Money Follows Purpose
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Don’t chase money, chase purpose.”
I’ve heard it too, and while there’s truth in it, I can’t say I fully agree. Money still matters. If you’re alive and reading this blog, you know money moves our world. It’s how we buy groceries, pay the bills, keep the lights on, and care for the people we love. Even those who step away from modern life and live “off the grid” need money to buy supplies.
So no, money isn’t something to ignore, but I’ve learned that when you become more focused on your purpose, money has a way of finding you.
Asking Honest Questions About Money
When I work with nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives, I like to ask a few questions.
How much money do you need to survive?
How much do you need to grow?
How much do you need to expand and build the kind of impact that outlasts you?
Most people only think in terms of survival. If they stretch, they might include a little growth. But they rarely let themselves dream about expansion. Dreaming that big feels out of reach, maybe even selfish.
That’s when I lean into the real question: why did you start in the first place?
People will tell me they wanted to meet a need in their community, or that they had lived through something and didn’t want others to struggle the same way. Some are honest and say they wanted to make money. Others tell me it was about building a better future for their children. Every answer is a valid answer and is about purpose.
The Truth About Purpose
However, purpose is more than a mission statement on a website or a line you rehearse in an elevator pitch. Purpose is deeper. It’s the drive inside of you that won’t let you sleep at night. It’s the fire that gets you up in the morning and keeps you going when there’s no applause.
Here’s a hard truth: your purpose isn’t just about you.
It isn’t only about making your life comfortable or successful. I believe purpose is given to us by the Almighty. It’s woven into who we are and it’s designed to serve other people.
That shift in perspective changes everything. You begin to see your work, your energy, and even your struggles in a new light. They aren’t just about your survival. They are about the impact you were created to make.
Even When You Think No One Is Watching
Years ago, I lived in rural Vermont. I don’t drive, no easy way to just “pop into town”, and the weather would often prohibit any type of travel. My connection to the outside world was mostly through the internet. It would have been easy to give up or believe that no one was paying attention.
When I started my first business at twenty-four, I didn’t realize people were watching me. Not in a spotlight sense, but in the way people notice when you keep going despite obstacles.
The truth is, people are watching you too. Even when you think no one cares. They’re noticing the way you show up. They’re reading that blog you almost didn’t post, watching the video you thought no one would see, and feeling inspired by the way you push forward when it isn’t easy.
Over the years, I’ve had people reach out from all over the world. A kind comment on a post, a message saying something I wrote mattered to them. Half the time, I wasn’t even writing with anyone specific in mind—I was just trying to sort through my own thoughts. But that’s how purpose works. It ripples out farther than we realize.
How I Live Out Purpose
For me, purpose comes down to serving God with the breath I’ve been given.
That shows up in both big and small ways. In a smile I give to a stranger, a song I sing in the car, a conversation online with an aspiring writer, and in my work taking care of the household or building a brand. It takes shape through Fuel and Inspire. It looks like helping nonprofits secure the funding they need to keep serving their communities. It shows up in assisting leaders gain insight when they feel like the wolves are at the door. It looks like designing events that raise money for schools and communities. It looks like giving entrepreneurs the confidence to put their ideas into words and their dreams into motion.
In every form, my purpose is to remind people that they are not alone and that what they’re building matters.
Where Money Fits In
This brings me back to money. So what does all of this have to do with finances? Everything.
Money is not just paper or numbers on a screen. Money is gratitude. When someone gives to your nonprofit, hires you for a project, or invests in your idea, they’re saying thank you. They’re putting value on your skills, your heart, and your willingness to keep going.
For example:
A grant award isn’t just funding, it’s a funder saying, “We believe in your vision.”
A donor’s gift isn’t just a dollar amount, it’s a person saying, “I want to be part of this story.”
When a client pays your invoice, it’s more than a transaction, it’s recognition of your expertise and trust in your ability to deliver.
When you begin to see money this way, fundraising doesn’t feel like begging. Sales doesn’t feel like hustling. Pricing doesn’t feel like guesswork. It all becomes an invitation. You’re simply giving people the chance to invest in something meaningful.
Money Always Finds Purpose
The more people you help, the more money will follow. It really is that simple. When you live your purpose out loud, people notice. And when they notice, they respond.
Purpose creates a cycle. You serve. People are impacted. They respond with support—sometimes in words, sometimes in opportunities, sometimes in finances. That support allows you to grow and expand, which creates more impact. And the cycle begins again.
Faith, Purpose, and Provision
For me, the foundation is faith in God. I know that everything is in His hands.
The Bible encourages a life of faith through verses like Mark 11:22-24 KJV “have faith in God and in prayer” and James 2:17 KJV “faith without works is dead”, meaning faith must be shown through actions. It also states in Philippians 4:13 KJV that "I can do all things through Christ," emphasizing the power of faith in Christ to accomplish all things.
My responsibility is to show up, to use the gifts I’ve been given, and to serve faithfully. The rest is for the Lord to guide me to where He needs me and to who needs my services.
When you see money as a resource, not the goal, it becomes easier to trust that what you need will be provided. Purpose fuels the work. Money fuels the growth. And God is in charge of both.
Final Thoughts
So yes, money follows purpose. Not because you’re chasing it, but because you’re chasing something bigger. When you align your work with the purpose you were created for, people see it. They’re drawn to it. And they’ll invest in it.
The real question isn’t whether money matters. The real question is whether you’re leading with money or leading with purpose.
Because when purpose leads, money will always follow.
I invite you to continue learning about how to excel in your purpose by reading one of my more popular blog posts: Getting Real About Imposter Syndrome
