October 2026 Financial Bullet Points

Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on September 23rd, 2026

The Bullet Points for October are:

1. RMD Season is Here: If you have not heard from Clayton or Matt Merrill about your RMD this year, you will hear from them shortly. We strongly prefer to complete all RMDs by early December at the latest to meet the year-end deadline.

2. Fed Reserve Raises Rates: 2026 has certainly confirmed what many of you have heard Matthew say before: “Just when we think we know what is going to happen, we are reminded we have no clue.” What was unthinkable in January has come to fruition in September, as the Fed Reserve unanimously voted to increase the Fed Funds rate 0.25% to a range of 3.75%-4%. The forecast shows a high likelihood of one additional rate hike before year’s end. While both the stock and bond market have reacted to this in recent weeks, this may prove essential over the intermediate-term to prevent a repeat of 2021-2022 era inflation.

3. Inspire Influences LGBT Activism Decline: Inspire’s corporate engagement division meets with leaders across corporate America to be a light for the Lord, and data shows a dramatic shift in LGBT activism in 2026. Reports show a 65% decline in participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, a leading DEI benchmark, amongst Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Ford, and Lowe’s (according to CNBC). NPR reported that Pride celebrations experienced notable declines in corporate sponsorship this past June. Please pray for Inspire’s team as they continue to bring Christ to corporate boardrooms.

4. Welcome Back Mariah! As many of you know, Mariah Champness left CFA in February 2026 to accompany her husband on international business. She returned to the USA in early September, and after prayerful consideration, has agreed to rejoin our organization. We believe Mariah is an integral part of the long-term CFA team, and are excited about what the Lord has planned for her future here!

5. Monthly Scripture:

Whether it’s a rate decision none of us saw coming or a teammate finding her way back home, the Lord’s paths are steadier than our predictions — so we keep trusting, and we keep hoping.

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

The Biblical Worldview of Taxes and Government

Part 7 of 12: A Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth

Taxes, laws, and government are inseparably linked — and Scripture speaks to all three with clarity and authority. Long before modern debate, Jesus settled the question of civic obligation in a single exchange that has echoed through centuries of Christian thought.

Taxes: What We Owe and Why

When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with the question of whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, His answer cut through their politics entirely. The coin bore Caesar’s image — it belonged to that realm. But the soul bears God’s image — it belongs to Him. Jesus affirms civic obligation without surrendering spiritual priority. Reporting all income honestly, paying what is owed, and pursuing wise tax strategies within the law are all expressions of integrity and faithful stewardship. Hiding income to avoid taxes is dishonesty — and dishonesty is always sin.

Laws: A Moral Foundation

The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 form the moral bedrock upon which most of civilization’s laws are built. Commands against stealing, bearing false witness, and coveting carry direct financial implications — they protect property, promote honest commerce, and restrain greed. When individuals and societies order their lives around these principles, both households and nations are strengthened. When they abandon them, the consequences follow.

Government: God’s Established Authority

Paul’s broader argument in Romans 13 establishes the foundational principle: no governing authority exists apart from God’s allowance. This is not an endorsement of every policy or officeholder — it is a theological reality. Whether a believer supported the current leadership or not, Scripture calls for submission, tax compliance, and respect for governing authorities. The one clear exception: when a human law directly contradicts God’s commands, obedience to God takes precedence. Christians need not be anxious about who holds political office. God remains sovereign over human affairs, and that has never changed.

Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on August 18th, 2026

The Bullet Points for September are:

1. FOMO: The fear of missing out (FOMO) is driving stock indexes to record highs farther away from the average than in 76 years. Traders are aggressively chasing momentum, causing Wall Street’s fear gauge (the VIX) to drop significantly as market complacency rises. The present bull market is approaching its average lifespan of 4 years, after which a bear market (a drop of 20% or more) usually sets in. But, could it be “different this time,” and the bull run last 5, 6, or 7 years because of AI? Many of the bulls think so. History will tell.

2. Federal Reserve Regime Change: The first three months of new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s tenure have been full of changes in market expectations. What was expected to be a year of lower interest rates has instead been a year of potentially higher ones. He plans to change the collection and the type of economic data that is used to make decisions. As a result, the bond markets are adjusting price expectations, and interest rates continue to be a focal point.

3. Reminders for RMDs & Medicare Open Enrollment: We will be in touch soon to discuss your RMD for 2026, so please be prepared with how you would like to handle it. Also, for those age 65+, Medicare open enrollment begins in mid-October, so use the month of September to review your coverage and determine if you believe any changes are necessary.

4. Government Debt: In the first 10 months of the government’s fiscal year, the Treasury reported the deficit rose nearly $1.8 trillion dollars, its highest level in more than five years. The seven largest spending categories are Social Security, Interest on the debt, Medicare, Health programs, National Defense, Income Security, and Veterans Benefits and Services. The overall national debt is now approximately 40 trillion and rising fast. It is wise to plan for a reduction in long-term Social Security benefits, given that the Social Security trust fund is projected to run out of reserves by the end of 2032, just 6 years from now.

5. Financial Media Tactics: Beware of media’s financial tactics during extreme bull and bear markets. They consistently reach out for commentators who agree with whichever way the markets are moving at the time. They have an arsenal of Bull and Bear commentators to pull from to fit the day. These tactics can fool you into believing you are doing something wrong and even make you feel naive, intimidated, or like you’re experiencing FOMO.

Whether this bull market runs another year or turns tomorrow, we remain grounded in the same truth we always have: God is faithful, planning is prudent, and neither fear nor FOMO makes a good financial advisor.

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

The Biblical Worldview of Debt

Part 6 of 12: A Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth

Debt is not a sin — Scripture makes this clear. But the Bible speaks with remarkable force about its dangers, its spiritual cost, and the freedom found on the other side.

Why We Take On Debt

At its root, debt is the pursuit of today what we haven’t yet earned. It promises instant gratification — the new car, the remodeled kitchen, the vacation — without saving or waiting. More deeply, it can reflect discontentment with what God has provided, blurring the line between wants and needs. They are not the same.

The Dangers of Debt

Debt rarely announces how long it intends to stay. Hours of borrowing can produce years of struggle. High interest makes balances grow even as payments are made. Beyond the numbers, debt fractures marriages, restricts giving and saving, creates chronic stress, and quietly shrinks the portion of our resources available for God’s Kingdom.

Debt Presumes on the Future

James 4:13-15 cuts to the spiritual heart of the issue: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'” Every debt is a pledge against a future only God controls. It presumes His provision is not enough for right now — a posture of distrust, not faith.

God Provides for Needs, Not Every Want

Philippians 4:19 is direct: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Note the word need — not want. And 2 Corinthians 9:8 adds depth: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” “All sufficiency in all things” points to the same truth — God’s provision is complete for what we truly need. Debt often arises when we refuse to let that be enough.

Good Debt, Bad Debt, and the Path Forward

Not all debt is equal. Bad debt covers depreciating assets — consumer goods, vehicles, vacations — where you lose value while paying interest. Good debt, such as real estate in a sound location, can build equity that outpaces its cost. Psalm 37:21 reminds us that repayment itself is a matter of righteousness: “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” If debt has become a burden, Crown Ministries offers excellent biblical resources on budgeting and finding freedom from financial bondage.

Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on July 22nd, 2026

The Bullet Points for August are:

1. RMDs: If you have an IRA and are at least 73 years old, you likely have a Required Minimum Distribution you must satisfy before the end of the year. Starting in September, we will begin reaching out to clients who have yet to satisfy their requirement, so please begin to prayerfully consider your plans in anticipation of reaching out to you.

2. Present Bull Market: Warren Buffett just said last month, “It’s tough to find values when everyone is preferring gambling.” The bull(appreciating) stock market we are presently in is nearly 4 years old, and historically, bull markets last about 4 years. Some indicators suggest an 85% chance of a bear (depreciating) stock market over the next 12 months, defined as a drop of 20% or more from previous highs. Recovering to the peak typically takes around 2.5 years, but in the early 2000’s it took 13 years for the overall markets to permanently exceed the 2000 peak. Bear markets are a normal part of investing and help cool down overheated stock markets.

3. Iran War & Gold: After the ceasefire between the US and Iran lasted less than a month, concerns of a Federal Funds rate increase amidst inflationary signs have resurfaced, particularly with oil prices that have spiked again since early July. Amongst other asset classes, the potential for higher interest rates has put pressure on gold prices, which are well off their all-time high from earlier this year and are coming out of the worst-performing quarter in over a decade.

4. Buying Depreciating Assets With Investment Dollars: Withdrawing $40,000-$50,000 for the cost of a new vehicle from a moderate or growth portfolio could cost you $160,000-$200,000 or more in portfolio value loss over time. This happens because the withdrawn funds can no longer compound future returns. Think long and hard before withdrawing this much from your investment portfolio for that next vehicle. Instead, use savings or draw little by little from your investment portfolio until you have that much in savings to buy one.

5. Dangers of mixing Emotions with Investment Decisions: Emotions are the greatest enemy of successful investing. When fear, greed, or FOMO (Fear of missing out) drive financial choices, there is a risk of panic selling at market bottoms, buying into speculative bubbles, and abandoning long-term plans. Biological stress shifts control from the brain’s logical prefrontal cortex to the emotional amygdala, costing investors massive long-term wealth. Never make any financial decisions based on emotions and feelings, but instead math and logic.

6. Christian Financial Perspectives: The 6-month series “A Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth” ended last month for our podcast and YouTube channel and will now turn into a book over the next year. If you didn’t view or hear any of this 12-part series, you’re missing out on a lot of good information. We will be trying a new format in the coming months, with Bob hosting the program alone, so please let us know if you like it.

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

Christian Financial Advisors

The Biblical Worldview of Providing for Family

Part 5 of 12: A Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth

Written by the Christian Financial Advisors Team

Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio & Don VandeVanter

Few obligations in Scripture carry the weight of these words. Providing for family is not optional for the Christian — it is a direct expression of living faith. To neglect it, Paul warns, is to deny the very faith we profess.

Faith That Acts

James makes this connection unmistakably clear in James 2:14-16: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” Words of comfort mean nothing when action is absent. Genuine faith shows up in the lives of those who depend on us.

Who Is “Family”?

Scripture draws the circle of provision wider than our own four walls. Galatians 6:10 instructs, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Priority begins in our own household — spouses, children, aging parents — and extends outward to fellow believers in genuine need. This includes the elderly, the physically disabled, and those suffering from mental illness — often the hardest condition to recognize because its pain is invisible to others. Scripture never calls us to judge those who cannot provide for themselves; it calls us to care for them faithfully.

The Caution Against Enabling

Provision, however, has a necessary boundary. Proverbs 10:4 reminds us that “a slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich,” and Paul is direct in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” Providing financially for family members who are capable of working but choose not to does not help them — it enables a pattern that removes the natural consequences God may be using to cultivate growth, responsibility, and character in their lives. Choosing not to enable is not indifference; it is love, properly ordered.

Discernment Is the Balance

The biblical model for providing for family holds two truths in steady tension: meet genuine need with compassion, and allow natural consequences to do their redemptive work. Neither cold indifference nor unchecked enabling honors God or serves those we love. Walking this line well requires prayer, wisdom, and sometimes difficult but loving decisions — and it begins with understanding that all we have belongs to Him, held in trust for the good of those He has placed in our care.

Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on June 17th, 2026

The Bullet Points for July are:

1. Estate Planning: With summer vacations, many think about estate planning in case something tragic were to happen while traveling, but Estate Planning should actually be done regardless of what time of year it is. It is prudent to have it reviewed every five years by your attorney, and more frequently if life events dictate a change to your plan. Don’t procrastinate any longer! Get your estate plan in order or updated. Please let us know if you need help finding an estate planning attorney near you.

2. Interest Rates: As inflation continues to raise its ugly head, rates are expected to stay up and possibly even rise more. This continues to haunt real estate prices, where in many areas prices are down 25-30% since the peaks of 2022, when interest rates were at their lowest levels in many years.

3. Bull Markets, Bear Markets: According to Yahoo Finance, the average S&P 500 bull market lasts 2.7-4.4 years. The average bear market lasts 9-14 months resulting in a ~35% decline. The current U.S. bull market is approximately 3 years and 8 months old. The continued surge in markets has stretched valuations, pushing them far from their historic trend lines to levels not seen in decades. Six of the seven times in the last 76 years when the overall markets went this far from the historic trend line, a correction occurred. But, in saying this, we know the markets can be irrational for a lot longer than they can be rational, in either direction, up or down, so it may be months before this happens. In the meantime, we are still offensive but are placing greater emphasis on being defensive. When the correction occurs and the bear shows its face, we will be ready to buy at discounted prices.

4. Financial Procrastination: Did you know the number one reason for financial failure is procrastinating to make wise, long-term financial decisions? The longer you wait, the more dangerous it becomes. Some of these financial decisions include: Saving, investing, paying off debt, monthly budgeting, properly insuring assets and income, getting a sound financial plan in place, and estate planning. We can help you and your family with all these decisions using wisdom and sound biblical principles that work.

5. Continuing Education & Scriptures: This month’s schedule for Christian Financial Perspectives is listed below as we finish up our 6-month-long series called “A Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth” that will now turn into a book, along with our Scripture for the month:

• Ep 249 – The Biblical Worldview of Inheritance – 07-14-2026
• Ep 250 – The Biblical Worldview of Counsel – 07-28-2026

We all hope you continue to enjoy the summer; stay cool in the air conditioning and be careful of the heat!

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

Christian Financial Advisors

The Biblical Worldview of Ownership

Part 4 of 12: A Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth

Written by the Christian Financial Advisors Team

Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio & Don VandeVanter

Everything we accumulate can feel like ours — the house, the cars, the investment accounts, the business. We hold titles and account statements as proof. But Scripture presents a principle that, when truly believed, reframes every financial decision we will ever make.

What Do We Actually Own?

Legally, an owner has the right to use, possess, and transfer property. By that measure, we may hold homes, vehicles, investment accounts, real estate, business interests, oil and gas rights, and precious metals. But the Bible offers a different answer about ultimate ownership.

The Foundation: God Owns Everything

Psalm 24:1 and Haggai 2:8 leave no room for ambiguity — God owns everything, including all silver and gold, all money and wealth. This is what we call The Ownership Principle: the foundation of a biblical worldview of money and wealth. Miss it, and every other Scripture on stewardship loses its anchor.

Owner vs. Manager

If God is the owner, then what are we? Managers — stewards. 1 Corinthians 4:2 states, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” Think of a business owner with restaurants across the country. Each manager carries out the owner’s vision, follows established policies, and cares for the property. That is our role with everything God has entrusted to us — to manage it faithfully, according to His Word.

How This Changes Everything

When we adopt a steward’s mindset, three areas of financial life shift dramatically.

Investments — Rather than chasing returns at any cost, a steward asks how the Owner wants His resources invested. This produces patient, long-term thinking and naturally invites biblically responsible choices about the companies we are willing to own.

Giving — Generosity becomes an act of worship, not sacrifice. When the resources were never truly ours to begin with, an open hand comes far more naturally than a closed fist.

Estate Planning — A steward thinks multigenerationally. Luke 16:10 reminds us, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” The goal is not merely transferring wealth to heirs, but transferring values — raising up faithful managers for what God has entrusted to your family.

Conclusion

Fully believing Psalm 24:1 and Haggai 2:8 transforms the way we hold every possession. White-knuckle ownership gives way to open-handed stewardship — and with it comes freedom, generosity, and peace. We are managers of God’s resources, accountable to His Word, and that changes everything.
faith with finance — honoring God not only with what we earn, but with what we invest and how we invest it.

Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on May 20th, 2026

The Bullet Points for June are:

1. Wholesale Prices Increase: April’s Producer Price Index (PPI) was 1.4%, well above the 0.5% estimate and matching April 2022 as the highest monthly increase since September 2012. Historically, high PPI has been a leading indicator of higher consumer prices months later, so consumers should anticipate some sticker shock amid higher oil prices to start the summer.

2. New Fed Chairman: After more than eight years as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term ended on May 15, bringing an end to the policy approach that navigated us through the COVID pandemic. The new Chairman, Kevin Warsh, has a reputation for aggressive policy and takes over right as inflation has recently begun to increase again.

3. Market Valuations: The continued surge in the markets has stretched valuations of many stocks from the historic trend line to levels not seen in many decades. Six of the seven times in the last 76 years when the overall markets went this far from the historic trend line, a correction occurred. But, in saying this, we know the markets can be irrational for a lot longer than they can be rational, in either direction, up or down, so it may be months before this happens. In the meantime, we are still offensive but are putting more emphasis now on being defensive. When the correction occurs, we will be ready to buy at discounted prices.

4. Inspire ETF Expense Ratios Decrease: Inspire ETFs recently decreased the expense ratio on five of its ETFs, including the Inspire Small Mid Cap ETF (ISMD) and Inspire Corporate Bond ETF (IBD). This change reflects the growing interest in Biblically responsible investments and should encourage Christians seeking to honor God with their finances.

5. Greed and Fear: There is an old saying, “Be fearful of the markets when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”. To add to this, never allow emotions to get in the way of making wise financial or investment decisions, and always be cautious of a herd mentality in either direction of the markets.

6. Continuing Education & Scriptures: We are still in our 12 Part series of the “Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth”, with just one more month in the series to go after this one. This month’s schedule for Christian Financial Perspectives is listed below, along with our Scripture for the month:

• Ep 247 – The Biblical Worldview of Work – 06-09-2026
• Ep 248 – The Biblical Worldview of Retirement – 06-23-2026
• 1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”

We wish you all a great summer full of fun, family, water sports, and fellowship. We also have an exciting announcement: we just opened a local office in Rockport, Texas, this month (by appointment only), located at 1806 Harbor Drive, Suite 5. Bob will be the one mostly working at this location since he and Rachael live in Rockport part-time now, but will still see clients in person at our New Braunfels headquarters and continue doing online appointments from either location during business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

Christian Financial Advisors

Written by the Christian Financial Advisors Team

Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio & Don VandeVanter

Every investment account you hold belongs to God. This reality reframes the entire conversation — from the returns we chase to the companies we’re willing to own. It changes not only how much we expect from our investments, but how we choose them in the first place.

Aligning Investments with Biblical Values

Today, this stewardship conviction is expressed through Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) — a strategy that screens out companies involved in activities contrary to biblical principles, such as abortion, pornography, and gambling, while seeking companies that positively reflect Christian values. This is not a matter of sacrificing financial prudence; it is a matter of obedience. 2 Corinthians 6:17 calls us to “go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing.” A biblical investor is called to be different — and to let that difference show in every financial decision.

Wisdom and Diversification

Scripture also guides how we structure investments. Ecclesiastes 11:2 instructs, “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” Diversification across sectors, company sizes, and markets is not merely sound financial strategy — it is a biblical principle. Wise investing is grounded in facts and careful thought, not in speculation, emotion, or the noise of daily financial media.

Guarding Against Greed

Perhaps the greatest investment danger is greed. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” The love of investment returns is the same as the love of money. Christians must be especially cautious of schemes promising extraordinary gains and of allowing greed to override biblical guidelines — no return is worth compromising your faith.

Invest Faithfully for the Long Term

Markets will cycle through seasons of growth and decline, and that is to be expected. Faithful, patient, long-term investing — guided by a sound financial plan — is the biblical model. It is time, not timing, that builds lasting wealth in a manner that honors God.

A biblical worldview of investing aligns faith with finance — honoring God not only with what we earn, but with what we invest and how we invest it.