Scripture is clear that money is never just about money. It is deeply spiritual and always connected to discipleship. Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and our role is not ownership but stewardship.

This is why the Bible consistently calls God’s people to put Him first in every area of life, including finances. Generosity is not an optional add-on or something we do with leftovers. It is a spiritual act of trust. When we give, we reflect the very heart of God. We are most like Him when we are generous.

The pattern is simple and intentional: God first. Save second. Spend last.

Saving itself is not unspiritual. In fact, Proverbs celebrates wisdom that plans ahead.

Proverbs 21:20 (NIV)

The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

Scripture even points to creation itself as an example of foresight.

Proverbs 6:6 (NIV)

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

The Bible also lifts our eyes beyond the next season to the next generation.

Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.

Saving changes the dynamic. Instead of constantly working for money, money begins to work for us. When generosity and saving grow together, they form a life that is both responsible and deeply faithful.

The Power of Multiplication and Long-Term Wisdom

One of the surprising truths of Scripture and history is that wealth is rarely built quickly. It is most often the result of patience, discipline, and time. While lotteries create a handful of millionaires, steady investing and wise planning quietly create many more.

The Bible affirms this long-term perspective.

Ecclesiastes 11:2 (NIV)

Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

Diversification, patience, and wisdom are not modern ideas. They are biblical ones.

Compounding interest rewards those who think long-term rather than chasing quick wins. Small, consistent investments over time can grow into significant provision. Scripture does not condemn wealth, but it does challenge our motives. Accumulating money for the sake of accumulation is empty. Hoarding is never praised. But planning for the future of your family and giving generously to the work of Jesus is both wise and worthy.

When generosity accompanies growth, people are positioned to be givers for a lifetime. They do not simply consume resources. They steward them for God’s purposes.

The Secret to Everything: Contentment

At the heart of this message is what Scripture calls the secret to everything: contentment.

The opposite of contentment is coveting. God includes this warning in the Ten Commandments for a reason:

Exodus 20:17 (NIV)

You shall not covet… anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Coveting is craving what is not rightfully ours, and it becomes the seedbed of sin. It fuels comparison, dissatisfaction, and discontent.

Modern culture thrives on coveting. Highly curated images and constant comparison feed what the Bible warns against. The desire for more never stops. Even when we acquire the next shiny thing, it rarely satisfies for long.

Contentment, however, is learned. The apostle Paul wrote from prison:

Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.

Contentment has nothing to do with how much we have and everything to do with where our trust rests.

Scripture invites us to live free from the love of money.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.

Contentment makes a crucial practice possible: spending less than we make. This is how giving first and saving second can actually work.

Contentment is not about deprivation. It is about gratitude. It is learning to say, “I have enough,” and finding joy in simplicity. When contentment grows, generosity grows with it.

The closing encouragement is honest. Putting God first may mean saying no to certain purchases or upgrades. Those choices can be felt in the moment, but they are rarely regretted. Few people ever say they regret giving to eternal things, saving for the future, or choosing simplicity over excess.

Living according to God’s Word leads to fewer spiritual regrets, fewer relational regrets, and fewer financial regrets. It is not restrictive. It is freeing.

Message recap adapted from the January 18, 2026, message by Minister Mark Ashton.

Message Notes & Slides

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