Abrahams Wallet

Mark Parrett reprises his “best books I read this year” gimmick with AW friend Jeff Davenport. They discuss books old and new, fiction and nonfiction, funny and profane- basically, whatever they ingested in the past year. It’s a review of interesting books, and and advertisement for reading in general. it’s 2021’s Book List!

Mark Parrett gives a quick overview on an inflation hedge: iBonds. They’re treasury certificates and you can buy up to $10k worth of them annually. If you’re looking for short-term returns with good interests rates… Listen to this quick primer and consider iBonds!

Steven Manuel tells us what to look for, Biblically, as the promised “wolves in sheep’s clothing” come out of the woodwork to deceive the church. How can we recognize false teachers, how can we respond to them, and what kind of people are “false teacher-proof” in treacherous days?

Steven Manuel, in a live talk recorded 10/30/21, speaks on the purpose of the Gospel, the urgency of obedience, and the contemporary’s church misuse of the terms “grace” and “legalism”. He shares insights about what’s happening in the church today, and how God-fearing families can respond. (0:00-9:00 is introduction to the Abraham’s Wallet audience.)

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel discuss the celebration of holidays (22:30): Biblical (25:00), patriotic (31:30), Christian-ish (36:00) (think Christmas and Easter), and totally UNChristian American holidays (1:01:45). There is a way to navigate each types for the good of your family. They also go into tangents about the moral implications of buying Nike sneakers (1:30), Steven’s newest credit card fetish (7:00), a USA Today article about Americans with no savings (12:00). What we know is that 1. God loves celebration, 2. We’re free to interpret these things and use them as we see fit, and 3. There is grace for us in the process!

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel discuss two kinds of groups: 1. A group in which you’re the designated leader and you’re shepherding men toward spiritual maturity, and 2. A group of peers who’re seeking God together. How can you participate with health and excellence so that the men around you sharpen you? They also discuss Alabama college football and the strange reality that is Disney World.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel discuss the many uses of a well-crafted Family Vision Statement (8:00). From affecting your finances (spending, saving, and giving), your physical space, your intellectual pursuits, the way you train your children, and your spiritual life, a Family Vision Statement can have a profound effect on a family. THERE’S ALSO A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THIS EPISODE with a special discount offer for defining your own family vision! Steven and Mark also check in on Orator’s Corner (5:00), discuss the ideal home temperature, how Mark Zuckerberg chose the new name for the Facebook corporation (54:00) and what you should be serving for Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel wade into piranha-filled waters by discussing the wave of firings and resignations resulting from mandates sweeping the land (8:00). What’s the Biblical stance? Can Daniel be a model for us? Where do matters of conscience come in? Lest you think it’s all serious, they also discuss Steven’s recent music recordings, a standout recent email, and how large a man’s underwear collection SHOULD be… so there’s that.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel discuss Anderson Cooper (and Daniel Craig… and Kevin O’Leary)’s idea that inheritances are best given to anybody besides one’s children. We’re convinced… otherwise. Also, orator’s corner makes its return.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel respond to 3 diferrent accounts of “my advisor told me…” anecdotes from viewers: (25:00) 1. How much should I invest in my new business?  2. Should I put everything toward retirement when my family wants to invest in real estate? (38:15) 3. Should I dump all my money into a LIRP? (51:00) They also gab about run-ins with celebrities (1:00), BBQ updates (6:00), and Steven introduces a pet segment: Orators’ Corner (17:30).

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel discuss the need for mentors, the Biblical paradigm of mentors/disciplers/spiritual parents, and give some tips for how to find them (32:00).

Steven Manuel sits down with his old friend Jeff Davenport and discuss Jeff’s transformation from a shy youth who eschewed people to a confident and brave author and owner of a family business. They talk about Jeff’s communication coaching business, The Lighthouse Point, and miiiiiiiight go into a leeeeetle too much detail about the time they were on a game show together.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel discuss the Biblical idea that money is, among other things, to be a relationship sweetener. The Bible points us in the direction of using money to encourage good relationships… and Mark and Steven are here to give you concrete tips on execution. They also can’t help but talk about Sukkot and their lame NBA fantasy league.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel (who is speaking from Texas on a terrible audio connection, bless him) have a conversation about great funerals, what the Bible says about honoring the dead, how to maximize the opportunities that funerals present, and one recommended way to grieve communally, as Steven offers a guide for “sitting shiva”. Find our related article here.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel gab about the Mars Hill oral history podcast, both what it gets wrong by declaring some things as bad, and what it gets wrong by declaring other things good. They are fascinated, intrigued… and disgruntled.

Steven Manuel opines about technology’s threat to your home life, then interviews David Russell about a book they’re both into: The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch. David shares some tips about how to create and protect peace and relationship in a home filled with technology.

Get to know one of the voices of Abraham’s Wallet (and by golly, the best Certified Financial Planner we know), Mark Parrett. Mark shares his background with God and money, how those uniquely intersect for him, and his heart for helping others navigate finances.

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel finish their seres on 401Ks (17:00) and give detailed information about “rolling over” 401Ks into various products. We also hear about Steven’s daughter, Joy’s experience running a flea market stall (11:00), Mark’s new ski house, and more annoying pickleball talk (4:30).

Mark Parrett and Steven Manuel go into more detail regarding 401Ks, and the FOUR THINGS you should know and do about them (27:45). First, though, we check in on bear stories, and Steven rant about the “moratorium on evictions” (8:00) including Rudyard Kipling’s “The Gods of the Copybook Headings” (12:00). 

Steven Manuel drags Jeremy Pryor around his house, asking to hear the vision and goals that inform each area of his property. Jeremy has been extremely intentional about every square inch of his home, so we hear some of his insights around family spaces, how JRR Tolkien influences the Pryor house… and he and Steven both gush about pickle ball.