What is CENFi?
Some of the most influential men I have encountered in my life have lived faithfully by walking in the Spirit, leading their families with humility, and pointing others to Christ. Their eternal impact is undeniable. I have also met men who, through wisdom and diligence, have built great wealth on earth. Their influence, while temporal, has also shaped me deeply. Yet only on rare occasions have I met individuals who have succeeded in both living faithfully to God while also succeeding financially. It is important to recognize that these two pursuits are not mutually exclusive, though they are difficult to hold together. Many students, myself included, have wrestled with the same question: How do I succeed financially without failing spiritually?
When we turn to Scripture, Jesus Himself addresses this tension with clarity. In the Sermon on the Mount, He shifts the focus from outward behavior to the condition of the heart. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that in Christ sermon most known for aiming at the heart, Jesus brought up the topic of money. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). These words strike at the very core of the human heart. Jesus is not vague—His words pierce with clarity. We are confronted with a choice: Who will be our master, God or money?
The challenge, of course, is not understanding this truth but living it out in the midst of a culture that glorifies wealth, debt, and materialism. Students today are surrounded by messages that promise happiness through possessions, quick riches, or lifestyles built on credit. At the same time, we are offered plenty of resources to grow spiritually such as local churches, Bible studies, and great mentors. However, very few of these sources address money, even though Scripture speaks of it often. This gap leaves many of us unsure how to faithfully handle our finances in a way that honors Christ.
This is why CENFi, the Center for Biblical Financial Wisdom, exists. We believe transformation begins with the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). CENFi seeks to transform the way students think about money by rooting financial decisions in biblical wisdom. Whether it is fear of debt, uncertainty about budgeting, questions about investing, or simply the desire to honor Christ with finances, CENFi is here to walk alongside students in their journey.
We will host events throughout the year that tackle practical money topics, but we believe the deepest transformation will occur in one-on-one coaching. Our student-led team has been trained to approach finances through a biblical lens, prepared to meet students where they are and provide both understanding and practical steps. More than offering financial freedom, our goal is to guide students into greater obedience to Christ through how they steward money. For as Jesus said, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36). If we point students to financial success without pointing them to Christ, we will have failed.
Being at a Christian university reminds us daily to honor God with our words, actions, and relationships. Yet Scripture also teaches that how we handle money must glorify Him as well. At CENFi, we desire to see students live out three biblical pillars: Live Intentionally, Give Generously, and Invest Wisely. These habits of stewardship are not just financial practices—they are acts of worship that reflect our allegiance to Christ.
We are excited for what God will do through CENFi this year at Union. Our prayer is that students will experience true transformation—not just in their bank accounts, but in their hearts—by learning to serve God faithfully while stewarding money wisely.
