Funding Your Purpose: Part 1, Two Masters

Have you ever wondered if God wants you to be wealthy? Or perhaps you’ve struggled with guilt about having money while others go without? The relationship between faith and finances is one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity today, yet it’s something the Bible addresses extensively.

Imagine walking into a jewelry store where thieves had switched all the price tags overnight. Customers unknowingly paid premium prices for costume jewelry while others walked away with genuine gems for pennies. This scenario illustrates what happens in our spiritual lives when we misvalue what truly matters.

Many of us have switched the price tags in our own lives. We pursue things we think are valuable but are actually worthless, while ignoring the priceless gifts God has placed before us. When our hearts get out of sync spiritually, we end up worshiping money when it should be a tool, and ignoring God’s value when He should be honored.

Here’s a sobering reality: many faithful pastors who are diligent with their tithes and offerings still struggle financially. Some are deeply in debt, others haven’t saved for retirement at all. If faithful servants are struggling, what’s going wrong?

The answer isn’t that God doesn’t care about our financial well-being. A miracle is always God’s second best for you. His first plan is that you would be blessed and equipped to thrive without needing constant financial miracles. Just as Adam and Eve in the garden never needed miracles because they lived in alignment with God’s design, we too can experience blessing by following God’s principles for managing money.

When studying Scripture, we find three primary Christian perspectives on wealth, each with biblical support:

Some passages warn that focusing on money can undermine our faith. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (note: it’s the love of money, not money itself). Jesus told his disciples to “take nothing for the journey” and depend completely on God’s provision.

This view sees riches as a potential stumbling block. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and follow Him, then commented that it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom. The danger isn’t money itself, but allowing it to control our hearts and decisions.

Surprisingly, this perspective has the most biblical support. Proverbs 3:9-10 promises overflowing barns to those who honor God with their firstfruits. Psalm 112 speaks of wealth and riches for those who fear the Lord. Deuteronomy 28:13 says God will make the obedient “the head, not the tail.”

When Scripture seems to present contradictory concepts, we must look at where the weight of evidence lies. The “wealth as a result of faith” perspective has far more biblical support than the others. However, this doesn’t validate prosperity preachers who promise material rewards for spiritual service.

The key insight is that wealth can be both an obstacle to faith and a result of faith. Money is always trying to steal our affections, but we also have a loving heavenly Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. The difference lies in our heart condition and motivation.

Jesus made it clear in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and mammon.” The word “mammon” referred to a Greek god of prosperity. Jesus wasn’t just talking about money—He was addressing anything that takes God’s place in our hearts.

To serve means to be in the position of a slave, currently doing what you’re told. Some people are currently doing that for money—they do whatever it takes to get money. But we’re called to serve God only.

Worship literally means “worth-ship”—ascribing worth to someone. When we worship God with our hearts, mouths, and resources, we align ourselves with ultimate value. Without this proper alignment, we end up misvaluing everything in life.

God is like a plumb line used in construction to keep everything straight. When we worship Him properly, we align with ultimate value. Misalignment leads to mismanagement of wealth, relationships, time, and talents.

Jesus taught us not to worry about basic needs like food and clothing. He pointed to birds and flowers as examples of God’s faithful provision. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Worry is essentially a form of atheism—imagining your future without God. Just as a baby on their father’s lap doesn’t worry about college tuition, God wants us to trust Him completely with our needs.

True prosperity isn’t the same as being rich. True prosperity is managing God’s resources well. Money should be a great servant but a terrible master. You should never have to ask money’s permission to obey God.

Luke 16:11 reveals a profound truth: “If you haven’t been trustworthy with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” How we manage earthly resources determines whether we’re ready for real spiritual wealth—relationships, ministry opportunities, and kingdom influence.

God gives us wealth not just for our benefit, but to see how well we’ll manage it. Our stewardship reveals whether we’re ready for greater kingdom responsibilities.

Second Corinthians 9:8 explains God’s purpose in blessing us: “God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

God doesn’t bless us just so we can accumulate more stuff. He blesses us so we can be a blessing to others, meeting needs and advancing His kingdom. We’re called to manage resources well for His glory, always guarding our hearts against money’s attempt to control us.

This week, conduct an honest evaluation of your relationship with money. Ask yourself: “Is God my master or is money?” Look at your spending habits, your financial anxieties, and your giving patterns.

Challenge yourself to align your heart with God as your true north. If you’ve been serving money—making decisions based primarily on financial considerations rather than God’s will—it’s time to repent and submit fully to God’s lordship over your finances.

Consider these questions:

Remember, God wants your heart more than your wallet, but how you use your wallet reveals where your heart truly lies. Trust Him with everything, manage His resources wisely, and watch Him work through your faithful stewardship.