A Wonderful Servant, a Ruthless Master

In financial planning, we talk a lot about financial independence. Build a solid plan, save diligently, invest wisely—and one day you won’t need a paycheck. You’re “independent.”

Scripture affirms planning and stewardship, but it also forces us to examine our motives. It’s possible to do all the right things and still trust the wrong thing.

One danger with money is that as it grows and we become more affluent, our trust can subtly shift toward it. That’s not just unwise—it’s sin. And it’s something we must guard against.

For those of us participating in the BMA Retirement Plan, this matters. It’s a good tool. It helps us prepare, creates margin, and can support what we often call a Future Funded Ministry. But it was never meant to replace our dependence on God.

We say it often because we need to hear it often: don’t trust the provisions—trust the Provider.

The goal isn’t financial independence. The goal is faithful stewardship with a heart that stays dependent on the Lord. If our resources free us to give more, serve more, and go wherever He calls, that’s a win. If they lead us toward comfort and away from dependence on God, we’ve missed the mark.

Money makes promises it can’t keep—security, peace, freedom. Only the Lord delivers on those.

As Patrick Morley said, money is a wonderful servant but a ruthless master. As our investments grow and create margin, may our trust in God grow even more—because that’s where true peace and freedom are found.

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Steve Crawley, PhD

BMA Financial

Executive Director