Don't Conform, Transform: Rethinking Finances Through a Lens of Faith

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." -Romans 12:2 (NIV)

In the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, he gives plain, common sense advice for those who would call themselves followers of Christ: Don't be conformed to the world. Don't do things the way everyone around you is doing them. Let your mind be renewed, and live life differently.

In today's culture, the temptation is to compartmentalize our lives. We can think we "live differently" just by attending church on Sundays, but I don't think that's what Paul was talking about. I think he was imploring us to not just take the customs, patterns, and standard operating procedures of the world systems at face value. He was encouraging us to open our minds, and let God transform the way we think.

This is true in all areas of life, finances included. As Christians, we’re called to be good stewards (Matthew 25:21) and generous givers (2 Corinthians 9:7), even leaving an inheritance for our children’s children (Proverbs 13:22). Yet, I’ll admit, I used to find these directives daunting. Why? Because my mindset was shaped by the world’s financial patterns—patterns I now see I needed to rethink.

Let’s try a thought experiment. Imagine someone asked you to hand over your entire paycheck to a stranger who’d use it to run their business. You’d say no, right? Yet millions of Americans deposit their money into commercial banks every day without a second thought, letting it work for someone else’s profit.

Or picture this: You’re told to funnel your spare income into a casino-style "investment" where managers get paid whether you win or lose. This is good, though-you were told-because the government was going to let you put off paying the taxes on this money until a later date. How much you pay down the road will depend on how much they want to charge you at that time. Oh, and by the way...if you want to touch this money for the next 30 years, you have to play by their rules or face penalties and taxes. Would you say yes to this? But that's what millions of us line up to do every time we get a job and sign up for a 401k.

What if you were told that all you had to do to get your dream home was to sign on the dotted line? The monthly payment was something you could swing, but turns out you paid 70 cents out of every dollar for the first several years to interest, only to change jobs, move towns, and start the process all over again with really nothing to show for it. This scenario plays out on a daily basis in America today.

I'm not saying any of this is right or wrong. I'm just saying we do it without thinking. Why is it so hard to get ahead? Could it be we’re conforming to a system designed to keep us stuck? What if there’s a better way—one more aligned with Kingdom values?

While there's no perfect system this side of heaven, if we are searching for a better way, what would a Kingdom-minded financial system even look like? Here are some qualities I believe it should have, if we're looking through a Biblical lens:

• Strong, stable, and based on guarantees: It wouldn’t rely on shaky markets or empty promises but on a solid foundation.

• No gambling or speculation: It would avoid gambling and risky bets, favoring certainty and stewardship over chasing rates of return.

• Ever-increasing in measure: It would grow steadily over time, compounding for your benefit without the wild swings of a financial rollercoaster.

• Leads to financial freedom: It would break the chains of debt and dependency, guiding people out of bondage into true abundance.

• Both now and not yet: It would provide benefits you can use today while building a legacy for tomorrow, reflecting God’s eternal perspective.

• Creative: It would create something new, rather then a formulaic copy.

• Redemptive: It would redeem both time and money, making the family whole financially in the event of the loss of a loved one.

• Blesses future generations: It would leave a lasting inheritance, not just for your children, but for their children and beyond.

I can hear what you're thinking: "But that doesn't exist in the financial world."

Actually, it does. It's just a different system than we've been taught. It plays by totally different rules. It starts with changing the way you think about money.

Money is just a tool. In the world’s system, our money works to profit banks, brokers, and lenders our whole lives. But with intentional steps, we can flip that script. There’s a way to make your money compound for you, for life, while still using it to meet your needs—no up-and-down rollercoaster required.

Don't believe me? Pick up this book: Becoming Your Own Banker by R. Nelson Nash. I would love to visit with you about what you learn. Nelson did it, we're doing it, and so can you. You don't have to be a slave to the system. You can build your own system that has all of the attributes listed above. We all have a choice to conform to the world's way of doing things, or think differently and experience the transformation of our finances.

Becca Wilhite is an author, speaker, and Authorized Infinite Banking Practitioner in Plainview, TX. You can book a free, no obligation call with her by clicking on this link to learn more: https://go.oncehub.com/beccawilhite