In both our spiritual lives and our financial lives, suffering is not a detour—it’s part of the path. And when we begin to see our financial stewardship through the same lens as our spiritual growth, a deeper truth emerges: to manage wealth well, we must learn to suffer well.

We live in a world that promotes ease, speed, and delegation. The secular narrative says: “Turn it over to someone else—your finances, your faith, your future.” But just as no one else can walk our spiritual journey for us, no one else can bear the full responsibility of stewarding our wealth in alignment with God’s will.

Stewardship Demands Participation

Being a DIY investor or managing family wealth is not for the faint of heart. It’s a path that demands courage, discipline, and humility. Too many today approach wealth like a passive asset—just hand it off to a professional and hope for the best. But this mindset is as dangerous as outsourcing our prayer life. Stewardship demands active engagement, intentionality, and, yes, at times, suffering.

Managing wealth well is not easy. There are seasons of uncertainty, painful decisions, temptations, and times when we’re brought to our knees in confusion. Sound familiar? That’s also the path of faith.

But in both, it’s precisely in these difficult seasons that the greatest transformation happens. When we engage the process, we grow in wisdom, humility, and perseverance. This is not about idolizing struggle, but about embracing it as the refining fire through which our purpose becomes clearer and our intentions purer.

Suffering Reminds Us What We Long For

We suffer not just because things are hard, but because we long for something greater. In our finances, we desire clarity, control, and ultimately, significance. We want to know our wealth matters—that it’s being used in a way that honors the life we were called to live.

But let’s be clear—this is not about guilt or shame. We should not apologize for the blessings we’ve received. Wealth, in the right hands, does extraordinary things: it builds churches, funds missions, supports families, restores dignity, and allows space for rest and discernment. It has a role in God’s Kingdom. But only if it’s stewarded through His will, not our own.

That requires more than good spreadsheets and diversified portfolios. It requires humility. Suffering. Companionship. And a willingness to be uncomfortable as we wrestle with what it means to truly live a life well-lived.

The Danger of Mistaking Wealth for Fulfillment

We can fall into the trap of thinking, “I’m good at this—I’ve got a handle on things.” We build and accumulate, but if we’re not careful, we can wake up decades later with wealth that’s still intact but a life that’s spiritually bankrupt. History tells us this over and over: wealth fades, economies shift, and human pride is a fickle protector.

Fewer than 10% of families today have more than $1 million in personal net worth—not because it’s unattainable, but because the discipline to suffer well and stay the course with intention is rare.

That’s why the journey cannot be walked alone.

True Companions for the Journey

To suffer well—spiritually and financially—we need true companions. People who walk with us, not just manage for us. Those who patiently help us discover our purpose, make the tough calls, challenge our assumptions, and sit with us in the struggle when there are no easy answers.

Who would you call your true companions on your life journey?  Your financial journey?  True companions walk with you every step of the way, helping you navigate the complexities of life and wealth while keeping your values and purpose at the forefront. Because while things may feel like smooth sailing now, something is always brewing beneath the surface. And chances are, you don’t even know it’s happening.  True companions, or counselors, are invaluable to helping see what we may be missing through our own, often-clouded lens.

The Call to Stay in the Driver’s Seat

You are always in control and need to remain in the driver’s seat. Don’t abdicate your wealth to someone else and think you’re done—because if you do, you will be done. Stewardship is an active, ongoing process. It’s about making decisions with intention, staying engaged, and aligning your financial life with your deeper values.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, a model of humility and trust, reminds us that true stewardship begins with surrender—not to the world, but to God’s will. Her “yes” to God was not passive; it was an active, courageous choice to embrace her role in His plan. In the same way, we are called to say “yes” to the responsibility of managing our wealth with purpose and humility.

Closing Thought

At the end of our lives, we don’t want to find our accounts empty and discover our lives were too. The real loss is not lost money—it’s lost meaning. So, let us suffer well, walk together, and steward what we’ve been given with the sacred care it deserves.

Because wealth, like faith, isn’t just something to hold—it’s something to live.