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The Smarter Generosity Podcast

The Smarter Generosity Podcast

Should Generosity be Measured by ROI?

Aug 5, 2026 · 32 min · 9 segments

In this conversation, Eric Fleshood and Katie Brubaker explore the role of ROI in generosity and why biblical stewardship goes beyond measuring results. Through the parable of the talents, they…

In this conversation, Eric Fleshood and Katie Brubaker explore the role of ROI in generosity and why biblical stewardship goes beyond measuring results. Through the parable of the talents, they discuss how our view of God shapes the way we handle what He has entrusted to us. Rather than seeing God as a demanding taskmaster focused only on outcomes, we are invited to know Him as a generous Master who calls us into relationship, faithfulness, and trust. Discover why good stewardship begins with understanding the heart of God—and how generosity becomes a response to His grace rather than a checklist to complete. Cru Foundation and The Smarter Generosity Podcast exist to accelerate the Great Commission through Smarter Generosity. To talk through your own stewardship questions, start a conversation with a Cru Foundation specialist. This content is provided for spiritual edification and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Please consult your professional advisor regarding your specific situation.

In this conversation, Eric Fleshood and Katie Brubaker explore the role of ROI in generosity and why biblical stewardship goes beyond measuring results. Through the parable of the talents, they…

Speakers: Eric FleshoodGuestKatie BrubakerHost

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈51k followers

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Top entities: Return on investment×29 God×50 Jesus×6 Bible×5 Bill Bright×4

Nuances & Biblical Perspective on ROI3:55 – 11:58

K

Katie BrubakerHost

3:55

What's the downside?

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

3:57

Yes.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

3:58

Well, the downside is that I think as I look at Scripture and as I look at the history of the unfolding of salvation history, I see the Bible has a much more nuanced answer to this question than just ROI.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:16

That the Lord cares about that, but he cares about a lot of other things at the same time.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:22

And I think sometimes we want simple answers.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:25

It's easy.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:26

Like if I could just boil it down to one thing so that I can decide what to do.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:31

I mean, who doesn't want that in our complicated, fast-paced world? The simpler I can make things, the easier.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:38

Well, and what I think as we're making giving decisions, what I've heard other people say is giving here is a good investment.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:46

Like that's almost the framework that they use for it.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:50

Like ROI is good.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:53

Or we'll talk about eROI, right? The eternal ROI.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:58

Return on investment.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:00

That's good.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:01

I like the returns I get on that, whether it's now and I get to see that or what I think is going to happen in the future.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:08

That's right.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:09

Therefore, this

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:10

is good stewardship to give here.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:12

Yes.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:12

Which I would say typically, yes.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:15

So what are other factors that you consider? So you're saying it's nuanced.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:20

That's not the whole story.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:22

Right, right.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:23

Yeah.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:23

Well, okay, I want to answer that, but I also want to honor, again, in a different way, the ministry partners of CRU and other organizations.

Return on investmentEntity
95%29 mentions
GodEntitySupreme being
85%50 mentions
JesusPersonReligious leader
75%6 mentions
BibleBookReligious text
65%5 mentions
Bill BrightPersonAmerican evangelist
55%4 mentions
Matthew 25Entity
45%1 mention
Cold openEntity
35%1 mention
ChristianityEntityReligion
25%2 mentions
Middle EastAdministrative AreaRegion
15%1 mention
AmericansEntityEthnic group
5%1 mention

Parable of the TalentsReligion > Christianity > Stewardship > Generosity
God's GenerosityReligion > Christianity > Theology > Divine Character
Return on InvestmentReligion > Christianity > Biblical Teachings
Eternal ROIReligion > Christianity > Biblical Teachings > Return on Investment
Giving DecisionsReligion > Christianity > Faith and Practice
Ministry SupportReligion > Christianity > Faith and Practice > Giving Decisions
Community EngagementReligion > Christianity > Ethics > Moral Responsibility
Biblical TeachingsReligion > Christianity
StewardshipReligion > Christianity
Moral ResponsibilityReligion > Christianity > Ethics
Faith and PracticeReligion > Christianity
EthicsReligion > Christianity
GenerosityReligion > Christianity > Stewardship
TheologyReligion > Christianity
Religion
ChristianityReligion
Divine CharacterReligion > Christianity > Theology

Nuances & Biblical Perspective on ROI3:55 – 11:58

K

Katie BrubakerHost

3:55

What's the downside?

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

3:57

Yes.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

3:58

Well, the downside is that I think as I look at Scripture and as I look at the history of the unfolding of salvation history, I see the Bible has a much more nuanced answer to this question than just ROI.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:16

That the Lord cares about that, but he cares about a lot of other things at the same time.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:22

And I think sometimes we want simple answers.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:25

It's easy.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:26

Like if I could just boil it down to one thing so that I can decide what to do.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

4:31

I mean, who doesn't want that in our complicated, fast-paced world? The simpler I can make things, the easier.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:38

Well, and what I think as we're making giving decisions, what I've heard other people say is giving here is a good investment.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:46

Like that's almost the framework that they use for it.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:50

Like ROI is good.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:53

Or we'll talk about eROI, right? The eternal ROI.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

4:58

Return on investment.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:00

That's good.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:01

I like the returns I get on that, whether it's now and I get to see that or what I think is going to happen in the future.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:08

That's right.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:09

Therefore, this

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:10

is good stewardship to give here.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:12

Yes.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:12

Which I would say typically, yes.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:15

So what are other factors that you consider? So you're saying it's nuanced.

K

Katie BrubakerHost

5:20

That's not the whole story.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:22

Right, right.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:23

Yeah.

E

Eric FleshoodGuest

5:23

Well, okay, I want to answer that, but I also want to honor, again, in a different way, the ministry partners of CRU and other organizations.

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