How to free yourself from the oppression of money and time

Christianity was never meant to be safe. From the very beginning, Jesus called His followers to a radical way of life—one that challenges the world’s priorities and values. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives a simple yet revolutionary command: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

This is a confronting verse because it directly contradicts the messages we hear from our culture. The world tells us to seek financial security, personal fulfillment, and control over our lives. But Jesus tells us not to worry about those things and instead to trust that God will provide as we pursue His kingdom.

Yet if we are honest, have we, as Christians, subtly embraced the world’s values and simply added religious language to justify them? Have we turned the pursuit of comfort and success into something that feels spiritually acceptable? This article explores how our use of money and time reveals what we truly seek first—and why Jesus calls us to a different way of living.

Every generation has its own set of aspirations and fears, but at their core, they tend to focus on money, comfort, and security. Research from McCrindle shows the dominant hopes of different generations:

Generation X (born 1965-1979):

• 66% say their highest goal is financial independence.
• 55% want to travel and see the world.
• 67% fear not having enough money to live comfortably.

Gen Y: (bornd 1980- 1994)

• To have full financial freedom and independence (63%)
• Travel and see the world (58%)
• Pursue interests and hobbies (56%)

• Generation Z (born 1995-2009):

• 63% say their highest goal is owning a home.
• 58% fear not having enough money to live comfortably.
• 46% fear being stuck in an unfulfilling job.

These statistics reflect a culture driven by financial security and personal satisfaction. And yet, Jesus tells His followers: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).

The real question is: Have we unconsciously baptized these cultural goals into Christian language?

• We call it stewardship, but are we just protecting our own financial security?

• We call it wisdom, but are we just avoiding risk?

• We call it self-care, but are we just pursuing comfort?

Jesus’ command is clear: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25, 33)

The challenge for us today is whether we truly believe this. Are we willing to loosen our grip on financial security and comfort to genuinely seek first the kingdom of God? Or have we allowed cultural values to shape our priorities more than we realize?

Every person has a kingdom—a space where they have control. Our personal kingdoms are defined by the choices we make, particularly in how we use our time and money. These are the two clearest indicators of what truly rules our lives.

Jesus calls us to a radical shift: to submit our kingdom to God’s kingdom. This means surrendering control over the areas of life where we have authority and allowing God to shape our decisions.

But the world pushes a different message. It tells us:

• You have no real choices.

• You have to do a job you don’t enjoy just to survive.

• Financial security is the only path to freedom.

This is a lie. One of the greatest deceptions of our time is the belief that we are powerless over our own decisions. Jesus came to set people free—not just from sin, but from the mindset that keeps us enslaved to fear, worry, and materialism.

A key part of maturing as a follower of Jesus is recognizing the difference between what we can control (our sphere of influence) and what we cannot (our sphere of concern). Many people live anxious, burdened lives because they spend all their energy worrying about things they cannot change. Jesus tells us instead to focus on what we can do: seek His kingdom, trust His provision, and make decisions that reflect His reign in our lives.

Submitting to God’s kingdom doesn’t mean recklessness or abandoning responsibility. It means intentionally choosing to let God’s priorities shape our priorities, rather than being led by fear, culture, or self-interest.

Money is not just a practical necessity—it is the defining idol of our age.

In the past, people bowed to statues and deities, but today, the dominant god is self-interest, measured by how we use our time and money. The world tells us that our primary goal should be to do what we want, when we want, with the resources we have. It sells the lie that freedom comes from having more money and fewer responsibilities.

Jesus directly challenges this mindset:

“You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

There is no ambiguity in His words. Money, when it becomes the ruling force in our decisions, becomes a master that enslaves us.

Yet, many Christians subtly rationalize their attachment to wealth:

• I just want to be financially secure so I can focus on serving God.

• I’ll give generously once I have enough savings.

• I need to take care of myself first before I can help others.

But these justifications reveal who is truly in control. The question is not whether we own things, but whether those things own us.

Jesus calls us to train ourselves in godliness—to develop a way of life where God, not money, determines our choices. Just as an athlete must train to run a marathon, a musician must practice to play beautifully, we must train our hearts to seek God’s kingdom first. This doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional habits and disciplines that reshape our desires.

If we truly believe that Jesus is Lord, then we must also believe that He knows better than we do how to handle our money and time. The real test of discipleship is whether we trust Him enough to let go—to surrender control over our resources and allow Him to direct our decisions.

Following Jesus is not just about having the right beliefs or experiencing emotional moments of faith. It is about training ourselves in godliness through intentional practice.

Paul writes to Timothy:

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

This is a confronting reality: we do not drift into a Christ-centered life. Just as a musician must practice scales or an athlete must train for a marathon, we must train ourselves in ways that shape us into people who naturally seek God’s kingdom.

Our culture often reduces Christianity to a set of beliefs or a series of emotional experiences. But true transformation comes through the daily habits that form our hearts.

• You don’t learn to play the piano by just feeling inspired—you practice.

• You don’t run a marathon by simply deciding to—you train.

• You don’t become generous, selfless, and kingdom-minded overnight—you train yourself in godliness.

Jesus calls us to habits of the kingdom. The way we use our time and money are not just reflections of our faith—they shape our faith. If we want to love God more, we must practice living in a way that makes space for His kingdom in our daily decisions.

Tithing is one of the practices God has given His people to train their hearts away from self-interest and toward trust in Him.

In the Old Testament, tithing meant giving the first 10% of income to God. Some argue that tithing is no longer required under the new covenant, but Jesus affirms its principle in Matthew 23:23, warning against legalism while still stating, “You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”

The danger is that tithing can become either a religious checkbox or something we ignore altogether. The key is recognizing that tithing is not about obligation—it is about training our hearts to loosen their grip on money.

A few misconceptions need to be addressed:

1. Tithing is not a transaction with God. It does not earn favor or guarantee financial blessings.

2. Tithing is not a substitute for full surrender. Some think, “If I give 10%, I can do whatever I want with the rest.” But Jesus calls us to submit all of our finances to Him.

3. Tithing is a starting point, not the goal. The goal is not just to give 10%, but to have a heart so surrendered to God that we hold nothing back from Him.

Tithing is an act of faith. It is a tangible way to declare that God, not money, is our provider. It reminds us that everything we have belongs to Him and that we trust Him to meet our needs.

But tithing is just one part of the equation. If we truly believe that all we have belongs to God, then we must also ask: How does God want me to use my time?

Time is just as valuable as money—perhaps even more so. How we use our time is a direct reflection of what we truly value. Just like money, our time is a resource entrusted to us by God, and Jesus calls us to submit it to His kingdom.

Many people are willing to give money but resist giving time. It’s easier to write a check than to serve when it’s inconvenient. But true discipleship requires both.

Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where a man, despite being busy with his own plans, stops to care for a wounded stranger. He sacrifices his time and energy to meet the need in front of him. Jesus ends the story with a simple command: “Go and do likewise.”

Serving in the Small Things

One of the greatest dangers in church life is selective service—only offering our time when it aligns with our passions, preferences, or personal story.

• Some want to do “big things for God” but are unwilling to serve in the mundane.

• Some are eager for leadership but resist the humility of small acts of service.

• Some will volunteer when it’s convenient but hesitate when it disrupts their plans.

Yet Jesus modeled servanthood in its fullest form. The night before His crucifixion, He washed His disciples’ feet—a task normally done by servants (John 13:12-17). If the Son of God humbled Himself in service, what excuse do we have to refuse?

A powerful example of this mindset comes from Mother Teresa. When a young woman, inspired by her work, traveled to Calcutta to join her mission, she expected to immediately serve the poor. Instead, her first task was cleaning toilets. The woman was offended until she saw Mother Teresa herself cleaning alongside her.

The heart of Christian service is not about status—it is about submission to God’s will in every area of life.

A simple test of whether we have truly submitted our time to Jesus is this:

• When was the last time I changed my plans to help someone in need?

• When was the last time I gave up time I had set aside for myself to serve God’s kingdom?

• Am I willing to do the unnoticed, inconvenient tasks in the church and community?

Following Jesus means releasing control of our time and being open to the interruptions of God’s kingdom. The true test of discipleship is not what we say we believe, but how we live it out with our time and money.

The hardest thing for many Christians is not believing in Jesus but trusting Him enough to give Him full control—especially over our money and our time. These are the two areas where our hearts are most tested.

Jesus’ words in Luke 14:33 are deeply confronting:

“You cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”

This doesn’t necessarily mean giving away all possessions, but it does mean surrendering ownership—acknowledging that everything we have belongs to God and allowing Him to direct how we use it.

Many Christians unknowingly live with a divided heart:

• We want to follow Jesus, but we also want to be in control.

• We want to serve God, but we also want financial security on our own terms.

• We want to give our time to God, but only when it fits our plans.

The question we must ask ourselves is:

Are there areas of my life where I am unwilling to let God make the decisions?

• With money: Am I holding onto my finances as if they are mine, or do I truly see them as God’s?

• With time: Am I willing to serve, even when it’s inconvenient or unnoticed?

Submitting everything to Jesus is not about recklessly abandoning responsibility—it is about intentionally choosing obedience over comfort. This means:

1. Praying through financial decisions—seeking God’s wisdom in how we use our resources.

2. Giving generously and sacrificially, not just when it’s easy.

3. Volunteering in ways that stretch us, even if they don’t align with our preferences.

4. Living with an open hand, ready to respond when God asks us to step outside our comfort zone.

This is not about legalism or guilt—it is about freedom. When we release our grip on money and time, we open ourselves to experience the abundant life Jesus promises. True joy comes not from securing our own future, but from surrendering it to the One who holds all things together.

The challenge is clear:

• Will we continue organizing our time and money around ourselves?

• Or will we release control and trust Jesus with everything?

This is the true test of discipleship.

At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is a simple but radical question: Who is really in charge of your life?

We often like to think we are following Jesus, but when it comes to the most tangible aspects of our lives—our money and our time—we hesitate. We say we trust God, yet we hold tightly to financial security. We claim to seek His kingdom, yet we prioritize our own convenience.

But Jesus leaves no room for divided loyalties:

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:21)

The way we spend our money and use our time is the clearest evidence of what we truly worship. If we want to know whether Jesus is Lord of our lives, we don’t have to look any further than our bank statements and our calendars.

This is not an easy teaching. It is uncomfortable, even offensive, because it confronts the core of our self-interest. But Jesus isn’t calling us to a life of restriction—He is inviting us into true freedom.

• When we release control of our money, we discover that God is our provider.

• When we offer our time, we find joy in serving others and building His kingdom.

• When we submit everything to Jesus, we step into the abundant life He promised.

A Challenge to Reflect and Act

As we close, here are some questions to consider:

1. Am I truly seeking first the kingdom of God in my finances and time?

2. Is there an area where I struggle to let God take control?

3. How can I take a practical step this week to give my time or money in a way that reflects trust in Jesus?

Following Jesus is not just about what we believe—it is about what we do. Our time and money will always reveal where our hearts truly are.

The invitation is open: Will we let Jesus be in charge?