“For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” —Psalm 50:10

“Am I doing the right thing?” I asked my brother.

From 800 miles away, I imagined him smiling as he responded with his usual big-brother assurance. “You’re not spending the money foolishly,” he said. “You’re repairing your house, helping your kids, and collecting interest. What else do you think you should be doing?”

“Well,” I said, “I guess I could go out and buy a speedboat.”

We both laughed. It had become our running joke. We were both trying hard to handle our money responsibly.

But handling money and staying close to God aren’t always easy things. As Cyndi Lauper once sang, “Money changes everything.”

In Jesus’ parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13–21), a man tears down his barns to build bigger ones, hoarding his crops instead of sharing. But he had no control over life and death.

“You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” —Luke 12:20

As Pastor Brandon reminded us on Sunday, what matters is being rich toward God. Here’s a simple plan for staying in step with His provision:

1. 1. 1. Have what you need
      2.  Help when you can
      3. Trust God to provide.

More money brings more problems. It’s better to control your money than to let your money control you.

That’s never been my struggle. With a husband unable to work for twenty years and medical bills that could’ve stampeded all those cattle, I’ve always had just enough. Never more.

Until now.

My father passed away last year, leaving behind an unexpected inheritance. I pray daily for wisdom to steward it well—to be richer toward God than my bank account.

But I’m not buying a speedboat.

At the bank in Virginia, as my brother and I reminisced about childhood pancakes and beach trips, the manager smiled. “Your dad spoke fondly of you. Said life hadn’t been easy for either of you. He wanted to help. A lot of siblings argue about money. They don’t sit in my office talking about pancakes.” She handed us checks. “Just don’t spend it all on a speedboat.”

I am grateful for my dad’s gift. But more than that, I’m aware that all I have is from God—my education that sustained our family, the writing gifts He planted in my soul, and the grace to use them wisely.

Pull Quote

“It is better to control your money than to have your money control you.”

Takeaway for Reflection

We are stewards, not owners. Everything we have belongs to God. Let’s use it with wisdom, generosity, and gratitude—becoming truly rich in the ways that matter most.

A Steward’s Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for what You’ve placed in my hands. Teach me to use it well—open-handed and open-hearted. Make me rich in love, grace, and trust in You.
Amen.