Supporting Adult Children Without Holding Them Back

This episode of Faith & Finance explores the delicate balance of supporting adult children without undermining their growth and responsibility. Host Rob West uses the metaphor of a baby bird hatching from its shell to illustrate how removing all struggles from a child's life can prevent the development of resilience and maturity. The core message is that true love involves wise stewardship—offering support that empowers independence rather than enabling dependency. Practical guidance includes tying financial help to clear goals like employment or budgeting, distinguishing between burdens (too heavy to carry alone) and loads (personal responsibilities), and maintaining marital unity before making financial decisions. The episode also features two listener calls: one from a 55-year-old nearing retirement who’s maxing his 401k and considering a shift to a more conservative portfolio, and another from a 74-year-old retiree navigating annuity withdrawals without triggering higher Medicare premiums (IRMA) or increased Social Security taxation. Both calls are addressed with biblical wisdom and practical financial strategy, reinforcing the show’s mission of integrating faith and finance.