I’m not ashamed to say it—I have a plan to make lots of money, and I’m also not ashamed to say that I plan to spend it. If that doesn’t make you uneasy, then you definitely need to hear what I’m about to say.

Welcome to Success Sundays, where I, Harrison Wilder—corporate strategist, entrepreneur, and Executive MBA graduate from George Washington University—bring you insights on how to thrive as a leader in today’s fast-paced business world.

The Power of Money in Making a Difference

Let me start with a story about my wife, Eileen. She stood among dozens of children singing and dancing during her first trip to Kenya, where she witnessed the transformative work of Village Impact. This organization builds schools that provide education and meals to children who previously had no access to these basic necessities. Just a couple of years earlier, there wasn’t even a school there.

What caused this drastic transformation? Money. Yes, it was through the generosity of business people who used their wealth to fund these projects. And that’s what I want to talk about today—money matters.

Growing up, I was taught, like many of you, that desiring money was immoral and that those with wealth were selfish. I believed that having too much money could corrupt you. My wife and I were content with just enough to cover our needs—until reality hit us. When we decided to pursue our dreams, one of the first hurdles we faced was how to finance them. We looked around at friends who were ministers and non-profit leaders, struggling to take care of their families and with no plans for retirement or their futures.

It took time, but eventually, we embraced a new belief: money is important. It’s not just about survival—it’s about creating the life you want and impacting others.

Do You Have Conflicting Beliefs About Money?

If you have conflicting beliefs about money, you’ll struggle to earn it. You may say you want wealth, but deep down, you may feel guilty or think that having money is somehow wrong. These negative beliefs will hold you back. You must be fully aligned with your financial goals—mind, heart, and actions.

Maybe you grew up in a religious environment that emphasized poverty as a path to spirituality. I know I wrestled with those thoughts. But then I asked myself, “Does God really want me and my family to struggle to make ends meet?” The Bible tells us that God blesses people, often with abundance—think Abraham, King David, and Solomon. The idea that poverty leads to a closer relationship with God simply didn’t hold up for me.

Let’s get one thing straight: money itself isn’t good or evil. It’s simply a tool that amplifies the character of the person who wields it. People often misquote the Bible as saying, “Money is the root of all evil.” But what it actually says is that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. It’s when people prioritize money above everything else that problems arise.

We all want to make an impact, whether through charity, services, or innovation. And to make that impact, you need money. Behind every non-profit, charity, or service you love, there’s a financial backbone making it possible.

Changing Your Money Mindset

Imagine if you could let go of any negative feelings you have about money. If you believe that having wealth is wrong or greedy, you’ll block yourself from creating the financial success you deserve. But if you allow yourself to see money as a tool for good, the possibilities are endless.

Think about it—when you buy a car, you’re not just buying a vehicle. You’re supporting the architects, engineers, manufacturers, and even the janitors working behind the scenes. By spending money, you’re recognizing the value in others.

Let’s look at this from another angle. Have you ever heard the parable of the rich farmer? After a huge harvest, he built bigger barns to store everything for himself and planned to live off that wealth for the rest of his life. On the surface, this sounds a lot like the American dream, right? But Jesus called this man a fool, not because he was wealthy, but because he had no plan to continue adding value to the world around him.

If you suddenly had enough money to live comfortably and decided to stop working or contributing, what message are you sending? You’re saying that you’ve reached your peak and have nothing more to offer. But that’s not how we’re meant to live. We are here to continuously invest our talents and resources, adding value to others and contributing to a prosperous economy.

Invest in Yourself and Others

The Bible also speaks of the importance of leaving an inheritance for future generations. It’s not about hoarding wealth for yourself—it’s about using your resources to provide for your family and support your community. And the more value you create, the more wealth you’ll generate. In turn, by spending that wealth, you create opportunities for others to thrive.

I encourage you to think big when it comes to money. What impact could you have on the world if you stopped holding yourself back from financial success? Let go of limiting beliefs and recognize that creating and spending wealth allows you to do good and provide opportunities for others.

Success Challenge of the Week

Here’s a challenge for you this week: hire someone to do something you’d usually do yourself. It could be as simple as paying for a service you’d normally handle. When you do, reflect on the fact that you’ve just recognized and rewarded the value of someone else’s work.

Remember, money matters. It’s not just about living comfortably—it’s about creating the life you want and empowering others to do the same. If you have any questions or ideas for future topics, feel free to share them in the comments. My team will be reviewing them for future episodes. And don’t forget to visit SpeakingSchool.com to grab my Elite Business Success Toolkit for free.