Money, Faith, and Security: A Christian Financial Advisor’s Perspective
Many people spend decades working toward one goal: financial security.
Build the retirement account. Pay off the house. Accumulate enough so that one day life can finally feel comfortable and secure and you can do all the things you want. For many, the hope is that once a certain number appears in their investment accounts, the worries of life will finally begin to fade.
We’re told that more money and more things will solve many of life’s problems.
But as Christ followers, we know that’s not true.
Jesus gives a direct warning in Matthew 6:19–24 when He tells us not to store up treasures on earth but instead to store them up in heaven.
At first glance, that might sound strange—especially coming from someone like me. I’m literally in the business of helping people store up earthly treasures through saving and investing.
So how should we understand Jesus’ words in light of wise financial planning? Let’s take a closer look.
Earthly Treasures Don’t Last
Jesus says:
“Do not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”
The reason is simple: earthly treasures do not last.
In Jesus’ day, valuable garments could be slowly eaten by moths. Clothing was often a significant form of wealth. Gold and silver were sometimes buried in the ground where moisture slowly corroded them. Thieves breaking into homes were also a constant risk.
The same realities exist today.
Some losses happen slowly. Inflation quietly erodes purchasing power. Lifestyle creep gradually consumes income. Market volatility can chip away at investments (often temporarily). Even well-maintained possessions eventually wear out.
Other losses happen suddenly. Modern thieves include sophisticated scammers using deep fake AI, financial institution impersonators, account hacking and other forms of fraud (is that Nigerian prince still emailing you?). Entire life savings can disappear quickly through deception and theft.
Earthly treasures can disappear slowly or rapidly. Either way, they are fragile and finite.
Heavenly Treasures Cannot Be Destroyed
Jesus contrasts earthly wealth with something far more secure: treasure in heaven.
Your saving faith in Christ cannot be taken from you. Jesus says in John 10:28:
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Your Kingdom impact also cannot be taken away. Every act of obedience from sharing the gospel, giving generously, serving someone in need, or encouraging a struggling friend has eternal implications.
Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23–24:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your eternal reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Earthly treasures fade. Heavenly ones last forever.
Your Treasure Trains Your Heart
Jesus then makes a profound statement:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In other words, the things we hold most near and dear reveal where your heart truly lies.
The things we treasure most, what we protect, think about, and prioritize often reveals what has captured our hearts.
One practical way to evaluate this is through a few simple diagnostics.
Bank statement diagnostic: Where is your money going? Is there a particular area your spending gravitates toward?
Calendar diagnostic: How are you spending your time? Our schedules often reveal what we value most.
Search history diagnostic: Many of us spend hours online. What are you constantly researching or shopping for?
The things we treasure most are usually easy to identify. They are the things we think about most often, protect most carefully, and feel most anxious about losing.
What we treasure shapes our hearts. But Jesus goes one step further and explains how our perception can become distorted.
What You Look At Shapes Your Life
Jesus continues:
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”
The eye represents what we focus on and how we perceive what is truly valuable. A healthy eye sees clearly. It recognizes that earthly wealth is temporary and that God’s Kingdom is eternal. When our vision is clear like this, our lives are filled with light.
But Jesus also warns about an unhealthy eye:
“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”
An unhealthy eye sees things incorrectly. It mistakes temporary things for ultimate things. It treats money as security, possessions as identity, and success as the measure of a life well lived.
Jesus adds a sobering warning:
“If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”
The most dangerous situation is not simply darkness—it’s believing that darkness is actually light.
You Cannot Serve Two Masters
Jesus then brings the teaching to its conclusion:
“You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” (NLT)
Money must be viewed as a tool, not a savior. It was never designed to fix your deepest problems or provide ultimate security.
If we expect it to do that, it will eventually disappoint us.
Every financial decision we make quietly reveals which master we trust most.
A Financial Planner’s Confession
As someone who helps people save and invest for the future, I think about this tension often.
Saving and investing are wise. Scripture affirms prudent planning in many places. But wealth is not ultimate and it certainly isn’t lasting.
My goal is not simply to help people accumulate more money. My goal is to help fellow Christians determine how much money is enough (finding contentment) and then think carefully about how the rest can be used for Kingdom purposes. This is not in the lens of a poverty or prosperity kind of theology, but through the lens of what God has entrusted you with and what He has called you to do.
Wealth is a tool entrusted to us by God, to enjoy and to serve others for His glory.
One of the things retirement often reveals is what we have truly been trusting all along.
True freedom is not financial independence, it is spiritual allegiance. It’s fully surrendering your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Fully meaning every aspect of your life, including treasures here on earth.
I’m far from perfect at this. But I’m thankful for scripture to constantly be pointing me back to the truth.
Because, in the end, every earthly treasure fades or is left on this earth when we leave, but every investment in God’s Kingdom lasts forever.
Other readers ask:
What is a Christian financial advisor?
A Christian financial advisor helps clients make financial decisions that align with biblical principles such as stewardship, generosity, and wise long-term planning.
What does the Bible say about financial planning?
The Bible encourages both trust in God and wise stewardship. Scripture reminds us that everything we have is entrusted to us, while also affirming the value of planning and preparation. Financial planning, when done well, is not about replacing that trust in God but about managing resources wisely and aligning decisions with our values.
Do Christian financial advisors only work with Christians?
Many Christian advisors work with people from many backgrounds, but their advice is often informed by biblical principles and a stewardship mindset.
Chisholm Wealth Management is a financial planning firm located in Burleson, Texas serving individuals and families throughout Texas and across the country.
