Howard DaytonEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Money is never just about money, and work is never just about a paycheck. Scripture teaches that God owns everything, gives us the ability to earn, and calls us to work with integrity because ultimately, we serve Christ. Howard Dayton, Founder of Compass Financial Ministry and author of Business God’s Way, says those truths should shape not only how Christians manage money, but how we earn it in the first place. Remember Who You’re Really Working For The foundation of biblical earning begins with recognizing that God owns everything and that He i...

Money is never just about money, and work is never just about a paycheck. Scripture teaches that God owns everything, gives us the ability to earn, and calls us to work with integrity because ultimately, we serve Christ. Howard Dayton, Founder of Compass Financial Ministry and author of Business God’s Way, says those truths should shape not only how Christians manage money, but how we earn it in the first place. Remember Who You’re Really Working For The foundation of biblical earning begins with recognizing that God owns everything and that He i...

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” - Luke 2:10 As Christians living in a materialistic society…we must remember to celebrate for the right reason…the birth of our Savior. Howard Dayton joins us to talk about that. Howard Dayton is the founder of Compass Financial Ministry and the former host of this program. He is also the author of several books on Christian Finance and Stewardship. The True Reason for the Season: A Savior Is Born As Christmas approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season—gifts, decorations, and endless to-do lists. But amidst all the festivities, it’s important to intentionally focus on the true reason for the season: celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. At the heart of Christmas is the message of Luke 2:11–14: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." This Scripture serves as a powerful reminder that Christmas is not about the gifts we give or receive but about the gift God gave us in His Son, Jesus. Reflecting on this passage helps us remember the miraculous story of Christ’s birth and its significance for our lives. Create Traditions That Keep Christ at the Center One meaningful way to keep Christ at the center of Christmas is by reading the story of His birth from Luke 2 as a family. Whether it’s on Christmas morning before opening presents or on Christmas Eve, pausing to reflect on this Scripture can anchor your celebrations in the real reason for the season. Consider making it a family tradition where each person takes turns reading a few verses. It’s a simple yet powerful way to instill the truth of the gospel in the hearts of children and remind everyone of God’s love and faithfulness. Christmas is also an opportunity to model and teach generosity. Just as God gave us the greatest gift in Jesus, we are called to give generously to others. Encourage children to share what they have with someone in need. For example, they could give a cherished toy to a child who might not receive any gifts this Christmas. Acts of generosity can create life-changing moments, not only for those who receive but also for those who give. These experiences help cultivate a heart of compassion and gratitude in children and deepen their understanding of what it means to follow Christ. Be Intentional About the Message of Christmas In a culture that often overlooks the true meaning of Christmas, it’s more important than ever to teach children intentionally—and remind ourselves—why we celebrate. Christmas is about honoring Jesus, who left heaven to come to earth, lived a sinless life, and ultimately died for our sins so we could have eternal life. If we are not intentional, we can easily get swept up in the culture’s focus on materialism and miss the priceless opportunity to point ourselves and others back to Christ. At the heart of Christmas is the ultimate act of generosity: God giving His Son for our salvation. This indescribable gift should inspire us to reflect that same spirit of generosity, not just during the holidays but throughout the year. Whether through acts of kindness, sharing resources with those in need, or offering our time to serve others, generosity mirrors the heart of God. Practical Steps for a Christ-Centered Christmas Here are a few ways to ensure your Christmas celebrations keep Christ at the center: Start with Scripture: Read Luke 2 as a family before opening gifts or as part of a Christmas Eve tradition. Practice Gratitude: Take time to thank God for the gift of Jesus and the blessings He has provided. Model Generosity: Find creative ways to give, whether donating to a charity, serving in yo

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” - Proverbs 15:1 That verse reminds us to keep a cool head when we experience conflict or crisis in a relationship—and maybe even more…when that crisis involves the marriage relationship. Howard Dayton joins us today to talk about surviving a marriage crisis. Howard Dayton is the founder of Compass Financial Ministry and the former host of this program. He is also the author of several books on Christian Finance and Stewardship, including Money and Marriage God's Way . Recognizing the Warning Signs of a Marital Crisis Marriage challenges can emerge when stress or unresolved conflicts grow too intense for a couple to manage. Financial struggles, in particular, often go beyond “dollars and cents” and can breed emotions like anger, resentment, and frustration. This strain can lead to poor communication or even emotional withdrawal. A financial crisis in marriage becomes incredibly complex when both partners contribute to it, eroding trust in the relationship. People handle crises differently; some respond with intense emotions, while others may withdraw and become more introspective. Howard emphasizes the importance of allowing each spouse to process the situation in their own way while offering mutual support. In times of difficulty, a marriage can either strengthen or weaken. Interestingly, the pain of a crisis can also spark positive change, prompting impulsive spenders to become more mindful or encouraging couples to deepen their relationship with Christ. Practical Steps to Work Through Marital Conflict To support couples facing a financial crisis, here are a few practical steps to guide healing: Pray Together for Wisdom —Begin by asking for God’s guidance and wisdom. Set Ground Rules for Communication —Agree on respectful ways to handle conflicts, including the option for a “time-out” to cool down and pray together if emotions escalate. Use Kind Words —Avoid hurtful language, as it can cause lasting damage. Write Letters to Each Other —Sometimes, writing down feelings can help clarify issues. Afterward, meet to discuss these letters, pray, and address the issues raised. Identify and Repent of Any Sins —Acknowledge any harmful behaviors, such as addiction, and take steps toward repentance and recovery. Seek the Source of the Hurt —Ask God to reveal the underlying sources of pain and disconnect. Work to Rebuild the Marriage —Each spouse should find someone to hold them accountable as they make better choices. Seeking Outside Help When Needed If these steps don’t resolve the crisis, it may be time to seek outside help. A qualified, mature Christian counselor can offer valuable guidance when a couple is unable to work through challenges on their own. Of course, there are situations where divorce may occur due to abuse, adultery, or addiction; however, many marital issues can be overcome with commitment from both partners. The goal of financial unity in marriage is to make decisions together, listen to each other, and view finances as a shared resource. This oneness fosters trust, transparency, and partnership in every area of life. For more on this topic, check out Howard Dayton’s book, Money and Marriage God’s Way , which delves deeper into building a unified financial and marital life. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have cancer and will likely pass away soon. My husband and I have separate finances due to a prenup. I have about $700,000

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”- Proverbs 22:6 God’s Word tells us that children should be taught early how to live wisely and righteously, including how to handle money. Howard Dayton is here to explain why it’s especially important to teach kids about the dangers of debt. Howard Dayton is the founder of Compass Financial Ministry and the former host of this program. He is also the author of a number of books on the topic of Christian Finance and Stewardship. The Little-Big Principle: Starting Small The Little-Big principle is based on Luke 16:10: “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.” This principle encourages parents to start small when teaching children about money. The idea is to give kids small amounts to manage, like nickels and dimes, and then gradually increase the amount as they prove responsible. Eventually, they’ll be prepared to manage larger amounts of money. Parents should aim to steadily increase their children’s financial responsibilities so that by the time they’re seniors in high school, they’re independently managing most of their finances, aside from essentials like food and shelter. They should also be as systematic in teaching children about money as schools teach them to read and write—starting with the basics and progressing over time. When children reach their junior year in high school, they should open a checking account and get a secured credit card. This allows them to learn critical skills, like reconciling budgets and paying off balances in full each month. Developing these habits early on can set them on a path to financial freedom and help them avoid debt throughout their lives. The MVP Parenting Method: Model, Verbalize, and Provide Practical Opportunities The MVP method—modeling, verbal communication, and practical opportunities—is a very beneficial framework for teaching children about money. All three are essential for training children to be good stewards of God’s resources. 1. Modeling Parents must lead by example. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Children learn by watching their parents handle money wisely, so parents need to demonstrate sound financial stewardship. Whether budgeting, giving, or avoiding debt, children are more likely to adopt these habits when they see them modeled in everyday life. 2. Verbal Communication The Bible instructs us to teach our children about God’s ways consistently. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 encourages parents to impress God’s commandments upon their children and talk about them regularly. Parents should frequently discuss biblical financial principles with their kids, helping them understand how these truths apply to their own lives. 3. Practical Opportunities Giving children opportunities to apply what they’ve learned is essential. Hands-on experiences help children understand the impact of debt in a tangible way. Resources for Financial Discipleship For parents looking to dive deeper, Howard Dayton and Compass Financial Ministry offer a resource titled Financial Discipleship for Families: Intentionally Raising Faithful Children . This book provides more detailed guidance on teaching kids about finances from a biblical perspective and is available through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Discipleship-Families-Brian-Holtz/dp/B0CLDY2NY8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FGEYX1DJS3NB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.onAajKVyq85sDaI2lVQowceLBcsZYY1aXyE9L8nJHvREhccv29Ckx_vvpP8o_c7_iOrqCd5KihI1Kp4enpo8YdZYM_KzbncFHIlyPUqoMDVPcu5oXYIcTY0PToNCALA5blV6ZsrfQShd80a0OQ9Ardh1VSsMg2cO0sEsYezZ1QqiIjqsuLvsnzvrstqB

Howard Dayton graduated from Cornell University and served two and a half years as a naval officer. After developing a successful railroad-themed restaurant in Orlando, Florida, Howard began his commercial real estate development career in 1972, specializing in office development. After a business partner challenged him to study the Bible to discover what God teaches about handling money, Howard’s life was profoundly changed. The Lord gave him a passion to share these life-changing principles, resulting in the authorship of five books, Your Money: Frustration or Freedom, Your Money Counts, Free and Clear , Your Money Map and Money and Marriage God’s Way. He also has authored five popular small group studies and produced several video series . Howard founded Crown Ministries in 1985 which merged with Larry Burkett’s Christian Financial Concepts in September 2000 to form Crown Financial Ministries. During his tenure as CEO, Crown became the world’s largest financial ministry teaching more than 50 million people in 80 countries. He served as host of the nationally syndicated radio programs, Money Matters, How to Manage Your Money and Ted and Tony. Howard transitioned from the role of CEO at Crown and in 2009 founded Compass—Finances God’s Way. Compass’ primary focus is on teaching God’s financial principles through small group studies.

On this 44th episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Howard Dayton and Dan continue their conversation on how Compass has been working to restore financial freedom and equip people all around the world to apply Biblical money management. Tune in to hear what motivates Howard to keep investing in people and the specific message he has for our family of companies! Episode Highlights [0:31] Our conversation with Howard Dayton arrives at the present day: Dan and Howard talk Compass, the River Foundation, and other highlights from the past 10 years [0:58] What God showed Howard one day back in 1977, alone in his kitchen (and how that moment motivated him to invest in others’ finances) [2:55] “Living financially faithful": Howard breaks down the different programs Compass uses to educate on financial health (all tailored to specific age groups and seasons of life) [5:27] Howard shares what’s driving him to “finish well” [6:51] “This study is changing the theology of the Russian church.” Dan and Howard talk how God has taken and used Compass internationally [8:22] What about those of us who just have $10 in our wallets? Howard shares why the financial principles found in God’s Word match perfectly to the economics of the “entry-level” guy [11:16] What Howard wants to say directly to our family of 300 listeners Resources Right Now Media Compass