Wendell Anderson Pastor Crossroads Community Church Generosity Giving Finish Line Podcast

Finish Line Podcast Episode 128

Wendell Anderson, on the Compounding Power of Lifelong Giving

You want to steward God’s resources faithfully. But questions about generosity, calling, and impact are rarely simple.

In this conversation, you’ll hear from someone who has walked through these kinds of questions and learned along the way. Listen for the next step God may be inviting you to take.

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Meet your guide

Wendell Anderson was the first in his Michigan-based family to pursue a college degree. After graduating, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force before embarking on a long and successful career with General Motors. Along the way, countless seeds of faith were planted in his life, and in his early thirties, Wendell made the life-changing decision to follow Christ. From that moment on, he was all in.

Called to teach financial principles at his church, Wendell immersed himself in everything he could find on biblical stewardship. For decades, he has faithfully given and guided others in generosity—leading seminars, mentoring believers, and eventually pastoring a church. Overflowing with biblical wisdom, practical financial insights, and an inspiring passion for stewardship, Wendell equips and challenges others to embrace a life of radical generosity.

What you’ll gain

Wendell’s journey of faith and career
How God guided him to embrace and teach generosity
Transformative financial principles that reshaped his life
Applying the concept of a financial finish line
Weighing the impact of giving now versus later
Biblical wisdom on balancing discretion and openness in generosity
Debunking common misconceptions about giving
Encouragement to take the next step in your generosity journey

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Inspired? Take your next step

Try the Game of Life Simulator

Step into a four-minute interactive experience and see what unfolds as you decide how to manage your resources.

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Quotes to Remember

“I found out that tithing really was for my benefit to help me keep my life in order with God in first place.”
“Whether we’re talking about giving, earning, or debt, we’re talking about handling God’s resources.”
“Steady plodding in giving compounds over time.”
“Our treasure leads our heart. When we continue to live a life of generosity, our heart continues to be drawn closer and closer to the Lord.”

Links from the Show

The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn)
Money, Possessions, and Eternity (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn)
Christian Financial Concepts (later Crown Financial Ministries)
Your Finances in Changing Times by Larry Burkett
How to Manage Your Money by Larry Burkett
The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

Bible References from the Show

Malachi 3:8-10 | Put Me to the Test

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Deuteronomy 14:23 | Learn to Fear of the Lord

And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.

Deuteronomy 8:18 | The Power to Get Wealth

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Matthew 6:3-4 | Give to the Needy in Secret

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow’s Offering

Acts 4:36-37 | An Open Offering

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

1 Chronicles 29:9 | Whole-Hearted Giving

Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

Matthew 5:16 | Good Works Glorify God

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 21:5 | Diligence Brings Success

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Matthew 6:21 | Your Treasure Leads Your Heart

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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