Understanding the Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Our Families

By: Overseer Cheryl A. Hinton, CPA

As a pastor and a fellow steward of God’s blessings, I want to share a straightforward look at the recent “Big Beautiful Bill.” You may have heard headlines calling it harmful or irreversible to lower-income households or a giveaway to the wealthy. In truth, this law includes provisions that reach every corner of our congregation—from working parents to small-business owners, and from renters to farmers.

Why We Should Care

Every household and every church member interacts with the tax code in one way or another. When rules change, we feel it in our paychecks, our charitable giving, and even in how we plan for the year ahead. Understanding these changes helps us make wise—and faith-filled—decisions for our families and ministries.Proverbs 27:23 urges us: “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.” We are called to be informed and responsible stewards of all God has entrusted to us.

Key Tax Provisions That Help Everyone

Permanent Rate Certainty

The law makes most of the individual and corporate tax rates permanent. That stability means families can plan long-term budgets without worrying about sudden rate hikes.As Jesus taught in Luke 14:28, “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?”

Expanded State and Local Tax Deduction (or SALT)

For five years, the cap on SALT deductions rises from $10,000 to $40,000 per year. This change brings relief to middle-income hom

eowners in higher-tax states, freeing up dollars for groceries, utilities, and giving back to our church.This provision echoes Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.”

Child and Dependent Care Incentives

Families caring for young children, elderly parents, or loved ones with disabilities can continue to receive tax credits for daycare and caregiving expenses.Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Support for Working Families and Small Businesses

Increased Small-Business Expensing

Many self-employed members and small-business owners can write off more capital investments—tools, vehicles, equipment—right away, improving cash flow and encouraging growth.Ecclesiastes 11:6 encourages, “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle.”

Tip and Overtime Income Adjustments

The bill clarifies how tips and overtime pay are taxed, reducing surprises on pay stubs and helping service-industry workers keep more of what they earn.Jesus declared in Luke 10:7, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Investments in Energy and Infrastructure

Renewable Energy Incentives

While some wind and solar credits phase down after 2027, existing projects retain grandfathered benefits. New incentives for nuclear, geothermal, and hydrogen aim to diversify our nation’s energy mix.This aligns with our calling in Genesis 2:15, where God placed humanity in the garden “to work it and take care of it.”

Rural Hospital and Community Support

A $25 billion stabilization fund helps rural hospitals stay open, ensuring access to urgent care in our small towns and farming communities.Matthew 25:36 speaks clearly: “I was sick and you looked after me…” This provision supports that call to care.

Changes to Social Safety Net Programs

SNAP and Medicaid Work-Support Programs

The law includes refreshed work, education, or training requirements for able-bodied adults receiving SNAP or Medicaid. While some see this as a cut, the goal is to connect more individuals to job training and stable employment—lifting families toward greater independence.2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” This isn’t condemnation—it’s a call to purpose.

State Flexibility and Funding

States gain more control over how they administer nutrition and health programs, alongside a gradual phase-down of certain provider taxes. This flexibility can empower local leaders to craft solutions that fit their communities’ needs.Proverbs 11:14 affirms, “In a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Bringing It All Together

No piece of legislation is perfect, and any broad bill will have winners and trade-offs. The Big Beautiful Bill offers tax certainty, bolsters working families, and fuels investment in energy and infrastructure—all while reshaping safety-net programs to encourage self-sufficiency.

As people of faith, we’re called to support policies that protect the vulnerable and promote stewardship. Micah 6:8reminds us that God requires us “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” I encourage you to prayerfully consider how these changes affect your household—and how we might use newfound savings to further God’s work in our community.

I pray I have demystified the Big Beautiful Bill for you. Together, we can steward these changes wisely.

📊 Addendum: Summary Chart

Provision	Who It Helps	Benefit	Biblical Principle
Permanent Rate Certainty	All taxpayers	Long-term financial stability	Luke 14:28 – Count the cost
Expanded SALT Deduction	Middle-income homeowners	Deduction cap rises from $10K to $40K	Proverbs 3:9 – Honor the Lord with your wealth
Child & Dependent Care Credits	Parents and caregivers	Continued credit for daycare and elder care	Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens
Small-Business Expensing	Entrepreneurs and self-employed	Write-offs for tools, vehicles, and equipment	Ecclesiastes 11:6 – Sow your seed in the morning
Tip & Overtime Tax Clarity	Service industry workers	Simpler, fairer income reporting	Luke 10:7 – The worker deserves his wages
Renewable Energy Incentives	Energy sector and future families	Support for sustainable projects	Genesis 2:15 – Care for the garden
Rural Hospital Support	Small towns and farmers	Preserves access to emergency and health care	Matthew 25:36 – I was sick and you looked after me
SNAP/Medicaid Work Support	Able-bodied recipients	Promotes work/training to reduce dependency	2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If a man won’t work…
State Flexibility in Programs	Local leaders and communities	Local solutions tailored to specific needs	Proverbs 11:14 – In a multitude of counselors…