The Art of Manliness Money and Meaning — What Faith Traditions Teach Us About Personal Finance
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Jan 13, 2026 
In this insightful discussion, guest Tom Levinson, a financial advisor and former Harvard Divinity School student, explores how religious teachings shape our understanding of money. He discusses the spiritual significance of budgeting, emphasizing it as a practice of mindfulness. Tom shares insights from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on wealth, urging a balance between material needs and ethical values. He also highlights the importance of generosity and community, illustrating how financial decisions reflect our deeper values and priorities.
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Money Reveals What You Value
- Money reflects our values, priorities, and spiritual life rather than being purely practical.
- Treating financial life as spiritually meaningful reveals deeper motivations behind earning and spending.
Learning Spirituality In Prison Circles
- Tom led a discussion group at a maximum-security prison while at Harvard Divinity School.
- He found that conversations there became his most important classroom for understanding religious experience.
Spirit Appears In Relational Space
- Tom draws on Martin Buber's I and Thou to argue the divine appears in dialogue between people.
- Spiritual encounters often happen in relational 'in-between' spaces rather than solitary practice.
