Setting Your First Finish Line with Cody Hobelmann

In this episode of Faith & Finance, host Rob West welcomes Cody Hobelmann, a certified financial planner and certified kingdom advisor, to discuss the transformative concept of setting a 'financial finish line'—a deliberate, God-centered limit on personal spending that acknowledges all resources belong to God. Drawing from Deuteronomy and the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, Cody emphasizes that prosperity is a greater spiritual test than scarcity. He introduces a framework for financial stewardship divided into four categories: personal spending, taxes, future planning, and kingdom building. The core of the episode centers on the 'financial finish line'—a maximum spending threshold that protects against lifestyle creep and redirects surplus income toward kingdom work. Cody outlines three practical approaches to setting this line: maintenance spending (locking in current expenses), benchmark spending (using census data), and prioritization spending (aligning spending with values). He shares his personal journey of adopting this practice at age 26, noting how defining 'enough' brought clarity, freedom, and spiritual growth. The episode concludes with actionable steps: using the free calculator at finishlinepledge.com, testing the finish line for 3–6 months, and discussing it with a Christian financial advisor. A listener call from Karen, a 62-year-old contractor with significant assets in precious metals and real estate, reinforces the episode’s message—life insurance isn't necessary when income and assets are sufficient and dependents are adult. The episode closes with a call to action: become a FaithFi partner by May 31st to receive the new 'How Much Money Is Enough?' field guide.