Are you stuck financially despite your best efforts? I spent a healthy amount of time praying and preparing this list of 21 reasons why you aren’t making more money. While I don’t think all of these will apply to you (that would be shocking!), I’m willing to bet there are several reasons here you’ve never considered before.

Before diving into the list, remember this important truth: most people who aren’t making money just want someone to tell them what to do. But it doesn’t matter what you do if your mindset about money isn’t right. I’ve seen people working incredibly hard, doing all the “right things,” but still not making money. That’s a mindset issue, plain and simple.

Let’s dive into the 21 reasons you aren’t making more money:

#1: You’re a Bad Steward of What You Have

Jesus said, “If you can’t be trusted with a little, how can you be trusted with much?” All the money you make on earth is actually God’s, and how you steward it dictates how much you’ll grow.

If your stewardship involves wasteful spending on things like daily Starbucks, Netflix subscriptions, and other “stupid money on stupid things,” it would actually be a curse for you to have more. Look at your expenses: What iPhone subscriptions are you paying for but not using? What unhealthy foods are you buying that will only lead to costly health problems down the road?

#2: You Think People With Money Are Greedy or Evil

You’ll never become what you despise. Hollywood has programmed many to view wealthy people negatively. Try finding a popular movie where the rich person is portrayed positively; it rarely happens.

If you believe having money makes someone bad or evil, you’ll subconsciously repel wealth because you don’t want to become “that person.”

#3: You Think There’s Virtue in Poverty

Some believe there’s virtue in poverty: “I only need enough for me and my family.” But that’s actually selfish! Don’t you want to provide for others? Don’t you want to fund charities and be a cheerful giver?

2 Corinthians 9:6-13 tells us that when you’re a cheerful giver, God will replenish your store of seed. You can’t outgive God. If you think being poor is somehow more spiritual, that belief will keep you broke.

Ironically, when I was broke, I thought about money much more than when I started making it. There’s an unhealthy worship of money when your bank account dictates your emotions. We’re supposed to trust in the Lord, not our bank accounts.

#4: You Don’t Have a Diligent Hand

Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Many people simply aren’t taking enough shots – not prospecting, not reaching out, not asking people to look at their products or business opportunities.

Solomon said a diligent hand shall rule while the lazy are put to forced labor. How many people do you know stuck in jobs they hate with bosses they can’t stand, but they can’t leave? That’s forced labor. Your lack of offers keeps you there.

#5: You Would Feel Bad to Someone Close to You

This is deep: You might feel bad if you had more money than someone close to you. If your parents had big dreams but never achieved them, there’s likely a part of you that thinks, “If I get my dreams while they didn’t get theirs, that’s disrespectful.”

The same applies to close friends. If your best friend is broke, you might subconsciously feel guilty about becoming wealthy. What would that do to your relationship?

#6: Your Parents Made a Lot of Money But Treated You Poorly

If your parents made a lot of money but treated you poorly, you might have concluded that “people with money treat others badly.” So you avoid wealth to avoid becoming that person.

This isn’t a conscious thought – it’s a subconscious program based on childhood observations and the false conclusion you drew.

#7: Your Parents Made a Lot of Money Then Lost It

You might subconsciously believe you’ll follow the same pattern. If your parents experienced financial success and then lost everything, you might fear the same will happen to you.

Just because your parents made money and lost it doesn’t mean you have to as well. You can make a lot of money, steward it well, and not lose it.

#8: You Don’t Want Family Members Begging From You

You might avoid wealth because you don’t want family members asking for money. You’re keeping yourself small because you’re afraid of having to say “no” to people. Think about how you’re sabotaging your life because of this fear!

The apostle Paul said he can’t be a people-pleaser and a servant of Christ. I get messages every day from people wanting donations or free coaching. I pray about each request, but I say “no” to most of them. I’m not here to please everybody – that’s both impossible and unhelpful.

#9: You Think Having Money Takes You Away From God

Having money has nothing to do with loving money. Loving money above God means making money your source of identity, safety, security, and emotional well-being. That’s worship of mammon.

Instead, see money as a resource – it’s okay to have it, use it, and work it while keeping God as your source.

#10: You’re More Focused on Money Than Solving Problems

Too many people focus solely on getting money rather than solving problems or adding value. Money is a result, not a goal. It comes from solving others’ problems and providing value.

When you solve someone’s problem, they’ll happily part with their money in exchange. Focus on serving and adding value, and the money will follow.

#11: You Lack Consistency

If you lack consistency, it’s likely due to observations you made as a child that led you to conclude success was bad or would transform you into someone you don’t want to be.

Consistency is key to success in any endeavor, especially building wealth. Examine what’s really behind your inconsistent efforts.

#12: You Constantly Speak Poorly About Your Finances

Proverbs 18:21 says “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” When you continuously speak negatively about money, you create death in your finances.

Your words have power. When you speak negatively about your finances, you’re creating that reality in your life. Start speaking life over your finances instead.

#13: You’re Addicted to Non-Profit Producing Activities

Let’s be honest – many are addicted to Netflix, social media, and other time-wasters that produce nothing. The hardest part of change is making different decisions than you did yesterday.

Zechariah 4:10 says, “Don’t despise small beginnings.” Don’t be upset that you’re starting off clunky or don’t know exactly what you’re doing. The Lord loves the work to begin.

You don’t need more time – you need to eliminate wasteful activities and create a powerhouse daily routine.

#14: You’re More Focused on What You Don’t Have Than Serving Others

When you focus more on what you don’t have than on serving others, you block abundance. The Bible instructs us to keep our eyes pointed forward and to put others first.

Serving doesn’t always mean pleasing everyone or paying their bills. Sometimes true service means not answering someone’s prayer the way they expect.

#15: You’ve Realized Money Isn’t the Answer to Happiness

And so you don’t know what to do. The answer is to serve others and the money will flow, but don’t look at money as the source of happiness or fulfillment.

Money is a tool, not an end goal. Your purpose and fulfillment come from serving others, not from your bank account.

#16: You Have People in Your Life That Will Judge You

Many avoid stepping up financially because they fear judgment from others: “Oh, she’s all about money now.” Your concern about others’ opinions keeps you from making a bigger impact.

Remember, with more money, you can do more good. Don’t let others’ judgments hold you back from your potential.

#17: You Spend All Your Time Safely Learning

Others spend all their time safely learning instead of risking rejection. It’s comfortable to be the perpetual student, but at some point, you need to put yourself out there and make offers.

I can spot professional students immediately – they’re taking detailed notes but never implementing. Knowledge without action is worthless when it comes to building wealth.

#18: You Believe Someone Like You Can’t Make More Money

Some believe someone “like them” can’t make more money and refuse to listen to evidence that contradicts this belief. I’ve been dead broke, a million dollars in debt (twice!), used WIC checks, government assistance, and made countless financial mistakes. If I can overcome these challenges, so can you.

Stop rejecting success stories and being addicted to your smallness. As a child of God, limiting yourself is disrespectful to the price paid for you on the cross.

#19: You Base Your Money Off Your Past

Stop basing your financial future on your past. You’re forgiven! The enemy wants you to focus on your mistakes, but God wants you to move forward.

Your past does not determine your future. Let go of past financial mistakes and focus on the abundance God has for you.

#20: You’re Addicted to Suffering

If someone gave you a bunch of money, you might just give it away because you don’t want to risk coming out of suffering. The cells in your body have become addicted to the familiar state of financial struggle.

Breaking this addiction requires awareness and a conscious decision to embrace abundance instead of lack.

#21: You Have Spiritual Warfare On You

For some rare cases, spiritual warfare (agreements, contracts, curses) may be blocking your financial success. While this isn’t everyone’s problem, it can be a factor for some.

I’ve seen cases where removing these spiritual blockages allowed people to perform at a much higher level financially.

BONUS #22: You’re Not Investing in Yourself

You don’t see yourself as investment-worthy property. While determination and grit might get you to $250,000/year, beyond that, you’ll likely need coaches, mentors, and masterminds.

I believe almost anyone can get to a quarter million a year with determination, grit, and consistency, but beyond that, you’ll need guidance. I don’t know anyone who’s surpassed $250,000 a year without some kind of mentorship or coaching.

Invest in wisdom – buy it! That’s what helped me build a multi-million dollar company, and now, co-laboring with Christ has made it even more amazing.

How many of these reasons apply to you? Two? Five? If you’re ready to make more money, now is your time. Remember, you’re forgiven and blessed to be a blessing. Stop being addicted to suffering and start walking in abundance.