More Than Money: A Devotional for Faith-Driven Impact InvestorsNäide

Wealth Is a Tool, Not a Trophy

Wealth is not evil. It is not inherently worldly or wrong. But it is always dangerous.

"Command those who are rich... not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth... but to do good, to be rich in good deeds." – 1 Timothy 6:17-18 NIV

Paul warns Timothy to remind the wealthy not to be arrogant or to rely on money for security. Why? Because wealth so easily becomes a trophy – a measure of worth, wisdom, or favor. Even when used generously, it can subtly feed pride, independence and a sense of self-sufficiency.

Instead, Paul tells the rich to use their wealth as a tool. A tool to do good. To be rich in good deeds. To share. To give. Not to be impressive, but to be obedient. Obedient in completing the good works already prepared for us to do as image-bearers of God Himself:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 NIV

The Bible challenges how we view success.

In God’s Kingdom, we are not judged by the legacy of our fund, the size of our giving, the impact of our investments, but ONLY by the shape of our hearts.

Our net worth does not reflect our spiritual maturity. Our legacy is not what we fund, but how we follow Jesus, as his disciples seeking to help bring the good news of the Gospel to others.

So ask yourself:

Am I using wealth to serve others – or to validate myself?

Am I measuring my impact more by transactions with others or by transformation of my heart?

When wealth is surrendered, it becomes the seed to a life well lived. To a life where returns are measured on an eternal basis, with returns of thirty, sixty or a hundred-fold to what you put in.

When financial returns are pursued, wealth is worshiped, or the size of your fund is an objective, then it becomes a stumbling block to living as God’s image-bearer here on earth. Without obedience, those investments count for nothing (remember King Saul?).

You may be blessed with wealth, impact opportunity and visible returns. Praise God for that. But don’t let these blind you. Hold each of these loosely and steward them humbly.

Let the true measure of your success be your obedience, the degree to which Christ reigns over every part of your life.

For His glory and the establishment of His Kingdom. Forever and ever– hallelujah and amen!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the resources You’ve placed in my hands. Help me to treat them as tools for Your Kingdom, not trophies for my pride. Let my wealth be surrendered, not just managed. Use all I have for Your glory and the good of others. In complete obedience to You. Amen.

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We hope that this reading plan helps clarify God’s plan for faith-driven impact investment. To go deeper, check our other reading plans on wealth and investment by visiting our website or searching for "Roland Heersink" in the YouVersion app. Or… if you're looking for new ways to make an impact with your wealth, google "Christian Business Angels" to discover how you can help the poor through business investment today.