Idle Treasure: a Christian response to the wealth sitting in donor advised funds Mon, 11 May 2026 09:46:23 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568883 en-us © 2026 Idle Treasure: a Christian response to the wealth sitting in donor advised funds yes 6ff54468-401f-5625-bb0f-d8cfea61ef88 Courtney Markley episodic false There are billions of dollars accumulating in donor advised funds and we are here to ask the question, is this okay? 


Some Christians say everything is fine; the system is working as it should. Others say this is a major problem. 


Hosted by financial counselor, Courtney Markley, this mini-series will take you through a narrative journey to explore what really lies beneath this number.

 

But this story isn’t just about donor advised funds; it is about each of us and the elephant in the room: Christians give less today than during the Great Depression. It’s simply become normal in our culture for God’s people not to live generously.


Could our lack of giving be a sign that something greater is going on?

 

Throughout the journey we will hear from industry experts, ministry leaders, entrepreneurs, and biblical scholars. We’ll be joined by John Rinehart, Randy Alcorn, Ronald Blue, Peter Greer, and Craig Blomberg – just to name a few. 


We'll explore the challenges people face when giving to charity, the obstacles of passing down generational wealth, and the vulnerable reasons we often keep money to ourselves. 


The goal of this podcast is not to convince you to give more money away.


This is an invitation into a gentle discussion about giving, discipleship to Christ, and our idle treasure.  

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Courtney Markley https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ofw4igjec6lu722vnlzyn3s1ii1a?.jpg Idle Treasure: a Christian response to the wealth sitting in donor advised funds The Solution: Part Two The Solution: Part Two As we close the Idle Treasure series, we turn the spotlight back to the real question behind donor-advised funds. This conversation was never simply about how much money sits in charitable accounts. It's about what our money reveals about our nearness to Jesus.

We walk alongside the rich young ruler, as he holds a key to the DAF dilemma. 

From there we name three themes that consistently marked the people we interviewed throughout the series. We also share a big assumption underneath this whole project, and offer a conclusion that both challenges and inspires.


Subscribe to receive updates about the Idle Treasure series, and leave a review so more people can join the conversation.


*If you have a story to share as a result of Idle Treasure, email: courtney@financialdiscipleship.center.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> As we close the Idle Treasure series, we turn the spotlight back to the real question behind donor-advised funds. This conversation was never simply about how much money sits in charitable accounts. It's about what our money reveals about our nearness to Jesus.

We walk alongside the rich young ruler, as he holds a key to the DAF dilemma. 

From there we name three themes that consistently marked the people we interviewed throughout the series. We also share a big assumption underneath this whole project, and offer a conclusion that both challenges and inspires.


Subscribe to receive updates about the Idle Treasure series, and leave a review so more people can join the conversation.


*If you have a story to share as a result of Idle Treasure, email: courtney@financialdiscipleship.center.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-19084008 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 2922 1 11 full false The Solution: Part One The Solution: Part One What are possible solutions to the DAF dilemma?  And, how should Christians be responding to this Idle Treasure? 

Some obstacles to generosity are practical, some are relational, and others are spiritual. 

In Part One of the Idle Treasure finale, we walk through two practical, concrete tools that can change the trajectory of your giving: a financial finish line and a sunset strategy. 

We hear from one financial advisor who put a cap on his personal spending to free up more funds for giving, which resulted in an interesting new dynamic with his clients.

We also meet someone who ran a private foundation and developed a strategic plan to give away all the money, which led to their most fruitful years in philanthropy.

If you’re using a DAF, leading a foundation, advising clients, or just trying to follow Jesus with your money, this conversation is an invitation to rest in enoughness and take the next faithful step. 


If you wish to support the show, kindly subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can join the conversation.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> What are possible solutions to the DAF dilemma?  And, how should Christians be responding to this Idle Treasure? 

Some obstacles to generosity are practical, some are relational, and others are spiritual. 

In Part One of the Idle Treasure finale, we walk through two practical, concrete tools that can change the trajectory of your giving: a financial finish line and a sunset strategy. 

We hear from one financial advisor who put a cap on his personal spending to free up more funds for giving, which resulted in an interesting new dynamic with his clients.

We also meet someone who ran a private foundation and developed a strategic plan to give away all the money, which led to their most fruitful years in philanthropy.

If you’re using a DAF, leading a foundation, advising clients, or just trying to follow Jesus with your money, this conversation is an invitation to rest in enoughness and take the next faithful step. 


If you wish to support the show, kindly subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can join the conversation.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-19049076 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 2587 1 10 full false Who is Responsible? Who is Responsible? In the last several episodes of Idle Treasure, we’ve been unpacking reasons why money in DAFs stay stagnant.

Many people are starting to wonder who should be held accountable for the DAF dilemma.

Some say it’s the government’s responsibility to put more regulations in place.

Some say the duty falls on the advisors and DAF sponsors.

Some say it is up to the individual to ensure funds are deployed.

And many say it is a different entity entirely that should be held accountable. 

In this episode, we look at four key players in the DAF dilemma and begin asking: Who’s responsible for creating change?

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> In the last several episodes of Idle Treasure, we’ve been unpacking reasons why money in DAFs stay stagnant.

Many people are starting to wonder who should be held accountable for the DAF dilemma.

Some say it’s the government’s responsibility to put more regulations in place.

Some say the duty falls on the advisors and DAF sponsors.

Some say it is up to the individual to ensure funds are deployed.

And many say it is a different entity entirely that should be held accountable. 

In this episode, we look at four key players in the DAF dilemma and begin asking: Who’s responsible for creating change?

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18989785 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 1992 1 9 full false Bonus Episode with Randy Alcorn Bonus Episode with Randy Alcorn In this episode we sit down with best-selling author Randy Alcorn to talk about the money accumulating in DAFs and private foundations. Randy argues that God rewards implemented choices, not stored intentions, and he challenges us to think practically about "good works." Along the way, we explore stewardship, spiritual warfare, and why mammon remains a live threat even for sincere Christians.

Randy also addresses several practical questions about giving charitable assets. Questions like: how long is too long to keep money in a DAF, what to do when you can’t find one organization with capacity for a large gift, and whether it’s wise to preserve the principal. Then we turn to family questions, including inheritance and legacy building. Randy closes with stories that bring the whole conversation back to joy, eternity, and the kind of generosity you never regret.

Listen, share it with a friend, and leave a review.


~

Subscribe to Idle Treasure if you would like to receive bonus content from this episode.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> In this episode we sit down with best-selling author Randy Alcorn to talk about the money accumulating in DAFs and private foundations. Randy argues that God rewards implemented choices, not stored intentions, and he challenges us to think practically about "good works." Along the way, we explore stewardship, spiritual warfare, and why mammon remains a live threat even for sincere Christians.

Randy also addresses several practical questions about giving charitable assets. Questions like: how long is too long to keep money in a DAF, what to do when you can’t find one organization with capacity for a large gift, and whether it’s wise to preserve the principal. Then we turn to family questions, including inheritance and legacy building. Randy closes with stories that bring the whole conversation back to joy, eternity, and the kind of generosity you never regret.

Listen, share it with a friend, and leave a review.


~

Subscribe to Idle Treasure if you would like to receive bonus content from this episode.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18922574 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 2969 1 8 full false The Challenges with Charity The Challenges with Charity Choosing which charities to give to is not an easy decision. For Christians who want to steward wealth well, partnering with nonprofits can prove challenging.

In this episode, we talk through the psychology of giving when there are millions of nonprofits, constant fundraising pressure, and too little clarity to make confident decisions. Then we zoom in on the practical obstacles that stall grantmaking: limited information, wildly different charity effectiveness, nonprofit capacity constraints, and the complexity of social ecosystems where “helping” can accidentally harm. You’ll hear what causes donors to pause, and how ministries can lower the barriers to generosity.

We also wrestle with a question that cuts close to home: if a ministry claims to follow Jesus, should its fundraising sound like everyone else’s?

If you are interested in Christian generosity, nonprofit accountability, and biblical fundraising, this conversation will give you insight and next steps.



Want more from Idle Treasure? Subscribe to receive bonus clips and extra content.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Choosing which charities to give to is not an easy decision. For Christians who want to steward wealth well, partnering with nonprofits can prove challenging.

In this episode, we talk through the psychology of giving when there are millions of nonprofits, constant fundraising pressure, and too little clarity to make confident decisions. Then we zoom in on the practical obstacles that stall grantmaking: limited information, wildly different charity effectiveness, nonprofit capacity constraints, and the complexity of social ecosystems where “helping” can accidentally harm. You’ll hear what causes donors to pause, and how ministries can lower the barriers to generosity.

We also wrestle with a question that cuts close to home: if a ministry claims to follow Jesus, should its fundraising sound like everyone else’s?

If you are interested in Christian generosity, nonprofit accountability, and biblical fundraising, this conversation will give you insight and next steps.



Want more from Idle Treasure? Subscribe to receive bonus clips and extra content.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18894645 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 1874 full false The Burden Of Blessing The Burden Of Blessing “I hate having money.” 

When a young inheritor says that out loud, it exposes something most of us rarely name: wealth can bring loneliness, fear, and constant relationship tension.

In this episode we sit down with Kate, who inherited millions of dollars at 21, to talk about the burden of blessing and the hidden pressures many next-gen inheritors carry while families navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and the growing DAF dilemma.

Dr. Gary Hoag also joins us to explore how scripture challenges us to think differently about legacy building. 

If you’ve ever felt conflicted about wealth, suspicious of generosity talk, or stuck deciding what to do with charitable assets, this conversation is for you.



~

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship. 

Want more from Idle Treasure? Subscribe to receive bonus clips and extra content.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> “I hate having money.” 

When a young inheritor says that out loud, it exposes something most of us rarely name: wealth can bring loneliness, fear, and constant relationship tension.

In this episode we sit down with Kate, who inherited millions of dollars at 21, to talk about the burden of blessing and the hidden pressures many next-gen inheritors carry while families navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and the growing DAF dilemma.

Dr. Gary Hoag also joins us to explore how scripture challenges us to think differently about legacy building. 

If you’ve ever felt conflicted about wealth, suspicious of generosity talk, or stuck deciding what to do with charitable assets, this conversation is for you.



~

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship. 

Want more from Idle Treasure? Subscribe to receive bonus clips and extra content.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18856802 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 2293 1 6 full false Bonus Episode with Dr. Craig Blomberg Bonus Episode with Dr. Craig Blomberg In this episode we pause our Idol Treasure series to sit down with Dr. Craig Blomberg. Craig joins Courtney to dive deeper into many of the topics covered so far. There are strong cultural and spiritual factors that influence our behavior with money, so as we continue to learn why wealth is accumulating in DAFs, Craig brings a strong biblical perspective to expand on the purpose of wealth, the roles our society plays in our understanding of stewardship, and we’ll explore many questions like: 

  • How much do I have to give for it to be considered generous?
  • How does scripture balance the goodness of wealth with the potential dangers of it?
  • Why aren’t more pastors preaching about money?


Enjoying the Idle Treasure series? Leave us a rating and review, and subscribe to receive bonus content. 


Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> In this episode we pause our Idol Treasure series to sit down with Dr. Craig Blomberg. Craig joins Courtney to dive deeper into many of the topics covered so far. There are strong cultural and spiritual factors that influence our behavior with money, so as we continue to learn why wealth is accumulating in DAFs, Craig brings a strong biblical perspective to expand on the purpose of wealth, the roles our society plays in our understanding of stewardship, and we’ll explore many questions like: 

  • How much do I have to give for it to be considered generous?
  • How does scripture balance the goodness of wealth with the potential dangers of it?
  • Why aren’t more pastors preaching about money?


Enjoying the Idle Treasure series? Leave us a rating and review, and subscribe to receive bonus content. 


Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18802750 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 2376 1 5 full false The Siren Call of Wealth The Siren Call of Wealth What if our most “responsible” money moves are quietly discipling us away from Jesus? 

Joined by guests John Rinehart, CEO of Gospel Patrons, and Leo Sabo, president of the Christian Stewardship Network, we peel back the layers of conventional wisdom to reveal how fear, control, and comparison often masquerade as stewardship—and why scripture calls us to a radically different way with wealth. 

We also examine donor advised funds, the temptations of control and social capital, and the subtle ways both givers and fundraisers can drift from mission. The thread through it all is an invitation: let money become a mirror of the heart, not a mask. 



If this conversation challenged you, share it with a friend, subscribe for bonus content of the Idle Treasure series, and leave a review with one step you’re taking to trust God over money. Your story might inspire someone else's journey.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> What if our most “responsible” money moves are quietly discipling us away from Jesus? 

Joined by guests John Rinehart, CEO of Gospel Patrons, and Leo Sabo, president of the Christian Stewardship Network, we peel back the layers of conventional wisdom to reveal how fear, control, and comparison often masquerade as stewardship—and why scripture calls us to a radically different way with wealth. 

We also examine donor advised funds, the temptations of control and social capital, and the subtle ways both givers and fundraisers can drift from mission. The thread through it all is an invitation: let money become a mirror of the heart, not a mask. 



If this conversation challenged you, share it with a friend, subscribe for bonus content of the Idle Treasure series, and leave a review with one step you’re taking to trust God over money. Your story might inspire someone else's journey.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18763118 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500 2507 1 4 full false Anxiety and the American Gospel Anxiety and the American Gospel What if the real barrier to generosity isn’t a lack of resources, but the stories we’ve believed about safety, success, and “enough”? 

When talking about the charitable assets sitting in donor advised funds, many people are eager to jump to solutions, as perhaps they should be. While we do want to address possible solutions to the DAF dilemma, we first need to uncover why this is happening in the first place.

Over the next several episodes we’re going to explore the various reasons why funds stay stagnant. And remember, we may be narrowing in on donor advised funds, but the behavioral patterns apply to all of us. You won’t have to look hard to find a story that intersects with your life, too. 

In today’s conversation, we’re going to discuss how our culture is shaping the way Christians behave with money. We'll explore the beginnings of our consumer-driven economy; we'll discuss why so many Americans suffer with money anxiety, and we'll also see how consumerism is showing up in our churches and shaping our faith.




If this conversation stirred you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more people join in the conversation. 

*If you want to receive behind-the-scenes content on Idle Treasure, be sure to subscribe through our website.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> What if the real barrier to generosity isn’t a lack of resources, but the stories we’ve believed about safety, success, and “enough”? 

When talking about the charitable assets sitting in donor advised funds, many people are eager to jump to solutions, as perhaps they should be. While we do want to address possible solutions to the DAF dilemma, we first need to uncover why this is happening in the first place.

Over the next several episodes we’re going to explore the various reasons why funds stay stagnant. And remember, we may be narrowing in on donor advised funds, but the behavioral patterns apply to all of us. You won’t have to look hard to find a story that intersects with your life, too. 

In today’s conversation, we’re going to discuss how our culture is shaping the way Christians behave with money. We'll explore the beginnings of our consumer-driven economy; we'll discuss why so many Americans suffer with money anxiety, and we'll also see how consumerism is showing up in our churches and shaping our faith.




If this conversation stirred you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more people join in the conversation. 

*If you want to receive behind-the-scenes content on Idle Treasure, be sure to subscribe through our website.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18718930 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500 1993 full false Are these numbers right? Are these numbers right? In this episode we pull back the curtain on donor advised funds to ask a sharper question: if assets are allocated but not activated, have we truly surrendered them to God’s purposes? With billions of dollars sitting in DAFs and urgent needs multiplying, we explore the tension between smart planning and delayed impact.

Throughout the conversation we break down the core mechanics of DAFs, from why givers use them to the real advantages for non-cash gifts and tax efficiency. Then we tackle the metrics. We explore the statistics around DAFs and what these numbers represent. We also step back to see what information might be missing and what false assumptions we might be bringing to the table. 

If you’ve wondered whether DAFs are parking lots or highways for charity, this conversation offers both clarity and challenge. 



Links from episode:

DAF Research Collaborative Report

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> In this episode we pull back the curtain on donor advised funds to ask a sharper question: if assets are allocated but not activated, have we truly surrendered them to God’s purposes? With billions of dollars sitting in DAFs and urgent needs multiplying, we explore the tension between smart planning and delayed impact.

Throughout the conversation we break down the core mechanics of DAFs, from why givers use them to the real advantages for non-cash gifts and tax efficiency. Then we tackle the metrics. We explore the statistics around DAFs and what these numbers represent. We also step back to see what information might be missing and what false assumptions we might be bringing to the table. 

If you’ve wondered whether DAFs are parking lots or highways for charity, this conversation offers both clarity and challenge. 



Links from episode:

DAF Research Collaborative Report

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18655789 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500 2073 1 2 full false The Origin Story The Origin Story In our first episode we will begin pulling back the layers of the DAF controversy by looking first at the origin story. Who created the modern donor advised fund and why? The answer might surprise you. 



Links from episode:

DAF Research Collaborative Report

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> In our first episode we will begin pulling back the layers of the DAF controversy by looking first at the origin story. Who created the modern donor advised fund and why? The answer might surprise you. 



Links from episode:

DAF Research Collaborative Report

Idle Treasure is sponsored by the Center for Financial Discipleship.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18611696 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500 1494 1 1 full false Trailer Trailer Coming February 10th.

]]> Coming February 10th.

]]> Courtney Markley Buzzsprout-18573183 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500 261 full false