More Than Wealth: Why Obedience Is the Real Treasure of the Kingdom

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much... So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” — Luke 16:10-12

Let’s be honest: we often chase after things that feel like safety—bank accounts, job titles, homes, cars. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with these things, they’re not the goal. They’re tools. Temporary tools that reveal the condition of our hearts and teach us how to walk in faithfulness.

I know this because I’ve lived it.

When the Grace Lifts

A year ago, I was thriving in the corporate world. After seven years, I had hit most of my financial goals. I could cover my bills, take the vacations, enjoy the house and the car—by most standards, I had made it. It felt like “security,” this illusion of safety wrapped around me like armor.

But years earlier, God had planted a seed in my heart—the call to build a marketing agency. When that seed began to sprout, everything in my world shifted. The grace for corporate lifted, and tension entered every room of my life. I felt a quiet dying inside me each day I stayed.

So, after leaning on the wise counsel of mentors, I obeyed. In May of last year, Storyteller Factory was born.

When Security Gets Stripped

The past eleven months have been the most challenging—and the most beautiful—season of my life. God taught me two core truths:

1. True safety isn’t found in wealth. It’s found in Him.

2. The way to discover what isn’t secure… is to lose it.
   

And lose it, I did. The ease of paying for others’ meals. The freedom to give generously. The lifestyle that once felt like my safety net. All of it, stripped away.

If you’re like me and need to learn things the hard way, you’ll understand this: the absence of comfort revealed the presence of God in ways I never knew I needed. And what I found in place of security was better than anything I lost—it was trust in the One who holds everything.

The Obedience Filter

When your only requirement becomes obedience, everything else becomes quiet. That still, small voice of God grows louder, more distinct. And though this path isn’t easy—it's downright terrifying—I've learned it's better.

I've seen the Father more clearly in this season of daily manna. The kind where you wake up not knowing how the day will unfold, but you know He will show up. There is a history being built between us—for the next season of Storyteller Factory, for the people I’m called to serve, for the cities and nations ahead.

And that's when it hit me: the true riches Luke talks about aren’t money. They’re people. Stories. Souls. Nations.

The Enemy Is Logical—God Is Clear

One thing I’ve noticed: the enemy often sounds logical. He’ll whisper things like,“You can’t afford to give.”“You need to hold on to that backup plan.”“Don’t be reckless—play it safe.”

But God doesn’t speak through fear. He speaks through clarity. Obedience to Him clears the path in front of us. He will always direct His Church with precision and grace.

A Call to Obedience

Friend, the call today is simple but profound: Step into obedience.

Your true gifts—your calling, your freedom, your deeper revelation of the Father—are on the other side of surrender. This is the invitation. Not to give blindly, but to give as a response to what He’s already given: Himself.

Let’s walk with open hands. Let’s steward well. Let’s remember: worldly wealth is not the reward—it’s the training ground.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If God is prompting you to give—whether it’s your time, your talent, or your treasure—here are a few ways you can respond:

• Invest in your local church: Don’t just attend—contribute. When you give your time, your skills, and your financial resources to the local church, you’re helping build something eternal. Whether you’re serving on a team, leading others, or giving generously, every investment makes a difference. My own transformation began when I stopped spectating and started building God’s house with everything I had.

• Support missions or outreach efforts: Invest your time, talents, and resources into ministries that are reaching cities, communities, and nations. Whether you're volunteering, offering your expertise, or giving financially, you become part of spreading hope and the Gospel where it's needed most.

• Sow into people: Sometimes the greatest impact starts with one conversation. Ask God who He’s calling you to support or encourage. A single coffee, a word of encouragement, or a timely act of kindness can shift the entire course of someone's life.
  

Prayer: Father, thank You for trusting us with tools like time, talent, and treasure. Teach us to steward them with joy and wisdom. Show us how to walk by faith, not fear. Strip away anything we’ve trusted in more than You, and replace it with a deeper understanding of who You are. Help us to live with open hands and obedient hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.