Transformation Church Podcast

Episode: What Does Money Mean To Me? // Wicked: The Worship Of Wealth (Part 5)

Speaker: Charles Metcalf
Date: April 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concluding episode of the "Wicked: The Worship Of Wealth" series, Pastor Charles Metcalf addresses the deeply personal and spiritual topic of our relationship with money. Drawing from Luke 16, he challenges listeners to examine how they view, handle, and are affected by finances—not just as a matter of biblical obedience, but as an issue that touches their core values, emotions, and trust in God. Metcalf balances candid personal stories with scriptural insight, aiming to shift perspectives from the worship of wealth to understanding money as a tool for blessing others and serving God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Examining Your Relationship with Money

• Opening Scripture: Luke 16:10-13 sets the tone for the message, centering on trustworthiness with worldly wealth and the impossibility of serving both God and money.

  "You cannot serve both God and money." (Charles Metcalf, 04:15)

• Personal Reflection: Metcalf shares his changing relationship with money, from earning his first paychecks as a teen to supporting a family of six. He candidly discusses cycles of spending, avoidance, obsession, anxiety, and shame.
• Challenge: He invites listeners to stop giving "church answers" and get real about money’s impact (“Don’t tell your landlord you can pay with grace!” - 13:05).

2. Debunking Myths: Money in Biblical Perspective

• It’s Not God’s Will for Everyone to Be Rich:

  "It is not God's will for everyone to be rich. But it is God's plan for everyone to have the ability to build wealth." (20:35)

• Wealth Redefined: Wealth isn't just money—it's “being able to bless anyone at any time, in any way” (25:45). Prayer, presence, and generosity are all vital forms of blessing.

3. The Real Value: True Riches

• True Riches vs. Earthly Wealth:

  "What is Jesus talking about when he says true riches? There’s something on the surface, and then there’s something...a little bit deeper than the surface." (34:15)

• Anchor in Christ: Build your foundation on Christ—not the shifting sands of material gain (cf. Matt 7:24-27).
• Wealth Includes but Is Not Limited to Money:

  "Wealth is way more than money. But it does include money." (27:05)

4. Three Steps to a Healthier Relationship with Money

a. Truth: Where Are You, Really?

• Self-examination: Be honest about spending, saving, habits—without shame or denial.

  "Are you a spender or a saver? You gotta be truthful about your relationship to money." (38:50)

• Family/Marriage: Know who obsesses about money, who avoids it, and how that shapes the home atmosphere.
• Confessions: The Metcalf family affirms daily truths, including how their purpose relates to finances.

b. Try: Take Action, Even if Small

• Practical Advice: Start somewhere—anywhere. Budgeting, tithing, being generous, taking a finance class; small steps count.

  "The best budget for you to have is the one you’re gonna do." (45:10)

• Overcoming Fear: Don’t be paralyzed by the fear of failing or not doing it perfectly.

  "If you can't give $5 away, don't even act like you're gonna give 50,000 away." (47:10)

c. Trust: Rely on God's Character, Not Just Your Effort

• Battling Shame: God’s love isn’t conditional on financial performance. Lean into His mercy and provision.

  "Trust that his mercies are new every morning. Trust that God is a good father." (49:10)

• Faithful with Little: God may be holding you at your present financial level not to punish, but to protect until you’re ready for more:

  "He wants to provide for you...He just doesn't want it to crush you." (50:30)

5. The Greatest Treasure: People Over Paper

• True Riches Are People: The gospel, relationships, community—these are God’s true treasures entrusted to us.

  "If you confide your life to being rich, to making money, to having things, you will live a big life in some ways and a very small life in other ways." (55:10)

• Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:7—The treasure is the light and knowledge of God, deposited in ordinary people.

6. Jesus’ Teaching on Fulfillment

• John 4: The Samaritan woman at the well illustrates how seeking fulfillment in anything other than Christ—even money—leaves us thirsty.

• Heavenly Perspective: "Down here, gold is treasured. Up there, it’s pavement." (59:25)

Memorable Quotes

• On Misplaced Priorities:

  "Money isn't everything, but it definitely is something." (18:15)

• On Authenticity:

  "Church people be lying and doing dumb lies like 'I'm not even focused on money.' Yeah, and you got to pay rent, so stop playing." (15:00)

• On Practical Generosity:

  "It's powerful to be able to pray for someone. It's just as powerful to pray and then say, 'How much do you need?'" (28:45)

• On Action Over Perfection:

  "Not, 'I got it, not I nailed it, not it's perfect—a try.'" (1:01:40)

• On Kingdom Focus:

  "We are not on this earth to make money. We're on this earth to share the Good News that there is a God, that He loves you, and He has a plan for you." (56:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] – Opening Scripture: Luke 16 & context for the message
• [04:15] – "You cannot serve both God and money." Main dilemma introduced
• [13:05] – Calling out religious platitudes and challenging authenticity
• [20:35] – "It isn’t God’s will for everyone to be rich" & redefining wealth
• [25:45] – Expanding the concept of wealth
• [28:45] – Practical blessing: Beyond prayer, meeting real needs
• [34:15] – Differentiating 'true riches' from worldly wealth
• [38:50] – "Be truthful": First step toward financial health
• [45:10] – "Try": Actionable steps toward change
• [47:10] – Generosity measured by willingness, not amount
• [49:10] – "Trust": Letting go of shame, leaning on God’s character
• [50:30] – God’s patience in our financial journey
• [55:10] – True riches are people
• [56:20] – Ultimate purpose: Sharing the Good News
• [59:25] – Eternal perspective on earthly wealth
• [1:01:40] – Action over perfection: Just try

Summary Takeaways

• Money is a crucial part of life and faith, but not the ultimate goal.
• Wealth means being able to bless others—spiritually, emotionally, and financially.
• A healthy relationship with money starts with honesty, is grown through taking action, and is founded on trusting God.
• True riches are not possessions, but people and the presence of God.
• Don’t be paralyzed by shame, avoidance, or obsession—start somewhere, and let God’s grace fill the gaps.

Listeners are invited to respond personally—reflect on their relationship with finances, take practical steps toward stewardship, and ultimately to see people, not possessions, as the highest treasure.