By Jeffrey K. Presley, CKA®
For many Christians, the goal of wealth building isn’t to accumulate as much as possible. Understandably, you want to know you have the resources you need to support yourself and your family. But for those who find considerable success, a question often comes up:
How much is too much?
When a client asks this question, I usually turn to what I call the “bigger barns” dilemma.
The Parable of the Man Who Built Bigger Barns
One of Jesus’s many parables dealt with this exact question. In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy farmer who enjoyed an unusually large harvest. The barns he had weren’t large enough to store the surplus. Instead of sharing what he had, the farmer decided to destroy his existing barns and build larger ones instead.
The farmer believed that storing years’ worth of grain would enable him to enjoy an easy life going forward. But God came to him and said that this very night, the farmer’s life would be demanded of him. All his wealth would be left for someone else.
Why it Matters for Wealth Building Today
If you’re someone who has worked hard and saved for years to get to where you are today, you might be a little taken aback by the parable, especially if you already know that it’s often called “The Parable of the Rich Fool.”
However, countless biblical scholars have written about the parable, and they generally agree on a few things. The farmer in the parable wasn’t a fool because he worked hard and saved. He was a fool because he failed to be rich toward God.
Christians believe that God wants them to be responsible stewards of wealth and resources. Instead of creating bigger storage barns, the man in the parable could have shared his bumper crop with his neighbors and those in need. Instead, he hoarded it for himself, thinking wealth alone was all he needed for a good life.
His singular focus on wealth didn’t just separate him from his community. It also separated him from God.
Hard work is admirable. Saving diligently is admirable. But as Christians, building wealth shouldn’t be about wealth alone. Had the man in the parable decided to share his surplus, he would have discovered a new, deeply fulfilling kind of wealth.
Avoiding Over-Accumulation
No one wants to be like the man in the parable. For wealthy Christians, though, what does responsible wealth stewardship look like?
Each person’s approach is different, but for many of my clients, responsible stewardship means increasing generosity as their income increases. You can build your own wealth while also sharing with those less fortunate. You might choose to support the church, fund specific missions, or choose other charitable causes you want to support long-term.
Some Christians also manage to avoid over-accumulation by setting a lifestyle “cap.” The allure of more money can be tempting, and many people (Christian or otherwise) find themselves trapped in a cycle of lifestyle creep. If you can avoid this, you may find that you have more resources to devote to Kingdom impact.
Wealth Is More Than Money Alone
At Mountain PEAK Wealth Advisors, we aim to help each of our clients align their finances with God’s plan for their lives. Through a faith-based lens, our fee-only team offers comprehensive planning and biblically grounded financial guidance. Curious about what we do and how we may be able to help? We encourage you to contact us online.
Are you ready to work with a Christian financial advisor who puts your best interests first, offers a personalized, fee-only approach, and integrates a values-driven perspective into every decision? I invite you to reach out. To schedule a meeting, call (260) 435-1200 or email jeff@mountainpeakwealthadvisors.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible discourage wealth building?
No. The Bible does not condemn wealth itself. Rather, it speaks to the attitude we have toward money and how we use it. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to work diligently, manage resources wisely, and practice generous stewardship. The challenge is keeping wealth in its proper place so it serves your values instead of becoming your primary focus.
How can Christians balance wealth building with generosity?
Many Christians strive to view wealth as a resource to steward rather than simply accumulate. That may include creating a giving plan, supporting charitable or ministry work, avoiding unnecessary lifestyle inflation, and making financial decisions that reflect their faith. A thoughtful financial plan can help you pursue long-term goals while remaining intentional about generosity and contentment.
How can a Christian financial advisor help with wealth building?
A Christian financial advisor can help you align your financial decisions with your biblical values while addressing practical areas such as investing, retirement planning, tax strategies, charitable giving, and estate planning. At Mountain PEAK Wealth Advisors, we help clients build comprehensive financial plans that integrate faith-based principles with long-term wealth-building strategies, so their finances reflect both their goals and their values.
About Jeff
Jeffrey K. Presley, CKA®, is the President and Chief Compliance Officer of Mountain PEAK Wealth Advisors in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he provides wealth management, retirement planning, and faith-based financial guidance. Drawing on decades of financial planning experience and leadership roles at several respected firms, he also operates Presley Tax Services, LLC, to offer separate tax preparation and advisory services. A Purdue University alumnus, Jeff integrates biblical principles into his practice and is an active member of Pathway Community Church.
