Roger Gum - Ronald Blue Trust Financial Advisor

When was the last time you felt noticed and appreciated, not by man, but by God? As we celebrate Holy Week, I hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy this encouraging Easter message from our family at Ronald Blue Trust to yours!

Easter Message: Noticed by God - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Erik Daniels, Executive Vice President Earlier this year, on February 25, the Associated Press reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government. However, he turned down the offer, saying “The fight is here; I need ammun...

Ukraine continues to be in our thoughts and prayers. If you are looking for ways to help, here's an update on the situation and some ways to support the Ukrainian people.

How to Help Ukraine - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Ryan Brown, Sr. Manager, Digital Marketing for Ronald Blue Trust Ukraine is experiencing a crisis that has affected the world. There are many Christians there right now working to rescue families, protect the vulnerable, and save lives. I lived and served in Kyiv, Ukraine for three years....

If all you wanted for Christmas was tax legislation, you were disappointed! This article from our estate planning department provides a helpful review of where we have been this year and what may lie ahead in 2022. Don’t miss out on their advice for coping with pending tax legislation changes.

Estate Planning Year-End Review - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Alan Cox, Director of Estate/Trust Planning and Estate Settlement, and Mike Bleck, Senior Estate Planning Specialist   If all you wanted for Christmas was tax legislation, you were disappointed! What a year it has been monitoring the twists and turns of various estate planning and tax pr...

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? Traditions are great for bringing families together and building a strong sense of identity, so consider being intentional with the traditions you establish in your family, especially over the holidays, and focusing on giving. Here are 10 great ways to add generosity to your family’s Christmas traditions.

10 ways to make generosity a family tradition - National Christian Foundation Traditions are what bring families together and build a strong sense of identity, especially during the Christmas season. So, why not be intentional with your time this December and plan some fun new activities every generation can enjoy? Here are...

One of the best ways I have discovered to teach children about generosity, no matter how old they are, is to give them some money to give away to others. This teaches them several important lessons: It shows them how good it feels to plan ways to give to others, it shows them that you trust them with responsibility, and it shows them the impact they can have by using money in generous ways. Best of all, it is an inspiring way to pass on your legacy of generosity to the next generation. Watch the video below and join me in our Holiday Giving Challenge!

STEP 1: Give your children money for the holiday.
STEP 2: They give the money to any person or organization they want to help.
STEP 3: Share about the experience together during the holidays.

Generosity is the antidote to materialism. So give your children some money and tell them to give it away!

SHARE this video with 5 friends or family members, and COMMENT below how your children used the money you gave them to be generous this holiday season.




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Ronald Blue Trust is a trademark used by Thrivent Trust Company, a federal savings association, and Thrivent Trust Company of Tennessee, Inc., a Tennessee public trust company, separate affiliated entities.

Trust and investment management accounts and services offered by Ronald Blue Trust are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, nor guaranteed by any bank or bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

2021 Holiday Giving Challenge This is "2021 Holiday Giving Challenge" by Ronald Blue Trust on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Celebrate Giving Tuesday with all of us at Ronald Blue Trust today! After the excitement and flashy deals featured on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s good to remember that Giving Tuesday follows right after. Today is a great opportunity to express gratitude for our blessings and well-being by turning our focus to giving to others. Whether you take a moment to help a neighbor, provide for someone in need, or just put a smile on someone’s face, remember that we all have something to give. Check out these five ways to make Giving Tuesday more meaningful.

5 ways to make GivingTuesday more meaningful - National Christian Foundation Since it began in 2012, GivingTuesday has grown to become one of the largest movements of generosity around the world, engaging millions of participants in every country, on every continent. The significance of this one day may be lost on...

This Thanksgiving, instead of asking friends and family what they are thankful for, try asking, “How do you show your thankfulness?”

Show Your Thankfulness by Stewarding Your Wealth Well - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Russ Crosson, EVP and Chief Mission Officer As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s a great time to take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for with those who mean the most to us. While this is a wonderful practice of gratitude, it may be worth exploring a different [....

Inflation is running hot! Will it really be able to cool itself off? With inflation making major headlines, some investors are wondering how it will affect interest rates. If you, like many, are concerned about the possibility of higher interest rates, read the latest article from our investment team where they look at the impact inflation and tapering from the Fed could have on interest rates in the near future.

Will Inflation and Tapering Cause Interest Rates to Rise? - Ronald Blue Trust On November 10, we watched annual inflation reach 6.2%—its highest rate since 1990. A week earlier, the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced they would begin tapering their purchases of government bonds and mortgage-backed securities. Some investors fear that interest rates will sharply rise against th...

In the Bible, we learn that “the little foxes spoil the vines.” Sometimes it’s the small things that we overlook or leave unresolved that come back and cause us the most pain. As you read this article, think about the importance of heeding the small tensions that can grow to threaten your personal and professional goals, and consider how this principle may apply to your financial life as well.


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Washington has been keeping us on our toes with changes to the Infrastructure Bill and Reconciliation Bill. The House recently passed the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill, and our estate and trust planning department created a helpful update with information on what was included.

What’s Next for the $1.2T Infrastructure Bill? - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Alan Cox, Director of Estate/Trust Planning and Estate Settlement, and Mike Bleck, Senior Estate Planning Specialist Late Friday the House passed the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill which includes additional spending for roads, bridges, public transit, and other projects in addition to....

What is your "Materiality Threshold"? While you may not have heard the term, it’s an important concept to understand for your personal financial stewardship considerations. In this article, we talk about what materiality threshold means and why it’s an important piece to helping us understand and adjust our relationship with money.

What is Your Materiality Threshold? - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Zack Fulmer, Managing Director of Ronald Blue Trust’s Orlando, Florida office Have you ever heard of the concept of a “materiality threshold?” Simply put, it’s financial industry terminology for how much you personally consider to be “a lot.” As a financial advisor who has adv...

As I serve my clients, my goal is to help them make wise financial decisions to experience clarity and confidence and leave a lasting legacy. The legacy piece of that mission goes beyond just the financial inheritance we leave behind. There are actually 3 types of capital that we should plan for when it comes to leaving a lasting legacy. Learn about the 3 types of capital we pass to our heirs in this article.

3 kinds of capital we pass to our heirs - National Christian Foundation What we pass down to our heirs comes in the form of more than money. Passing down spiritual and character capital first makes passing financial capital a much easier and more-joyful event.

Before you sell your company, make sure you have explored a giving strategy. In this article, we discuss how doing so can potentially generate significantly more generous donations and tax advantages in the process.

Noncash Business Owner Giving - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Ryan Anderson, Private Wealth Advisor, and Blake Mankin, Financial Planner, in Ronald Blue Trust’s Houston, Texas office At Ronald Blue Trust, we have the privilege of working with many business owners who prioritize generosity and have a desire to make significant gifts to churches and...

Remember the tale of the tortoise and the hare? Listening to that story taught us that it’s dangerous to rely on a burst of intensity to compensate for a lack of consistency. This article highlights the importance of consistency for leaders, which also applies to your financial life. One of the primary ways to build wealth is very simple -- spend less than you make, and do it consistently.

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The U.S. continues to have the biggest, most diversified economy in the world, and our biggest global competitor, China, has faltered amid concerns of human rights and a government crackdown. Some investors are asking if it is wise to invest in foreign markets. If you find yourself unsure of international investments, take a look at the latest article from our investment team where they answer the question: “Is there any reason to invest in foreign markets at all?”



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I have been hearing a lot of concern from friends, family, and clients about the potential impact of the tax changes proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee. To help provide some clarity around the possible changes, we have released a summary of the provisions that could have a significant impact on estate, gift, and trust taxes; individual income taxes; corporate income taxes; as well as retirement plans.

Estate Planning Considerations in Times of Uncertainty - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Alan Cox, Director of Estate/Trust Planning and Estate Settlement, and Mike Bleck, Senior Estate Planning Specialist Recently, the House Ways and Means Committee released draft legislation of tax changes. It’s important to keep in mind that many provisions can change between the release...

Are you smarter than the scammers? You may think you are good at spotting a money scam through email or over the phone, but a whole new generation of financial scams is becoming more and more prevalent. This podcast episode from TalkingMoney covers several ways to protect yourself from getting caught in a scam.



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With savings account interest rates stuck near zero, investors are seeking alternative ways to earn a higher yield on their cash. An increasingly popular method is to engage in stablecoin lending in order to take advantage of cryptocurrencies’ benefits while attempting to mitigate one of their main drawbacks—high volatility. In this article from our investments team, you can learn more about stablecoins and why we are advising investors to proceed with caution.

A Word of Caution on Stablecoins - Ronald Blue Trust With savings account interest rates stuck near zero, investors are earnestly seeking alternative ways to earn a higher yield on their cash. A nascent, but increasingly popular method is to lend cryptocurrencies that are pegged to the U.S. Dollar. These so-called “stablecoins” inherit some of cry...

You may be able to leave a generous legacy today AND tomorrow with estate gifts.

Our founder, Ron Blue, says, “Do your giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where it’s going.” Leaving a lasting legacy is something we help our clients achieve through their estate plans, but we also encourage them to take advantage of opportunities to be radically generous in the present. This article offers three tips for revisiting your estate plan to reframe how you think about legacy.

A generous legacy today and tomorrow with estate gifts - National Christian Foundation As Reverend Billy Graham’s funeral motorcade drove 130 miles east from his mountain home in Montreat, North Carolina to Charlotte, thousands of people waved farewell from overpasses, exit ramps, and parking lots along the interstate. For half a century, Graham...

Biblically-based financial planning involves healthy family discussions. If you find it awkward and/or difficult to discuss money with your spouse, you are not alone. In this article, we discuss how to grow and strive towards financial oneness in marriage. This act can be a great opportunity to strengthen your connection, thrive in your marriage, and provide a positive example for future generations.

Marital Oneness with Your Finances - Ronald Blue Trust Written by Shawn Jacques, Private Wealth Advisor in Ronald Blue Trust’s Chicago, Illinois office Is it possible to find oneness with your spouse regarding money? Marriage is hard and finances are tough to manage, but money can also provide a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our marriages and g...

Long-lasting relationships are built on trust, confidence, and shared beliefs. I strive to set my clients on a path to financial freedom and help them reach their highest goals. Please reach out if you want to know more about how we work with over 10,000 financially blessed families and institutions to help them bridge the gap between faith and finances.

THERE IS STILL TIME!!! The deadline to apply for our Ronald Blue Trust Scholarships is approaching. If you know an exceptional college undergraduate pursuing a career in financial planning, forward them this message and tell me about them! You can learn more and apply at https://www.ronblue.com/scholarship/.

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2021, and winners will be notified in early December 2021!
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Money questions and financial decision-making can easily create stress in any relationship. I see examples of this often as I work with couples and families on their financial plans. Tensions can escalate if one person feels unheard or does not understand the view of their partner. This helpful article lays out three strategies that can help you get off the emotional elevator and calmly discuss the money topic at hand with your loved ones.

How to Stop Fighting: Step Off the Emotional Escalator You can step onto the down escalator, stop fighting, and return to the issue level, or you can keep moving up to a third level of emotion.

I know it requires a very trusting relationship to work with an advisor on your personal financial plan or investment strategy, so I take a lot of pride in being a fiduciary advisor offering fee-only wealth management services for my clients. What does it mean to be a "fiduciary advisor"? It means that I have to look out for your best interests. Check out our latest Insights article explaining why that is so important.

Why Having a Fiduciary Advisor Matters - Ronald Blue Trust We are proud to adhere to fiduciary standards in our work. Ronald Blue Trust fiduciary advisors put our clients’ best interests first and are guided by our core values of excellence and integrity while being bound to the highest fiduciary standards. In addition, our financial advisors provide fee-...

What obstacles keep you from living generously? A study conducted among Christian givers showed that the obstacles many of us struggle with on our generosity journey span the wealth spectrum. No matter how much money you have, you probably experience the same two insecurities. Read this article to learn the questions we can ask ourselves to help us shift to a mindset of fearless generosity.

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August marks five years of intentional collaboration between Ronald Blue Trust and Wycliffe Bible Translators to advance Kingdom work. I couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey and witness churches and communities around the world receiving Scripture in their own language.

We are grateful to Dr. John Chesnut, President & CEO of Wycliffe Bible Translators, for his amazing words of encouragement in a Wycliffe newsletter: “I’m so pleased to be writing this note in celebration of five years of working together. This idea of working side-by-side with Ronald Blue Trust to serve U.S. believers has proved fruitful and undoubtedly has built resources to advance the gospel. In fact… at least 25 referrals from Ronald Blue Trust advisors around the nation have impacted more than 120 people groups around the world over these past five years. Praise God! Thank you for your part in reaching those waiting to read the Word…”

At Ronald Blue Trust, generosity has always been at the heart of what we do. If you have never seen our “Faces of Generosity” videos, now you can find the entire series on the Generosity page of our new website. These videos show how we help our clients fulfill their dreams of giving back to charities and mission work at home and around the globe.

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Are you asking the right questions to create an estate plan that reflects your values for the next generation? Our Summer 2021 Newsletter is packed full of wisdom to help guide you through the decisions associated with developing your estate plan. Learn questions you should ask to help ensure your values are clearly communicated. We also discuss what it means to be a good steward of your wealth and take a deep dive into what you should know about inflation.

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We just launched our new ronblue.com website, and we are celebrating with some giveaways! Our article this week details why we believe our new website better helps support our clients on their financial journeys as well as communicates our company vision. You'll also learn how you can win a FREE metal tumbler!

IMPORTANT NEWS!!! The deadline to apply for our Ronald Blue Trust scholarships has been extended to SEPTEMBER 30, 2021! If you know an exceptional college undergraduate pursuing a career in financial planning, forward them this message and tell me about them! You can learn more and apply at www.ronblue.com/scholarship.

Winners will be notified in early December 2021!



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