Money Made Faithful

179 – 3 BIG Reasons You DON’T WANT a Tax Refund – Encore Edition

Apr 07, 2025 • 13 min 36 sec

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We’re revisiting a topic that touches so many American’s wallets: tax refunds. While a big check might feel like a blessing, we’re unpacking why it may not be as helpful—or as wise—as it seems.

Could that extra cash be masking deeper issues with planning, stewardship, and financial alignment?

We’ll take a look at what scripture says about managing our resources and how your approach to taxes can either support or hinder a life of God-honoring stewardship. Let’s explore a lesser-walked path forward—one marked by clarity, wisdom, and freedom.

In this episode, John discusses:

  • The hidden financial drawbacks of tax refunds
  • How cultural messages shape our money decisions
  • The connection between faithful stewardship and tax planning
  • Biblical principles applied to everyday financial choices

Key Takeaways:

  • When you overpay your taxes and look forward to a refund, you’re essentially handing the government an interest-free loan, tightening your cash flow and limiting your ability to meet everyday needs.
  • Depending on a refund to cover major expenses often points to weaker financial planning, but proactively estimating your tax liability throughout the year helps you stay prepared.
  • Optimizing your tax withholdings allows you to keep more of your income throughout the year, creating space for more purposeful, productive use of your money.
  • Rather than letting your refund be influenced by marketing messages and then disappear into impulse buys, choosing to allocate it to help you live with more intention and faithful financial discipline will pay BIG dividends!

“I love the way the Bible stresses the importance in the scripture I just shared about honoring civic responsibilities, and that includes paying taxes as a part of wise and faithful financial stewardship.” 

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

  • IRS Tax Withholding Estimator: https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator

 

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL!

 

  • GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page

 

  • BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page

 

  • INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services

 

  • SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN’S BOOK, ‘He Spends She Spends’ and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop

 

  • FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful

 

  • FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful

 

If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

 

 

 

We’re revisiting a topic that touches so many American’s wallets: tax refunds. While a big check might feel like a blessing, we’re unpacking why it may not be as helpful—or as wise—as it seems.

Could that extra cash be masking deeper issues with planning, stewardship, and financial alignment?

We’ll take a look at what scripture says about managing our resources and how your approach to taxes can either support or hinder a life of God-honoring stewardship. Let’s explore a lesser-walked path forward—one marked by clarity, wisdom, and freedom.

In this episode, John discusses:

  • The hidden financial drawbacks of tax refunds
  • How cultural messages shape our money decisions
  • The connection between faithful stewardship and tax planning
  • Biblical principles applied to everyday financial choices

Key Takeaways:

  • When you overpay your taxes and look forward to a refund, you’re essentially handing the government an interest-free loan, tightening your cash flow and limiting your ability to meet everyday needs.
  • Depending on a refund to cover major expenses often points to weaker financial planning, but proactively estimating your tax liability throughout the year helps you stay prepared.
  • Optimizing your tax withholdings allows you to keep more of your income throughout the year, creating space for more purposeful, productive use of your money.
  • Rather than letting your refund be influenced by marketing messages and then disappear into impulse buys, choosing to allocate it to help you live with more intention and faithful financial discipline will pay BIG dividends!

“I love the way the Bible stresses the importance in the scripture I just shared about honoring civic responsibilities, and that includes paying taxes as a part of wise and faithful financial stewardship.” 

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

  • IRS Tax Withholding Estimator: https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator

 

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW MORE MONEY MADE FAITHFUL!

 

  • GET FREE RESOURCES when you join THE HUB: https://moneymadefaithful.com/resource-library-access/Landing-page

 

  • BOOK A WORKSHOP & DETAILS: https://moneymadefaithful.com/money-made-faithful-workshop-2/Landing-page

 

  • INVITE JOHN TO SPEAK at your conference, church, or event:  https://moneymadefaithful.com/services

 

  • SPECIAL SAVINGS ON JOHN’S BOOK, ‘He Spends She Spends’ and the small group guide: https://moneymadefaithful.com/shop

 

  • FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @MoneyMadeFaithful

 

  • FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @MoneyMadeFaithful

 

If this blessed you today, please Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share with someone who you believe will benefit from this message!

 

 

 

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