What If You’ve Been Thinking About Money All Wrong?
A purpose-first perspective that reframes wealth, work, and impact.
Christian Ray Flores here —
This week’s deep dive tackles a topic we often mishandle — or avoid altogether: money.
If you’ve ever felt tension between your purpose and your finances, this one’s for you.
In This Issue
A reframed take on money that might just shift your mission
How mindset and habits either multiply or mute your calling
New pod, new reads, and an invitation to Costa Rica
Plus: How paid subs get into premium workshops like VIPs (minus the lanyards)
Opportunities to Explore
I’ve been getting great feedback helping us shape our Costa Rica retreat.
Most are excited about recalibrating in nature and culture, connecting with a small group, and not escaping — but growing every day of the trip.
I’d love your input and to know if this is something you’d want to be part of:
Share your interest and help shape the experience
Also: We’ve added more live webinars — and new private workshops. These are normally paid sessions… unless you’re a paid subscriber.
Then you just waltz right in like you own the place.
Check the lineup and claim your spot.
In My Headspace
Curated insight worth your attention.
5 Ways to Find Your Competitive Edge — New episode of the podcast
A practical breakdown of how to sharpen what makes you stand out — and turn it into impact.Business Secrets from the Bible — Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Timeless financial wisdom rooted in ancient principles. Reframes prosperity with purpose.The Psychology of Money — Morgan Housel
Why we behave the way we do with money — and how to make smarter, calmer decisions.
Today’s Deep Dive
What If You’ve Been Thinking About Money All Wrong?
I’ve lived on both sides of money.
I grew up pretty poor — in a place where entrepreneurship was illegal and upward mobility wasn’t really a thing.
Later, I had some fame and fortune — but no clue how to handle money or invest it wisely.
At different points, I avoided money out of guilt.
Chased it out of fear.
Tied it to my identity — free enterprise in my heart, but Karl Marx in my bones.
Turns out your origin story has a lot to say about how you think about money.
I’ve never been money-driven. That part’s easy for me.
What took longer was realizing this:
Money needs to be the multiplier of your mission.
Most people are shaped by their upbringing or environment to either idolize money — or fear it.
Both distort it.
And distortion kills momentum.
Anxiety and scarcity drain your energy.
They crush creativity.
You second-guess yourself.
You stay small — even when you’re called to build something bigger.
Your relationship with money — emotionally, practically, spiritually — matters more than you think.
Jesus’ parable of the talents isn’t just about responsibility.
It’s about investment and multiplication. And yes — it’s literally about money. Bags of silver.
We’ve just sanitized that part out — probably because we’re uncomfortable talking about it.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… you have been faithful with little, I will set you over much.”
— Matthew 25
That’s not about filthy reach but about stewarding what you’ve been given — and multiplying it for good.
So how do you build a healthier, purpose-aligned relationship with money?
Start with your habits:
Audit your expenses. Is your money aligned with your mission?
Look at your income: Where is it coming from? What’s it costing you? What’s it making possible?
Lower your burn rate.
Create space for strategy.
Decide ahead of time where you’ll give — so generosity becomes a rhythm, not a reaction.
This Wednesday, for paid subscribers, I’ll go deeper on:
How to turn your competitive edge into income — without selling your soul
Why specificity beats generality when it comes to building real value
How financial clarity can fund your freedom, scale your impact, and fuel your generosity
Here’s one principle I’ve seen hold up over time:
If you love money and use people, you’ll be miserable.
If you love people and use money — your impact will multiply.
Win of the Week
A key part of using money for good is serving those who need it most.
We’re planning a donor trip to Maputo, Mozambique to visit the Ascend Academy — an afterschool program we launched a few years ago that’s growing and changing lives.
Take a look — this might be a cause your generosity is meant to collide with.
P.S.
How did the money theme resonate? Hit reply and let me know.
And keep an eye out — the next Deep Dive drops Wednesday.