By Denise Webster

For most of my life, I had some pretty terrible misconceptions about money. I believed that people who had money either inherited it or got it dishonestly. I figured if someone had a lot, then there wouldn’t be enough left for me. In my mind, there were two categories: the rich and the poor. And if I wasn’t rich… well, then I must be poor.

Looking back, it was a poverty mentality. As a child, all my basic needs were met, but I remember my mom frequently worrying—was someone going to call and shut off our power or our phone? I wanted more money, but I didn’t want to be one of those people. Besides, I’d read the scriptures—it’s harder for a rich man to enter Heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, right? That had to mean that being rich made it harder to return to God.

If that were the case, I chose Heaven. Which meant, once again, I had to choose being poor.

But thankfully, that thinking didn’t stay with me forever. So what changed? How did I go from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance? It began with a seminar I attended with my husband, where I was introduced to some truly powerful ideas about money.

One of the first things I learned—and have continued to learn—is that money itself isn’t evil. It’s the love of money that is. There’s a big difference. I also learned the distinction between scarcity and abundance. My entire life, I’d been operating from a place of scarcity, believing there just wasn’t enough to go around. But in reality, God is a God of abundance. He created an earth where everything reproduces and multiplies. Abundance is built into creation.

Here’s a simple visual that helped me:
Picture a pie with one slice missing. If that’s your view, you’re seeing through the lens of scarcity—there’s only one pie, and every piece someone else takes means less for you. But now imagine drawing a larger ring around that pie, turning it into a bigger pie. Then take a slice. Now you’re thinking in terms of abundance—as you give, serve, and create, you expand the pie. There’s more than enough to go around.

With this new insight, I began shifting my thoughts about money. I started to see it not as a limited resource, but as something meant to flow.

The word currency comes from the root word current—implying movement. Flow. Money, like water, is meant to move in and out of our lives. When it flows, it brings life.

Think about water for a moment. Water is essential for life. Sometimes it rushes like a river, sometimes it trickles. As long as it flows, there is life. A small reservoir is fine, as long as you keep the flow going. But when you dam it up and stop the flow, it becomes stagnant—and toxic. Flowing water brings growth and beauty to everything it touches. Stagnant water, on the other hand, causes life to stop. Fresh water nourishes and purifies. And ultimately, water comes from God. It doesn’t really belong to any of us. It’s His—and it’s freely given.

Now apply that to money.
Money, like water, is a source of life. We need it to survive and thrive. Some have more, some have less—but as long as it’s flowing, there’s life. A little savings is good, as long as you don’t hoard it. When we cling too tightly or define our worth by what we’ve accumulated, money turns toxic. What good is a pile of wealth if it never blesses anyone—including you?

Flowing money sustains life. When money moves out from you to others, it brings life to them. It can create growth, beauty, opportunity, and hope. When it’s given with pure intent, it purifies and blesses. But if it’s held back or shared selfishly, it’s like drawing from a stagnant pond. Remember: all money ultimately comes from God. It’s not really ours. We’re simply stewards. And good stewards keep it moving—giving, blessing, building.

This concept of the flow of money changed my entire perspective. As I studied the scriptures with this in mind, I began to see how often God talks about stewardship. He doesn’t just want us to have enough—He wants us to do good with what we have. To feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Bless those in need.

The parable of the talents made so much more sense. God gives each of us "talents"—resources, gifts, money. He expects us to increase what we’ve been given and return to Him with results. He doesn’t want us to hide our talents. He wants us to be successful. He expects us to be. Because how else can we do His work if we have nothing? How can we feed others if our cupboards are empty?

When Christ taught about laying up treasures in Heaven, He wasn’t talking about bank accounts or physical wealth. He was reminding us that our true treasures are relationships, service, and love. Money can’t follow us into the next life. But the flow of money here on Earth? That can build eternal treasures.

In the book Illusions by Richard Bach, there’s a beautiful story of a village of creatures living at the bottom of a crystal river. The current swept over everyone equally—rich, poor, good, bad. Yet each creature clung tightly to the rocks and twigs. Clinging was their way of life. But one creature grew tired of clinging. It let go, trusting the current. The others laughed and warned of danger. At first, the current tumbled it and bruised it—but eventually, it was lifted above the riverbed.

“And the creatures downstream, to whom he was a stranger, cried: ‘See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies!’”

If we can let go of our clinging—to money, to scarcity, to fear—we can be lifted too. When we trust the current, we find that God knows exactly where we’re going.

I’ve learned to give money joyfully. When I pay a bill, I’m grateful for the electricity or water I’ve used. When I buy groceries, I’m thankful for the food on my table and the workers I’m supporting. When I fill my tank, I’m grateful that $4 will take me farther than walking 20 miles. Every transaction is now an opportunity—to give, to flow, to create life.

A while back, I realized something. It wasn’t that there was no money in the world—it’s that people were holding onto it out of fear. But the world needs flow. Every time I make a purchase, I feel good knowing I’m helping create that. And I trust that what flows out will come back to me. That’s what currency is all about.

I am so grateful for the abundance that flows into my life—so I can use it to bless others. That is the true secret to success and prosperity.

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