Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A word came to my mind recently:
Financial independence.
It is a term we hear everywhere today.
It is widely coached, taught and discussed. There are financial coaches, trainers, books, courses and programmes dedicated specifically to helping people achieve financial independence.
And understandably so.
Who would not want to have enough financial resources to live without constantly worrying about money?
Both believers and non-believers pursue financial independence tirelessly.
But I would like to suggest something that may sound uncomfortable:
Perhaps financial independence, as the world defines it, is not the ultimate goal for a believer.
In fact, if we are not careful, the pursuit of financial independence can become another pattern of this world.
Paul writes:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2
The question is therefore not simply, “How can I become financially independent?”
Perhaps the better question is:
“How can I become financially independent while remaining completely dependent on God?”
That changes everything.
When Financial Independence Becomes an Idol
There is nothing inherently wrong with saving, investing, building wealth or wanting financial stability.
In fact, Scripture encourages wise preparation.
Proverbs 21:20 says:
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
The problem begins when financial independence becomes our security, identity and ultimate goal.
Some people, in the name of becoming financially independent, become increasingly obsessed with making money.
Some make money at the expense of others.
Some sacrifice relationships, integrity, family and even their walk with God.
Some begin to love money because they believe money will ultimately make them secure.
And Scripture gives us a very clear warning:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
— 1 Timothy 6:10
Notice that Scripture does not say money itself is the root of all evil.
It is the love of money.
Money is a tool.
But when money becomes our master, it becomes an idol.
Saving or Hoarding?
Another word we often use is saving.
Saving is good.
But there is an important question we need to ask:
How much is enough?
There is nothing wrong with preparing for tomorrow.
But if there is never enough, saving can slowly become hoarding.
We accumulate more because we are afraid that what we already have will not be sufficient.
We keep building bigger reserves, larger portfolios and greater financial buffers.
And eventually, we may find ourselves spending our lives accumulating resources that we may never really need.
Jesus told a powerful story about this.
A rich man had such abundant crops that he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones.
Then he said to himself:
“Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”
But God said to him:
“Fool! This night your soul is required of you.”
Jesus concluded:
“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
— Luke 12:19–21
The issue was not that the man had wealth.
The issue was that his wealth was for himself.
He had become a reservoir.
Everything flowed into him.
Nothing flowed through him.
What If We Put God at the Centre?
Perhaps we need to change the phrase.
Instead of simply pursuing financial independence, perhaps we should pursue:
God-centred financial independence.
There is a significant difference.
God-centred financial independence does not mean:
“I have enough money, therefore I don't need God.”
It means:
“Because God is my provider, I can responsibly build financial resources without making money my provider.”
That is a completely different mindset.
You recognize that you are not ultimately capable on your own.
The wisdom comes from God.
The opportunities come from God.
The abilities come from God.
The resources come from God.
Even the breath and strength to work come from God.
Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us:
“You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.”
That verse changes our perspective on wealth.
We are not the owners.
We are stewards.
Psalm 24:1 says:
“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”
Everything ultimately belongs to Him.
Our bank accounts belong to Him.
Our businesses belong to Him.
Our properties belong to Him.
Our investments belong to Him.
Our abilities belong to Him.
Our time belongs to Him.
And therefore, our financial independence must never become independence from God.
Depending on God While Preparing Wisely
This may sound like a contradiction.
How can we pursue financial independence and yet remain dependent on God?
But that is precisely the biblical tension.
We should plan.
We should save.
We should invest wisely.
We should avoid unnecessary debt.
We should build financial resilience.
We should prepare for retirement.
We should provide for our families.
But while doing all these things, our confidence must remain in God.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Our financial plans are important.
But our plans are not our provider.
Our investments are important.
But our investments are not our provider.
Our businesses are important.
But our businesses are not our provider.
God is our provider.
That distinction is critical.
Are We a Reservoir or a River?
There is another picture that I find helpful.
What happens when God entrusts resources to us?
Do they simply accumulate around us?
Or do they flow through us?
A reservoir keeps water.
A river allows water to flow.
I believe God wants us to be more like a river than a reservoir.
When God blesses us financially, we should certainly take care of legitimate responsibilities.
We provide for our families.
We save wisely.
We invest prudently.
But we also ask:
“Lord, who is this resource ultimately intended for?”
Perhaps it is for our children.
Perhaps it is for someone in need.
Perhaps it is for ministry.
Perhaps it is to create employment.
Perhaps it is to support the work of the Gospel.
Perhaps it is simply to meet an unexpected need that God places before us.
2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us that God is able to provide abundantly so that we can have what we need and “abound in every good work.”
Notice the purpose.
Not merely “so that I can have more.”
But so that “every good work” can be accomplished.
God's resources flowing through us can become a blessing to others.
Who Do We Love?
Ultimately, perhaps the most important question is not:
“How much money do I have?”
It is:
“What do I love?”
Jesus said:
“You cannot serve God and money.”
— Matthew 6:24
Money is a terrible master but a useful servant.
We should use money.
We should not worship it.
We should manage money.
We should not allow money to manage us.
We should pursue financial strength.
But we should never pursue financial security at the expense of spiritual dependence.
Jesus also tells us:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33
The order matters.
Kingdom first.
Money second.
Stewardship first.
Accumulation second.
God first.
Financial resources second.
True Independence Is Actually Dependence
Here is the paradox.
The more financially mature we become, the more we should realize that we are not truly independent.
We depend on God.
We depend on Him for wisdom.
We depend on Him for opportunities.
We depend on Him for strength.
We depend on Him for provision.
We depend on Him for the ability to create and manage wealth.
And because we depend on Him, we can pursue financial independence without becoming enslaved to money.
That is what I would call God-centred financial independence.
I want to have enough not because I want to say, “I don't need anyone.”
I want to have enough so that I can say:
“Lord, because You have provided, I am free to obey You.”
Free to give.
Free to serve.
Free to help.
Free to respond when God places a need before me.
Free to support His Kingdom.
Free to bless others.
And ultimately, free to say:
“This belongs to You, Lord. Show me how You want me to steward it.”
May We Never Forget Who the Provider Is
My prayer is that as we pursue financial independence, we will not pursue independence from God.
Let us work hard.
Let us save wisely.
Let us invest prudently.
Let us build businesses with integrity.
Let us prepare for the future.
But let us never forget:
We are not owners. We are stewards.
And let us never allow our desire for financial independence to become an excuse for loving money, hoarding resources or depending on ourselves.
Perhaps the greatest financial freedom is not having so much money that we no longer need God.
Perhaps the greatest financial freedom is reaching a place where we can confidently say:
“I depend on God for everything, and therefore I can faithfully steward whatever He entrusts to me.”
Let us be rivers, not reservoirs.
Let God's resources flow through us to His intended purposes.
And above all, let us love the Lord—not money.
May the Lord guard our hearts, give us wisdom and guide us to become faithful stewards of everything He has entrusted to us.
Faithful stewardship is not about becoming rich. It is about becoming faithful with what God has entrusted to us.
Blessings,
David Poh
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