God Wants You to Work and Earn Money

Work existed before sin entered the world. This might surprise us because we tend to think of work as part of the curse, something we endure until we can retire and finally rest. Genesis tells a different story. When God placed Adam in the garden, he gave him meaningful work to do: The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). The garden needed cultivation. It needed care. God designed humans to find purpose in this kind of labor.

The command to work appears even earlier in the creation account. God told the first humans to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion (Genesis 1:28). This wasn't punishment. This was privilege. God invited humanity to join him in bringing order from chaos, to cultivate what he had made, to help creation flourish. When we work, we use the materials and abilities God provides to help others thrive. We build communities. We spread his image throughout the world.

The Power of Starting Young (Compound Interest!)

Time is your most valuable financial asset. You cannot buy more of it, and you cannot get it back once it passes. Young people who understand this truth can build extraordinary wealth with modest contributions. Those who delay saving until their 40s or 50s must work much harder to achieve the same results.

I first learned about the power of starting young from The Money Guy Show's Wealth Multiplier. When I saw that someone investing just $95 per month starting at age 20 could become a millionaire by 65, I was sold. The numbers seemed almost too good to be true, yet the math checked out. That single concept changed how I viewed every dollar I earned.

What Does the Bible Say About Setting Goals?

Some Christians think goal-setting contradicts faith. They believe planning ahead shows a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. This misunderstands both sovereignty and stewardship. The Bible teaches that God plans, and He expects us to plan too.

God Has a Plan for Your Life

Ephesians 1:5 tells us, "he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." God set goals before you drew your first breath. He planned your adoption, your salvation, and your place in His family.

Ephesians 2:10 continues, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." God prepared specific good works for you to accomplish. He created you with intention and purpose. Your life follows His design, which means you should approach your days with intentionality that reflects His planning.

What Does the Bible Say about Money and Possessions?

The Bible contains over 2,000 verses about money. God speaks about finances more than almost any other practical topic. This tells us something clear: how we handle money matters to Him.

God Owns Everything, Including You

Deuteronomy 10:14 states, "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it." Psalm 24:1-2 echoes this truth. Everything you see, touch, and use belongs to God. Your house, your car, your paycheck—none of it originated with you.

This extends to your very person. First Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." Christ purchased you with His blood. You belong to Him completely, which means your money belongs to Him too.