What happens when faith, money, power, and leadership collide?In this episode of The Divine Economy, we wrestle with uncomfortable but necessary questions:What kinds of personalities are drawn to positions of authority?Why do certain careers reward control and charisma?And how should churches think about wealth, stewardship, transparency, and accountability?We discuss:• Jobs often associated with high power and emotional detachment• Megachurch culture, NDAs, and behind-the-scenes secrecy• Church investment portfolios and designated giving• Paying pastors fairly without drifting into celebrity excess• Debt, donor dependence, and financial safeguards• Prosperity gospel vs. biblical stewardship• Private jets, luxury ministry, and ethical investing• Serving God or serving moneyThis conversation isn’t about naming names—it’s about examining fruit, conscience, and responsibility. If the church is going to speak prophetically to culture, it must also be willing to look inward.🎧 New episodes weekly👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this conversation challenged you#ChristianPodcast #FaithAndCulture #ChurchLeadership #BiblicalStewardship #ChristianWorldview #ProsperityGospel #ChurchAccountability #FaithAndMoney #ChristianEthics #SpiritualDiscernment #Megachurch #ChristianFinance #StewardshipNotSuccess #ServeGodNotMoney #FaithOverWealth #ChristianYouTube #PodcastClips #FaithTalk #HardTruths #ChurchTransparencyChapter Timelines:00:04 — “Top jobs for psychopaths” list (first responders, CEOs, lawyers, etc.)01:28 — Personal overlap with high-control careers (corrections, military, sales, media)02:22 — Surgeons, arrogance, and the “God complex” idea03:39 — Megachurch NDAs: why would a church require secrecy?04:36 — Reports of a $200–$300M church investment portfolio06:46 — Designated giving and separating funds (building, repairs, equipment)08:17 — Governance: boards/committees + using outside money handlers10:51 — Financial safeguards: spending limits + multiple signatures12:59 — Pastor lifestyle questions: mansion, net worth claims, and optics16:13 — Paying pastors fairly vs. celebrity-wealth disparities20:51 — Debt risk: donor dependence, notes, reserves, and foreclosure scenarios27:52 — Facility realities: variable expenses, utilities, staffing, operations36:38 — Prosperity gospel explained and rejected (Jesus/apostles as the model)54:58 — Ethical investing, conscience, and “serve God or money” closing themes
