“Gain all you can, without hurting either yourself or your neighbor, in soul or body, by applying with unintermitted diligence and with all the understanding which God has given you. Save all you can, by cutting off every expense which serves only to indulge foolish desire. And then, give all you can, or in other words, give all you have to God.”
—John Wesley, The Use of Money (1744)
These words from John Wesley are more than advice. They are a challenge to live a life of financial integrity, self-discipline, and radical generosity—a call that’s just as necessary now as it was in Wesley’s day.
Our culture often links money to identity, security, and success. But Scripture teaches us to see it as a stewardship issue. Not something we own, but something entrusted to us. Wesley’s concise summary—“Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.”—remains a deeply Christian framework for approaching money.
Let’s take a closer look at each part of this timeless wisdom and how it still applies today.
1. Earn All You Can — With Integrity
Wesley believed Christians should earn diligently and honorably. He urged believers to use their time, energy, and intelligence to earn a living—so long as it didn’t harm their soul, their neighbor, or their walk with God.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” —Colossians 3:23
God designed us for meaningful work. Whether we are builders or business owners, teachers or tradespeople, we honor Him by showing up with excellence. Wesley emphasized that honest, skillful labor is not only permissible—it’s good.
But Wesley also warned against earning in ways that exploit others or destroy one’s health or spiritual well-being. He understood that the way we earn matters just as much as how much we earn.
Earning all you can does not mean chasing profit at any cost. It means using what God has given you—your talents, time, and opportunity—with wisdom, diligence, and ethical boundaries.
2. Save All You Can — With Purpose
In Wesley’s day, extravagant living was common among the wealthy—and it’s no different now. But Wesley taught that Christians should avoid unnecessary luxury, not out of austerity, but to free up resources for greater good.
“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” —Proverbs 21:20
To save all you can means to live below your means, practice self-control, and resist wastefulness. This doesn’t mean hoarding or fear-driven stockpiling. Rather, it’s about wise restraint.
Savings protect against crisis. They prepare you for the future. But in Wesley’s view, savings are not an end in themselves—they are a means to fuel generosity.
This is an area where many Christians struggle. We want to be generous, but our lifestyle choices—debt, indulgence, impulse buying—consume what we might otherwise give. Wesley reminds us: if we cut the waste, we can multiply the impact.
3. Give All You Can — With Joy
Wesley’s ultimate point is that all money belongs to God. We are not owners—we are stewards. That means we hold nothing back when He calls us to give.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart… for God loves a cheerful giver.” —2 Corinthians 9:7
Wesley gave sacrificially throughout his life. As his income grew from speaking and publishing, he famously capped his living expenses and gave away the rest. By the time of his death, he had given away most of what he had.
Giving all you can is not about draining your bank account in a moment of impulse. It’s about living open-handed—recognizing that all you have is God’s, and using it as He leads.
It means supporting your church, helping the poor, funding missions, meeting needs in your community, and being ready to respond when God prompts.
Giving should be planned and spontaneous, sacrificial and joyful, and always rooted in trust that God is the ultimate Provider.
SeedTime’s Practical Update
Financial ministry SeedTime took Wesley’s three-part motto and gave it a helpful, modern update:
“Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can… and enjoy it all the right way.”
—via SeedTime.com
This fourth line is powerful—and necessary. It speaks to the balance of biblical finance. God is not a taskmaster trying to strip all enjoyment from our money. He is a generous Father who gives us richly to enjoy—within boundaries that preserve our joy and protect our hearts.
“God… richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” —1 Timothy 6:17
This added line reminds us:
- Don’t idolize wealth, but don’t demonize it either.
- Don’t live in guilt for God’s blessings—but do live in gratitude.
- Use money as a tool, not a trophy.
The full stewardship life is one of wisdom, freedom, generosity, and joy.
Money Reveals the Heart
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Money is not just about math—it’s about the heart. Our budget is a window into our worship. Our spending reflects our values. And our giving reveals our trust.
When handled rightly, money becomes a servant to God’s purposes in the world. It funds missions, feeds the poor, relieves the burdened, equips the Church, and blesses families for generations.
Final Thoughts: A Life Well Stewarded
We live in an age of financial confusion—debt, excess, scarcity mindset, and pressure. But Scripture offers clarity. And wisdom from men like John Wesley and ministries like SeedTime still light the way.
✅ Earn what you can—with integrity.
✅ Save what you can—with purpose.
✅ Give what you can—with joy.
✅ And enjoy it all—the right way.
If we lived like this, what would our churches look like? Our families? Our communities?
Let’s not waste the resources God has entrusted to us. Let’s steward them boldly, give them freely, and live in joyful contentment.
Recommended Resource:
To dig deeper into biblical finances, visit SeedTime.com. They offer practical tools, encouragement, and Scripturally based financial wisdom to help you walk in freedom and purpose with your money.
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