Since When? Choosing God’s Will Over Your Wallet

Since when did the dollar sign become the primary GPS for our souls? It is a question that hits close to home for many of us. We live in a world that measures success by the size of the bank account and the prestige of the zip code. However, for those of us walking with Christ, there is a much deeper ledger to consider.

I was recently looking at the story of King Amaziah in the Old Testament. It is one of those moments in Scripture that feels uncomfortably modern. Amaziah was a man who wanted to do right, but he had a serious case of "budget-itis." He had invested a massive amount of capital into a plan that didn't align with God’s heart, and when he was confronted, his first response wasn't about holiness: it was about his ROI.

Imagine the scene. Amaziah had just shelled out a hundred talents of silver to hire a mercenary army from Israel. In today’s terms, we are talking about millions of dollars. He thought he was being strategic. He thought he was being a good steward of his kingdom’s defense. Then, a man of God shows up and says, "Send them home. God isn't with them, and He won't be with you if you use them."

Amaziah doesn't argue theology. He doesn't defend the mercenaries' character. Instead, he looks at his checkbook. "But what about the hundred talents?" he asks. In his mind, the financial loss was a greater tragedy than spiritual disobedience.

Consequently, we see a king who is paralyzed by the "sunk cost fallacy." He felt that because he had already invested so much money, he was committed to the wrong path. Since when did our investments become more authoritative than the voice of God? Sadly, this mindset didn't start with Amaziah, and it certainly didn't end with him.

How often do we find ourselves in the same boat? We know what God is prompting us to do. We feel the tug of the Holy Spirit toward a specific ministry, a career change, or a sacrificial gift. However, we immediately pull out the calculator. We start to wonder how the mortgage will be paid or whether we can still afford that vacation.

Specifically, we must ask ourselves: How much do possessions control our thoughts and our plans? If your peace of mind is tied to the balance in your savings account, then money has become your master. Satisfaction in Jesus is meant to be our foundation, yet we often swap it for the fleeting security of a paycheck.

When money becomes the all-dominating, motivating force in our lives, we lose our edge. We become timid. We stop taking the "big leaps of faith" that define a vibrant Christian life. If you find yourself making every single decision based on financial impact rather than what pleases God, you might be trapped in the same loop as Amaziah. You can read more about breaking free from performance-based thinking in The Big Leap of Faith: Believing God Loves You Exactly as You Are.

The man of God gave Amaziah an answer that we all need to frame and put on our desks: "The LORD is able to give thee much more than this."

This isn't a "health and wealth" promise that says if you give five dollars, God will give you fifty. Rather, it is an invitation to rest in the abundance of a Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. God is not a cosmic accountant who is trying to bankrupt you. He is a loving Provider who wants to free you from the weight of your own self-reliance.

Faith-based development isn't just about learning new skills; it's about growing in our trust that God’s resources are greater than our losses. If you lose a hundred talents because you chose to obey God, do you believe He can provide for your needs? If you turn down a promotion that would compromise your testimony, do you trust that He has something better?

Since when did we decide that our career trajectory was more important than our walk with God? This is a tough question, but it's one we have to face. Many people are willing to sacrifice their family time, their ministry involvement, and even their integrity to climb a ladder that leads nowhere.

If your job requires you to be dishonest or to prioritize the "almighty dollar" over people's souls, then you are paying too high a price. Your testimony is the most valuable asset you possess. It is the story of God’s grace in your life. Don't sell it for a hundred talents of silver.

Furthermore, we must consider the legacy we are leaving. What is the last thing you did that proved money is not your master? Does your family see you choosing God’s will over your wallet?

Our children are experts at observing our true priorities. They might listen to what we say in church, but they watch what we do when the bills come due. Do your children know that you value your walk with God more than your possessions?

If they see us stressed and anxious every time there is a financial hiccup, they learn that money is our ultimate security. However, if they see us praying, trusting, and continuing to give generously even when things are tight, they learn that God is faithful. They see that our satisfaction in Jesus isn't dependent on the stock market.

I want my grandchildren to see a man who isn't controlled by fear. I want them to know that their "Grandfather" trusted God’s heart more than his own bank balance. This kind of faith-based development happens in the quiet moments of decision: when we choose to send the "mercenaries" home because God said so, regardless of what we already paid them.

Ultimately, this is a story of God’s goodness. He didn't want Amaziah to lose; He wanted Amaziah to win the right way. God knew that the hundred talents were a small price to pay for the victory and peace that came through obedience.

As a mentor, I have seen so many leaders stall out because they were afraid of the "hundred talents." They were afraid of losing their reputation, their comfort, or their financial cushion. But I can tell you from over 50 years of ministry: you can never out-give God, and you can never out-trust Him.

God’s mercy is not trailing behind you with conditions. It is running toward you with intention. He wants to show you that He is enough. He can give you "much more" than you think you are giving up. He gives more peace, more joy, and more purpose than any amount of silver could ever buy.

So, I ask you again: Since when?

Since when did we start letting the fear of lack dictate our obedience? If you have been holding back from what you know God wants you to do because of the "hundred talents," it’s time to let them go.

Stop looking at what you might lose and start looking at who you are following. You are a child of the King. You are held by a Father who loves you unconditionally. He isn't measuring your worth by your net worth. He isn't grading your performance. He is holding you in His grace.

Rest doesn't come after you fix your finances. Rest comes first. When you settle into the fact that you are loved and provided for by the Creator of the universe, the "hundred talents" lose their power over you. You can choose His will with a smile, knowing that He is able to give thee much more than this.

How do I know if I am making money an idol in my life?
If your sense of peace and security fluctuates based on your bank balance, money may have become an idol. Another sign is when you consistently prioritize financial gain over clear biblical commands or the Holy Spirit's prompting.

Is it wrong to be concerned about financial losses, as Amaziah was?
Concern is a natural human response, but it becomes a spiritual problem when it leads to disobedience. The key is to take those concerns to God and trust His promise that He can provide much more than we think we are losing.

How can I teach my children to value God over money?
The best way is through consistent modeling. Let them see you give joyfully, pray over financial needs, and make decisions that prioritize ministry and character over material gain.

#Grace #Faith #AustinGardner #MoneyAndFaith #GodsWill