Sermon Recap: John Wesley’s Rules for Money

This past Sunday at Heritage Pastor Matt guided us through some honest, no-nonsense passages from the book of James, and paired them with the timeless wisdom of John Wesley on how we use our money.

We began in James 1:19–27, where James gives us a blueprint for everyday discipleship: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. In a world full of noise, that’s a challenge—and a beautiful invitation. James doesn’t stop there. He calls us to not only hear the Word but to do something with it. According to him, real faith shows up in how we care for others—especially those who are vulnerable.

Then came the heart check in James 2:1–7, where James calls out favoritism in the church. It’s easy to treat people differently based on what they have or how they look, but James reminds us that everyone is made in God’s image. Pastor Matt encouraged us to look around and ask: Who am I drawn to? Who might I be overlooking? The kingdom of God doesn’t play favorites—and neither should we.

We ended with a hard but necessary word from James 5:1–5. James speaks directly to people who hoard wealth and ignore injustice. It’s a sobering reminder that God sees how we handle what we've been given—and how we treat those around us.

That’s where Pastor Matt brought in John Wesley’s three simple rules for money:
Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.

It’s not about guilt—it’s about stewardship. Wesley wasn’t against money. He just believed it should serve a purpose greater than ourselves. Pastor Matt helped us see how these principles fit right alongside James’ message:

• Earn all you can – Work with integrity, but not at the expense of others.

• Save all you can – Live simply so you can be ready to give generously.

• Give all you can – Let generosity be your response to God’s goodness.

That’s what hit home for me: the connection between faith and finances. We’re not just called to believe—we’re called to live differently. And that includes how we spend, save, and give.

Leaving service, I felt both challenged and inspired. Because this kind of faith? It’s not just for Sunday mornings—it’s for Monday budgets, Tuesday grocery runs, and every decision in between.

Call to Action:
This week, take one step toward aligning your faith with your finances. Look at your budget through the lens of James and Wesley. Is there someone you can help? A ministry you can support? A habit you need to change? You can learn more and find ways to serve HERE or give HERE. Let's live generously—together.

Want to watch the sermon again? Click HERE.