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WEALTH AS WITNESS: HOW TO BUILD MORE THAN MONEY
TURNING MONEY INTO MEANING, MISSION, AND MULTIPLICATION
BY DR. LEIGH BYERS, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, CONTRIBUTOR
FOUNDER, HAVE A NEED A MINISTRY | BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF GIVING +
RECEIVING = SHARING | CREATOR OF
SEVENTH LEVEL LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
FROM WELFARE TO WITNESS
Wealth becomes a burden rather than a
blessing, something we fear losing rather
than freely offering. The cultural narrative
tells us to hold tightly. Faith whispers that
we are stewards, not owners.
Wealth gaps persist, consumerism rises,
and anxiety deepens. We see these effects
not just in national data, but in daily lives
people overworking to maintain lifestyles
they cannot sustain, or hesitate to give
because they fear having less tomorrow.
We have become so focused on what we
can buy that we have forgotten how to be
generous, content simply, and grounded in
what truly matters.
WHAT BELIEFS HOLD US BACK?
Beneath the surface of these societal
pressures are quiet lies we tell ourselves,
beliefs that seem harmless but deeply
shape our behavior. One of the most
common is: “I’ll be more generous when I
have more money.” This thought delays
generosity and ties it to abundance rather
than obedience. But giving has never been
about having “enough.” it is about trust.
Whether it is a widow offering two coins
(Mark 12:41-44, NIV, 2011) or a child
sharing their lunch, the power of generosity
lies in the willingness, not the wealth.
Another deeply rooted belief is that
wealth is somehow unspiritual. Some
leaders, especially in faith spaces,
distance themselves from money
altogether, fearing it will taint their calling
or credibility. But Scripture is clear that
wealth is neither inherently good nor bad.
it is how we use it that reveals our values.
Money is not evil. The love of it is what
corrupts (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV, 2011). We
are called to do good, to give, and to
leave a legacy not despite wealth, but
often through it (1 Timothy 6:17-18, NIV,
2011).
And then there’s the inner voice that says,
“What I have is not significant enough to
share.” We minimize our impact by
comparing our resources to those of
others. But generosity is not measured by
dollar amounts. It is measured by
obedience, by heart posture, and by how
we reflect God’s provision in our lives,
however big or small. In my own life, there
were times when I felt I had nothing left
to offer. Yet again and again, God used
what I gave, including time,
encouragement, leadership, or small
offerings of money, to bless others.
Sometimes, what we think is insignificant
is exactly what someone else needs.
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