“No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he had only good intentions. He had money as well.” — Margaret Thatcher
The late British Prime Minister was alluding to the Good Samaritan in the scripture found in Luke 10:30–35.
Sometimes, I ponder how often we have wanted to help someone but couldn’t because we simply did not have enough money.
When I look at it from this perspective, I find myself less judgmental of the priest and the Levite. This is why it is important to examine situations from different angles. However, if Jesus called them out, then it suggests that those two had the financial means but were unwilling to pause and help.
God has a purpose for wealth. He wants His people to prosper. If you are uncomfortable being in spaces where money is discussed, then you need to train yourself to become comfortable engaging in healthy conversations about finances. The need for money—and its impact—is real. This is a truth we must all be willing to face. The sooner we recognize the power of wealth, the better it is for us.
I have realized that when God blesses individuals or communities, He often includes wealth as part of that blessing. So much good and justice can be accomplished when wealth is in the hands of God’s people. Many times, God promises to remove lack and want from our lives. He promises to meet us at the point of our needs and continually reveals Himself as our provider.
God understands that lack and poverty are crippling. He does not desire for His children to live in lack or insufficiency.
We can all agree that without money, there is only so much we can do—for ourselves or for others.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
Your needs may include many things, and while this verse is not solely about money, it certainly includes it. If the Lord is our provider, then we must acknowledge that we have needs—and that we depend on Him to supply them. Although God exists in the spiritual realm, He understands how the physical world operates. He understands that financial systems are among the strongest structures that reflect the strength of a people. He knows that without financial capacity, we can become limited in this life.
I believe that God desires to bless us financially and to see us live in stability.
“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.”
— Isaiah 45:3 (NKJV)
In this verse, God is clear and intentional. It points to His desire for us to prosper and His willingness to grant access to resources—even those that seem hidden or inaccessible.
What I love about this is that it is not solely about your ability to make money. It is also about your desire to be financially stable—a desire that God can honor and bring to fruition.
First, there must be a desire for financial stability. That desire can ignite the capacity to build wealth. But how do you begin to discover “treasures of darkness” and “hidden riches”? It starts by inviting God into your financial journey. It requires faith.
In this world, money drives economies. It is an integral part of growth and advancement. But you must desire it, respect it, and have a clear plan to use it for God’s glory.
We all need money. It is one of the primary reasons most of us work. Its absence is also one of the leading causes of conflict in marriages. Money influences many aspects of life—some obvious, others subtle.
Many people feel uncomfortable discussing money—whether it is about earning, giving, or asking for it. Yet, it remains one of the top desires for most people. The presence or absence of money shapes our mentalities, personalities, and perspectives—including our decision-making processes.
This is why it is important that wealth is in the hands of good people—people who will steward it in ways that honor God and positively impact the world.
Financial strength provides independence, stability, security, and confidence. Money should not be a taboo subject. We must educate ourselves about finances, and we must also teach our children early—how to earn, manage, save, invest, spend, and give.
Ultimately, it is God who gives the ability to create wealth. Our responsibility is to steward it well and wield it with purpose.