How Financial Success Can Lead to Spiritual Failure with John Rinehart

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” — Matthew 16:26 Those words from Jesus confront one of the deepest questions we can ask about money and success. Jesus spoke them to His disciples as He taught about the cost of following Him. In that moment, He contrasted two pursuits: gaining the world and preserving the soul. The question still echoes today: Is there a spiritual cost to financial success? On today’s episode of Faith & Finance, John Rinehart, founder and CEO of Gospel Patrons, joined the show to explore that very question and what Scripture teaches about wealth, work, and spiritual health. The Bible’s Honest Warnings About Wealth Financial success itself is not condemned in Scripture. In fact, the Bible includes many faithful believers who possessed great wealth—Abraham, Job, and Lydia among them. Yet Scripture also carries repeated warnings about the spiritual dangers that prosperity can create. As John explained on the show, wealth can be both a blessing and a temptation. The danger arises when our hearts begin to trust money instead of God. Jesus addressed this tension directly in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” The issue is not the possession of wealth but the mastery of wealth over the human heart. And in a culture that celebrates success, possessions, and financial independence, those warnings are easy to overlook. The Cycle of Success That Can Lead to Spiritual Failure John describes a pattern many people fall into—a cycle of success that can quietly lead to spiritual drift. It often begins with a view of work that centers on earning money so we can eventually rest. We work hard, pursue success, and over time, our effort produces prosperity. Hard work and prosperity themselves are not wrong. In fact, Scripture often affirms diligence. But prosperity introduces a new danger. As John noted during the conversation, success can gradually lead us to forget the God who provided it in the first place. When we begin to see wealth as the product of our own ability rather than God’s provision, our dependence on Him begins to fade. Before long, success that once felt like a blessing can become a spiritual trap. The Warning of the Rich Fool Jesus illustrates this danger in the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16–21. In the story, a farmer experiences an abundant harvest. Faced with overflowing crops, he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store them all. From a purely financial perspective, his plan sounds wise. But Jesus reveals the deeper problem. The man begins speaking to himself as though his wealth guarantees security and ease: “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” — Luke 12:19 Then comes the shocking turn. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you.’” — Luke 12:20 The problem wasn’t the harvest—it was forgetting God. This story hits close to home in a culture that often equates success with building bigger barns. The Danger of Forgetting the Source This warning appears long before Jesus told that parable. As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses cautioned them about the spiritual risks that accompany prosperity. In Deuteronomy 8:17–18, he warned: “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” John highlighted this verse as a key reminder: even the ability to create wealth is a gift from God. When we forget that truth, wealth easily shifts from blessing to idol. When Wealth Chokes Out Spiritual Fruit Jesus also warned that wealth can quietly interfere with spiritual growth. In the Parable of the Sower, He describes seeds that begin growing but are eventually overwhelmed by thorns. He explains the meaning in Mark 4:19: “The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” John also noted how startling that statement is. The Word of God is powerful, yet Jesus says the deceitfulness of riches can still choke its fruitfulness in a person’s life. Wealth promises security and satisfaction—but it often delivers anxiety and distraction instead. God’s Better Rhythm for Life Thankfully, Scripture offers a healthier path. John explained that instead of structuring life around work and wealth, God invites us into a different rhythm—one that begins with rest. The Sabbath command in Exodus 20:8–10 reminds us that our lives are not sustained by constant productivity. Rest re-centers our hearts. It draws our attention back to God through worship, Scripture, and time with the community of faith. From that place of rest, work becomes something different. Instead of merely trading time for money, work becomes an act of service and worship—an opportunity to use the gifts God has given us to bless others. When prosperity comes from that posture, it is received differently. Instead of assuming ownership, we begin to recognize stewardship. As Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us, God is the one who provides the power to create wealth. That truth reshapes how we think about money. Our resources are no longer simply tools for personal comfort—they become opportunities to participate in God’s work. And that leads naturally to generosity. The Role of “Gospel Patrons” John’s ministry, Gospel Patrons, highlights a powerful biblical pattern. Throughout Scripture and church history, movements of God have often been supported by generous believers whose financial resources helped fuel gospel work. Even during Jesus’ ministry, Luke 8:3 tells us that several women helped support Him and His disciples “out of their means.” These supporters—often business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals—play a vital role in advancing the mission of God. They may not always preach sermons or travel as missionaries, but their faithful stewardship enables those ministries to flourish. Your Work Can Matter for Eternity One of the most encouraging points Reinhardt shared on the program is that believers working in business or professional careers are not second-class participants in God’s Kingdom. Your daily work matters. When your work is offered to God, your resources stewarded faithfully, and your generosity directed toward His mission, your life becomes part of something eternal. Financial success does not have to lead to spiritual failure. When we remember the source of our wealth and steward it with humility and generosity, our work can become a powerful instrument in advancing God’s Kingdom. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I’m 68 and recently retired. With a home for sale and significant cash on hand, I’m trying to determine the best way to begin withdrawing from my 401(k) without pushing myself into a higher tax bracket before RMDs begin. What’s the best strategy? My husband and I are doing Roth conversions, and our CPA suggested funding a charitable giving account to offset the taxes and then using it for our regular tithe. Is it biblically and ethically appropriate to tithe from a charitable account like that? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Gospel Patrons Gospel Patrons: People Whose Generosity Changed The World by John Rinehart Breaking the Cycle (Article by John Rinehart in Faithful Steward Magazine, Issue 1) An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God's Purpose for the Next Season of Life by Jeff Haanen Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. 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