What Money Can’t Do—and What It Can with Dr. Russell James III

Money has a remarkable ability to shape our emotions. In a single week, it can make us anxious, fearful, generous, or joyful. But Scripture reminds us that money—despite the power we often assign to it—cannot ultimately provide what we most want. On today’s episode of Faith & Finance, we spoke with Dr. Russell James III, the CH Foundation Chair of Personal Financial Planning and Charitable Giving at Texas Tech University and author of A Christian’s Guide to Joyful Wealth Management.  He helped us explore a foundational question: If money cannot give us security or control, what is it actually for? The One Thing Money Can’t Do Dr. James begins where the Apostle Paul begins—in 1 Timothy 6. Paul reminds believers of a simple but transformative reality: we cannot take wealth with us when we die. “Money is temporary,” Dr. James explained. “Eventually, every one of us will lose it. The only real question is how.” That truth reframes everything about financial decision-making. If wealth cannot follow us beyond this life, then we are not owners in the ultimate sense—we are stewards. And that reality isn’t merely a theological concept; it’s also biological. Eventually, every dollar we possess will pass to someone else. Thinking about money this way changes the conversation. Instead of asking, “How can I keep this?” we begin asking, “How should I use what God has entrusted to me while I have it?” The Four Ways People Manage Wealth According to Dr. James, Scripture points to four common approaches to handling wealth: 1. Binge Spending wealth recklessly in pursuit of pleasure—like Solomon’s experiments in Ecclesiastes or the prodigal son in Luke 15. 2. Bury Hoarding wealth, protecting it carefully but never truly using it. 3. Toil Working relentlessly to accumulate more and more wealth, even when basic needs are already met. 4. Enjoy Receiving God’s provision with gratitude and using it for good. The first three approaches share a common problem: they ultimately lead to the same outcome—dying with unused or misused wealth. The fourth option—enjoyment—points us toward something better. The Hidden Role of Fear in Our Finances One of the most powerful forces shaping financial behavior is fear. Dr. James noted that many stewardship conversations focus on avoiding overspending. While that’s important, Jesus often warned about the opposite problem—hoarding wealth out of fear. In both the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) and the Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11–27), the servant who buried what he was given offered the same explanation: “I was afraid.” Fear narrows our focus to worst-case scenarios. It tempts us to seek control through accumulation rather than trusting God as our provider. And yet Scripture reminds us that wealth cannot offer the control we hope for. It is always uncertain and ultimately temporary. The Biblical Vision of Enjoyment One of the most surprising teachings in Scripture is that God intends us to enjoy what He provides. In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul writes that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” But biblical enjoyment is not indulgence. Dr. James explained that true enjoyment comes when we put resources to work for good purposes. In the very next verse, Paul describes what that looks like: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” —1 Timothy 6:18 In other words, enjoyment is found not in self-indulgence but in participating in God’s purposes. The Power of Generosity Generosity plays a central role in joyful stewardship. When believers share resources within the community of faith, it strengthens relationships, builds trust, and points others toward God’s goodness. Dr. James highlighted an interesting biblical distinction between two types of giving: Almsgiving—helping those in need, which Jesus instructs should be done privately (Matthew 6:3–4). Community sharing—supporting the fellowship of believers and ministry, which the New Testament often celebrates publicly (2 Corinthians 8–9). Understanding these distinctions helps believers see how generosity can both honor humility and inspire others. A Legacy That Lasts When people think about legacy, they often think about money passed to heirs. But Scripture points to something deeper. Financial wealth is uncertain. It can disappear through market shifts, poor decisions, or changing circumstances. But good works endure. Paul describes generosity as “storing up treasure…as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Timothy 6:19). The example of a life lived in faithfulness can shape generations far more powerfully than any financial inheritance. Paul’s instruction in 1 Timothy 6:19 calls believers to “take hold of the life that is truly life.” According to Dr. James, joyful stewardship allows us to do exactly that. When we release fear and trust God’s provision: Gratitude replaces anxiety Generosity replaces hoarding Purpose replaces accumulation Research even confirms what Scripture has long taught: generosity produces joy. Taking Hold of the Life That Is Truly Life Money cannot give us security or control. But it can become a powerful tool in God’s hands. When we see wealth as a temporary trust rather than a permanent possession, we are freed to use it wisely—enjoying God’s provision, blessing others, and participating in His kingdom work. That’s how stewardship moves beyond spreadsheets and budgets to become something far greater: a joyful response to God's generosity.  If you’d like to read Dr. Russell James III’s book, A Christian’s Guide to Joyful Wealth Management, you can download the book and study guide for free at EncourageGenerosity.com.  On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I run a small business in Texas, and I’m looking for a point-of-sale system from a company that operates with biblical values. Do you have any recommendations? I’m 81 and have been investing in the stock market for years. Would it be wise for me to move some of that money into annuities at this stage? I have two certificates of deposit right now. Should I cash them out and move that money into an IRA instead? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) A Christian’s Guide to Joyful Wealth Management EncourageGenerosity.com Gainbridge Authorize.net | Square Sound Mind Investing (SMI) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. 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