Money Reveals Our Heart, Trust, and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Money Reveals the True Condition of Our Hearts

The story of the rich young ruler shows that our relationship with money and possessions is not just about what we have, but about what has us. Jesus’ challenge to the young man was not about demanding everything, but about revealing whether God truly had his heart. When we cling tightly to our wealth, it exposes whether we are following rules or truly making Jesus Lord over every area of our lives. Money, more than almost anything else, can reveal whether we are living for ourselves or surrendered to God, and whether our hands are open to His leading or closed in self-protection. [13:34]

Mark 10:17-31 (ESV)
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Reflection: What is one possession or area of your finances that you find hardest to surrender to God, and what would it look like to offer it to Him today?

Day 2: We Cannot Serve Both God and Money

Jesus makes it clear that money is not evil, but the love of money can take the place of God in our hearts. The pull of material wealth can subtly become a master, demanding our devotion and promising fulfillment it cannot deliver. The choice is not just about what we do with our money, but about who or what we allow to rule our lives. When we let God be Lord over our finances, we break the power of mammon and open ourselves to true freedom and purpose. [15:25]

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: In what ways do you notice money or material things competing for your trust or affection, and how can you intentionally put God first in those areas this week?

Day 3: Trusting God as Provider in Every Season

God invites us to trust Him not just with the big things of the universe, but with the daily realities of our needs and finances. He cares for the birds and the flowers, and He promises to care for us even more. Worrying about money and provision is natural, but God calls us to seek His kingdom first, trusting that He knows our needs and will provide. When we shift our focus from anxiety about what we lack to faith in the One who holds all things together, we find peace and freedom. [35:34]

Matthew 6:25-33 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to shift your focus from financial worry to trusting God as your provider?

Day 4: Generosity Unlocks God’s Blessing and Purpose

God’s design for giving is not about loss, but about opening the door for His blessing and purpose to flow through us. When we bring the tithe and offer our resources to God, we invite Him to be involved in our finances and to use what we have for eternal impact. Generosity is not just about meeting needs, but about aligning our hearts with God’s heart and participating in His work. As we trust Him and give, we experience the joy of seeing lives changed and needs met, both in our own lives and in the lives of others. [31:33]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Reflection: Who is one person or ministry God is prompting you to bless or support this week, and how can you take a step of generosity toward them?

Day 5: Living for the Eternal, Not Just the Earthly

The pursuit of possessions and wealth can leave us empty if it becomes our main focus, but when we live with eternity in mind, our lives become part of something far greater. The impact of our faithfulness and generosity extends beyond ourselves, touching lives, advancing God’s kingdom, and storing up treasure in heaven. We are invited to lift our eyes, to see the privilege of being part of God’s story, and to offer our resources and hearts for His purposes. Let’s not settle for what fades, but invest in what lasts forever. [41:03]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally invest your time, talent, or treasure in something with eternal significance this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered around one of the most personal and universally relevant topics: money and finance. This is an area that touches every life, regardless of background or belief, and it’s one that God cares deeply about—not because He wants to take from us, but because He wants us to live free, generationally blessed, and aligned with His purposes. We’ve been exploring biblical truths about stewardship, generosity, and the heart behind our finances, not out of obligation or manipulation, but out of a desire for revelation and transformation.

We looked at the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10, a man who had done everything right according to the law, but when Jesus asked him to surrender his possessions, he walked away sad. This wasn’t about Jesus wanting his money, but about Jesus wanting his heart. The truth is, money doesn’t change us; it reveals us. It exposes what we truly trust, what we value, and who is really Lord in our lives. We can follow the rules, but if we’re not willing to let Jesus be Lord over every area—including our finances—then we’re missing the fullness of life He offers.

Money is a test and a tool. It can either be something we surrender to God, allowing Him to use it for His purposes, or it can become something that owns us, dictating our decisions and our sense of worth. We saw this contrast in the lives of Judas and Joseph of Arimathea: one used money to betray Jesus, the other used it to honor Him. The difference wasn’t the amount they had, but the spirit in which they held it.

Trust is at the core of this journey. We often trust God with the big things—the universe, our very breath—yet struggle to trust Him with what’s in our hand. But God invites us to bring our whole selves, including our finances, under His care. He promises provision, not always in the way we expect, but always in a way that draws us closer to Him and releases His purposes through us.

Finally, we’re reminded that our giving, our stewardship, and our trust in God’s ways don’t just impact us—they impact generations, communities, and the eternal destinies of others. We are blessed to be a part of what God is doing, and as we surrender this area, we find not loss, but joy, purpose, and the privilege of partnering with Him in His kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Money reveals the true state of our heart Money is not just a neutral tool; it exposes what we truly value and trust. Like the rich young ruler, we may do all the right things outwardly, but our willingness to surrender our finances shows whether Jesus is truly Lord. The way we handle money can either draw us closer to God or reveal areas where we still hold back. [13:08]
2. Trusting God with finances is an act of faith We often trust God with the grand, unseen things—like the universe’s order—yet hesitate to trust Him with our daily needs and resources. True faith is demonstrated when we release control, tithe, and steward our finances according to His principles, believing He is both able and willing to provide. This trust positions us to experience His faithfulness in tangible ways. [34:08]
3. Generosity unlocks purpose and multiplies impact When we align our resources with God’s purposes, we become conduits of blessing, not just recipients. The stories of Joseph of Arimathea and faithful givers in our community show that generosity doesn’t just meet needs—it releases God’s promises, advances His kingdom, and brings deep joy. Our giving is never just about us; it’s about the lives and eternities we touch. [21:47]
4. Surrender leads to freedom, not loss The world tells us that holding tightly to our possessions brings security, but Jesus teaches that surrender brings true freedom. When we let go of the need to control and allow God to direct our finances, we discover a life that is rich in peace, purpose, and eternal significance. The sadness of the rich young ruler reminds us that clinging to wealth leads to emptiness, while surrender leads to fulfillment. [39:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - Honoring Our Teams
[01:18] - Why We Talk About Money
[03:27] - Four Ingredients for Financial Freedom
[04:16] - Debunking Money Myths
[07:17] - The Rich Young Ruler
[09:03] - Jesus’ Love for the Wealthy
[10:15] - The Eye of the Needle Explained
[12:44] - Money Reveals Our Heart
[15:25] - The Spirit of Mammon
[17:52] - Faithfulness and True Riches
[19:45] - Judas vs. Joseph of Arimathea
[22:49] - Overcoming Greed and Materialism
[26:34] - Money Reveals Our Trust
[31:02] - The Tithe and God’s Provision
[34:08] - Trusting God with What’s in Our Hand
[39:52] - Money Releases God’s Purpose
[41:03] - Living for the Eternal
[43:02] - Celebrating God’s Work Through Us
[45:10] - Responding to God’s Invitation

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Money, Trust, and Generosity**

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### Bible Reading

**Mark 10:17-31 (ESV)**
> And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
>
> And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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### Observation Questions

What did Jesus ask the rich young ruler to do, and how did the young man respond? (Mark 10:21-22; [09:45])
According to the sermon, what does money reveal about a person’s heart and trust? ([13:08])
What is the difference between how Judas and Joseph of Arimathea used their money, as described in the sermon? ([19:45])
What promise does Jesus give to those who surrender everything for His sake and the gospel? (Mark 10:29-30; [12:01])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor, rather than just asking him to follow the commandments? ([13:08])
The sermon says, “Money doesn’t change us; it reveals us.” What does this mean in the context of the rich young ruler’s story? ([13:08])
How does the way Judas and Joseph of Arimathea handled money show the impact of the heart’s attitude toward wealth? ([19:45])
The pastor said, “Trusting God with finances is an act of faith.” Why is it often harder to trust God with our money than with other areas of our lives? ([34:08])

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### Application Questions

The rich young ruler did everything right on the outside but struggled to surrender his possessions. Is there an area of your finances or possessions that you find hard to surrender to God? What would it look like to take a step of surrender this week? ([09:45])
The sermon says, “Money is a test and a tool.” In your own life, do you see money more as a tool to serve God or as something that controls your decisions? What’s one practical way you could shift your mindset? ([14:25])
Think about the contrast between Judas and Joseph of Arimathea. Has there been a time when you used your resources in a way that honored God or, on the other hand, in a way that you regret? What did you learn from that experience? ([19:45])
The pastor shared that trusting God with finances is an act of faith, just like trusting Him with the big things in life. What is one area of your finances where you need to trust God more? How can you take a step of faith in that area this month? ([34:08])
The sermon encourages us to be generous and to see our giving as a way to partner with God’s purposes. Is there a specific need or opportunity you feel God is prompting you to give toward? What’s holding you back, and what could help you take action? ([21:47])
The pastor said, “Surrender leads to freedom, not loss.” Have you ever experienced freedom or joy after letting go of something financially? If so, share your story. If not, what fears keep you from experiencing that freedom? ([39:52])
The message reminded us that our stewardship and generosity can impact generations and communities. Who in your life could be impacted by your financial decisions or generosity? How might you intentionally bless them this week? ([40:30])

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Sermon Clips

Here's this guy who's got a whole lot of stuff. And Jesus loved him. Come on, what you have, what he entrusts us, what he graces us to carry in this life, if it's a life of abundance, God doesn't look at you with an element of judgment. God looks at us, and he loves us. Right? And it's the same, all right? It's the same if we're in a place of lack. It's not like, oh, how can you be in lack? No, God loves us. Why? Because we are his children. He loves us. Right? [00:09:12] (26 seconds) #LovedInAbundance

If this is a real challenging area for us, a real wrestle for us, don't worry. The grace that saved you, that was impossible. That was impossible to be saved. It's impossible to earn salvation. That grace, the same grace that saved you, is the same powerful grace that is enabled to walk with us, journey forward with us, help unpack this, help free us in this. And that he's not saying that you can't have anything, but he is saying it can't have a place of your life and your heart. Come on, his grace is for us. [00:11:30] (32 seconds) #GraceThatFrees

This young man, he had followed the law, but what Jesus wanted to know is are you about following the law or are you about calling me Lord? Is it all about the law? That's why some people wrestle with the tithe. Oh, but that's Old Testament law. Are you trying to live with God as law or are you trying to enable him to be Lord? Because when he's Lord, he's Lord of all or he's not Lord at all. Right? [00:13:19] (26 seconds) #LordOverLaw

``Money will always try and be Lord in our lives. Money will constantly say the same thing that Jesus said. Jesus said, follow me. What does money say? Follow me. Money says, I'll make you happy. I'll bring you freedom. I'll solve your problems. I'll give you control. I'm the answer to your emptiness. Wealth is where you'll find your worth. And his possessions, his material things, revealed the true condition of his heart. [00:14:21] (32 seconds) #MoneyHasASpirit

One of the reasons it grabs our heart the most is because we think because we earned it, it's ours. Rather than realizing Deuteronomy 8 hasn't changed where he says, actually, don't think that what's yours is yours. Who was the one that gave you strength to earn it? Who was the one that gave you the capability to gain it? Who was the one that actually enabled you the possibility to get possessions? So don't you have possessions? Don't let possessions have you. [00:17:02] (26 seconds) #TrustUnlocksBlessings

Fortunes do not create happiness. They often reveal its absence. Fortunes don't create happiness. Don't get caught on the world's cultural way of saying get more, get more, then you get there. You go on that holiday, I'm going to tell you you're going to be happy for the next 12 months. No you won't. You're going to fly back and two days later you're going to be like and you're going to be depressed for the next 11 months. [00:24:53] (30 seconds) #TreasureRevealsHeart

For where your treasure is, there your heart is also. For where your treasure is, there your heart is also. Your wishes, your desires, that which your life centers on. It will also be found there. How do I gain an increased heart for the church? How do I gain an increased heart for God's kingdom? Place your treasure there. I'm just going to wait for my heart to get a real fondness for it. It won't. It'll get a fondness for wherever you're putting your treasure. [00:25:51] (26 seconds) #GivingFromTheHeart

The moment I gave my heart to him, it was based on the fact that he gave his son. He didn't, and what he took, he took my shame, he took my guilt, he took my brokenness, he took my addictions, he took, he is a taker, but he's a taker of the death things in our life and he's a giver of life in our life. So don't let the enemy lie to you. [00:27:22] (16 seconds) #TrustGodThroughTrials

He says, come on, see why don't I open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing there won't be room enough to store it? He's saying, I actually want you to honor me in this area so that I can release what I can do in your area. So when we think, but there's bills, there's challenges and all that kind of stuff, stop looking at what you're now going to lack and lose. And start looking at now the one who's enabled to be Jehovah Jireh, your provider. [00:31:33] (22 seconds) #AllInForGod

Will we trust our money or will we trust our maker? Come on, trust him. You can trust him. The enemy says, trust your dollars. No, trust your designer. He says, no, trust your, hold on to your pennies. No, no, hold on to his promises. He says, no, stick with what you can see. No, no, no, surrender to what he says. [00:35:56] (17 seconds) #RememberTheGodFactor

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