Why Identity in Christ Changes Everything About Money with Dr. Derwin Gray

When it comes to money, the issue isn’t just budgets or bank accounts—it’s identity and ownership.

In Christ, we’re a new creation and God’s dwelling place, which means money is something we manage for the Owner. Today, we’ll explore what it looks like to live as God’s stewards with Dr. Derwin Gray.

Dr. Derwin L. Gray is a former NFL player turned pastor, author, and speaker. He co-founded Transformation Church in South Carolina and is the author of multiple books on faith, discipleship, race, and gospel-centered unity.

From Ownership to Stewardship

One of the most significant shifts we can make as followers of Christ is to stop thinking like owners and start thinking like stewards. Scripture makes the point that: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

God doesn’t want something from us—He wants something for us. He longs for us to share His generous heart, free from the grip of idolatry. When Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and money,” He drew a line we cannot straddle. Money is a tool to serve God’s purposes, not a master to rule our lives.

A powerful illustration of this danger can be found in The Lord of the Rings. Smeagol, once a hobbit, discovered a ring of dark power and quickly became consumed by it. Calling it “my precious,” he was slowly deformed—body and soul—by his obsession.

Money can do the same thing when it takes God’s place in our lives. Instead of being a tool to serve God, it becomes a master that warps our hearts and dehumanizes us. But when grace reshapes our perspective, we see money for what it truly is: not a god to worship, but a resource to manage for God’s glory.

Generosity Flows from the Gospel

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”

Generosity is not our idea—it is God’s nature. Giving is worship, an overflow of gratitude to the One who gave Himself for us. When we give our first and best to God, we not only honor Him but also discover peace, freedom, and deeper trust.

This isn’t only about giving. Stewardship encompasses saving, investing, and living debt-free. But generosity is foundational. When we trust God with our finances, we learn to trust Him with every other area of our lives. 

Our High Calling

We are not owners. We are managers of what the King of kings has placed in our hands. Every dollar entrusted to us is an opportunity to worship Him, serve others, and reflect His generous heart.

When we embrace this calling, stewardship stops being a burden and becomes a beautiful privilege. How might God be inviting you to live more fully as His steward today?

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I had to retire early because of health issues for both me and my wife. As a custodian, I wasn’t able to save much, and now we’re living on about $2,400 a month from Social Security. What’s the best way to wisely manage these limited resources?
• I’m 80 years old and have been taking required minimum distributions from my IRA for about ten years, giving some of those funds to charity each year. When I pass away, my children will inherit the IRA. Will they need to continue taking required minimum distributions?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Transformation Church | I Am A Steward (Sermon by Dr. Derwin Gray)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at [phone]. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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