Podcast Summary: The BetterLife Podcast

Episode: Does God Want Us To Be Rich? with Pedro Adao

Hosts: Brandon Turner & Cam Cathcart
Guest: Pedro Adao
Date: December 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the provocative question: “Does God want us to be rich?” Brandon and Cam welcome Pedro Adao—an eight-figure entrepreneur, founder of 100X Academy, and a thought leader in faith-based business—for one of their most in-depth conversations on the intersections of faith, money, purpose, and living authentically. The discussion explores ambition, validation, father wounds, stewardship, the dangers of ego (in both ministry and business), and practical spiritual wisdom for wealthy believers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Search for Validation & Ego in Ministry/Entrepreneurship

• Ministry Idolatry and Ego (03:10–06:15)

  • Pedro speaks candidly about growing up in church culture and the temptation to covet the "real estate" behind the pulpit, equating it to idolatry for spiritual recognition.
  • He describes the emotional “double-mindedness” many believers face: torn between business success and sacrificial ministry ideals.
  • Quote: “I was done coveting another person’s assignment. ... Please use me now in business. Within 18 months, I have my first seven figure kingdom enterprise.” —Pedro (05:19)

• Ego as Motivation

  • Cam and Brandon reflect on how validation from speaking, teaching, or entrepreneurial success is often driven by unresolved needs from childhood.
  • Quote: “You preach a great sermon, people tell you how great it is. ... I realized I just want people to know who I am.” —Cam (06:15)

Heart Wounds, Childhood, and Ambition

• Root Causes of Success and Striving (09:02–11:09)

  • Discussing “heart wounds,” Pedro and the hosts unpack how past pain and the need for affirmation often fuel adult achievement and hustle.
  • Quote: “Heart wounds create blind spots, and the enemy will hijack your ambition. ... What God meant for good, the enemy will try to hijack that. If he can’t slow you down and stop you, he’ll accelerate you.” —Pedro (17:09)

• Personal Downfall & Spiritual Growth (17:24–26:04)

  • Pedro narrates his experience with bankruptcy, depression, losing his reputation, and how those crises broke him of ego—ultimately leading to spiritual maturity and multiplied business success.

Reconciling Wealth, Faith, and Purpose

• The False Divide Between Faith and Business (52:24–54:19)

  • Pedro rejects the notion of “balancing” faith and business or compartmentalizing secular and spiritual life.
  • Quote: “There is no intersection. It’s completely overlapped. ... We live one life unto God. There’s no separation. Everything is spiritual. ... Of course he cares about your business, but he cares more about you and your soul than houses.” —Pedro (52:24, 54:19)

• The Prosperity Gospel vs True Kingdom Wealth

  • Pedro differentiates biblical prosperity from prosperity gospel distortions: God wants our spiritual maturity more than material riches but does intend for his children to steward resources.

Parenting and Legacy

• How to Father Without Wounding (34:38–40:19)
  • Brandon asks Pedro about raising high-achieving, emotionally healthy kids. Pedro discusses the inevitability of parental imperfection, overcorrection, and the importance of being loving above all.
  • Quote: “You cannot live up to that [perfect parent]. ... My number one value was my kids will at least know they’re loved. ... I would rather have kids that are not as ambitious but know they’re loved.” —Pedro (38:30)

Stewardship, Giving, and Living Generously

• Reconciling Wealth and Global Need (71:51–83:01)

  • The hosts and Pedro wrestle with having abundance while others lack basic needs—referencing the “Schindler’s List moment” as a test of stewardship.
  • Quote: “All this belongs to God. ... Jesus is the King. And in a kingdom, a king owns everything. ... If you ever feel like God’s asking you to give away something... it’s God saying, ‘Hey, do I still matter more to you than [your possessions]?’” —Pedro (72:34)

• Practical Advice on Giving

  • They advise listeners to give to causes that authentically break their hearts, exercise due diligence in selecting charities, and not to boast about generosity—as “treasure in heaven” is gained through quiet, faithful giving.

Spiritual Maturity and Leadership

• Business, the Marketplace, and Kingdom Influence (89:04–97:16)
  • Pedro points out that Jesus chose his disciples from successful marketplace backgrounds, not religious ones, and suggests that business excellence often prepares people for greater spiritual impact.
  • The conversation balances this with the reminder that God can (and does) use people from every walk of life, not just the wealthy or high-achieving.

First Love & Spiritual Passion

• How to Regain Spiritual Fire (64:00–68:10)
  • Pedro suggests gratitude, storytelling, and immersion in scripture as ways to reignite one’s “first love” and passion for God—rather than routine devotional habits.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Brutally Honest (06:17):

  • “You have to be brutally honest with yourself: I’m doing this for me. ... Because honestly, if you stripped it all away ... I feel unworthy, because I feel unloved. And having validation ... it’s all because there’s deep-seated unhealthiness.” —Cam

• On God’s Purposes in Pain (54:19):

  • “God’s like, ‘Oh, God won’t let me fail.’ You’re an idiot. Don’t you even know God? ... God will, of course, let you fail all of it. ... The people God’s used the most failed big time.” —Pedro

• On Spiritual Principles and Giving (83:01):

  • “God doesn't bless us because we give money to things. ... There are spiritual laws and principles that God put in motion from creation. ... There are commanded principles and blessings that just, like, going to just kick in.” —Pedro

• On Marketplace Calling (89:04):

  • “How many [disciples] were preachers, pastors, ministers ... from religious backgrounds? Zero. ... He picked 12 men from the marketplace. Entrepreneurs, business owners, government officials, people who live in the real world, who know how to make money and deal with people.” —Pedro

• On Regaining Spiritual Passion (64:10):

  • “Every time I tell my story about ... I was begging God to kill me ... That helps me stay rooted. Time in the word. ... Open up your Bible and don’t leave until you experience God.” —Pedro

Critical Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:10–06:15 | Ministry Idolatry/Ego & Validation in Church & Business | | 17:09–26:04 | Pedro’s downfall, bankruptcy, and spiritual rebuilding | | 34:38–40:19 | Parenting for emotional health & ambition | | 52:24–54:19 | Integration of Faith and Business—No Divide | | 71:51–83:01 | Reconciling Wealth & Global Need; Stewardship & Generosity | | 89:04–97:16 | Business acumen as preparation for leadership & ministry | | 64:00–68:10 | Rekindling first love & passion for God | | 97:37–End | Pedro’s “31 Day Wisdom Challenge” & closing reflections |

Conclusion

This conversation challenges listeners—especially faith-driven entrepreneurs—to bravely examine their motives, make peace with ambition, steward resources generously, and integrate faith into all areas of life. Brandon, Cam, and Pedro blend scriptural wisdom, personal vulnerability, and practical examples to equip high-achievers to pursue wealth and “the better life” without losing their soul.

Resources & Next Steps

• Pedro’s 31 Day Wisdom Challenge: 31daywisdomchallenge.com – A free January event for seeking wisdom through Proverbs & marketplace experts.
• Theme Recap: Hold your wealth loosely, root your self-worth in God, and lead your business or family with humility, diligence, and open hands.

“If you are going to be someone that God can trust with money and wealth, you have to pass that test. … If you ever feel like God’s asking you to give something—just say yes.” —Pedro (75:42)