Jim Elliot once wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

“Generous” might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think about pro athletes, but Kirk Cousins is rewriting that playbook. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback in the NFL is using his platform—and resources—for eternal impact. Today, we’ll hear how his faith shapes everything from football to finances.

Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons and a veteran leader in the National Football League (NFL). He previously spent six seasons with the Washington Commanders and six with the Minnesota Vikings. A four-time Pro Bowler and outspoken man of faith, he is also the cofounder of the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, which supports families and youth through faith-based initiatives.

A Legacy of Generosity: Lessons from His Parents

Growing up as a pastor’s kid, Cousins remembers how his parents modeled generosity long before he had a bank account of his own.

“My mom had the gift of hospitality,” he says. “Even when I didn’t think I needed money, she’d hand me two twenties before I went out with friends. There was just this open-handedness.”

While his dad managed the family finances with intentionality, it was his mother’s willingness to give freely that left the deepest mark. “It was caught, not just taught,” Cousins reflects, emphasizing how their example shaped his understanding of stewardship early on.

From Minimum Wage to Signing Bonuses: A Crash Course in Stewardship

When Cousins was drafted into the NFL, his first check—a six-figure signing bonus—was a wake-up call.

“As a college kid who had never earned more than minimum wage, I didn’t know what to do,” he recalls. “I called my dad, and he said, ‘I don’t know either!’”

That moment marked the beginning of a stewardship journey—one that included learning to give, save, and live below his means in a world of excess. It wasn’t easy, especially when surrounded by peers embracing a more lavish lifestyle. But Cousins understood that as an athlete, his income had a shorter runway.

“You’re approaching a cliff,” he says. “So it’s scary to give when your career has an end date. But that’s where faith comes in—trusting that God will provide beyond your own earning power.”

It would be easy, Cousins admits, to treat financial obedience like a checklist—give, save, repeat. But biblical stewardship isn’t about rules; it’s about surrender.

“I’ve done that—just checked the boxes. But that’s not the abundant life Jesus promises. It’s not religion, it’s relationship.”

He points to Jesus’ parable of the treasure in the field (Matt. 13:44): “Once you see Jesus as the treasure, everything else becomes a logical response. Of course you’d sell everything to have Him. Stewardship flows from seeing Him clearly.”

When Faith Feels Risky: Giving on a Diminishing Timeline

The tension for Cousins lies in balancing the enjoyment of God’s provision with wisdom about the future.

“I actually enjoy those moments that require more faith. When I give, and I don’t know what’s next, it puts the pressure back on God—where it belongs.”

But he’s quick to acknowledge the gray areas. “What’s wise versus what’s excessive? There’s no formula. You have to walk with God and ask for His guidance daily.”

One of the most valuable pieces of advice Kirk received early in his career came from a generous mentor: “Always give in unity with your wife.”

That advice stuck.

“When Julie isn’t comfortable, I pause and pray. Her perspective might be the Holy Spirit speaking. Giving together strengthens our marriage and our stewardship.”

Cousins sees their giving not only as a financial decision, but as a spiritual discipline of unity and trust.

Planning for the Future: Wisdom Before Wealth

As parents to young boys, Kirk and Julie have also had to consider how best to plan their estate. They’ve established a family office to prepare for the future—but with a strong desire to pass on wisdom before wealth.

“We want to get to the end of our lives and say: the wisest hands to put this in are our kids’. But we also want to be realistic. If it wouldn’t be wise to pass along wealth, we want our plan to reflect that.”

Much of their estate will also go to their foundation, which they hope will be spent down soon after their passing. “We don’t want it to live on in perpetuity with intentions we never had. We want to make an impact now.”

So, where is Kirk Cousins most excited to give right now? The answer goes back to his roots.

“I went to a Christian high school—Holland Christian—and it profoundly impacted my life. I want to make it more affordable for other families, support teachers, and strengthen Christian education.”

It’s a full-circle moment: a public school kid transformed by Christian community, now investing in the same kind of life-shaping environments for others.

Final Whistle: A Life Well Stewarded

Kirk Cousins is more than an NFL quarterback. He’s a husband, father, and faithful steward who is using his influence to glorify God—not just in the end zone, but in the quiet decisions of budgeting, giving, and planning for the future.

His story reminds us: Stewardship is not about how much we have—it’s about how faithfully we respond to the One who gave it all.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I own my home outright and keep hearing about home title protection services. How real is the risk of title fraud, and should I be concerned?
I have rental properties in Arkansas, but my kids in California don’t want them. I’m worried that when I pass, they’ll sell them quickly for way less than they’re worth. Should I go ahead and sell them now and put the money in a trust for my grandkids’ education—or is there a better option?”

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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If it’s just Thought, then what good are my feelings -- Dr. Mark Howard, June 2014 Teleseminar