that it is far more dangerous to succeed at things that ultimately don’t matter than to fail while pursuing what does.

Our culture rarely encourages that kind of thinking.

Success is usually measured by larger homes, growing account balances, prestigious careers, and increasing influence. I used to think that way, but over the years as I’ve gained wisdom, my thinking has changed. Over time many people experience that. But none of those things are inherently wrong. In fact, many of them may be wonderful gifts from God.

Problems arise when those achievements quietly become our destination instead of our tools.

Jesus consistently redirected people’s attention away from accumulation and toward purpose. He reminded His followers that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions because possessions were never designed to answer the deepest questions of the human heart.

Financial planning often reveals this tension.

Someone may reach every retirement goal they established 20 years earlier and still discover an uncomfortable emptiness because the destination they pursued was never intended to satisfy them. Have you purchased something you were so excited about only later to be no longer enthusiastic about? Or you’ve filled your financial bucket up, now thinking, that’s not enough?

Another family may experience setbacks, unexpected detours, or financial disappointments while simultaneously developing deeper relationships, stronger faith, and a remarkable spirit of generosity.

Which life was actually more successful?

In planning meetings, we often ask a question that changes the entire conversation: “On track toward what?” It’s possible to be perfectly on schedule financially while slowly drifting away from the relationships, generosity, faith, and purpose that mattered most when you first began. Being “on track” only matters if you’re moving toward the right destination.

The World’s Math Isn’t God’s Math

One of the more intriguing ideas Goff explores is what he calls God’s “reverse economy.”

The world’s economy tells us that security comes from holding tighter, accumulating more, protecting ourselves first, and giving only after we’ve determined there is enough left over. The Bible directs us to give from our first harvest. It’s not an afterthought.

Scripture often points in another direction.

Jesus repeatedly taught that generosity produces abundance, that serving leads to greatness, and that those who seek first God’s Kingdom discover everything else placed into proper perspective.

From a purely mathematical standpoint, generosity often appears to subtract.

From God’s perspective, generosity transforms.

We’ve witnessed this repeatedly in conversations with clients.

Some of the most generous people we’ve served are not those with extraordinary wealth. They are people who decided long ago that giving would become one of the defining characteristics of their lives, regardless of their income.

Likewise, we’ve met individuals whose wealth continued to increase while their anxiety did as well. More assets simply gave them more things to worry about.

Money amplifies what already exists in the heart.

If our identity rests in our possessions, more possessions usually create more fear. This is so true and I see it.

If our identity rests in Christ, greater resources simply create greater opportunities to serve. I see this and I want this even for myself.

That is why generosity isn’t merely something Christians do after becoming financially successful. Generosity is one of the primary ways God shapes us into the people He desires us to become.

God’s economy has always worked differently than Wall Street’s.

Quiet Faith Often Has the Greatest Impact

Modern culture rewards visibility.

We announce accomplishments, celebrate milestones, and share nearly every meaningful experience with an audience.

Jesus often modeled something entirely different.

Again and again, He performed remarkable acts of compassion before telling people not to make a spectacle of them.

There is something deeply freeing about quiet faithfulness.

One of my favorite ideas from Love Does is the phrase “secretly incredible people.” They don’t need recognition to stay motivated. In many ways, that’s what faithful stewardship looks like. Some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones few people ever know about. Anonymous generosity reminds us that giving is ultimately an act of worship, not reputation.

Some of the most extraordinary acts of generosity we’ve encountered have never appeared in annual reports or fundraising banquets.

Relationships Will Always Outlast Portfolios

One of the most refreshing themes throughout Love Does is the repeated reminder that people matter infinitely more than programs, systems, or accomplishments.

The same principle applies to financial planning.

A portfolio is important.

A retirement strategy is important.

An estate plan is important.

But none of those things represent the final objective.

Our hope is that wise stewardship creates more opportunities to love spouses well, invest in children and grandchildren, strengthen churches, support ministries, encourage neighbors, and serve communities.

Money is simply one of God’s many tools for accomplishing those purposes.

The relationships remain long after the financial statements have been forgotten.

Living With Open Hands

At some point every Christian must answer a deeply personal question.

What is God asking me to do with everything He has entrusted to me?

For one family, the answer may involve increasing charitable giving. One question to ask: Are we only here for consumption?

For another, it may mean helping adult children establish healthy financial habits instead of simply providing more money.

For someone else, it could involve supporting a missionary, funding a scholarship, mentoring a younger family, serving on a nonprofit board, or simply becoming more intentional about hospitality.

The specific answer is different for every person.

The invitation is the same.

God never intended stewardship to become another item on a financial checklist. He designed it as an expression of trust, worship, and participation in His work.

When we begin to view our careers as opportunities to fund Kingdom purposes, our wealth as something temporarily entrusted to us, and our financial plans as tools for serving others rather than merely protecting ourselves, something remarkable begins to happen.

We discover that faithful stewardship was never primarily about what we own.

It has always been about becoming the kind of people who reflect the heart of the One who entrusted it to us.

At St. Croix Advisors, we believe financial planning should help people do far more than prepare for retirement. It should help them live faithfully today, steward wisely tomorrow, and leave behind a legacy that reflects God’s love long after they are gone.

Because in the end, love was never meant to remain an idea.

Love does.

Every day, news outlets and social media invite us to react. Whether it’s a heartbreaking news article, a small business receiving unfair criticism online, a family facing an unexpected tragedy, or a nonprofit responding to a natural disaster, it’s easier than ever to immediately support the people and causes that resonate with us. In many cases, that support comes in the form of a donation, a purchase, or another financial contribution made in the moment.

The response is often immediate: “I’m donating just to make a point.” (I’ve made them myself.)

While that phrase is usually fueled by emotion, it also reveals something deeper. Many people genuinely want their money to reflect their values. They simply haven’t thought about how to do it intentionally.

I don’t think generosity should be discouraged simply because it begins with emotion. In fact, moments like these can reveal what matters most to us. The key is making sure our financial decisions align with both our hearts and our long-term goals.

The Rise of the “Rage Donation”

The internet has made generosity incredibly accessible.

Within seconds, you can:

• Donate to disaster relief.
• Support a local business receiving unfair criticism.
• Contribute to legal defense funds.
• Help a family after a medical emergency.
• Give to organizations supporting a cause you believe in.

Sometimes these donations are motivated by compassion. Other times they’re motivated by a desire to push back against something we believe is wrong.

Either motivation can result in real good. But when giving becomes entirely reactive, we may discover later that we donated to an organization we knew little about, exceeded what we could comfortably afford, or supported one cause while overlooking others that better reflected our long-term priorities.

Generosity deserves both passion and wisdom.

Option One: Create a “Rage Donation” Fund

Just as many families keep money set aside for vacations or home repairs, consider creating a small “Generosity Reserve” or what is jokingly called a Rage Donation Fund.

This is simply money you’ve already decided can be given away whenever an unexpected opportunity arises.

Maybe it’s:

• $20 each month.
• $50 each paycheck.
• 1% of your discretionary spending.

Whatever amount comfortably fits your budget.

When that viral story appears, you don’t have to wonder whether you can afford to help because you’ve already planned for it. Better yet, giving becomes joyful instead of impulsive. You’re responding from a position of financial confidence rather than emotional urgency.

Option Two: Decide Your Causes Before the Headlines Do

This second approach requires a little more reflection.

Ask yourself:

• What kinds of organizations do I want my money to strengthen?
• Which causes consistently matter to me?
• What problems do I hope my generosity helps solve?

Perhaps your priorities include:

• Supporting local small businesses.
• Helping foster families.
• Medical research.
• Veterans.
• Food insecurity.
• Christian ministries.
• Animal rescue organizations.
• Educational scholarships.
• Disaster relief.

When you’ve identified your priorities ahead of time, you’re less likely to be pulled in every direction by the latest viral headline. Instead, your generosity becomes an extension of your values rather than the internet’s news cycle.

For our family, we have four main areas of giving that we support and align with our values.

The Best Approach May Be Both

For many people, the best solution is combining both ideas.

Maintain a planned fund for spontaneous opportunities while also making regular gifts to organizations and causes you’ve intentionally chosen.

This provides room for both spontaneous compassion and consistency. You can respond when something genuinely moves you without sacrificing the long-term impact of the charitable goals you’ve thoughtfully established.

Giving With Purpose

Money (our checkbooks) always tells a story. Sometimes it reveals our priorities; sometimes it reveals our emotions. Ideally, it reflects both.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling inspired to help after seeing an injustice or watching a community rally around someone in need. Those moments often remind us that generosity is contagious.

But lasting stewardship isn’t built on outrage alone. It’s built on thoughtful decisions made long before the next viral post appears.

Whether you create a dedicated giving fund, identify the causes that matter most to you, or combine both strategies, your generosity can become more intentional, more impactful, and more aligned with the values you want your wealth to reflect.

After all, the goal isn’t simply to make a point.

It’s to make a difference.

Every day, news outlets and social media invite us to react. Whether it’s a heartbreaking news article, a small business receiving unfair criticism online, a family facing an unexpected tragedy, or a nonprofit responding to a natural disaster, it’s easier than ever to immediately support the people and causes that resonate with us. In many cases, that support comes in the form of a donation, a purchase, or another financial contribution made in the moment.

The response is often immediate: “I’m donating just to make a point.” (I’ve made them myself.)

While that phrase is usually fueled by emotion, it also reveals something deeper. Many people genuinely want their money to reflect their values. They simply haven’t thought about how to do it intentionally.

I don’t think generosity should be discouraged simply because it begins with emotion. In fact, moments like these can reveal what matters most to us. The key is making sure our financial decisions align with both our hearts and our long-term goals.

The Rise of the “Rage Donation”

The internet has made generosity incredibly accessible.

Within seconds, you can:

• Donate to disaster relief.
• Support a local business receiving unfair criticism.
• Contribute to legal defense funds.
• Help a family after a medical emergency.
• Give to organizations supporting a cause you believe in.

Sometimes these donations are motivated by compassion. Other times they’re motivated by a desire to push back against something we believe is wrong.

Either motivation can result in real good. But when giving becomes entirely reactive, we may discover later that we donated to an organization we knew little about, exceeded what we could comfortably afford, or supported one cause while overlooking others that better reflected our long-term priorities.

Generosity deserves both passion and wisdom.

Option One: Create a “Rage Donation” Fund

Just as many families keep money set aside for vacations or home repairs, consider creating a small “Generosity Reserve” or what is jokingly called a Rage Donation Fund.

This is simply money you’ve already decided can be given away whenever an unexpected opportunity arises.

Maybe it’s:

• $20 each month.
• $50 each paycheck.
• 1% of your discretionary spending.

Whatever amount comfortably fits your budget.

When that viral story appears, you don’t have to wonder whether you can afford to help because you’ve already planned for it. Better yet, giving becomes joyful instead of impulsive. You’re responding from a position of financial confidence rather than emotional urgency.

Option Two: Decide Your Causes Before the Headlines Do

This second approach requires a little more reflection.

Ask yourself:

• What kinds of organizations do I want my money to strengthen?
• Which causes consistently matter to me?
• What problems do I hope my generosity helps solve?

Perhaps your priorities include:

• Supporting local small businesses.
• Helping foster families.
• Medical research.
• Veterans.
• Food insecurity.
• Christian ministries.
• Animal rescue organizations.
• Educational scholarships.
• Disaster relief.

When you’ve identified your priorities ahead of time, you’re less likely to be pulled in every direction by the latest viral headline. Instead, your generosity becomes an extension of your values rather than the internet’s news cycle.

For our family, we have four main areas of giving that we support and align with our values.

The Best Approach May Be Both

For many people, the best solution is combining both ideas.

Maintain a planned fund for spontaneous opportunities while also making regular gifts to organizations and causes you’ve intentionally chosen.

This provides room for both spontaneous compassion and consistency. You can respond when something genuinely moves you without sacrificing the long-term impact of the charitable goals you’ve thoughtfully established.

Giving With Purpose

Money (our checkbooks) always tells a story. Sometimes it reveals our priorities; sometimes it reveals our emotions. Ideally, it reflects both.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling inspired to help after seeing an injustice or watching a community rally around someone in need. Those moments often remind us that generosity is contagious.

But lasting stewardship isn’t built on outrage alone. It’s built on thoughtful decisions made long before the next viral post appears.

Whether you create a dedicated giving fund, identify the causes that matter most to you, or combine both strategies, your generosity can become more intentional, more impactful, and more aligned with the values you want your wealth to reflect.

After all, the goal isn’t simply to make a point.

It’s to make a difference.

Most people think about money in practical terms. We earn it, save it, spend it, and invest it. And we worry about whether we’ll have enough of it.

Those are all important financial decisions, but for people of faith, money is more than a practical tool. It is also a spiritual one. Whether we realize it or not, our financial choices often reveal what we value most. They reflect our priorities, our trust, our gratitude, and ultimately our stewardship of what God has entrusted to us.

Faith and finance are often treated as separate parts of life. One belongs in church, the other belongs in a spreadsheet. But Scripture tells us differently. Some of the most tangible ways we live out our faith happen through our financial decisions.

The question isn’t simply, “What should I do with my money?” The deeper question is, “How can I use what God has given me in a way that reflects my faith?”

Why Do We Give?

When people talk about giving, they often describe it as generosity, charity, or obligation. But giving is an act of stewardship and worship.

God doesn’t need our money. He owns everything already. Giving isn’t about meeting God’s needs. It’s about shaping our hearts.

When we give, we acknowledge that everything we have ultimately comes from Him. We remind ourselves that we are stewards, not owners. We practice gratitude for what we’ve received and trust that God will continue to provide.

In a culture that constantly encourages us to accumulate more, giving has a way of re-centering our hearts on what truly matters. It shifts our focus from ourselves to God’s purposes.

The Unexpected Truth About Generosity

One of the beautiful realities of giving is that it doesn’t just impact the recipient., but it changes the giver as well.

Researchers have long observed that generosity is associated with increased happiness, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of purpose. Christians shouldn’t be surprised by that. God designed us to live beyond ourselves.

When we give generously, we often experience:

• Greater joy
• A deeper sense of purpose
• Less focus on scarcity and fear
• More appreciation for what we already have

Now, it’s important to clarify something.

These benefits are not the reason we give.

Giving is not a transaction where we exchange dollars for happiness. But these blessings are often a natural byproduct of living generously.

Just as exercise improves our health even though we may start exercising for other reasons, generosity has a way of transforming us while we’re focused on serving others.

The Comparison We All Understand

Think back to a purchase you were excited about. Maybe it was a state-of-the-art television, the latest smartphone, a new vehicle, or a major home upgrade. The anticipation was exciting, and the purchase felt rewarding. For a while, it brought genuine enjoyment. But over time, that excitement faded.

The purchase that once felt so significant slowly became part of everyday life. Now compare that with an act of generosity.

Perhaps you helped a family struggling to make ends meet during Christmas. Maybe you paid for a stranger’s groceries when you noticed they were putting items back.

Perhaps you covered a month’s rent for a family facing hardship, helped a single parent afford childcare, funded a scholarship for a student, or contributed toward someone’s medical expenses.

Years later, chances are you still remember that experience.

You remember the person. You remember the story. You remember how it felt.

Why? Because consumption often delivers temporary satisfaction, while generosity creates lasting meaning.

It’s Okay to Enjoy What You’ve Earned

Whenever the topic of giving comes up, some people wonder whether enjoying financial success is somehow wrong. The answer is no. Faith does not require us to reject comfort, beauty, enjoyment, or the fruits of our labor.

There is nothing inherently wrong with:

• Living in a nice home
• Taking meaningful vacations
• Enjoying hobbies and experiences
• Celebrating the rewards of hard work

Work itself is a gift from God. For many of us, our careers and businesses are the means through which God provides for our families and allows us to bless others.

Problems can arise when we begin to view our success as entirely self-made or when our possessions become the primary source of our security, identity, or satisfaction.

God is not asking us to feel guilty about His blessings. He is asking us to remember where those blessings came from.

Remembering Where It Comes From

One of the most important shifts we can make in our financial lives is moving from an ownership mindset to a stewardship mindset.

An ownership mindset says: “This is mine.” A stewardship mindset says: “This has been entrusted to me.”

That shift changes everything.

When we recognize that our abilities, opportunities, resources, and successes ultimately come from God, gratitude naturally follows. Instead of asking, “How much of my money should I give away?” we begin asking, “How does God want me to use what He has entrusted to me?”

That’s a very different conversation. Financial success becomes more than a personal achievement. It becomes an opportunity to serve, bless, and make a difference.

Paying It Forward as an Act of Worship

When viewed through the lens of faith, giving becomes much more than generosity.

We honor God not only through prayer, worship services, and Bible study, but also through the everyday decisions we make with our finances.

Every act of generosity can become an expression of:

• Gratitude for God’s provision
• Trust that He will continue to provide
• Humility about our role as stewards
• Love for the people around us

Giving allows us to participate in something bigger than ourselves.

A Simple Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions:

• Where is your money currently producing the most meaning?
• What purchases have brought temporary satisfaction, and what acts of generosity have created lasting impact?
• Is there an opportunity right now to pay it forward in a tangible way?

The answer doesn’t have to involve a large amount of money. Sometimes the most meaningful acts of generosity are surprisingly simple.

Faith and finance are not competing forces. They are meant to work together.

The goal is not simply to build wealth. The goal is to build a life that reflects gratitude for the One who provided it. When faith guides our financial decisions, money becomes more than a tool for personal comfort. It becomes a vehicle for purpose, generosity, and impact.

And in the process, we often discover that the lives being changed are not only the lives we help, but our own as well.

If you’re looking for ways to use your wealth more intentionally for God’s glory, I’d love to help you explore the possibilities. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping people align their financial decisions with their faith—growing the resources God has entrusted to them while creating a lasting impact through generosity and stewardship.

My favorite Bible verse, and one that my family strives to live by, is Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Most people think about money in practical terms. We earn it, save it, spend it, and invest it. And we worry about whether we’ll have enough of it.

Those are all important financial decisions, but for people of faith, money is more than a practical tool. It is also a spiritual one. Whether we realize it or not, our financial choices often reveal what we value most. They reflect our priorities, our trust, our gratitude, and ultimately our stewardship of what God has entrusted to us.

Faith and finance are often treated as separate parts of life. One belongs in church, the other belongs in a spreadsheet. But Scripture tells us differently. Some of the most tangible ways we live out our faith happen through our financial decisions.

The question isn’t simply, “What should I do with my money?” The deeper question is, “How can I use what God has given me in a way that reflects my faith?”

Why Do We Give?

When people talk about giving, they often describe it as generosity, charity, or obligation. But giving is an act of stewardship and worship.

God doesn’t need our money. He owns everything already. Giving isn’t about meeting God’s needs. It’s about shaping our hearts.

When we give, we acknowledge that everything we have ultimately comes from Him. We remind ourselves that we are stewards, not owners. We practice gratitude for what we’ve received and trust that God will continue to provide.

In a culture that constantly encourages us to accumulate more, giving has a way of re-centering our hearts on what truly matters. It shifts our focus from ourselves to God’s purposes.

The Unexpected Truth About Generosity

One of the beautiful realities of giving is that it doesn’t just impact the recipient., but it changes the giver as well.

Researchers have long observed that generosity is associated with increased happiness, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of purpose. Christians shouldn’t be surprised by that. God designed us to live beyond ourselves.

When we give generously, we often experience:

• Greater joy
• A deeper sense of purpose
• Less focus on scarcity and fear
• More appreciation for what we already have

Now, it’s important to clarify something.

These benefits are not the reason we give.

Giving is not a transaction where we exchange dollars for happiness. But these blessings are often a natural byproduct of living generously.

Just as exercise improves our health even though we may start exercising for other reasons, generosity has a way of transforming us while we’re focused on serving others.

The Comparison We All Understand

Think back to a purchase you were excited about. Maybe it was a state-of-the-art television, the latest smartphone, a new vehicle, or a major home upgrade. The anticipation was exciting, and the purchase felt rewarding. For a while, it brought genuine enjoyment. But over time, that excitement faded.

The purchase that once felt so significant slowly became part of everyday life. Now compare that with an act of generosity.

Perhaps you helped a family struggling to make ends meet during Christmas. Maybe you paid for a stranger’s groceries when you noticed they were putting items back.

Perhaps you covered a month’s rent for a family facing hardship, helped a single parent afford childcare, funded a scholarship for a student, or contributed toward someone’s medical expenses.

Years later, chances are you still remember that experience.

You remember the person. You remember the story. You remember how it felt.

Why? Because consumption often delivers temporary satisfaction, while generosity creates lasting meaning.

It’s Okay to Enjoy What You’ve Earned

Whenever the topic of giving comes up, some people wonder whether enjoying financial success is somehow wrong. The answer is no. Faith does not require us to reject comfort, beauty, enjoyment, or the fruits of our labor.

There is nothing inherently wrong with:

• Living in a nice home
• Taking meaningful vacations
• Enjoying hobbies and experiences
• Celebrating the rewards of hard work

Work itself is a gift from God. For many of us, our careers and businesses are the means through which God provides for our families and allows us to bless others.

Problems can arise when we begin to view our success as entirely self-made or when our possessions become the primary source of our security, identity, or satisfaction.

God is not asking us to feel guilty about His blessings. He is asking us to remember where those blessings came from.

Remembering Where It Comes From

One of the most important shifts we can make in our financial lives is moving from an ownership mindset to a stewardship mindset.

An ownership mindset says: “This is mine.” A stewardship mindset says: “This has been entrusted to me.”

That shift changes everything.

When we recognize that our abilities, opportunities, resources, and successes ultimately come from God, gratitude naturally follows. Instead of asking, “How much of my money should I give away?” we begin asking, “How does God want me to use what He has entrusted to me?”

That’s a very different conversation. Financial success becomes more than a personal achievement. It becomes an opportunity to serve, bless, and make a difference.

Paying It Forward as an Act of Worship

When viewed through the lens of faith, giving becomes much more than generosity.

We honor God not only through prayer, worship services, and Bible study, but also through the everyday decisions we make with our finances.

Every act of generosity can become an expression of:

• Gratitude for God’s provision
• Trust that He will continue to provide
• Humility about our role as stewards
• Love for the people around us

Giving allows us to participate in something bigger than ourselves.

A Simple Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions:

• Where is your money currently producing the most meaning?
• What purchases have brought temporary satisfaction, and what acts of generosity have created lasting impact?
• Is there an opportunity right now to pay it forward in a tangible way?

The answer doesn’t have to involve a large amount of money. Sometimes the most meaningful acts of generosity are surprisingly simple.

Faith and finance are not competing forces. They are meant to work together.

The goal is not simply to build wealth. The goal is to build a life that reflects gratitude for the One who provided it. When faith guides our financial decisions, money becomes more than a tool for personal comfort. It becomes a vehicle for purpose, generosity, and impact.

And in the process, we often discover that the lives being changed are not only the lives we help, but our own as well.

If you’re looking for ways to use your wealth more intentionally for God’s glory, I’d love to help you explore the possibilities. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping people align their financial decisions with their faith—growing the resources God has entrusted to them while creating a lasting impact through generosity and stewardship.

My favorite Bible verse, and one that my family strives to live by, is Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”