TJ and Tori had a challenging first year of marriage, moving across the country just three days after their wedding and learning to merge their lives together. While juggling all the looming expenses and limited income that comes with being full-time college students, TJ and Tori committed to putting God first in every area of their lives, including their finances. Despite their lack of resources, they began tithing, giving ten percent of their income to the church each month. Dedicating the first of their earnings at the beginning of the month required trust and faith—trust in God's promise t ..read more

Like many Christians, Mac and Chelsea have always struggled with money. They knew that it belonged to God but weren’t sure what that looked like in everyday life. It was a lesson they needed to learn from each other. “Before ‘First,’ I didn't really have a budget,” Chelsea said. “I knew I was making more money than I was spending, and I was tithing my 10 percent. That was about the extent of it.” For Chelsea, freedom came without structure. For Mac, it was found in control. “I used to be obsessed with money and thought that if I had enough of it ..read more

When Travis and Eugenia began considering international adoption, they knew that one of the biggest obstacles would be the cost. Torn between their desire to adopt and faithfully give to God’s kingdom, they struggled with how their generosity would change if they made such a large financial commitment outside the church. Travis remembers a conversation he had with the Summit’s stewardship pastor, Blair Graham, and the impact it had on their decision. “Blair said, ‘I want to encourage you to give to God as you would if there were no adoption. In other words, continue to give generously and then ..read more

Considering a financial advisor? Financial advisors can be a significant help for you to plan financially and stay on course. But for some, choosing a financial advisor can be stressful process as they are not even sure where to start. Financial advisors are not one size fits all. They vary by type, services, and fee structures. Not surprisingly, they also vary in personalities. Some you will simply click with better than others. Let’s discuss the types of advisors first. There are currently three primary types. Some advisory firms may have one or all of these options. Roboadvisor: With a robo ..read more

Unplanned health expenses can wreak havoc on anyone’s budget. In fact, medical debt is one of the top reasons that individuals declare bankruptcy. Health expenses - particularly health insurance - can cause even the most meticulous budgeters to throw their hands up in frustration and confusion. As stewards of the Lord’s resources, it is our responsibility to be attentive to this portion of our finances. Here are three ways to take better control of your health expenses: 1. Understand the fundamental health insurance terms Those with employer-sponsored health insurance have a few options to pic ..read more

When people think of finances, they likely consider that to be a private matter. A husband and wife can talk to each other, but what about when someone is single? Where is the accountability? Where is the encouragement? Community is a vital aspect of our lives, so receiving support in an area of our lives as important as money should also be vital. Summit member, Claire, has experienced this as she has walked through seasons of challenge and triumph in her journey of learning to be a good caretaker of the resources God generously provides. Claire, a working college student who attends ..read more

For many, 2020 has been a year of up-and-downs. As political uncertainty and social unrest magnify the effects of a global pandemic, it would be easy, or almost natural, to lose faith. But Thom and Sue know that God is in control. No matter the circumstance, the answer is always the same – pray and he will be faithful. This year, Thom and Sue felt led by the Lord to increase their giving to the kingdom of God by 50 percent in anticipation of receiving a monthly payment from the sale of their longtime business. It was an ambitious goal, but ..read more

In an effort to mitigate the hardships many Americans are facing because of COVID-19, the federal government began issuing stimulus checks in April 2020 to those who qualified, and sent a second stimulus check in January 2021. Some of us will now be able to pay our rent or mortgage, or provide food and other essential items for our families. Some of us will save those funds for future needs or emergencies. Some of us will splurge or treat ourselves with the unexpected income. Followers of Jesus all across America have an amazing opportunity in this season to leverage their stimulus checks ..read more

Downtown Durham campus members Nick and Caitlin describe themselves as opposites when it comes to finances. Nick admits that being generous with finances was a struggle. He considered himself a saver and acknowledged that giving was a challenge. Meanwhile, he lauded his college sweetheart and wife of five years, Caitlin, as “one of the most generous people” he’d ever met and appreciated that giving brought her joy. Through their time at Summit, Nick has seen God transform his heart. He recalled a sermon series on greed and that the statement “the only way to get rid of greed is ..read more

When it comes to stewardship, God often uses different times in our lives to teach us something different about himself. For Tyler and Erica, this process began at a Summit College retreat. “We heard the gospel taught in a way we hadn’t before,” Erica said. “The Bible wasn’t an instruction manual for how to live and how not to live but about who God is and what he has done in Christ.” “After college, we got married and entered marriage ready to let God use our marriage in any way he saw fit. We thought we were ready, at least. We didn’t ..read more