Reaching financial freedom may seem like a daunting task, but it is simpler than you would think! There is a progression to building wealth, and you can think of it like a pyramid or ladder. This blog will unpack eight levels of wealth to help you wrap your head around how to reach financial freedom from a biblical perspective.
They are:
- Paycheck to Paycheck
- Prosperity: Revelation of God’s Will for You to Prosper
- Personal Budgeting and Finance
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Investing
- Kingdom Building
- City & Nation Transformation
What is Financial Freedom?
At its truest definition, financial freedom is having enough passive income from investments that you don’t have to work. Instead of clocking in and out for a paycheck or contracting your services, your investments work without you to provide the income you need to live. It’s called financial freedom because you don’t have to trade your time for freedom any longer! Instead, you are free to do whatever you want with your time.
Now, at WealthBuilders, we believe that work is a gift from God. Financial freedom is not an excuse to sit on the sidelines–rather, it simply frees you up to do the work that is most gratifying and aligned with God’s plans for you. That’s where a second layer of financial freedom comes into play.
Financial Freedom in the Bible
Whereas financial freedom isn’t mentioned in the Bible outright, the idea behind it is. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Too many people work a job just for the paycheck. They schedule their priorities, time, and budget based on money, not what God is leading them to do. So, you can reach true financial freedom at any time by choosing not to be a slave to money!
Give generously and obey the Word of God regardless of what’s in your bank account. Devote your work unto the Lord whether you love your job or not, as Colossians 3:23 says, and be open to The Holy Spirit shifting you in and out of careers.
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However, as you will see with the following levels of wealth, there is extreme value in reaching financial freedom through creating passive income like we discussed before. Having abundant time, talent, and treasure allows you to devote everything you have to advancing God’s Kingdom. Let’s look at how you can get there.
8 Levels of Wealth: A Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Freedom
Each level of wealth builds on the previous one, guiding you closer to financial freedom and the ability to use your resources for Kingdom impact.
1. Paycheck to Paycheck
Living paycheck to paycheck is the foundation of wealth-building, though it’s not where you want to stay. At this level, the goal is to cover your expenses without going into debt. Learning to manage your money responsibly is the first step toward financial freedom.
Key Focus:
- Stick to a realistic budget.
- Avoid relying on credit cards to make ends meet.
- Save a small emergency fund to avoid financial setbacks.
Warning: It’s easy to get comfortable here, especially in a culture where living paycheck to paycheck can still include luxuries. Remember, this is just the starting point—God has much more for you.
2. Prosperity: Revelation of God’s Will for You to Prosper
Many Christians are hesitant about the idea of prosperity, but biblical prosperity is not about greed—it’s about having the resources to do everything God has called you to do.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV):
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
God wants to bless you, but He also requires action on your part. Prosperity begins with a mindset shift: recognizing that God is your provider and that wealth is a tool for advancing His Kingdom.
Key Actions:
- Meditate on Scriptures about provision and prosperity.
- Pray for wisdom and revelation in your financial decisions.
- Trust God to guide your steps as you take action.
3. Personal Budgeting and Finance
This level lays the foundation for financial freedom by teaching you how to manage your money wisely. It’s all about understanding your income, expenses, and goals. Debt freedom and living below your means are critical at this stage.
Practical Steps:
- Create a zero-based budget to assign every dollar a purpose.
- Follow the 9 steps to get out of debt, such as starting with the smallest debts first (the “debt snowball” method).
- Commit to living below your means, even when your income increases.
As Dave Ramsey says, “You must gain control over your money, or the lack of it will forever control you.”
This level also involves building an emergency fund and saving for future goals. By mastering personal finance, you create a solid foundation for wealth-building.
4. Leadership
True leadership is about more than managing others; it starts with leading yourself. At this level, you develop the skills and discipline to take control of your financial journey and guide others along the way.
Key Focus Areas:
- Personal growth: Develop habits that set you up for success, like time management and goal setting.
- Vision casting: Create a clear financial vision for yourself and your family.
- Mentorship: Seek out mentors who can guide you and, in turn, mentor others.
As John Maxwell said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” When it comes to building wealth, leading yourself with discipline, setting an example for others, and guiding them toward financial freedom and Kingdom impact is the way. That’s why leadership is essential for stewarding resources wisely and inspiring others to do the same.
Too often, people mistake leadership for soft skills alone. Leadership is essential for business, but business is not leadership… that’s why it’s important to keep climbing the ladder.
5. Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is where real wealth begins to grow. Starting a business or side hustle opens the door to generating income that is not tied to your time. While it takes effort to build and grow, the rewards are worth it.
Proverbs 14:23 (NIV):
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Key Focus Areas:
- Learn the basics of starting and running a business.
- Understand your market and identify ways to serve others through your products or services.
- Reinvent how you think about income—focus on scaling rather than just sustaining.
As Robert Kiyosaki said, “The rich don’t work for money. They make money work for them.”
6. Investing
At this level, you begin replacing earned income with passive income from investments. Investing is a powerful tool for building wealth that works for you, even while you sleep.
Key Strategies:
- Diversify your investments: Real estate, stocks, mutual funds, or other assets.
- Focus on long-term growth AND income-producing assets that pay you on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
- Learn the basics of risk management to protect your wealth.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 (NIV):
“Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”
The goal here is to create multiple streams of passive income that allow you to support yourself and your family without needing to rely on a traditional paycheck.
7. Kingdom Building
By this stage, your investments are generating more than enough to meet your needs. Now, you can begin to focus on advancing God’s Kingdom with your surplus.
Key Actions:
- Identify ministries, nonprofits, or missionaries to support financially.
- Create businesses or initiatives that align with Kingdom values.
- Seek God’s guidance on how to steward your resources effectively.
Remember, financial freedom isn’t just about accumulating wealth; it’s about having the capacity to make a greater impact for God’s Kingdom. When you reach this level, your time, talent, and treasure become tools for eternal impact.
8. City & Nation Transformation
At the final level, you have the knowledge and resources to create systemic change on a larger scale. This is where generational wealth becomes a vehicle for transforming families, cities, and nations.
Proverbs 13:22 (NIV):
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.”
Key Focus Areas:
- Engage in biblically responsible investing that aligns with your values.
- Reinvest the passive income your assets produce into projects that bring hope and restoration to communities.
- Use your influence to advance the Kingdom globally, funding ministries, startups, and initiatives that reflect God’s heart.
This level is about giving back in ways that outlast your lifetime, creating a legacy that honors God and transforms lives.
Transform Cities and Nations With Us: Become a WealthBuilders Partner!
WealthBuilders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to providing free, faith-based financial education around the world, made possible through the generosity of partners like you. If you feel inspired to support this mission, we invite you to give a one-time gift or join us as a partner. Your contribution helps us empower individuals to achieve financial freedom while advancing God’s Kingdom. Click the banner above to donate today. Thank you for making an eternal impact!
