Ramsey Everyday Millionaires – Episode Summary: "Does God Want Us To Be Wealthy?"

Release Date: December 30, 2024
Hosts: Dave Ramsey, Ken Coleman, Rachel Cruze, George Kamel, Jade Warshaw, and Dr. John Delony

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this thought-provoking episode of Ramsey Everyday Millionaires, the hosts delve into the intersection of faith and financial prosperity. As part of their mission to highlight how ordinary people build extraordinary wealth through disciplined financial practices, the episode focuses on a listener's inquiry about the biblical stance on wealth.

2. Listener Question: Does God Want Us To Be Wealthy?

The episode kicks off with a heartfelt message from a listener named Joe from Albany, New York:

Joe (00:35): "I am thankful for God first and my 10 year old daughter."

Prompted by this, Joe poses a profound question to the hosts:

Joe (00:48): "Does God want me or us to be wealthy? I kind of wanted to ask you that because I feel like you have a pretty big business and you have ties to people who are in church. So maybe you could offer some biblical insight. That way my finances and my spiritual life can be aligned a little bit more."

3. Ken Coleman's Response: Biblical Perspective on Wealth

Ken Coleman (B) provides a comprehensive and balanced biblical perspective on wealth, addressing common misconceptions within the Christian community:

Ken Coleman (01:15): "There are two ends of the spectrum in the Christian world, both of which create an inaccurate teaching of scripture. One end is the Prosperity Gospel, which suggests that God wants you to be rich and if you're not, you must not be right with God. The other end falsely claims that God requires us to be poor to be holy, which aligns with Gnosticism and is heretical."

He emphasizes that God's primary concern is the condition of our hearts and our worship, irrespective of our financial status:

Ken Coleman (03:00): "God doesn't care if you're wealthy or if you're poor. He doesn't care one way or the other. All He wants is your heart, all He wants is your worship."

4. Stewardship and Responsibility

Coleman expands on the concept of stewardship, highlighting that all possessions are ultimately God's, and humans are merely managers:

Ken Coleman (03:45): "We're merely managing it for God. He's the owner, we're the steward. Managing wealth is a privilege. It is a responsibility. It's to be managed for the good of God and for His kingdom."

He references Paul from the New Testament to underline that both wealth and poverty can hinder worship if they become idols:

Ken Coleman (04:10): "Lord keep me from having one or the other if it gets in the way."

5. Generosity and Inheritance

The discussion moves to practical applications of biblical principles in financial management:

Ken Coleman (04:50): "A godly man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. This isn't just about character but also about financial inheritance, ensuring that resources are used responsibly."

He advocates for consistent generosity, citing scriptures that encourage tithing and cheerful giving:

Ken Coleman (05:10): "There’s an indication all throughout New Testament and Old Testament to tithe a tenth of your income as your baseline for your generosity offerings above that."

6. Avoiding Extremes: Balancing Wealth and Spirituality

Coleman cautions against both the pursuit of wealth for selfish reasons and the rejection of wealth as inherently sinful:

Ken Coleman (05:53): "We're suggesting that a prostitute who comes to Jesus, a murderer who comes to Jesus can go to heaven, but a wealthy person who comes to Jesus can't. And that's heresy."

He underscores that faithfulness in managing whatever resources one has is key, aligning with Jesus' teachings:

Ken Coleman (07:00): "If you're faithful with the little things, you're going to be given more to manage."

7. Host Commentary and Light Banter

Dave Ramsey (A) and Ken Coleman (B) engage in light-hearted banter, bringing a human touch to the discussion. Ramsey humorously references the misconception surrounding wealth and spiritual standing:

Dave Ramsey (09:34): "The 1% are all going to hell. Let me scare you about that one. If you make $38,000 a year, you're in the top 1% of income earners in the world."

This playful exchange underscores the episode's theme: wealth in itself is not condemnatory or condemnative—it's the heart and intentions behind it that matter.

8. Conclusion: Aligning Financial Management with Spiritual Life

The episode concludes with Ken Coleman reinforcing the central message:

Ken Coleman (08:42): "It's about your heart. So whether you have little money or you have a lot of money, it's about how you view the money."

He reiterates that managing money with a responsible and generous heart aligns financial practices with spiritual values, eliminating guilt and promoting a healthy relationship with wealth.

Dave Ramsey (09:34) wraps up with a final thought-provoking statement, challenging listeners to reconsider their perceptions of wealth and spirituality.

Key Takeaways

• God's Indifference to Wealth: Wealth and poverty are neither inherently good nor bad in the eyes of God. What matters is how individuals manage their resources and the intentions behind their financial decisions.

• Stewardship Over Ownership: Believers are stewards of God's resources, entrusted with managing wealth responsibly for the benefit of their families and the advancement of God's kingdom.

• Balanced Financial Principles: Adhering to biblical principles such as avoiding debt, building wealth, generosity through tithing, and leaving a responsible inheritance are crucial for financial and spiritual well-being.

• Avoiding Extremes: Rejecting both Prosperity Gospel and anti-wealth ideologies ensures a balanced and biblically sound approach to finances.

This episode of Ramsey Everyday Millionaires offers a nuanced and biblically grounded perspective on wealth, encouraging listeners to align their financial practices with their spiritual beliefs. By emphasizing stewardship, generosity, and responsible management, the hosts provide a roadmap for building wealth that honors both personal and spiritual growth.