Faith & Finance - How Financial Success Can Lead to Spiritual Failure with John Rinehart
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" - Matthew 16:26
In that verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, teaching them about the cost of discipleship and the value of the soul in contrast to worldly gains. The question remains: is there a spiritual cost to achieving financial success? John Rinehart joins us today to talk about it.
John Rinehart is the co-founder of Gospel Patrons, an international organization dedicated to inspiring a generation of business professionals to fulfill their God-given callings. He is also the author of Gospel Patrons: People Whose Generosity Changed The World and 31 Gospel Patrons.
The Hidden Danger of Wealth
Financial success is often seen as a blessing, and rightly so—Scripture tells us that God gives both riches and poverty according to His sovereign will. We see many wealthy individuals throughout the Bible who were faithful followers of God. However, Jesus frequently warned His disciples about the dangers of wealth.
In today’s world, success is often equated with financial prosperity, but Jesus made it clear: “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). The culture around us idolizes wealth, comfort, and possessions, making it easy to fall into a cycle where financial gain becomes the ultimate goal. This cycle can lead us away from God rather than toward Him if we are not careful.
The Toxic Cycle of Success
Many people approach work as a means to an end—a way to earn money so they can rest, enjoy life, and feel secure. This mindset, however, is not where the Bible starts. Instead, when we strive for success without keeping God at the center, we often fall into a dangerous pattern:
- We Work Hard and Prosper—Hard work leads to financial gain, which is a good thing.
- We Enjoy Comfort and Security—As success grows, we begin to rely on wealth rather than on God.
- We Forget God—The more prosperous we become, the easier it is to take credit for our success.
- We Fall into Sin—As self-reliance replaces trust in God, spiritual priorities take a back seat.
This cycle is clearly seen in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21). Jesus describes a man who builds bigger barns to store his wealth, thinking he has secured his future. But God calls him a fool because he was not “rich toward God.”
Forgetting the Source of Our Wealth
The warning from Deuteronomy 8:18 is as relevant today as it was for Israel:
“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord y