Blessed or Broke? Rethinking the Christian Mindset Around Money
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Money has a way of shaping our minds before we even realize it. From childhood, we’re taught things like “money doesn’t grow on trees,” “rich people are greedy,” or “I’ll never have enough.” These messages follow us into adulthood and, for many believers, quietly form what we now recognize as a poverty mindset.
Welcome to Week 2 of our blog series, Faith & Finances: Walking with God in a Wealth-Driven World. Each week, we’re uncovering what the Bible really says about money and how our spiritual growth is connected to our views and management of finances. This week’s post is titled “Blessed or Broke? Rethinking the Christian Mindset Around Money.”
Last week, we kicked off the series with “The Truth About Treasure: What the Bible Really Says About Money,” where we explored how money reflects the condition of our hearts. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend starting there; it lays the foundation for everything we’re building on today.
This might be one of the most important conversations in the series because your mindset about money can shape your walk with God more than you think.
What Is a Poverty Mindset?
A poverty mindset isn’t about how much money you have. It’s a way of thinking that says, “There’s never enough,” so you live with fear, doubt, or guilt around the idea of financial increase.
This mindset whispers things like:
“I’ll always struggle.”
“People like me never get ahead.”
“God blesses others, not me.”
And when you believe these lies long enough, they begin to shape your prayers, your habits, and your sense of identity. It’s hard to walk in confidence and generosity when you’re constantly worried about surviving.
What Scripture Says About This
God never glorified poverty. He glorified faithfulness. He honored trust, obedience, and wise stewardship, not scarcity and fear.
In Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV), Paul writes,
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty… I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Paul’s message wasn’t that we should remain in a state of lack. It was that we can walk in peace, whether we have a lot or a little when we anchor our confidence in Christ.
Redeeming Money: A Relevant Perspective
In Redeeming Money, Paul David Tripp puts it this way:
“You will either be content and thankful or you will live in a constant state of anxiety and complaint. Money reveals what you really treasure.”
That’s the heart of this week’s message. The poverty mindset isn’t just about what’s in your wallet—it’s about what’s happening in your heart. Tripp reminds us that we often let our financial situation define our identity, instead of seeing ourselves through the lens of grace and provision.
He continues,
“Money problems are always connected to worship problems.”
That one sentence can change how you pray, plan, and think.
How the Poverty Mindset Affects Your Faith
When we carry a poverty mindset, we often stop believing God for more. We pray small prayers. We give sparingly. We doubt God’s generosity and forget His promises. Over time, we settle for survival instead of pressing forward with hope.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 (AMP),
“If you then, being evil, as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father… give good things to those who keep on asking Him?”
God is not holding back. Often, it’s our own fear and false beliefs that hold us back.
Shifting from Poverty to Purpose
Here are three biblical shifts to begin practicing this week:
1. Renew your mind daily.
Romans 12:2 urges us not to copy the behavior of this world, but to let God transform the way we think. That transformation begins with truth. Instead of starting your day with worry or doubt, start it by declaring God’s promises over your life. Meditate on Scriptures that remind you of His faithfulness and provision.
Reflect: What limiting belief about money have I been rehearsing instead of renewing with God’s truth?
2. Practice contentment without surrendering your vision.
God calls us to be content, but not complacent. Contentment is a state of gratitude that exists whether you’re in a season of plenty or in a period of pruning. But don’t confuse contentment with the abandonment of purpose. You can be content and still press forward with vision, excellence, and bold prayers.
Reflect: Have I stopped dreaming because I’ve confused contentment with playing it safe?
3. Steward well, even in small things.
Faithfulness often starts with the little things. Jesus said if we are trustworthy with little, we will be trusted with more (Luke 16:10). That means creating a simple budget, choosing discipline over impulse, or honoring God with your giving—even when it’s hard. God sees every step of obedience.
Reflect: What small act of stewardship can I take this week to align my finances with faith?
It’s Not About Being Rich or Poor
God isn’t looking to make you rich, just to make you comfortable. He’s looking to make you faithful, free from fear, and generous in heart. That starts with your mindset, and it starts today.
As Proverbs 10:22 (NIV) reminds us, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” God’s blessings aren’t burdens—they’re invitations to walk in purpose and freedom.
Let’s Make This Practical
Write down three limiting beliefs you’ve carried about money. For example, “I’ll never get ahead financially” or “I’m just not good with money.” Then, next to each belief, write a verse or truth that tells a better story. Begin speaking those truths over yourself daily.
Let your prayers reflect trust, not just need. Let your mindset reflect freedom, not fear.
If you missed last week’s article, go back and read “The Truth About Treasure”—it’s a powerful start to this journey. And remember, subscribing to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter is completely free. It’s my way of giving back and paying forward what God has graciously taught me. Join us at www.excel2faith.com.
Let’s test your memory! Fill in the blanks from Romans 12:2 (NIV):
“Do not conform to the pattern of this __________, but be __________ by the renewing of your __________.”
Now take a moment to reflect:
💭 What old pattern is God asking me to break free from this week?
Try memorizing this verse as your declaration throughout the week. Let it guide your prayers, thoughts, and decisions
Christians in an Age of Wealth: A Biblical Theology of Stewardship
If you’ve ever wondered how to live faithfully in a world obsessed with wealth, Christians in an Age of Wealth by Craig L. Blomberg is a refreshing and biblical guide. This book takes you on a journey through Scripture, unpacking God’s vision for stewardship from Genesis to Revelation. Blomberg challenges both extremes—the pursuit of riches for self and the glorification of lack—offering instead a balanced, Christ-centered approach to resources.
In our Week 2 blog, “Blessed or Broke? Rethinking the Christian Mindset Around Money,” we explored how the poverty mindset can limit our faith. Blomberg addresses this head-on, showing how our attitudes toward money can either fuel kingdom impact or hinder spiritual growth. His emphasis on generosity, wise management, and eternal perspective echoes the call to replace limiting beliefs with God’s truth.
What makes this book powerful is its blend of scholarly insight and practical application. It’s not just theology—it’s a blueprint for living a life where every financial decision reflects trust in God and love for others.
Get your copy of Christians in an Age of Wealth today! And subscribe free to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com for more faith-and-finance insights..
Father, thank You for seeing beyond my fears and lovingly calling me into a life of trust and abundance. Help me release every limiting belief I’ve held about money, and replace it with Your truth and peace. Teach me to think the way You think, to steward what I have with joy, and to honor You in every area of my life. Draw me closer each day, and make my heart more like Yours.